Dies Domini - Parts 69 & 70 - Pope John Paul II

A day of Solidarity

69. Sunday should also give the faithful an opportunity to devote themselves to works of mercy, charity and apostolate. To experience the joy of the Risen Lord deep within is to share fully the love which pulses in his heart: there is no joy without love! Jesus himself explains this, linking the "new commandment" with the gift of joy: "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept the Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 15:10-12).
The Sunday Eucharist, therefore, not only does not absolve the faithful from the duties of charity, but on the contrary commits them even more "to all the works of charity, of mercy, of apostolic outreach, by means of which it is seen that the faithful of Christ are not of this world and yet are the light of the world, giving glory to the Father in the presence of men". (113)

70. Ever since Apostolic times, the Sunday gathering has in fact been for Christians a moment of fraternal sharing with the very poor. "On the first day of the week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn" (1 Cor 16:2), says Saint Paul referring to the collection organized for the poor Churches of Judaea. In the Sunday Eucharist, the believing heart opens wide to embrace all aspects of the Church. But the full range of the apostolic summons needs to be accepted: far from trying to create a narrow "gift" mentality, Paul calls rather for a demanding culture of sharing, to be lived not only among the members of the community itself but also in society as a whole. (114)

More than ever, we need to listen once again to the stern warning which Paul addresses to the community at Corinth, guilty of having humiliated the poor in the fraternal agape which accompanied "the Lord's Supper": "When you meet together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the Church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?" (1 Cor 11:20-22). James is equally forceful in what he writes: "If a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'Take a seat here, please', while you say to the poor man, 'Stand there', or, 'Sit at my feet', have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" (2:2-4).

Works of Mercy - Project Mexico

Project Mexico began in Orange County, California through the efforts of Gregory Yova, Founder and Executive Director. Greg was alarmed by the increasingly desperate plight of youth in North America which directly affects society as a whole. In the Fall of 1988, Project Mexico developed from Greg's desire to provide young people an opportunity to look beyond themselves and reach out personally to those in need. Greg felt compelled to get them involved in the relief of suffering in neighboring Mexico.

In 1990, Project Mexico began coordinating with a group of Mexicans to establish an orphanage for teenage boys in Tijuana. This effort to address a critical social problem was a natural outgrowth of their goal to relieve suffering in Mexico. After extensive labors to receive official approval from the Mexican government, St. Innocent Orphanage opened its doors in September 1996. At that point, the orphanage began serving as the home base for Project Mexico where groups eat, sleep, pray and can be a part of the boys' lives. Over the years many groups have come and worked exclusively at the orphanage, helping them to complete a great number of important projects.

This charitable outreach is unique because their own people do the work. In the process, their lives are changed. This proven, powerful vehicle of change has provided a fertile environment for thousands of youth to grow in Christ and give of themselves by doing works of mercy for a needy world. Volunteers from 43 of 50 states and eleven foreign countries have participated. Additionally, they hope to continue strengthening the ties between the people of the U.S. and Mexico and be an example of how they can help each other when they work together.

Lives have been changed. Families have been catapulted forward in their struggle to have good shelter and a true home. The impact of this step cannot be measured as they can now focus their energies on their family's moral, spiritual, and educational needs. Some families would split up otherwise, unable to adequately provide for their children. Disease and death no longer loom at every spell of bad weather and rain. And spiritually, it is pure joy to watch the tears of thanks flow during the house blessings. The families know that the Lord has visited them, literally, where they live.

The volunteers who build the homes are profoundly affected. We regularly receive letters from participants, parents, and clergy describing the awakening that has occurred. Many become active and eager participants in their home parish. Others have made college decisions and career choices based upon the experience. All seem to be more in touch with the simple yet difficult commandments of our Lord to love our neighbor and to care for the least of these.

Reference:  http://projectmexico.org/

Matt 25:  35 - 36  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'

Works of Mercy - The Jesse Tree (USA)

The Jesse Tree was founded in Galveston, Texas, in 1995. The founders were a group of individuals, led by Ted Hanley, at the invitation of Reverend Charles Millikan of the Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church. The group gathered to explore better uses for emerging technology to address dwindling local resources and to provide direction to those attempting to find help in the community. It is a faith-based, non-profit organization that connects people with the health care, social services and ministerial resources they need to rebuild their lives and uplift their spirits. 


By Connecting: Through direct services and a network of partners and service providers, The Jesse Tree ensures that clients receive the all the care and services they need. Their intake process is designed to screen people in - not out.  They work to determine every service for which a client is eligible and then they work with clients to connect them to those services.

