DIVINE MERCY. St. James the Apostle Fremont Blvd Fremont, CA

Transcription

1 DIVINE MERCY God is love and mercy, All around us we can see. He accepts us with love, And guides us from above. He forgives when we fail, His love s not a mere tale. God s love for us is real, To Him we are so dear. There s a place in His Heart, For everyone who d start- A new life with His grace, In Him if their trust they place. God will always forgive, And His grace He will give. Bring Him your heavy heart, With His mercy you ll part. His love is unconditional, He is very personal. He will never turn His back, He awaits our return back. He ll cover you in His kindness, You will not walk in the darkness. He will answer all our prayers, In the world we are His players. Questions: 1. Which stanza of this poem motivates you to examine your sins? 2. What makes it difficult for you to confess them? 3. In what way do you desire God s divine mercy today? Reflections: I do not think there is anyone who doubts the Divine Mercy. We have no problem in accepting the mercy of God. God is merciful. This thought is very encouraging and consoling. One of the most encouraging and motivating teachings of Jesus, God s Son, was when He preached about mercy, forgiveness and compassion. Jesus life and example were the perfect expression of the mercy of His Father. Jesus, by His words and actions, showed love and compassion to the sick and to sinners. He was always merciful and showered it abundantly upon all who approached Him. He never turned away anyone who sought His help. While risking His own life, He compassionately accepted and forgave the woman of ill-repute, who was caught in the act of adultery. The villains brought her to Jesus for His final approval before stoning her to death, which was the accepted punishment typically meted out to a woman of such character. This was an age-old law, but His mercy and love bestowed upon her a new lease on life. It does not matter how terrible a sinner you may be or how far away you have gone from Him by rejecting His love and friendship. The moment you return to Him through repentance of your sins, you are immediately accepted as though you were always with Him. There are no reprimands, no punishments, no grounding, no long corrections. He will never bring up your past mistakes and induce guilt in you. His forgiveness is total and unconditional. As a matter of fact, He never remembers the mistakes of your past. He never lives in your past. In His mercy He embraces everyone. The thief who was hanged at His right side on Calvary profited from His love and mercy, as Jesus assured him, You will be with me in paradise today. The most apt parable Jesus taught revealing the mercy of His Father is of the prodigal son. Considered one of the best short stories in all of the world s literature, the all-forgiving attitude of the father, in welcoming his estranged son when he returned, reinforces the message of God s love and mercy. Love and mercy are two inseparable attributes of God. We have not seen God and we do not know how He looks. However, we have definitely seen Him through His Son, as He said, I and my Father are one. (John 10:30). Jesus words and actions revealed the merciful Father. We should not be content with simply being recipients of the Divine Mercy we receive in countless measure every day. We should become what we receive. We must become merciful ourselves and share God s mercy with those who are less fortunate, becoming conduits of His mercy to others. In other words, we must become people of mercy in imitation of God and His Son Jesus. We are not always spiritual, and sometimes neglect to focus on God and our life to come. We live in a world of distractions and dissipation, where the flesh seems to triumph over the spirit. The mercy of God is the only hope for us sinners, who are constantly torn between good and evil. Without the mercy of God, we would be lost for eternity. St. James the Apostle Fremont Blvd Fremont, CA

