From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners,
As we venture forth during the 50 days of the Easter season, I wanted to bring your attention to a few happenings in the present and in the near future. First of all, this is Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine Mercy Sunday originated in 2000 when Pope John Paul II canonized countrywoman Sister Faustina Kowalska and designated the Second Sunday of Easter as “Divine Mercy Sunday”. God chose Sister Faustina to spread the Divine Mercy message and devotion. As fruit of what she received, many pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed in our church on Sunday, April 24th, following the Latin Mass, around 3:15 pm. Also, please know that it is possible to receive a plenary indulgence if the following conditions are met: praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, being completely detached from sin, participating in sacramental confession within 20 days before or after Divine Mercy Sunday, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the pope.
Second, I wanted to let you know about another prayer event coming up. On Saturday, May 28th there will be a Rosary Crusade at Hughes Stadium at Sacramento City College called “Pray for Priests”. Father Donald Calloway, MIC will be the keynote speaker. It would be wonderful to fill the whole stadium which seats 20,000. It is necessary to buy a ticket for the event. More information can be found at this link: www.prayforpriests.xyz
Third, recently a movie came out called “Father Stu”. Father Stu tells the true story of Fr. Stuart Long of the Diocese of Helena in Montana. Fr. Stu came from a broken family and tried to make it as a boxer, then an actor before eventually following God’s call to the Catholic priesthood. With the negative publicity that the Catholic Church has received over the last twenty years (much of it self-inflicted on account of the clergy scandals), it is good to know that a positive movie can be made about a priest. Mark Wahlberg portrays Fr. Stu and Mel Gibson plays Fr. Stu’s father. Please be aware that, on account of bad language throughout the film, it is rated “R” meaning that it is restricted to those 18 years and older. If you would like to find out more about the movie, I recommend the website www.decentfilms.com which (Catholic) Deacon Steve Greydanus has maintained for years.
Finally, last but not least, please remember that our youth group fundraiser is coming up in two weeks! This year, on account of the pandemic and the decision to push the date of the Crab Feed back a couple of months, we do have two important parish events only two weeks apart. However, they are both wonderful events and both support important programs. The Crab Feed supports our Religious Education program and the Youth Group Fundraiser supports, well, our Youth Group. If you have not bought tickets yet, please consider attending. The dinner is relatively inexpensive and we are counting on having a fun evening in an outdoor setting, enjoying some delicious food great music, fun games and each other’s company. Many of you enjoyed last year’s fundraiser and I’m sure you won’t regret attending this year’s which is being called “Woodstock Festival” after the gathering of hundreds of thousands of people at the historic music festival in upstate New York in 1969. Tickets will be on sale after Mass so make sure and buy yours now!
Happy Easter!
Father Berg