Rebuilding: The Jesse Tree rebuilds lives by addressing common problems in their community. From hunger to education to chronic medical conditions, The Jesse Tree works to alleviate suffering for all residents in their area.

Uplifting:  It was the hope of the founders that the roots of The Jesse Tree would be works of mercy, through which those seeking help would be uplifted, their dignity restored and their independence and self-sufficiency re-established. For this reason, the name of the organization was taken from a passage from the Book of Isaiah (11:1): "A shoot will come up from the stem of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit," and signifies the growth of mercy and compassion that they hope their work inspires in the community.

For more info:  http://www.jessetree.net/

Divine Mercy Home in Kenya

In Kenya, 95% of the project for the construction of “The Divine Mercy Home” in the village of Sero has been completed. This is a Home for newborn and children up to 10 years, who are either orphans or afflicted with AIDS. Works started on 4th December 2006; and although still in the construction phase, the Home already hosts 130 children. Two dormitories, a hospital called ”M’Intix wahdek” (You are not alone), the dining Halls and kitchen, a Convent for the Nuns and a Chapel dedicated to the Divine Mercy, are already functioning. These blocks were inaugurated with the blessing of Bishop Philip Anyolo of Homa Bay together with the Founder of the missionary movement ‘Gesu’ fil-Proxxmu’ Mons George Grima.

 

On 10th February 2009, Mons. G.Grima and Mons. Abbott Berthold Heigl OSB concelebrated Mass and later Bishop Philip Anyolo joined them in the blessing of the new Laundry. Abbot Heigl was so impressed with all the good work towards these orphans and AIDS afflicted children that he offered to sponsor the Kindergarten, which will be started shortly.On 10th February 2009, Mons. G.Grima and Mons. Abbott Berthold Heigl OSB concelebrated Mass and later Bishop Philip Anyolo joined them in the blessing of the new Laundry. Abbot Heigl was so impressed with all the good work towards these orphans and AIDS afflicted children that he offered to sponsor the Kindergarten, which will be started shortly.

http://www.maltamission.com/WorkInAfrica.html

Frank Duff and Works of Mercy

Frank Duff an Irish man founded the Legion of Mary on 7th September 1921.  Initially the movement was called The Association of Our Lady of Mercy.  After a year, there were five (Praesidia) which had formed, and the first Curia met in Dublin at Myra House, and a Novena was held for the purpose of finding a name for the organization.  The name of the Legion of Mary came and stayed with this great apostolate to this very day. 

It is a movement of mercy because it practices the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that Our Lord asks of us.  One of those works was the founding of the hostels in Dublin for the homeless and poor at the time.  The Morning Star Hostel for homeless men was opened in 1927 and the  Regina Coeli Hostel for mothers and their children and homeless women was opened the following year.  Today both of those hostels are still up and running.  Legionaries volunteer to work in these hostels serving the poorest of those in Dublin.  Though the poverty of the homeless today is often due to alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, or family problems.  Even though their problems are often so immense the residents of these hostels are often the ones who will show great compassion for others who are suffering.

There is nothing that will ground you more in your spiritual life than working with those in great need.  Many people of all ages and backgrounds have worked there and some give their lives for a year or two or more to work as indoor sisters (as they are called) or indoor brothers. It is a challenge but one that is worthwhile. Many vocations to the religious life have been born out of the Legion of Mary but especially from those who have worked with those in greatest need.  Both hostels are places where the cross is evident in the lives of these women and men and  it is a privilege to work there with them as you are working closely with Christ in those who are the rejected of society.

Both hostels contain beautiful Oratories, where Holy Mass is celebrated every day.  Above you can see the picture of the Servant of God Frank Duff in prayer in the Reginal Coeli Oratory. 

Anyone who wishes to work there (all work is voluntary), and join in the Legion of Mary can contact the hostels by phoning
01-8723142 for the Regina Coeli (women's hostel staffed by women only) or
01-8723401 for the Morning Star hostel for men only.

An excellent article by Finola Kennedy on Frank Duff and his work at the following link...
http://www.studiesirishreview.ie/j/page370

If you did it to the least of these..........

We are all called by Christ to do the works of mercy, to feed the hungry, to visit those who are sick, or in prison, to clothe the naked and bury the dead.

Jackie Pullinger is one of those who performs the works of mercy and has witnessed to the healing love of Christ in her ministry. She was born in 1944 and is a Christian with a charismatic missionary to Hong Kong and founder of the St Stephen's Society. She has been ministering in Hong Kong since 1966. Her work has resulted in up to 500 addicts being saved from their drug addictions.The early years of her Hong Kong ministry are chronicled in the book Chasing the Dragon.

