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2nd Sunday of Easter

“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.’” (John 20:27)
In my early 20s, I volunteered at a parish youth group. I witnessed teens encountering Jesus with a fresh, romantic wonder that reminded me of my own teenage conversion. But something had changed in me. I was quietly jaded and cynical. When teens shared stories of encountering Christ, I’d want to sarcastically murmur, “Well, good for you.” I had grown suspicious of the zeal I once knew. Then we brought the group on a pilgrimage. I was standing in an old church in France, ignoring a long-winded tour guide. I found myself before a crucifix. In that moment, I heard something, not audibly, but unmistakably in my heart: “I came to be your friend… and you wish to be my enemy? Why do you stand far from me? I suffer gladly for you. I was pierced for you. Why do you run from me?” My heart opened. I saw how cold and cynical I had become. But Jesus had not given up on me. He had returned, and His mercy broke through. So I can relate to the scoffing — and transformation — of Thomas when the Risen Jesus presents His wounds for inspection. Thomas is not simply doubting; he is guarded, suspicious, even cynical. But Jesus comes to him. No lecture. Just understanding and mercy. He invites Thomas to touch His wounds. This burns away his cynicism like the morning mist.
Divine Mercy Challenge: This week, rejoice with someone who is newly alive in faith. If your own heart has grown skeptical or tired, ask Jesus to help you. He will. — Father John Muir
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In honor of Divine Mercy Sunday I am printing the promises made by our Lord:
The Divine Mercy Chaplet was presented by Jesus to St Faustina in 1935 during a private revelation. Here are the 14 promises Our Lord has made to those who recite this prayer and are devoted to His Divine Mercy:
1) “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image (of Divine Mercy) will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 48)
2) “The two rays denote Blood and Water…These two rays issued from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father…I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy…whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 299-300)
3) “I desire that the Feast of Mercy…be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter…The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion (in a state of grace on this day) shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 699)
4) “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 687)
5) “Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy…I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 687)
6) “The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 754)
7) “Souls who spread the honor of My mercy…at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1075)
8) “The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion for sinners. Know, my daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1397)
9) “My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1485)
10) “To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1521)
11) “Through this chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1731)
12) “When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1541)
13) “When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1541)
14) “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony…I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 1320)
God Bless you and have a wonderful week, Fr. Michael

SCRIPTURAL REFLECTIONS ON STEWARDSHIP

“Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”
Are you good at making people feel welcome? When you meet someone new, like a new neighbor, a new work colleague or a new parishioner, do you make them feel at home? When we make people feel welcome, we make them feel like they are included instead of being excluded. We are made for relationships – with God and each other. When you see yourself as a beloved son or daughter of God, you tend to see others the same way, too – just as God, Our Father, sees us.

2026 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

We have $10,665.00 pledged toward our Archdiocesan directed goal this year of $13,746. The Archdiocese has sent out letters to past donors announcing the 2026 Appeal. If you wish to participate you can either mail your pledge directly to the Archdiocese or you can put it in our collection and we will forward it for you. If you do decide to mail it in directly, we are asking that you let Sue know in the office so we can be sure our account is properly credited. You can drop a note in the collection, call the rectory, or send us an email. Thank you.
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY MASS
The Archdiocese is preparing for the annual tradition of honoring couples who will be celebrating their 5th, 25th, 50th, or 60+ wedding anniversary in 2026. The presence of these couples and their families is a beautiful witness to the strength and stability of Catholic marriage. Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Tobin on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 3pm at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. All family members are welcome! Please call the rectory if you are interested in attending this mass as pre-registration is required.
SEND A SEM A SENTIMENT
On the bulletin board in the vestibule is a list of seminarians. The Archdiocese is encouraging the faithful to send cards, letters, and well wishes to the seminarians. Take a picture of the list with your phone and send one (or more) of them a little uplifting message. Thank You!
 PRAYER REQUESTS
That God will relieve their suffering and restore them to health.
Please pray for: Please pray for: Kellie Salata, Kelly Chinchar, Jessica, Daniel Breslin, Stanley, Joseph Marrone, Anthony, Michael, Joseph, Jessica Esopo, Steve, Audra, Bernadette, James Weiss, Baby Ford, Rosemary Malangone, Elizabeth Malangone, Sue West, Danny, Colleen Emery, Richard, Joan Russo, Christina Martin, Mornia Evans, Valerie Valverde, Diana McGuckin, Manny Scarangella, Cheryl Prinjinski, Stephen West, Bryan Westfall, Cathy Bruno, Brett.
Holy Name Medical Center is looking for Eucharistic Ministers, volunteers, who are willing to help out in giving out Holy Communion to their patients. If you are interested, you can email them at pokafor@holyname.org or call their office at 201-833-3243 or stop by their Pastoral Care Office, behind the chapel, lobby/ground floor at Holy Name Medical Center.

To ALL Our New and Existing Volunteers Readers, Eucharistic Ministers and Catechists

We would like to thank the Perpepaj Family for reupholstering the chairs on the altar as a gift for our parish. We truly appreciate their generosity. The Perpepaj Family owns D&D Upholstery & Window Treatments in Hackensack.

The gift of Bread & Wine for the first two weeks of March has been given in memory of Frank Pizza by the Pizza Family.
The Sanctuary Lamp for the month of March has been given in memory of Josephine & Anthony DeGrosa by Joann DeGrosa.
Please consider sponsoring our Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers, and the oil for the Sanctuary Lamp.

Opportunities for Parish Support

There are several ways you can help support our parish and honor loved ones at the same time. As you may have noticed on the first Sunday of every month in our bulletin, we thank the donors of our Altar Gifts. You can donate the Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers, or the Sanctuary Lamp in a two-week block for $50 in someone’s memory. We have blocks open for this year. We also need to purchase a new Easter candle each year (the tall candle on the altar) for $300-$400 which can also be donated in someone’s memory. You do not have to fund the entire amount, anything you wish to donate towards the purchase of our Easter candle is appreciated. We also have masses available for your intentions. If you wish to honor someone in any of these ways, please call the rectory.

Prayer for our Nation
God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people. Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.” Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Praying the ROSARY

The Rosary is a meditation, a time to recall and think about the life of Jesus as seen and experienced by Mary. As the model of faith, Mary’s life sets a pattern that we strive to follow: saying ‘yes’ to God’s will in our lives and sharing His love and message with others. The Mysteries of the Rosary form a mini lesson of faith, using the highlights and significant moments of the life of Jesus. Like paging through a family scrapbook, we see in brief the events of salvation history that are the core of our belief and the hope of our eternal life.

WE NEED BULLETIN ADVERTISERS!!

We would like to thank all the advertisers who have supported us throughout the past year. Our parish benefits greatly from the ads you see in the bulletin. The revenue pays for the printing which is an important means of communication for the parish. If we do not have enough advertisers, the cost of our bulletin goes up. We thank the local businesses that advertise with us especially in these tough economic times. We have some spaces on the back of our bulletin that need filling so if you would like to advertise your business as well as benefit your church, please contact John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.

Please support our advertisers at the back cover of bulletin.