Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

April 11, 2021

On April 30th, 2000, Sr. Faustina was Canonized and Divine Mercy Sunday was entered in the General Calendar of the Catholic Church. It is hard to believe it has been 20 years. The
devotion is strong, and the image of the Divine Mercy is now widely known.

What is beautiful about this Sunday is the intimacy of the Gospel where St. Thomas physically touches Jesus and experiences in a special way that Divine Mercy. Thomas sees the wounds of Christ, and we are left with the visual imagery of such an intimate encounter.

During the pain of loss, Thomas has an
encounter with the Risen and Glorified Jesus. For many of us, we remember the pain of loss during November during dark nights and cold days. We clasp often fading memories of our loved ones and cling to hope as we enter the Winter season.

But what would it look like if we brought our deceased loved ones’ pictures and placed them next to the image of the Divine Mercy on this Sunday of Easter? This is a Sunday when we look to the new life of Springtime, of resurrection and the promise of longer days.

Once or even twice upon a time, we did this - the response was amazing, and many people came forward and placed their loved one’s picture next to that of the Divine Mercy at Mass. In doing so, it was as if people allowed the Divine Mercy to touch the wounds of Grief and Loss in a
profound way, not in the darkness of November, but the brightness of an Easter day. It was as if this gospel became alive in the hearts of all present, and people felt touched by the Mercy of Jesus.

Maybe this year of 2021, we could attempt such a feat in our homes as we continue our struggle with this burden of death and disease. To reach out and touch the Lord…. 

Our parish prayer can help us in this endeavor:

Loving God and Father - You sent your Spirit to us to help us on our Way. Give us the grace as people of Kaukauna Catholic Parishes; to discover the life of Jesus, and to live and share this Joy with others - so that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen.    

Blessings,

Fr. Mack