There will be a Divine Mercy Holy Hour in the chapel Sunday after the 11:00 a.m. Mass; all are invited.

This weekend we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. We rejoice in the forgiveness of sins that Jesus won for us through his death and Resurrection. We celebrate and receive that forgiveness (of venial sins) here in Mass. We also celebrate and receive that forgiveness more fully, especially mortal sins, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or “Confession”. “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven.” This is a key Biblical basis for our Catholic belief that Jesus wanted the church to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where people confess their sins to the priest (who acts in the person of Christ himself) and receive the grace of forgiveness. If you (or one of your loved ones) have been away from the Sacrament of Confession for a while, we encourage you to avail yourself (or to encourage others to avail themselves) of this instrument of Divine Mercy.

The extraordinary Grace of Divine Mercy Sunday was promised to all those individuals who receive Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday in a state of grace, with the trust in God’s merciful love.

A Plenary Indulgence can be obtained for oneself, or the poor souls suffering in purgatory, when one complies with the usual conditions:  1.) Sacramental confession: 2.) Eucharistic communion: 3.) prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father.

The requirement of sacramental confession is satisfied by all who remain in the state of grace following their Lenten celebration of the Sacrament of Penance. However, for those who wish, confession will be available, as usual, on Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The other conditions for the plenary indulgence  can be fulfilled when the faithful, on the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from sin, even venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g., Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!)