S A I N T J O H N N E U M A N N P A R I S H 7 0 8 M i l f o r d R d ( R t e 1 0 1 A ) , M e r r i m a c k , N H 0 3 0 5 4 — S J N N H . O R G
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY April 19, 2020 THE DIVINE MERCY
Go and learn the meaning of the words, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." —Mt 9:13 Fr. Robert Glasgow Pastor The following are excerpts from Misericors et Miserator Chaplain (LTC) USA, Ret. [Lt., Merciful and Compassionate], the formal decree issued 880-4689 x113, [email protected] May 5, 2000 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Deacon Mark De Rosch the Discipline of the Sacraments which established the [email protected] Second Sunday of Easter as "Divine Mercy Sunday". Eileen Buckley Business Manager / Parish Secretary 880-4689 x110, [email protected]
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday (Anticipatory) ...... 5:30 PM Sunday ...... 8:00 AM Sunday ...... 10:00 AM Sunday [Labor Day thru Memorial Day] .... 6:00 PM Daily (Mon, Wed-Fri) ...... 12:15 PM SANCTUARY OF DIVINE MERCY Vilnius, Lithuania CONFESSION Saturday ...... 3:00-5:00 PM It Is God's Mercy That Grants Supernatural Sorrow and Resolution to Amend And before/after daily Mass, or by appointment. INDEED, Divine Mercy knows how to pardon even the most BAPTISM serious sins, and in doing so it Parents must attend a Parent Baptism Class before moves the faithful to perceive a the baptism of their child. The class is offered the supernatural, not merely first Sunday of each month following the 10:00 psychological, sorrow for their AM Mass. sins so that, ever with the help of divine grace, they may make a MARRIAGE firm resolution not to sin any Please contact the office at least six months prior more. Such spiritual dispositions to the wedding date. The diocese requires Marriage undeniably follow upon the Prep. forgiveness of mortal sin when VISITS TO THE HOMEBOUND AND SICK, the faithful fruitfully receive the ANOINTING OF THE SICK sacrament of Penance or repent of their sin with an act of perfect Please call the office to request home or hospital charity and perfect contrition, visitation. with the resolution to receive the RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION Sacrament of Penance as soon as they can. Indeed, Our Lord Jesus THE DIVINE MERCY RCIA is the process of formation offered to those by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski who seek to become Catholic. For information, Christ teaches us in the parable (d. 1939) please call the office. of the Prodigal Son that the "JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!" sinner must confess his misery to God saying: "Father I have sinned against heaven and participants in the events of those years and the horrible against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son" sufferings they caused for millions of people, know well (Lk 15:18-19), realizing that this is a work of God, "for [he] how necessary was the message of mercy. was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found" (Lk Jesus told Sr Faustina: "Humanity will not find peace 15:32). until it turns trustfully to divine mercy." Through the work Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday of the Polish religious, this message has become linked for ever to the 20th century, the last of the second millennium And so with provident pastoral sensitivity and in order to and the bridge to the third. It is not a new message but can impress deeply on the souls of the faithful these precepts be considered a gift of special enlightenment that helps us to and teachings of the Christian faith, the Supreme Pontiff, relive the Gospel of Easter more intensely, to offer it as a John Paul II, moved by the consideration of the Father of ray of light to the men and women of our time. Mercy, has willed that the Second Sunday of Easter be [The Second Sunday of Easter] from now on dedicated to recalling with special devotion these gifts of throughout the Church will be called "Divine Mercy grace and gave this Sunday the name, "Divine Mercy Sunday." In the various readings, the liturgy seems to Sunday." indicate the path of mercy which, while re-establishing the a relationship of each person with God, also creates new relations of fraternal solidarity among human beings. Christ On April 20, 2000—the occasion of the canonization of has taught us that "man not only receives and experiences Sister Mary Faustina Kowalska (d. 1938), a Polish nun—, the mercy of God, but is also called 'to practice mercy' Pope St John Paul II (d. 2005) announced that the Second towards others: 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall Sunday of Easter would henceforth be observed as "Divine obtain mercy' (Matthew 5:7)." He also showed us the many Mercy Sunday". The following are excerpts from the Holy paths of mercy, which not only forgives sins but reaches out Father's homily. Italics added. to all human needs. Jesus bent over every kind of human poverty, material and spiritual. His message of mercy continues to reach us through his BEFORE saying, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent hands held out to suffering man. This is how Sr Faustina me, even so I send you . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you saw him and proclaimed him to people on all the forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the continents when, hidden in her convent at £agiewniki in sins of any, they are retained" (John 20: 21-23), Jesus Kraków, she made her life a hymn to mercy: Misericordias points to the wounds of the Passion, especially the wound Domini in aeternum cantabo. in his heart. From that heart Sister Faustina Kowalska, the blessed—whom from now on we will call a saint—will see two rays of light shining and illuminating the world. "The two rays," Jesus himself explained to her one day, "represent blood and water." COVID-19 PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONS Blood and water! We immediately think of the testimony given by the Evangelist John, who, when a • Due to the current COVID-19 virus pandemic solider on Calvary pierced Christ's side with his spear, sees Bishop Libasci has directed that all PUBLIC blood and water flowing from it (cf. John 19:34). MASSES within the diocese be suspended until Moreover, if the blood recalls the sacrifice of the Cross and further notice. the gift of the Eucharist, the water, in Johannine • With the exception of the FOOD PANTRY symbolism, represents not only Baptism but also the gift of —which will continue to serve those in the Holy Spirit (cf. John 3:5; 4:14; 7:37-39). need—, all St John Neumann programs are Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart temporarily suspended as well. of Christ crucified: "My daughter, say that I am love and mercy personified," Jesus will ask Sr Faustina. Christ pours • We are live streaming Sunday Mass at 9:00 out this mercy on humanity though the sending of the AM on the parish Facebook page: Spirit who, in the Trinity, is the Person-Love. And is not
y DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET this Sunday. Dioces From Saint [Sister] Faustina's Diary #699: e of Sioux Falls "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
, IA 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."
PARISH FINANCES As the suspension of public Mass continues, parish finances are sharply decreased. Our first responsibility is to our own family, then extended family, then charities. Those who have the means are asked to consider donating to the parish, either • Please call/contact the SJN office if you have by mail or online. Any and all support is greatly any questions: (603) 880-4689; appreciated!
† On 11 Mar 2020, reciting the Rosary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love (Rome), Pope Francis entrusted the world to Mary, asking her intercession throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. O MARY, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen. Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
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SJN Staff CLAIRE BRYSON Children's Ministry (K-5th Grade) (603) 880-4689 x114; [email protected] CHERI ANDERSEN Youth Ministry (6th-12th Grade) (603) 880-4689 x111; [email protected] DIANE BONENFANT Sacristan CAROL YETTO Music Ministry [email protected] CAROL HOPFENSPIRGER & EVELYN VERBECK Outreach & Food Pantry (603) 880-4689 x116 KATHY HOPKINS Day Away (Thursday) [email protected], (603) 880-4689 PASTORAL COUNCIL Steve De Beradinis (President) FINANCE COMMITTEE Bob Fregault (Chairman) KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Tom Davis, Grand Knight [email protected] Accepting New Patients RENO’S AUTO BODY, INC. 603-882-4080 Smith & Heald 741 West Hollis St., Nashua, NH Funeral Home 603-882-7636 ROGER F. BLAIS Family Owned/Operated Since 1969 Deborah L. Quinlan Experienced High Quality Collision Repairs Additions • Roofing • Siding Dr. Diane Shieh In Foreign & Domestic Autos & Motor Homes Replacement Windows • Decks 672-0844 DIRECTOR FREE ESTIMATES 4 Peaslee Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054 www.AmherstOrthodontics.com 63 Elm St., Milford Towing & Rental Assistance [email protected] We Offer Pick Up & Delivery FREE EXAM & APPOINTMENT SHUTTLE 673-1422 Ask About Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee (603) 883-5822 Your Local Family Owned Dealer For All Major Brands Since 1978 Brennan & MacKay RIVET Appliance Sales and Service 5 1/2 Gaffney Street www.brennanandmackayappliances.com FUNERAL HOME Nashua, NH 03060 www.chickbeaulieu.com 276 South Street, Rte. 13, Milford, NH • 673-1177 ROOFING • SIDING • PAINTING • GUTTERS We Service What We Sell With Experienced Personnel & CREMATION MASONRY • DECKS • SHUTTERS 425 D.W. Highway REPLACEMENT WINDOWS • STORM WINDOWS & DOORS GE - FRIGIDAIRE - BOSCH - LG - WHIRLPOOL - KITCHENAID - MAYTAG Merrimack, NH 603.673.7950
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