Here are some of her inspiring words...



Not all of us are able to go abroad to help the poor, but we are called to help our nearest neighbour who may be in need, the person who is alone, the person who is bereaved, the mentally ill, the sick, the hungry, the jobless, the alcoholic, drug addict, the homeless, the dying, ....there are so many.

Lord help us to love You in our Brothers and Sisters who are in need.

In the Diary of St. Faustina Jesus relates the following:
'My daughter, if I demand through you that people revere My mercy, you should be the first to distinguish yourself by this confidence in My mercy. I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first – by deed, the second – by word, the third – by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. Yes the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant great graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of my mercy because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works.' (Diary §742)

Works of Mercy

Jesus' Call to Mercy

In the Diary of St. Faustina Jesus explains the following on the deeds of Mercy...

"I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.

I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer.

In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.

Many souls ... are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul.

If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy" (Diary of St. Faustina 1317).

Jesus has asked us to perform works of mercy in accordance with our faith and I have featured below just some of those apostolates in various parts of the world that perform the Corporal works of Mercy in their own Parish or are reaching out to those in need across the globe in the name of Jesus the Divine Mercy. 

Divine Mercy Parish in Trenton, New Jersey in the United States partnered with TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen) in 2007 to provide meals to the less fortunate in the parish’s surrounding community. Finding a greater need among those being served, their parishioners, the late Charles Cook, Jr., Ann Brodowski and Michael Knowles wanted to begin a ministry to serve those individuals and others. Out of this idea, Mercy House was founded on January 5, 2008.

Mercy House provides food, clothing and household items, as well as basic medical needs services, to families and individuals of the parish and its surrounding community. Through these services they act to fulfill Christ’s mission of caring for the poor and others in need as they seek to reveal God’s mercy to all who come there. Mercy House also works with other community and social concerns organizations to provide access to social services, immigration support and any other needs that may be encountered among the individuals we serve. A reading library and tutoring service are offered for school children who are welcome to come and spend a little quiet time, pick out a book to take home, or have one of their youth volunteers read to them. Help with school homework is offered. They believe that Mercy House is a visible sign of Christ’s teachings. In the spirit of their Franciscan heritage, they preach the word of God and, only if necessary, use words.

http://www.divinemercyoftrenton.org/products/mercyhouse.htm

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The Children's Charity H.U.D.T. (Divine Mercy in Action), based in Skerries, Co. Dublin, Ireland was founded by Val Conlon inspired by Jesus' revelations to Saint Faustina, where Jesus said "I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it."(Diary 742)

Their Mission is to help the destitute, the homeless, especially the abandoned and suffering children but most importantly filling the spiritual void left behind after the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe with the message of God's Divine Mercy.  Their work also includes projects in South America and Africa. 

 For more information on all these works you can check out the following site..www.hudt.org/

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The Missionaries of Our Lady of Divine Mercy was founded in 2005 in Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bristow, Virginia.  . What began as a small prayer group has grown into a movement of mercy. Their first meeting took place in the basement of a house belonging to one of the prayer group members. They prayed the Rosary, read Sacred Scripture and read from the Diary of Saint Faustina.

Each week members would meet, pray and offer prayers for the sick and dying. As the ministry grew, so did their zeal to perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy. By February 2006, they were taking food into Washington, D.C. to feed the homeless in the parks.

This ministry became known as Feeding with Mercy because they believed that the people they were serving should not only receive food and drink, but compassion as well. They found that the more they entered into with these people, the more they saw Christ in each homeless person.

Within a few months, they began bringing hot food, toiletry items and clothing to expand their services to the poor. Washing the feet of each homeless person was a natural progression in what they saw as loving their neighbor. With wet wipes, lotion, gloves and stools, their volunteers sat on the ground while the homeless removed their shoes to have their feet washed. Many of the homeless wept as they tended their wounds and spoke words of compassion. Volunteers shared stories of inspiration and hope with each person that sat down hoping that when they left the park that day they would know that God loved them.  The works of mercy expanded and more information can be found on their website..http://www.divinemercynow.org/

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Divine Mercy reaching the oilfields in Kazakhstan

Kulsary is situated around 100 km from Tengiz – the biggest in Kazakhstan and one of the biggest oilfields in the world. There was a need to reach out there with a pastoral ministry to the local Catholics. It was not easy even though many catholics work there: Americans, Filipinos, the Irish, Poles, catholics from Kazakhstan.  A Church was needed here to serve the local Catholic Community and hence in 2007 the Divine Mercy Parish was born.

