In Revelation, we are told that now the sea, the symbol of the chaos of the past, is no more. The new Jerusalem has come down from heaven and is joined with humanity for all time.

Christ dwells within each of us, the baptized, in a radical new way of joining together. Christ is here, now, for all time, within each and every one of us. This is why Jesus’ commandment of   love is so very new. We are commanded to love each other as Christ loves, for when we love, we reveal Christ’s presence among us. This is a love beyond any human concept of love, a love without concern for cost, a love that calls us to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, and grant mercy to enemies. This is the love demanded of us by our baptism, the radical love of others as we are loved by God.

This love is our work, the work of the church of Christ on earth.

Your brother,

Father Roy Farrell

IN APPRECIATION

Many people were involved in the celebration of the Triduum and Easter celebrations and I would like to thank them on behalf of myself and the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Community.

I would like to thank those who decorated our church so beautifully. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who participated in creating the wonderful music for the Triduum this year. Three of our music ministry groups came together who have vastly different musical tastes and styles, and successfully created a prayerful and joyous tone for our celebrations.

I want to thank the Alter Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion and Lectors for their service to the parish community and to the Ministers of Hospitality who welcomed our parishioners and visitors. I wish to express my appreciation to the R.C.I.A. Sponsors and Core Team who journeyed through the initiation process with the candidates. Last, but certainly not least, my special thanks to Fr. Roselle, Deacons Brian and Marion who assisted me throughout the Lenten, Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

I also wish to take this opportunity to thank the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Seton for your generosity to the parish and your support of various parish projects.

At the end of June I will be going on a sabbatical until December; a portion of this period will be spent in Rome. Fr. Roselle will be made Administrator in my absence. Let us continue to pray for one another.

Your brother,

Fr. Roy Farrell

Jesus told St. Faustina that this Feast of Mercy would be a very special day when “All the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened”. Our Lord made a great promise to all those souls who would go to Confession and then receive Him in Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy, on the Sunday after Easter, which is now called Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Catholic Church.

Jesus promised that “The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment“.  He went on to say “I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy”.

We want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this incredible promise and the additional Plenary Indulgence on this great Feast of Mercy “Divine Mercy Sunday”. We want you to benefit fully from these promises, and we also want you to notify all of your family and friends about them too and urge them to return to the practice of their faith!

The Image of The Divine Mercy, which Our Lord requested to be solemnly blessed and venerated on this day, will be on display in our church. Pope John Paul II said that the image portrays the Risen Jesus Christ bringing Mercy to the whole world. Our Lord said “I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish”.

It is required of all Catholics to confess their serious sins at least once every year. If you haven’t yet met this obligation then take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to receive an outpouring of an ocean of graces that Jesus promises on this day.

On Sunday afternoon (April 11th) at 3 p.m. the parish will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with a Holy Hour and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Confessions will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Your brother,

Father Roy Farrell