Mission of Divine Mercy
Faith, so that God May Act
 Monastery - Sanctuary - Retreat Center 


The Long Road


At the beginning of Advent, when we were kids, Mom would often bring out the statues of Joseph, Mary and the donkey from our nativity set. She would place them above the fireplace on one end of the mantle, and each day she would move them a few inches forward to symbolize their journey to Bethlehem.
The distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem is approximately 80 miles.

A Marian Meditation...

"Walk with my most chaste spouse, Joseph, and with your heavenly Mother on the long road which is bringing us from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Feel, you too, the fatigue of the journey, the weariness which takes hold of us, the assurance which leads us on, the prayer which accompanies each step, as a heavenly blessedness fills our hearts, now united in perfect communion with the Heart of the Heavenly Father which is about to open itself in the gift of His only-begotten Son.

The noise of the crowded caravan does not disturb us, nor does discouragement take hold of us before all the doors which are closed on our request to be taken in.

The compassionate hand of a shepherd points out to us a poor cave, which opens itself to the most sublime and divine prodigy. The only-begotten Son of the Father is about to be born to his human life. There is about to descend to the world that Merciful Love who becomes man in the Son born of me, His Virgin Mother.

After long centuries of expectation and of prayerful supplication, your Savior and Redeemer at last comes to you."


From the Marian Movement of Priests Book

FR. JOHN MARY WILL HAVE
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
IN THE NEW YEAR

St. Thomas Church, which is located a few miles from the Mission, lost their pastor this fall. The Archdiocese does not currently have a priest to place there on a permanent basis so Archbishop Gustavo has asked Fr. Carlos of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish to take responsibility as pastor, and Fr. Chris of Sts. P&P and Fr. John Mary to serve as parochial vicars (similar to an associate pastor) for the next year, in addition to their current duties. This change will take effect in early January.

The current division of ministry will have Fr. John Mary saying a week day Mass on Friday morning and hearing Confessions and saying Mass on Saturday evening at St. Thomas.

Please keep this situation in your prayers. Pray for the parishioners of St. Thomas who lost their pastor. And pray for our priests who are already operating at maximum capacity.


YOU ARE INVITED to COME and LISTEN
and EXPERIENCE the DESERT
Saturday, 10 AM
This Saturday morning, Dec. 22, Fr. John Mary will be recording his talk on "Experiencing the Desert" at 10 AM in the conference room of the O'Callaghan Center. Rather than speaking to empty chairs, he would welcome having some warm bodies in the room while he is recording his talk.
This is a talk that he normally gives on Saturday afternoons during the Encounter With Jesus retreats. Due to his new responsibilities at St. Thomas Parish, he will not be able to offer the talk at the scheduled time and so has decided to record it for use at the retreats.

Whether you've never heard his talk, or would love to hear it again, it is a great spiritual activity for the last Saturday of Advent. All are invited!
Christmas and Solemnity Masses
Monday Dec.24 --9 PM -- Christmas Vigil Mass (choir)
Tue. Dec. 25 -- 11 AM -- Christmas Day ( no choir)

Mon., Dec 31 -- 9 PM -- Vigil Mass of Mary, Mother of God
Mission Calendar DEC 22- JAN 1

Sat. 22---Mass - 8 AM--Breakfast after Mass

Sun. 23---Mass-11 AM--No social at OCC

Mon. 24---MISSION CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE UNTIL VIGIL MASS
Vigil Mass -9 PM--No social

Tue. 25--- Mass-11 AM-- No social
MISSION CLOSED AFTER MASS
No Public Adoration

Wed. 26---MISSION CLOSED

Thu. 27---Mass - 10 AM
No Public Adoration
Mission closed, Office open

Fri. 28---Mass-10 AM
No Public Adoration
Mission closed, Office open

Sat. 29 ---Mass-8AM--No Social

Sun.30 ---Mass-11AM--No Social

Mon. 31--Vigil Mass-9PM--No Social

Tue. Jan.1--MISSION CLOSED
Still
Standing!
Thanks for your prayers!


Fr. John Mary's Homily for Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018


Encounter With Jesus
2019
Registration is open for the February & March retreats

Jan 24-27 Men - Spanish (Canceled)
Feb. 7-10 Women - English (full)*
Feb. 21-24 Women - Spanish
Mar. 7-10 Men - English
Mar. 21-24 Women - English

May 23-26 Women - Spanish
Jun. 6-9 Men - English

Cor Jesu Retreat
May 10-12 Women - Bilingual
June 21-23 Men - Bilingual

* If a retreat is currently full, please put your name on the waiting list. There are always last-minute cancellations .

CREDIT CARD KIOSK

In response to requests that we make giving to the Mission easier for people who don't carry cash, we have initiated a new credit card kiosk. It is located at the foot of road to the Chapel.
All donations, large or small are appreciated and put to immediate good use!

The Mission depends entirely on donations in order to carry out our ministry. We do not receive financial support from the Archdiocese.
Please pray to see if God wants you to help support His Mission of Divine Mercy.

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