2 COLLECTIONS MARCH 24/25 $ HOLY THURSDAY $ GOOD FRIDAY (HOLY LAND) $ APRIL 1- EASTER $16, THANK YOU CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $ Many thanks to all the generous parishioners who shared their flowers/plants and donated to the flower fund for the Easter altar. The altar was beautifully decorated for a joyous celebration! NEW TO THE PARISH? If you are New to the Parish, please take a moment to fill out the registration form found on the small table in the vestibule of the church. There is no cost for membership and you will eligible for the all the benefits of being a member of our parish. Welcome to St. James! PARISH CALENDAR April 8 Divine Mercy Sunday April 8 KofC Novena Prayer for the Unborn after 10am Mass April 9 St. Vincent de Paul Meeting 7:00pm April 16 KofC Business Meeting 7:30pm April 24 Pastoral Council 7:00pm April 26 Bishop Begin Assembly 3546 Bus. Mtg 7:30pm May 4 First Friday May 6 KofC Novena Prayer for the Unborn after 10am Mass May 7 KofC Officer s Meeting 7:30pm May 13 Fatima Devotion May 14 St. Vincent de Paul Meeting 7:00pm May 21 KofC Business Meeting 7:30pm May 24 Bishop Begin Assembly 3546 Bus. Mtg 7:30pm May 25 Mother s in Heaven Mass May 29 Pastoral Council 7:00pm Devotion Schedule on the bulletin flap Message from Father Antony (Continued from page 1) One of the devotions gaining popularity in the Catholic Church is the Divine Mercy, which is rapidly spreading. I am glad that our parish, St. James the Apostle, offers daily devotion to Divine Mercy and celebrates divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter, with such reverence and solemnity. Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of the dedication of the Shrine of Divine Mercy, said, Apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for mankind. God used a simple, humble vessel in the person of Sr. Faustina, a Polish nun, to promote Divine mercy in the world. She received several apparitions of Divine Mercy between 1931 and 1938, and these requests of the Lord marked the beginning of the Divine Mercy. The Lord commanded her to paint an image of the Divine Mercy according to the pattern she had seen. The Lord also revealed to her the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, and wanted that this chaplet be said not only by her, but by others as well. The Polish image painted by Adolf Hyla, in thanksgiving for having survived World War II, is most widely used today. Jesus stands in the picture with one hand outstretched in blessing and the other clutching the side wounded by the spear, from which emanate beams of falling light, red and white in color. The two rays represent blood and water as referenced in the Gospel of John (John 19:34). Divine Mercy Apostolate of St. James invites you to join us during DIVINE MERCY FEAST AFTER 12:00 NOON MASS 4/8 God the Father Choir will chant the chaplet. Fellowship & Potluck to follow. DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MISSION SAN JOSE CENTER FOR EDUCATION SPIRITUALITY PRESENT: IN OUR OWN WORDS: RELIGIOUS LIFE IN A CHANGING WORLD - Panel Conversation with the Authors. Sunday, May 6, 2-4pm Freewill offering. Dominican Center, Mission Circle (entrance off Mission Tierra), Fremont. RSVP by April 9, at or call (510) SPIRITUALITY OF CREATIVITY with Father Arthur Poulin, Saturday, April 14, 9-11:30am - Presentation - $ Dominican Center, Mission Circle (entrance off Mission Tierra), Fremont, 1-3pm. Open Gallery with the Artist. (Refreshments available for purchase after the presentation, for those attending the Open Gallery at 1pm.) RSVP by April 9, at bit.ly/2018_frpoulin or call (510) DRIVERS FOR SURVIVORS provides this FREE service to ambulatory cancer patients living in Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, Ashland and Cherryland going to all cancerrelated medical appointments within a 60-mile radius of ZIP code 94538, freeing them to focus on their health and essential treatment. For more info, please call or ProgramAssistant@DriversForSurvivors.org A true devotee of Divine Mercy has a call from God to reach out to people and show them mercy and compassion. Once we truly understand the significance of God s mercy to us, we will be naturally inclined to spread it. Our final refuge is in the Mercy of God! Mother Teresa Center Reservations. Contact our Facility Manager & Event Coordinator Larry Bellamy , MTC@sjapostle.net or leave a message at the Parish Office (No prices or quotes are given over the phone or in an .) Please remember those in the armed services: Nicolas Ecija, Pvt. Christopher Mueller, Dorian Fierro, Brian Christopher Carreiro, Sgt. Kristan Jofel T. Carado, Greg Savella, Major Jenny Ryan, Captain David Evans Pray for our sick parishioners and friends Deacon Ernie Dandan, Joel Rivera, Melanie O Connor, Katherine Gomes, Lydia DeGraf, Judy McKenney, Victor Abunjoy Vestil, Tomás Sandoval Klassen, Laura Skaff, John and Rose Barr, Alice Ferreira, Agnes Harris, Ray Ballin, Bob Nehls, Dawn Barker, Martha Torres, Tammy Bumgarner. To add names to this list, please contact the parish office at or bulletin@sjapostle.net. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one

