Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy:
We had beautiful simultaneous celebrations of Easter Vigil this past Saturday both at Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Sorrows churches. At Our Lady of Sorrows I baptized eleven children and out of eleven there were ten who received the Sacrament of Confirmation. At Our Lady of Mercy there were two children that Father Tom baptized. It was, indeed, a night of grace flowing upon them and upon their parents, guardians and godparents. It was also a grace filled night for all of us people of God.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who work hard for our Triduum celebrations: liturgy, setting up, cleaning and decorations. Thank you Sister Elise, Sister Alice, Sister Carol, Sister Luke, Frank, Doris, teachers, catechists and aides at Our Lady of Sorrows, Father Tom, Father Nol, Father Butchie, Deacon Meynard, Jojo, Jim, Jeng, Michael, teachers, catechists and aides at Our Lady of Mercy, confirmation team, all ministers of all ministries and societies, cantors and choirs (adults and children), Easter angels and their parents and guardians, and all those who volunteered to help. To those who worked behind the scene I also thank you.
In these coming weekends there will be those among us who will receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. These children have been preparing for a long time to get to this point of their journey in faith. I ask that we all assist them and pray for them that, with the help of their parents and guardians, they will surely grow in their love of God. And as we do that, may all of us take a lesson from them, too, of who really is it that we receive in the Eucharist.
As we continue our celebration of Easter may what we have been working on during the Lenten Season to advance in our good relationship with God be fruitful and that we walk straight towards attaining our salvation in Christ. There are bumps along the way, but take heart, don’t be afraid, don’t be discouraged, keep reaching out to God for help. Know that He is always there.
Thank you and God bless you all!
Love,
+Father Marty