16th April
Divine Mercy Sunday
Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven
COLLECT:
God of Everlasting Mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast Kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, Increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son …
Readings:
Acts 2:42-47.
Ps 117:2-4, 13-15,22-24.
1 Pt 1:3-9
Gospel: John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. ‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
Meditation
The liturgy today invites us to see in Divine Mercy the source of that authentic peace that the risen Christ offers us. The wounds of the risen and glorious Lord are the permanent sign of God’s merciful love for humanity. From them flows a spiritual light that enlightens consciences and pours into hearts comfort and hope.
In this complicated and difficult hour we repeat “Jesus, I trust in you”, knowing that we need that Divine Mercy that the Lord so generously manifested to St Faustina Kowalska. Wherever trials and difficulties are harsher, may the invocation of the Risen Lord be more insistent and may prayer for the gift of his Holy Spirit, source of love and peace, be more heartfelt.
St. John Paul II, Regina Caeli, April 2002
Readings for next Sunday (3rd of Easter)
- Acts 2:14,22-33
- Ps 15:1-2,5,7-11
- -1 Peter 1:17-21
- Luke 24:13-35
»POSSIBILITY TO HAVE A BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Meeting on 18 April at 4pm at the office to discuss purpose of the group, frequency, time and place of meetings, monthly meals, etc. Info Fr. Jim
»COMMUNITY EVENT
Buffet at Neos, ‘Celebration and Thank you.’ Help AMH. Info, Fr. Jim.
»SPRING MARKET AT THE LOCAL
Monday 1st May from 9am. Viva Radio and Orphean Singers at event. To book a space € 10. Contact Fr. Jim
»HORSE RACE NIGHT
Friday 9th June at the Local from 5pm. Game of chance not gambling. For details see poster at the coffee shop.
»PARISH FINANCES
Our 2022 finances are available at the shop. For further information, just make an appointment at the parish office.
»ST. JOSEPH PRAYER GROUP (French Speakers)
Meeting Tuesdays 6PM-7PM. Contact Hervé 96295598.
»COFFEE SHOP
Join us for some tea or coffee, shop bric-a-brac, enjoy community time. Volunteers needed, please contact Fr. Jim.
»CARITAS PAPHOS
Thank you for your donations of non-perishable food. Please, clothing and household item donations may be dropped off at the priest-house (No furniture). For info on food program or volunteering, contact Fr. Fernando 99 93 3130. Thank you for your prayers.
Mass Schedule for this Week
- Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri …… 9 am at Agia Kyriaki.
- Wednesday ……………… 12, preceded by Holy Hour.
- Saturday ……………… 4 and 6pm AK. /// 6 pm Polis.
- Sunday ………………… 10am (Latin), 11am (Polish), 12pm (English) in AK.
Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:15 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.
Maronite Mass: Sunday at 9 am, Info: Fr. Youakim 9981 4316.