How Will St. Francis Xavier Parish Celebrate the Year of Mercy?
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13 106 02 t h2 nil connecting the thecommunity community of st. francis of st. xavier francis catholic xavier church parish or p MA // hh t c n r thethe a o thethe M M Navigator How will St. Francis Xavier Parish celebrate the Year of Mercy? he question was posed in the days Maurin Center, a volunteer-led drop-in And on May 28, we’ll hold our leading up to Dec. 8, when the center founded on Catholic principles that second Parish Day of Service, when T Jubilee Year of Mercy invoked by feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless and dozens of opportunities like this will be Pope Francis began. While our parish has much more. The SFX group, which scheduled here in Medina and you are many ways in which included several middle-schoolers and invited to come together to take part in we carry out the adults, sorted clothing donations, packed these dynamic good works. Last year, corporal and lunches and distributed food to those 275 people were involved in an incredible spiritual works living on the streets. grace-filled day of service, and the of mercy “It was incredibly moving,” says goodness was palpable. We look every day Annie Brunkholz, who volunteered with forward to an even bigger day this year. through our her husband, Herb, and sons, Luke and In the months ahead, watch the ministries, it Alex. “It was almost like a renewal bulletin, the Navigator, our parish seemed an experience. We were so glad to be of website and our Facebook page for details ideal time to service. We can’t wait to do it again.” throughout the year on how you can draw more While they knew the need was bring Christ’s mercy to those in need. attention to significant in Akron, the experience was MERCY continued on page 2 the need and very eye-opening, Annie says, and she was opportunities grateful for this day to volunteer with to be the hands fellow parishioners. “I’ve always wanted and feet of Christ to do something like that,” she adds, “but as we extend His I probably never would have if not for grace and mercy in our community. this opportunity with the parish.” A subcommittee of the Stewardship Throughout the year, we will explore Committee began studying this question, the works of mercy and identify ways you and is in the process of identifying ways may become involved. There will be our parishioners can mark the Year of things to go and do, such as the group Mercy with intentional acts of service. did at the Maurin Center, as well as The group includes Joanne Weiler, Terry things you may contribute, such as the Tusim, Judy Mayiras and Jennifer Webb. small toiletry and personal care items The first such organized event took needed by a number of organizations. place Jan. 30, when a group of 10 There will be simpler things done right at St. Francis Xavier parishioners sorted clothing at parishioners served at Akron’s Peter our parish. the Peter Maurin Center in Akron. Mass Times: Saturday Vigil - 5 p.m., Sunday - 8 & 10 a.m., noon & 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil – 5 p.m., Sunday – 8 & 10 a.m., noon & 5:30 p.m. MassWeekday - 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 7 p.m. Monday, Thursday & First Friday of the month TiMes Weekdays – 7:30Holy a.m. days Monday - 7 p.m. through Vigil, 7:30Saturday; & 9:15 7 a.m.,p.m. Monday,7 p.m. Thursday & First Friday of the month page 2 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Mercy Jason Horrigan, the club meets at Liberty mutually agreeable time continued from page 1 Plaza apartments to help children with for simple things like homework once a week for two hours. reading the newspaper, March Liberty Plaza, at 253 Abbeyville Road in playing a game or just Instruct the Uniformed Medina, is an affordable apartment checking in. Counsel the Doubtful community with 106 rental units. Adults • The SFX During the month of March we have and children are welcome to provide Employment Network an opportunity to focus on two spiritual assistance with homework questions. extends hope and advice to works of mercy: Instruct the Uninformed Visit www.sfxmedina.org/parish/mercy those looking for work, by and Counsel the Doubtful. We have for more information. connecting those who know about numerous ways to do that right here at job openings with those who need them. the parish: aPriL • Students in our Edge Parish School • Lenten Soup & Scripture – of Religion program have an opportunity Visit the Sick March 2, 9 and 16. Bring a pot of soup for a service night at Medina Meadows Comfort the Sorrowful or bread and share a simple meal prior to nursing home once each month during In April, we focus on the Corporal a 30-minute evening prayer service. the school year. Work of Mercy “Visit the Sick” and the • Symbolon adult education with Fr. • A small corps of our parishioners Spiritual Work of Mercy “Comfort the Thom – March 7 or 8 and 14 or 15 visit the dying at Hospice of Medina Sorrowful.” • Faith Sharing Groups are studying County, bringing them the Eucharist, • At Hospitality Sunday on April 3, “The Creed” by Stephen Binz – More praying with them and extending Christ’s we will have supplies in the church than 100 people are studying this book in mercy. Other extraordinary ministers of basement and invite parishioners to make Lenten faith-sharing groups to learn more holy Communion bring the Eucharist to cards or notes for residents of 11 nursing about our faith. each weekend to nursing homes. homes in Medina. Individuals and • Women of Grace study group • Parishioners in the Rosary Leaders families are invited to sign up to bring sessions began in February ministry pray the rosary at nursing homes the cards to the nursing homes. • Christ Renews His Parish men’s once or twice each month. • Mercy Visitors spend time with renewal – March 5-6 For more details about all of these our homebound parishioners. Training is • Knowledge is Power Homework opportunities, and to sign up, visit available, and visits are arranged at a Club – started by parishioners Sarah and www.sfxmedina.com/parish/mercy. The Mercy of God Graciously Flows My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. It is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. (Diary, 367) n this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we have the opportunity to Mercy Sunday. Through the life, death and the Father raising reflect on the truth of God’s gracious mercy. God offers His Son from the dead, the depths of mercy are revealed. The Ius mercy, not condemnation. The face of Jesus is the risen Christ greets his disciples, breathing His spirit within them face of mercy! The blood and water that flowed from stating: “…If you forgive men’s sins, they are forgiven them.” Christ’s side as He hung upon the cross is constantly flowing. (John 20:22) Respecting our free will, God does not force anyone to be The message found in Divine Mercy is that God loves us – all enveloped in mercy; however, open hearts can experience a of us. And, he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than flood of His mercy. our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His The gift of mercy is not limited to the season of Lent, as it mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to is the first Sunday after Easter that the Church celebrates Divine share His joy. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church page 3 The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God’s by remembering ABC: mercy. St. John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina in 2000, making A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in her the “first saint of the new millennium.” Speaking of prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour Sr. Faustina and the importance of the message contained in His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. her Diary, the pope call her “the great apostle of Divine Mercy in B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let our time.” it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a devotion of the Catholic forgiveness to others. Church with a focus on welcoming God’s transformative mercy in C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know one’s life and into the world. The chaplet is customarily prayed at that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The the 3 o’clock hour of Christ’s death. As the Church celebrates more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive. Divine Mercy Sunday this year on April 3, St. Francis Xavier Though the Divine Mercy message is not new to the Parish will host a prayer service beginning at 2:30 p.m. that will teachings of the Church, devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy include the Chaplet, Reconciliation, Exposition and Benediction. has experienced growth through the writings of St. Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who wrote a diary of about “Let God’s Mercy flow in you!” The How to Recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using 8.