3 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Sometimes children acquire nicknames in childhood that stalk them through adulthood: Pinky, Boo-boo, and the like. This Sunday was once called Low Sunday, a step down from Easter glory, and an unfortunate nickname since Easter rejoicing goes on for fifty days. Traditionally this is the day when the newly baptized put away their white baptismal robes and returned to their everyday life after a week of intense celebration. Of course, the goal was to take up everyday duties with a very new point of view. A long title for the day was Dominica in albis deposito, or The Lord s Day for Putting Away the Albs, so no wonder the nickname Low Sunday arose. In the old calendar it was also called Quasimodo Sunday, after the first word of the opening chant, Quasimodo geniti infantes, or As newborn infants, a reference to the newly baptized taken from the Epistle of Peter. Victor Hugo s bell-ringing hero in The Hunchback of Notre Dame was abandoned as an infant on the threshold of the cathedral of Paris on Low Sunday, 1467, and named Quasimodo for the feast. Rev. James Field, J. S. Paluch Co. SO THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE It is not often that the author of one of the books of the Bible comes right out and tells us directly why he is writing what he is writing. In this Sunday s Gospel reading, taken from the conclusion of John s Gospel, the author tells us that he has chosen to record these events so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name (20:31). The letter of John echoes this idea by saying that [e]veryone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God (5:1) what we might refer to as being born again. Our reading from the Acts of the Apostles for this Second Sunday of Easter shows us exactly what it looks like when believers are born again through faith. J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. I SEND YOU! JOHN 20: Those who saw him stumbling down the stairs must have thought Peter was drunk. When he reached the street he began walking in a daze. Jesus had just appeared for the second time. The doors had been locked, the windows closed. Yet, Jesus was suddenly in their midst. Thomas had even stuck his fingers into the wounds from the cross and the sword. Like God breathing life into Adam, Jesus had breathed on them. Peter s mind was drenched with the miracle it could not contain. Peter staggered through the streets as the downpour of thoughts pelted him like raindrops. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread was now over and Peter shouldered his way through the crowds of pilgrims who were exiting the city. People had flocked into Jerusalem to be present for these high holy days. They had come from all the cities of Judah and Idumea, Edom, Decapolis and Galilee. Now, loaded with purchases, they were hurrying home. Seeing them about him, Peter began to think about his own return to Galilee. He wondered how the boat was doing with no one to tend it. He hadn't noticed, but his brother Andrew was walking at his side. Andrew pulled Peter to a stop. Their eyes met in silent exchange of the experience they had just shared. Where are you going? Andrew asked, since Peter had seemed to be wandering. Peter rubbed his hands together and looked around him for fear of the authorities that might be looking for the rest of Jesus followers. I don t know. I was thinking about the boat. I m trying to decide what to do now. He must want us to go back to Galilee. Last week Mary told us that, remember? Andrew nodded. It s dangerous to stay here in Jerusalem. In the midst of Andrew s sentence, Jesus freshly spoken words suddenly returned to Peter: He said send. We should go now. Andrew, go tell the rest. Jesus said I send you, remember? Easter Vigil Photo: Lu Caron The downpour of thoughts continued to deluge Peter. To be sent also meant he was starting a solemn mission. All that Jesus had taught and preached had to somehow continue. A strange peace soothed Peter and without words, he knew that he was being filled with courage, grace and power. The disciples left Jerusalem separately, mingling in with the crowds of departing Pilgrims. As Peter passed unnoticed under the Damascus gate he felt a soar of excitement course through him. Following the north road he began to smile to himself. He knew he was no longer alone. God was with him, Jesus was at his side, and the Holy Spirit had completely filled his heart. In each of our lives Jesus appears. Just as he came to the Disciples in the secret locked room, he comes in the secret of our locked heart. There, where no one else may go, he finds us and fills us with peace and says As the father has sent me, so I send you. And with those words he commissions us to love one another, to forgive one another, and to hold one another accountable. Like Peter, we are filled with the courage to take a stand and to stand up for what is right and just. It is then that we truly become Christians, followers of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Deacon Dick Folger Knights Quarterly Mass KNIGHT S CORNER Would you like to join the Men in Blue Blazers? The Knights of Columbus of St. James the Apostle Council No is accepting applicants. A prospective candidate must be a practicing Catholic and at least 18 years of age. This is a great opportunity for single and married men to serve God and the parish s community activities, set an example for its youth and make families closer to God. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Marcial Vasco, (650) , vascomarcial@yahoo.com. Also, ask a Knight! Thank you. We are men of faith & men of action. who believes that Jesus is the Son God? 1 John 5:5

