This Sunday, May 16

the Church celebrates the
Solemnity of the Ascension 

Mass will be in St. Joseph Chapel at 9 AM

Only Through Jesus

On Friday, during Mass, when my soul was flooded with God's happiness,
I heard these words in my soul:

"My Mercy has passed into souls through the divine human Heart of Jesus
as a ray from the sun passes through crystal."

I felt in my heart and understood that
every approach to God is brought about by Jesus,
in Him and through Him. (#528)

                                                            from the Diary of St. Faustina

Pentecost Novena Begins Today

The very first novena, has its origins in the nine days of prayer in the Upper Room  where the Apostles and Blessed Mother gathered after Jesus' Ascension to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. You can join them, as time is all one for God.  Make your own way to the Upper Room.  Tuck yourself away in a corner, or draw close to the Blessed Mother, or your favorite apostle, and join them each day in a few moments of shared prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit to fill you with the graces that God wishes you to have. 

One prayer to the Holy Spirit:  " Come Holy Spirit. Come by the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse." Repeat three times.

BENEFICIAL HOLY WATER

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Holy water, like all sacramentals, has long been part of the daily lives of Catholics. In this time of special health concerns, it is good to be reminded of one of the traditional beneficial effects attributed to the use of holy water.  The following passage is from the book Holy Water and Its Significance for Catholics,  by Rev. Henry Theiler.

As we learn from these same prayers of the Church, holy water is a special remedy against ills of the body. This effect is contained in the second prayer pronounced over the water. Therein the Church thus addresses herself to God:

"Graciously give ear when we call upon Thee, and pour upon this element . . . the power of Thy blessing; let Thy creature [water] . . . by divine grace be effectual for driving away diseases, that on whatsoever in the houses or places of the faithful this water shall be sprinkled, it may be freed from all uncleanness and be delivered from hurt."

From these words it is plain that holy water is not only a means to drive away sickness
but is likewise a protection against sickness.

The graces of sacramentals should not be confused with anything magical;  they are derived from and conferred by Our Savior.

"For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals sanctifies  almost every event of their lives with the divine grace which flows from the Paschal mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.  From this source all sacraments and sacramentals draw their power." ( #1670 Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Every Catholic household should have its own supply of holy water, blessed salt, blessed oil and blessed candles. Consider it a form of Catholic prepping!

Sunday Night Picnic Supper

Once a week the men's and women's households get together for a meal.  They take turns hosting.  This week it was the men's turn and Peter decided that it was a good night to grill.  Is he serving the latest feral hog?   Sr. Amapola looks on.  Mother Magdalene is checking on the chicks.

Yes, You Can Help!

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!

Thank you for considering  a donation in support of the Mission of Divine Mercy. The Mission has no regular source of income, and we receive no diocesan funding.  Every bit of support comes from people like you; people whom God introduces to the Mission.  We try to steward your money wisely and make each dollar work hard for Him and for His people.