Divine Mercy Sunday is April 11, 2021

Jesus told St. Faustina that this Feast of Mercy would be a very special day when "all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened." (Diary 699) Our Lord made a great promise to all those souls who would go to Confession and then receive Him in Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy, on the Sunday after Easter, which is now called Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Catholic Church.

Jesus promised, "The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." (Diary 699) He went on to say "I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy." (Diary 1109)

Take advantage of this incredible promise and the additional plenary indulgence on this feast of Mercy "Divine Mercy Sunday". We want you to benefit fully from these promises, and we encourage you to notify all of your family and friends about them too and urge them to return to the practice of their faith About "Divine Mercy Sunday", Jesus said "…tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon the souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (Diary 699)

It is required of all Catholics to confess their serious sins at least once a year. One may go to Confession up to 20 days, before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.

Summary of the Indulgence

I. The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence:

1.) Sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within about 20 days before or after.]

2.) Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]

3.) Prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [certain prayers are not specified]

II. The specific conditions for this indulgence:

On Divine Mercy Sunday

1.) In any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy... or

2.) In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!")

Partial Indulgence:

A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation. [e.g. Jesus I trust in You. My Jesus mercy. or any other approved invocation]

Those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill

Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence:

1.) Totally detesting any sin,

2.) The intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions of confession, communion and prayers for the Holy Father

3.) Recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).

If it is impossible to do even this:

1.) With a spiritual intention unite with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and

2.) Offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.

Midwood Catholic Academy

prides itself on the education opportunities provided to our students. In addition to a rigorous academic program, students are provided with rich and varied activities that seek to educate the whole child. At Midwood Catholic Academy we understand that music and physical activity are vital components of a child’s development. Students participate in unique activities such as American Sign Language. We also believe that the social emotional support of students’ families is important, especially during these challenging times, students have access to counseling services through our collaboration with PDHP. Midwood Catholic Academy supports the potential of all learners. Our teachers and staff are trained to serve students with disabilities as well as English Language Learners. Professional development consistently focuses on strategies for improving academic instruction for at-risk students to ensure their success. Please call us at 718-377-1800 for more information to register for the upcoming school year. Seats are available in Pre-K3 to Grade 8

THE BISHOP OF BROOKLYN HAS ASKED THAT ALL PARISHIONERS 

READ THE FOLLOWING VERY CAREFULLY

OFFICE OF THE VICAR GENERAL

DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, New York 11215 718.399.5995 ● FAX: 718.399.5965

ASH WEDNESDAY 2021

The use of ashes for punishment or penance predates Christianity. It is contained in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) and other ancient writings and was adopted by the infant Church as mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel (11:21) and the writings of many of the Fathers of the Church.

The use of ashes in the Liturgy beginning the penitential season of Lent is credited to Pope Saint Gregory the Great who during his papacy (590-604) introduced its use to the Liturgy of Rome. Ashes were first sprinkled collectively over the congregation and then later individually on the crown of the head of each of the faithful with the Old Testament injunction from Genesis: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This practice spread throughout the Universal Church and was further codified with the reforms of the Council of Trent (1545-1563).

It seems that resulting from the Reformation, particularly in English speaking lands members of the Church with a desire to foster Roman Catholic identity, ceased to sprinkle the ashes on the crown of the heads of the penitents but instead smudged the ashes on the foreheads of those presenting themselves - first in a blotch and more recently in the sign of a Cross. This is the predominant custom of administering ashes on Ash Wednesday in the United States and the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The Missal of Pope Saint Paul VI (1969) adds another formula that may be used when administering the ashes from Mark’s Gospel: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” The current Book of Blessings allows lay-faithful to administer previously blessed ashes while only a Bishop, Priest or Deacon may bless them either at Mass or within a Celebration of the Word of God.

In January of this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a “note” requiring that ashes be sprinkled on the crown of the heads of the faithful and that the formula (using either option) be recited only once before all those gathered receive the sacramental at the Ash Wednesday Liturgies.

These changes minimize the necessity of physical contact including speech between minister and recipient and remove the need for the minister (who is to wear a face covering) to speak while in close proximity to the recipient. Even though we’re not accustomed to it in our country or diocese, the distribution of ashes by sprinkling on the top or crown of the head is considered completely normal in a majority of the “Catholic World” including Rome itself.

While there is clearly a noble aspect of public witness in the usual American method of marking the forehead with ashes, it is also important to remember that ashes are a sacramental intended to help the faithful who receive them in their own interior striving for holiness and preparation for the Paschal Triduum.

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FRIDAY, 23RD OCTOBER 2020

AS OF 1PM TODAY,

SAINT COLUMBA R.C. CHURCH

IS PERMITTED TO ASSEMBLE

50% OF THE CHURCH’S CAPACITY

FOR EVERY MASS!!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN

SOCIAL DISTANCING,

FACE-MASKS,

AND HAND SANITIZING

WHEN YOU ATTEND MASS!

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Father Lambert asks you to spend a few minutes viewing a short film entitled The Veil Removed located at TheVeilRemoved.com .

God's infinite love and grace will get us through this crisis!

Saints Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II

Please Pray for Pope Francis

Saint Columba is a community whose faith is rooted in Christ and centered in the Eucharist.

We witness to the Gospel, reaching out to serve the spiritual, emotional and material needs of others.

We challenge child and adult to grow in Christ, communicating with love, and welcoming all to share their gifts as vital members of the Parish.

www.SaintColumbaBrooklyn.org