On behalf of Fr. Tim McKenna, who has served here so beautifully during the past four weeks of Fr. Ramon’s absence, and on behalf of Fr. Ramon himself, Deacon Ted and all the members of Holy Family staff, I want to express my sincere wish that each of you have a Blessed Easter.
In the vestibule of Holy Family I have placed a chart, showing portraits of all the 265 Roman Pontiffs. Many of the men listed were quite saintly and others were not. Most were probably like you and me, struggling to do the best we can, but often stumbling. We have been privileged, during the past 23 years, to have as pope, one the most extraordinary men to come out of the twentieth century.
During the Easter Season we celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord who promised to be with his church all days until the end of the world. (Mt 28:20) Fifty days from today, on Pentecost Sunday (May 19) we acknowledge the great gift of the Holy Spirit. We recognize that without him we can do nothing.
This Thursday is the first Thursday of April. We will have Sacrament of Reconciliation in our church from 4 to 8 p.m. Thankfully Fr. Ramon Velasco is returning from the Philippines so he will be with us for confessions. As you know the Sunday after Easter is called “Divine Mercy” because the Gospel recounts the institution of the Sacrament of Penance. You are invited to take advantage of this opportunity and to receive that great gift of God’s unmerited mercy.
Beginning on Good Friday until the Sunday after Easter, using the beads of your rosary, say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
4. Conclude with (three times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:
DAY 1 - All mankind, especially sinners
DAY 2 - The souls of priests and religious
DAY 3 - All devout and faithful souls
DAY 4 - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
DAY 5 - The souls of separated brethren
DAY 6 - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
DAY 7 - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
DAY 8 - The souls who are detained in purgatory; and
DAY 9 - The souls who have become lukewarm.
**********
Many of us have family members who have left the Catholic Church to join a “Bible Church.” Sometimes they make strong challenges which can leave one uncertain how to respond. Fr. Mario Romero, a priest of the Lafayette diocese, has written a helpful book: Unabridged Christianity: Biblical Answers to Common Questions about Roman Catholic Faith. It can be purchased by visiting Aquinas Catholic Books, Art and Gifts; 609 Market Street, Kirkland. Or you can call them at 425-828-4413.
Perhaps even more common than leaving the Catholic Church to join a different one is the person who simply leaves the faith entirely. As far as I am concerned the best book to recommend to a person whose faith has grown cold is: Christianity for Modern Pagans (Pascal's Pensee's Edited Outlined and Explained) by Peter Kreeft (1993, Ignatius, San Francisco) 341 pp. It also can be obtained through Aquinas Books.
En la parte atras del templo hay retratos de todos los papas de la Iglesia Católica. Les invito revisar esta lista para ver como Jesús ha proveido en todo tiempo un pastor visible para su rebaño. El quiere que seamos “un solo rebaño con un solo pastor.”
De parte del Padre Ramon Velasco, que regresa de la Filipinas, del Señor Abel Magaña y de todos los miembros del equipo, quisiera expresar el deseo que todos tenga FELIZ PASCUA DE RESURRECION.
Como Rezar la Novena a Misericordia Divina
Comenzando el Viernes Santo hasta el Domingo Después de Pascua, rezar todos los nueve días La Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia:
Usando una camándula del Rosario empezamos con: El Padre Nuestro..., Ave María..., El Credo...,
Al comenzar cada década decimos: Padre Eterno, te ofrezco el Cuerpo, la Sangre, el Alma y la Divinidad de Tu Amadísimo Hijo, Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, para el perdón de nuestros pecados y los del mundo entero.
En cada cuenta pequeña decimos: Por Su dolorosa Pasión ten misericordia de nosotros y del mundo entero.
Al finalizar las cinco décadas de la coronilla decimos:
Santo Dios, Santo Fuerte, Santo Inmortal, ten piedad de nosotros y del mundo entero. (tres veces)
Almas por las cuales se reza cada día esta Novena:
1er. día >> por toda la humanidad, especialmente los pecadores;
2do. día >> por los sacerdotes y religiosos;
3er. día >> por todos los devotos y creyentes;
4to. día >> por aquellos que no creen en Dios y los que aun no conocen a Jesús;
5to. día >> por aquellos que se han apartado de la Iglesia;
6to. día >> por los mansos y humildes y por los niños;
7mo. día >> por aquellos que especialmente veneran y glorifican Su misericordia;
8vo. día >> por las almas del purgatorio;
9no. día >> por aquellos que se han vuelto tibios e indiferentes.