Octave Day of Easter

My Dear Parishioners,
 
On this Octave Day of Easter I greet you with: CHRIST IS RISEN! Yes, this continues to be Easter Day and once again the Gospel reading takes us back to the first Easter Sunday and the Sunday which followed. The Second Sunday of Easter has traditionally been called “Saint Thomas Sunday” as a result of the Apostle Thomas who professed his faith in the Risen Lord on this day. More recently this day is called DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY as promulgated by Saint Pope John Paul II in honor of the Lord Jesus whose heart overflows with mercy and compassion for sinners. The mystical revelations made to Saint Faustina Kowalska, a 20th century Polish nun, testify to God’s great love for us shown in His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Saint Faustina introduced the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which is prayed on the Rosary for both and living and the dead. We pray on each bead: FOR THE SAKE OF HIS SORROWFUL PASSION, HAVE MERCY ON US AND ON THE WHOLE WORLD. Yes, mercy and compassion are the gifts the Lord freely gives us when we approach Him in repentance. Saint Faustina was asked by the Lord to produce an image of Him as He appeared to her, pointing to His heart from which came two streams of red and white, blood and water. Beneath this holy image are the words: JESUS I TRUST IN YOU.
 
I am happy to say that devotion to the Divine Mercy is alive and well here in Rockaway. We pray the Chaplet every Monday evening at the conclusion of Holy Hour in Saint Cecilia Church. During the summer months we pray the Chaplet at Sacred Heart Church every Friday afternoon at the “Hour of Mercy”, 3 PM. Our new school in Rockaway is named DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY with our students being schooled in the virtues of mercy and compassion. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Divine Mercy Celebration which will begin this afternoon at 2 o’clock at Sacred Heart Church and will conclude with the singing of the Chaplet at 3 o’clock. Great graces are available to all those who honor this day and participate in its celebration according to Saint Faustina. I know you do not want to miss this!!!
 
Our children from our two parishes and our school will receive their First Holy Communion next Sunday and the following. Please remember these young ones in your prayers that they may always honor and yearn for the Eucharist.
 
Father Marcin, Father Mateusz, Seminarian Matt join with me in thanking all those who remembered us at Easter. We appreciate the gifts of food, drink, monetary gifts and other expressions of your esteem. We are humbled and express our gratitude and love. Please be assured of our prayers for you and your loved ones.
 
God bless you! Happy Easter! CHRIST IS RISEN!
Father Zig