It is nice to be home with my feet on the ground and to hit the ground running. Many of you may of heard that Pope Francis issued a Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. What this means is that the Church will celebrate a holy year of Mercy. It will begin on December 8, 2015 (The Immaculate Conception of Mary) and end on November 20, 2016 (Christ the King Sunday). It is an absolutely beautiful gift that our Holy Father is giving to the Church, and let me just say it is amazing in scope. The Holy Father says in the second paragraph: “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace. Our salvation depends on it. Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to a hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.”
It is truly an AWESOME gift of our Heavenly Father, who has given it to us through Pope Francis, this reminder that we are to be merciful. Every Mass we say, “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.” What we receive, we should in turn give to others. If anyone has a chance, read what the Holy Father wrote in its entirety. It is truly a gift. May God bless all of us with His mercy!!!!
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault