Dear Pilgrims, On behalf of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, welcome to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. We are honored to have as our main celebrant on Sunday His Excellency, the Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay. In the midst of all the tribulations our world faces, we continue to joyfully place our hope in the Risen Christ who was sent by our Heavenly Father to conquer sin and death. We share the love and mercy we have received with the world by first sharing it with those closest in proximity to us: Our family, our community, and our nation (cf. CCC 1880, 2239). We also foster justice when we rightly order our duties: giving what is due to God (the virtue of religion), and giving what is due to those through whom we have received life and formation — our parents and our country (the virtue of piety, which includes what we commonly call patriotism). As the United States of America celebrates this year the 250th Anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, we recall at that same time it declared its dependence on God. During this year’s spiritual theme of “One Nation Under God’s Mercy,” we pray all Americans will turn to God and trust in Him. Just as our Lord told St. Faustina that her country, Poland, had a special place in His providential plan for the eternal salvation of mankind, we know our country has a part to play as well. But just as St. Faustina had much to suffer in praying and sacrificing for her country in order to make reparation for its great sins, we too must pray and sacrifice much for our country, whose sins are great and many. Like St. Faustina, we can throw ourselves “trustingly into the abyss of His mercy” and plunge our country in it (Diary, 1188). As grain once scattered is formed into the Bread of Life, we become united as one Body of Christ through the Eucharist. May our recognition and love of Christ in the Eucharist help us to recognize and love Christ in our neighbor — those of our nation and those of other nations. May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts today as you receive Holy Communion and are united with Christ and the Communion of Saints drawn from all nations and every generation. In Jesus and Mary Immaculate, Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC Rector, National Shrine of The Divine Mercy We especially wish to thank the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who return year after year, and without whose support we would be lost, as well as those who annually donate the use of their parking facilities during Mercy Weekend: Berkshire Hills Regional School District And those businesses who donate goods and services: Comalli Electric Special Thanks to: Chief Darrell Fennelly and the Stockbridge Police Department Stockbridge Emergency Management Department | Stockbridge Fire Department | Lee PD Great Barrington PD | BMC Medical Center | Fairview Hospital | Berkshire County Sheriff’s Dept. MA State Police | MA Emergency Management Assoc. County Ambulance Co. CERT Volunteers | Keenan House Workers | Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce Stockbridge Selectmen and area merchants for supporting our event. Thank You to Our Volunteers, Advertisers, & Supporters! “I intensified my prayers and sacrifices for our dear native land… with You, Jesus, I shall stand up bravely to the whole wave of evil.” — St. Faustina (Diary, 686) Join us! BECOME A YEAR-ROUND VOLUNTEER!
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