Holy Name of Mary Church in Montrose will be celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday on the weekend after Easter. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at the 4 PM vigil mass on Saturday, April 7, and also at the 8 AM mass on Sunday. A special devotion is planned for after the 10:30 AM Sunday mass. The Chaplet will be sung rather than recited, along with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Faustina, who died in 1938 in Poland, wrote a diary of her experiences communicating with Jesus. These apparitions have now been accepted by the Catholic Church and the first Sunday after Easter has been designated Divine Mercy Sunday. The main message is that God will pour his mercy out on us and on the whole world if we only ask. Also, we are expected to extend mercy toward others and we must trust in Jesus.
Catholics believe that if people have gone to confession and worthily receive communion on Divine Mercy Sunday, they can receive not only forgiveness but remission of punishment for those sins. The soul will be as clean as it was on the day of baptism. Apparently, it is not necessary to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Divine Mercy Sunday itself, as long as the person is still worthy on that day. It could be before Easter. We are also expected to perform works of mercy.
St. Faustina was asked to help an image of Jesus to be painted. It was done but she said it still did not reveal the true glory of Jesus. Jesus told her not to be concerned. The images are being placed in all of the churches and in people’s homes to remind us of the mercy of God and of our trust in Jesus. The image shows Jesus with streams of light representing blood and water gushing forth from his heart. The Holy Name of Mary Church image will be blessed and venerated on April 7, at the vigil mass and on April 8, at both masses.
Jesus did not restrict his graces only to Catholics. Some people can not receive communion for various reasons or perhaps they are not Catholic. Jesus will still grant special graces if you recite a Spiritual Communion (special prayer that will be provided on cards) and trust in him. There are also provisions for people who are sick or unable to come to church.
Afterwards, there will be a free lunch in the Parish Center. If you are able to stay for the lunch, please let us know by Monday, April 2 by calling the rectory or by emailing: hnm278@frontier.com.
Holy Name of Mary Church in Montrose has many special events planned for the rest of Lent and for the time around Easter.
Palm Sunday will be celebrated at the Vigil Mass on Saturday, March 24 at 4 PM and on Sunday, March 25 at 8 AM and at 10:30 AM with blessing and distribution of palms.
The Living Way of the Cross will be presented by the youth of the parish on Sunday evening, March 25 at 7 PM. This will be a vibrantly acted out story of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It will include beautiful music and costumes. All faiths are welcome to attend. The performance is free.
On Tuesday, March 27, parishioners are invited to attend the Chrism mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton. At this mass, the sacred oils used for baptism, confirmation, anointing the sick and for Holy Orders are blessed. The priests of the diocese gather to renew their vows. It is an inspiring and beautiful event with wonderful music.
Thursday, March 29 will be Holy Thursday. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will begin at 7 PM.
On Good Friday, March 30, many of the Christians in the Montrose area will gather at Holy Name of Mary Church, at noon for the Ecumenical Cross Walk. A portion of the passion will be read at each church. The people will walk, carrying a large wooden cross to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and then they will proceed to the Montrose United Methodist Church. Finally, the procession will finish at the First Presbyterian Church of Montrose.
The Catholics will return to Holy Name of Mary Church for the Good Friday services, beginning at 2:30 PM. The stations of the cross will also be prayed.
On Saturday morning, March 31, at 11 AM, Fr. Philip Rayappan, the pastor, will bless food baskets and the children’s Easter baskets at the church.
The Easter Vigil mass on Holy Saturday, March 31, will begin at 8 PM. This is one of the most beautiful masses of the year, with the Easter fire lighted and shared with the congregation, the Pascal candle blessed, the holy water blessed and the Gloria returning after its absence during Lent with music and bells ringing as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter masses on Easter Sunday, April 1 will be celebrated at 8 AM and 10:30 AM.
The Sunday after Easter, April 8, is Divine Mercy Sunday. The most joyous celebration will be following the 10:30 AM mass. A free lunch will be served afterwards in the Parish Center. Anyone planning to attend the meal is requested to call the rectory, at 570-278-1504 by Monday, April 2, or to email: hnm278@frontier.com.
The United Methodist Churches of Gibson and South Gibson invite you to join their following Holy Week services.
Palm Sunday service will be held on March 25th in South Gibson at 9 AM; and in Gibson at 10:30 AM.
There will be a Maundy (Holy) Thursday service on March 29th at 7 PM at South Gibson; and a Good Friday service the following day at 7 PM in Gibson.
An Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Davis Hill, located between Gibson and South Gibson at 6:30 AM on Easter morning, April 1st, with regular services to follow at each church. Call 570-396-5255 for directions.
South Gibson will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt, complete with snacks, fun and games on March 24th, from 10 AM to Noon. All are welcome!
Drew University deacon student, Cathy Wilcox, PhD, will present a workshop at South Gibson UMC on March 26th at 7 PM. The health care needs of the southeastern section of Susquehanna County, including the areas of Gibson and South Gibson will be addressed.
On April 8th, services will be held at South Gibson UMC at 10:30 AM, followed by a pot-luck lunch. After lunch and fellowship, local church leaders and congregants are invited to participate in a Congregational Awareness & Preparedness Training. Lay Servant, Marianne Meyer, MS, will facilitate a video presentation and discussion, joined by Thomas Meyer, a 22-year Pennsylvania State Parole Agent.
The churches of the Gibson Charge are mission-minded. We seek to learn from and to serve those in our communities. Look for us at www.gibsoncharge.org, find us on Facebook, or call 570-396-5255 for more information.
