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Why a Jubilee Year of Mercy?

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Why a Jubilee Year of Mercy? Please join us in celebrating the Year of Mercy Prayer of Pope Francis for the December 8, 2015—November 20, 2016 Jubilee Some of our Year of Mercy offerings include: Exposition & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be At St Bridget’s: the last Wednesday of the month, 5pm-6:30pm merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us At St Mary’s: the first Friday of the month, 7am-8pm that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face Bible Study on Mercy: Thursdays 9:45-11:45AM and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed “Encountering the God of Mercy” Opportunities throughout the Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by year for people in various places in life to come together to experi- money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking ence the mercy of God amidst the struggles in life. The gatherings happiness only in created things; made Peter weep will take place on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm. The initial lineup after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the includes: repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each January 21: Encountering the God of Mercy in Bereavement one of us, the words that you spoke to the January 28: Encountering the God of Mercy in Cancer Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!” February 4: Encountering the God of Mercy in Broken Relation- You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of ships the God who manifests his power above all by February 11: Encountering the God of Mercy in Loneliness forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your Future gatherings include finding mercy amidst: depression, addiction, Jubilee Year of Mercy visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. abuse, illness, homosexuality, caregiving, single parenting, etc. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed Lenten Parish Mission on Mercy: March 13-15, 2016, 7pm Saint Benedict Parish in weakness in order that they may feel compassion Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration: April 3, 2016, 3pm St Bridget’s Church—St Mary’s Church for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and Retreat on the mercy of Christ forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate Days of Service allowing us to practice the Works of Mercy What is a Jubilee Year? every one of us with His anointing, so that the Lecture series on Mercy Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Keep up to date on these opportunities and more on our website: Why a Jubilee Year of Mercy? Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, www.stbenedictonline.org may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through “It is indeed my wish that the Jubilee be a living experience of the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who the closeness of the Father, whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the faith of every believer may be live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for strengthened and thus testimony to it be ever more effective.” ever and ever. Pope Francis Amen. After 1300 we have evidence of the celebration of 30 The Church feels the urgent need to proclaim God’s What is a Jubilee Year? jubilee years in the Catholic Church. The one some of mercy. Her life is authentic and credible only when us remember is the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 she becomes a convincing herald of mercy. She knows that her primary task, especially at a The tradition of jubilee years is very promulgated by Saint John Paul II. moment full of great hopes and signs of contradic- ancient and it has its roots in the jubilee Why a Jubilee Year of Mercy? tion, is to introduce everyone to the great mystery of years that the people of Israel celebrated God’s mercy by contemplating the face of Christ. The every seven years or every 50 years Pope Francis has called the universal Church to Church is called above all to be a credible witness to (Deuteronomy and Leviticus). These jubilee celebrate a Jubilee Year of Mercy. This celebration mercy, professing it and living it as the core of the years or years of remission were years in will begin on December 8, 2015 with the opening of revelation of Jesus Christ. From the heart of the which those who had fallen into debt, no the Doors of Mercy and end on November 20, 2016. Trinity, from the depths of the mystery of God, the This is a year in which we are called to “Be merciful, great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceas- longer owned their own land or had fallen even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). In order ingly. It is a spring that will never run dry, no matter into being hired labor or into slavery as a to be merciful we must first open our hearts to a how many people draw from it. Every time someone way to pay their debts would have their personal encounter with the God of Mercy in Jesus is in need, he or she can approach it, because the debts forgiven and their property would be Christ. Only if we ourselves experience the great mercy of God never ends. The profundity of the mys- given back to them so that they could enjoy mercy of the Father will we be able to be merciful tery surrounding it is as inexhaustible as the rich- the promises of God to Israel in fullness like the Father. This year of mercy is an opportunity ness which springs up from it. In this Jubilee Year, and be restored to their proper place as then to experience God’s mercy in our lives and to may the Church echo the word of God that resounds members of the people of God. The share that mercy with others by the Spiritual and strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, Corporal works of Mercy so that we may all come to strength, aid, and love. May she never tire of extend- Christian Church very early on took on this enjoy the love of God whose heart is always on the ing mercy, and be ever patient in offering compas- practice of celebrating spiritual jubilee side of the miserable, the sinners, the poor and the sion and comfort. May the Church become the voice years, in which we are called to open suffering. of every man and woman, and repeat confidently ourselves to the forgiveness of all our sins without end: “Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and and to be restored to our dignity as “This Extraordinary Jubilee Year is dedicated to your steadfast love, for they have been from of living out in our daily lives the mercy which the beloved Daughters and Sons of God. We do old” (Ps 25:6).” MV 25 Father constantly extends to all of us. In this Jubilee not have evidence of Christian Jubilee Year, let us allow God to surprise us. He never tires Years before 1300, but we have indications of casting open the doors of his heart and of that they were being celebrated before repeating that he loves us and wants to share his that. love with us. .
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