Dear St. Philip's parishioners and friends,

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Divine Mercy. In the Gospel, the Risen Christ returns to the Upper Room to pour out his peace on the apostles. Jesus asks Thomas, who had doubted, to touch the wounds in his hands and side. He gives the apostles the power to absolve sins through the sacrament of Confession - entrusting his healing, merciful power to priests.

Deacon Kelley preaches on the great mercy of the Lord and how to live in the context of that mercy. Mercy is a joyful thing. In order to experience the joy, though, we need to experience the mercy - especially in Confession! Jesus heals when we come to him, so why would we ever stay away?

This afternoon at 3:00pm is the hour of Divine Mercy. I invite you to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, either with us in the church or on your own. We will be having Adoration and Confession in the Church. Those who confess today and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, free from attachment to sin, receive very special graces. 

In a very powerful way, God's merciful love pours out on us this day. I pray each member of our parish experiences that joy. Happy Feast!

Peace,

Fr. Lewis