The chapel that came into being after demolishing division walls in the former shop and liquidating the second floor is 56 sq. m. Together with a gallery about 70 sq. m. and it can house 70 - 80 people. They managed to bring a marble altar, a pulpit and a baptismal font (baptistery) made in Poland in Mr. Krzysztof Czarnota’s mason workshop. Divine Mercy Image painted by Dorota Piwowarczyk was endowed by Fr. Jerzy Karpiński SJ, the former provincial of the Jesuits Russian province, who is at present a confessor in the Divine Mercy sanctuary in Lagiewniki in Cracow.

Information above taken from this article  http://www.catholic-kazakhstan.org/kulsary/en/kulsaryEN.htm

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Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society

Mary's House - a shelter for pregnant women in crisis

In Northern California, the Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society is one such community of devotees with the mission:  To establish a center for prayer and ministry dedicated to the Mercy of God, to spread the devotion to the Divine Mercy throughout the world, and to reach out in mercy to those in need. In 1998, under the name Divine Mercy Foundation, they formed a Board of 15 members, who lead their organization and make decisions. Soon thereafter, the Foundation was legally organized as a nonprofit organization. In 2005 the name of the apostolate was legally changed to Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society   One of their corporal works of Mercy is Mary's House. 

 

Located in San Pablo, California, 19 miles from San Francisco, Mary's House is a shelter for pregnant women 18 and over who have nowhere else to turn. A ministry of the Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society, Mary's House serves women without regard to religious affiliation. The home is supported by donations and by the proceeds of the volunteer-run thrift shop, the Treasure Chest.

Aside from providing a halfway house so the women need not choose abortion, Mary's House helps its residents progress toward the goal of independent living. Job training, resume writing, interviewing, and job search techniques are emphasized and facilitated. During her pregnancy, a Mary's House resident receives room and board while working or continuing her education. After her baby is born, she may continue to live at Mary's House for up to six months while furthering her education or securing employment.

http://www.divinemercywestcoast.org/

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The FRIENDS Divine Mercy Apostolate in the Philippines was founded in May 2007 to establish framework for the renewed Community Mission/Vision to reach out to more people by propagating the Divine Mercy of Jesus.   The Apostolate covers two important functions: Propagation of the Devotion of the Divine Mercy and Works of Mercy (Outreach Arm).

Their mission is to share the DIVINE MERCY of JESUS through propagation and works of mercy. Their works include the following: -

SoupERFriends – It is a weekly community-based soup kitchen programme providing free warm and nutritious light meals (chicken arroz caldo or noodle soup) to benefit street children and their families.
 

Manila City Jail Ministry - The Community holds Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminars (CLSS) in the female compound of the Manila City Jail twice a year. The spiritual growth of the inmates are sustained by regular prayer meetings every Friday.
 

Medical and Dental Missions – Free basic health services and medicines are given to the poorest of communities through the semi-annual Medical and Dental Missions.
For more information : http://www.fdmaphil.org/works-of-mercy.html

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St. Luke's Mission Of Mercy is a Roman Catholic Mission in the inner city of Buffalo, New York. This community, consisting of Amy Betros and Norm Paolini, Co-Founders and Co-Directors, and 15 full time lay missionaries, strive to live the Gospel message of God's great love and mercy for all His children through service to His poor and broken. This service is carried out through living the Corporal and Spiritual works of mercy. The community strives to proclaim, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the goodness and greatness of God and His great love and mercy for all people in everything they think, say and do.

Contact: http://www.stlukesmissionofmercy.org/

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DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE  DUBLIN   (IRELAND)

In Dublin, here in Ireland, a Divine Mercy prayer meeting takes place in St. Saviours Church in Dominic Street at 7.30pm on Tuesday evenings with Holy Mass and a Divine Mercy Holy Hour which follows directly from 8pm - 9pm.

Also at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Dominic Street a prayer meeting takes place Monday to Saturday from
2.30pm - 3.15pm.  Prayers are said there for many intentions and the relic of St. Faustina is available. 

On Thursdays Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place from 2.15 pm - 4pm.  All are welcome.
Attached to the Shrine inside the Church, you can call in to the shop where you can find various Divine Mercy products and other religious material.  This is open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday. 

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Also in Dublin on St. Itas Hospital Radio 89.5FM (Dublin, Ireland), a Divine Mercy half hour from 9am to 9.30am is broadcast each Sunday.  Tune in and enjoy.





Perhaps some of these ministries may inspire you to do something similar in your own Parish community...