Events

Feast of Divine Mercy

Christ is risen! He is truly risen, Alleluia! This year, Our Lady of the Wayside had the great joy of welcoming more than 1,700 people in-person for our Easter Sunday liturgies. Such a beautiful Paschal Triduum would not have been possible without the tremendous dedication, time, and talents of our parish staff, music ministry, arts and environment committee, teachers and parents who prepared the egg hunt, priests and deacons, and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. On behalf of the parish, I would like to thank everyone involved and everyone who participated for your hard work, commitment, as well as for your spiritual and financial support of our parish!

This Sunday, thanks to St. Pope John Paul II, we celebrate the great Feast of Divine Mercy. In 1936, Jesus spoke the following words to St. Faustina Kowalska: “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.”

“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.”

“Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity” (Diary 699).

What greater way is there to prepare for Heaven than by taking advantage of Jesus’ spiritual offer of Divine Mercy? This Sunday, April 24, a Multi-Parish Feast of Divine Mercy will be hosted by St. James Parish. The Feast will begin with a talk at 1:30 PM, followed by the Sacrament of Confession from 2:00-3:00 PM, and conclude with The Chaplet and Devotions from 3:00-4:00 PM. For those who cannot come to confess on Sunday, it is permissible to receive the Sacrament of Confession beforehand. You can also call the parish office to make an appointment. If you are homebound, please let our office staff know, and I will be happy to come and hear your confession in your home.

Elsewhere in St. Faustina’s diary, she writes that Jesus said: “‘I am love and Mercy Itself. There is no misery that could be a match for My mercy, neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted – it increases. The soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it’” (Diary 1273).

Let us trust in Jesus’ mercy, and then all will truly be well.

Yours in Christ,
Father Arthur

Readings for the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy): Lectionary 45