4 WORSHIP SCHEDULE Monday-Saturday Mass: Rosary 8:10am, Mass 8:30am Saturday Mass: 5:00pm Sunday Masses: 8:30am, 10:00am, 12:00noon Holy Days of Obligation: Masses 8:30am & 7:30pm Confessions: Saturday 4:00pm or by appt. Every Friday Adoration: 9:00-10:00am First Fridays: Adoration 9:00 am-6:30pm Sacred Heart Novena 6:30pm Benediction 7:15pm Healing Mass 7:30pm Our Mother of Mass & Novena, Perpetual Help: Wednesdays, 7:30pm DEVOTIONS Weekly: Bible Study Divine Mercy Chaplet: In the Small Chapel: Legion of Mary Eternal Life Bible Study Charismatic Prayer Meeting Wed. 9:30 am (Kitchen) Thurs, after morning Mass Tues 9:30am Thurs. 7:30pm 2nd & 3rd Fridays 7:00pm Monthly: Divine Mercy Cenacle 7:00pm, 2nd and 4th Prayer Meeting Mondays (Small Chapel) Our Lady of Vailankanni First Saturday 7:00pm Respect for Life Rosary Second Sunday 11:00am Grotto Sacred Heart 6:30pm 1st Friday Enthronement (formal ceremony to make the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as the King of the house), please contact: Cora Surla (510) ; or Tessie Ricafort (510) PARISH OFFICE HOURS M-F 9:00AM TO NOON REGISTRATION IN THE PARISH Warmest welcome to all who worship in our Community. If you are not registered in the Parish, please complete a registration form available at church entrance or at the Parish Office. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the Parish Office when a parishioner is home-bound or hospitalized to arrange for Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick. MARRIAGES AND BAPTISMS Please contact the Parish Office at least 6 months in advance for weddings and 3 months in advance for baptisms. BAPTISMS To have your child baptized, please make an appointment with Father Antony. Come to the St. James Parish office or call the Parish Office at For more details, please go to the Church website (Parish Info) or contact Marcial Vasco Baptism Preparation/Training class: First Saturday of the month from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm in the Small Chapel. Baptism Celebration: Last Saturday of the month 11:30am-12:30pm in the church FUNERALS We recommend using Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services / Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and Holy Angels Funeral and Cremation Services. You may contact Shirley X 133. MOTHER TERESA CENTER RESERVATIONS. Contact our Facility Manager & Event Coordinator Larry Bellamy ( , MTC@sjapostle.net) or leave a message at the Parish Office. (No prices or quotes are given over the phone or in an .) Fr. Antony Vazhappilly, Pastor Ernie Dandan, Deacon

5 St. James Bulletin and Website since 2007 Submission deadline is two weeks before publication date. articles to: Send information for the webpage to: Carolyn Fiori... Editor Jenna Dancel... Webmaster Facebook: Search St. James the Apostle Church, Like the page. IF posting pictures, you must get consent from the people in the photo (per Oakland diocese Safe Environment). Please, NO tagging pictures.

6 St. James the Apostle Fremont, CA Contact Carolyn Fiori