MH P lans call for Msgr. James Lisante, pas- tor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park, N.Y., and a regular presenter at the Marian Fathers’ Divine Mercy Conference in the Bronx, to be the principal celebrant at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass., for the Solemn Liturgy at 1 p.m. on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, announced Shrine Rector Fr. Ken Dos Santos, MIC. Long active in the popular media, Msgr. Lisante has hosted several national television programs, including Personally Speaking and Christopher Close-Up . Both the Sunday liturgy and the Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, will be cel- ebrated on Eden Hill at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. On Saturday morning, the Marian Fathers will host their annual Mercy Weekend Conference. The theme is “Saints John XXIII and John Paul II: Celebrating the Mercy Popes.” Speakers include Msgr. James P. Moroney, rector of St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC, prefect of formation and novice master for the Marian Fathers. The conference will run from 10 a.m. to noon at First Congregational Church in Stockbridge. General admission is $20 (bag lunch included). Admission is free for members of the 13th of the Month Club, Friends of Mercy, and the Holy Souls Sodality. To register, please call 1-800-671-2020 or visit thedivinemercy.org/mwc. On Saturday and Sunday, tents will be set up on Eden Hill for confes- sions, Adoration, the Divine Mercy Gift Shop, and for various groups associated with the Marians. One highlight of the weekend will be the prayer banner composed of thousands of pieces of cloth. Each one will bear a Marian Helper’s prayer intention for Divine Mercy Sunday. Please visit marian.org/prayerbanner to sub- mit intentions. The theme of this year’s banner is “Mercy United, 2014.” It will feature photos of John Paul II and John XXIII with the Divine Mercy image in the background. Due to the unpredictable spring weather in the Berkshires, pilgrims are advised to dress in layers. Wear comfortable shoes that have traction, and don’t forget rain gear. If you can’t make it to the National Shrin e for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, you can view the Marian Fathers’ celebration live on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). The show begins at noon EST, followed by the Solemn Liturgy at 1 p.m. In the News: Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend Conference, banner to celebrate Mercy Popes Plans call forMsgr. James Lisante, a regular presenter at the Marian Fathers’ Divine Mercy Conference in the Bronx, to be the principal celebrant at the 1 p.m. Solemn Liturgy on Divine Mercy Sunday. F elix C arroll Saturday, April 26 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. — Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoration Tent. At 2:45, there will be a procession to the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. 10 a.m. to noon — Divine Mercy Conference: “Saints John XXIII and John Paul II: Celebrating the Mercy Popes.” Speakers will include Msgr. James P. Moroney, rector of St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC, prefect of formation and novice master for the Marian Fathers. 3 p.m. —Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet, Exposition of and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament, Mother of Mercy Shrine. 4 p.m. —Vigil Mass, Mother of Mercy Shrine. Sunday, April 27 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoration Tent. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Music and spiritual presentations, recitation of the Rosary, Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. 1 p.m. — Plans call for the Solemn Liturgy to be celebrated by Msgr. James Lisante, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park, N.Y., Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. 3 p.m. — Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet; Exposition of and Benediction with the Most Blessed Sacrament; blessing of religious articles and water, Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine. On Saturday and Sunday, con- fessions will be heard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., tents for enrollments and Masses will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the food court will start to serve at 8 a.m. The votive candle tent will be open all day on both Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. The Gift Shop tents will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. (Please note that the Gift Shop will be closed on Monday, April 28.) For up-to-date information, visi t thedivinemercy.org/shrine, call (413) 298-1118, or e-mail
[email protected]. Back to index