Tag: Divine

On
Kevin Wondrash

Divine Mercy Sunday: Do it right!

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After Easter, Catholics and Christians of all backgrounds can argue and debate which is the second most important day on the calendar.

I’m not advocating for one over the other, but since we’re nearing it, I’m going to talk about a day that should be in consideration for the next best day — Divine Mercy Sunday.

It’s the Sunday that comes after Easter, the eighth day of the Easter Octave, and depending upon the parish or the parishioner, there have been many different ways to observe that day.

At minimum, it usually includes veneration of the Image of Divine Mercy and/or praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

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On
Susan Swanke

Jesus, I’m learning to Trust in You

Susan Swanke

When Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and shared his message of Divine Mercy, the words he instructed her to put at the bottom of his image were, “Jesus, I trust in you.”

No subtle hint. Jesus wants us to trust him. Why is it so important to him that we trust him? Surely, it’s not because he needs our trust for his good.

In fact, God needs nothing. It must be for our good that he gives this command.

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

The ‘abandonment to Divine Providence’

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In last week’s column, I meditated on the surrender of Mary and Jesus in the key moments of the Annunciation and the Agony in the Garden.

We all know the difficulty of handing over our wills to the Lord.

We want to be in control, have a clear idea of how events should unfold, and we often think God is letting us down when we face disappointment, tragedy, and suffering.

How do we find peace amidst the storm and trust in the middle of life’s chaos?

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On
Bishop Donald J. Hying

Surrendering out of love

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Meditating on the Agony in the Garden, the First Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, is always a source of great spiritual fruit for me.

We see Jesus alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing His imminent Passion and death, praying that this cup of suffering pass Him by.

Jesus is so anxious and distressed that He sweats drops of blood, struggling to surrender to the will of the Father and the mystery of the cross.

Radical filial obedience wins out, as Jesus utters His fiat, “Let your will be done, not mine.”

When Christ arises from this prayer, He moves forward with determination, arousing the sleeping apostles, facing Judas and the approaching mob, ready and willing to drink the cup of suffering to the very dregs.

In the Gospel passion narratives, once Jesus has made His surrender in Gethsemane, He embraces the terrible details of His trial, torture, and death with a peace, acceptance, and love that is truly divine.

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Bishop Donald J. Hying

Pray the Liturgy of the Hours

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The Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the Church and serves as an enriching compliment to the daily Mass.

A compilation of psalms, Scripture, prayers, and writings of the saints, the Hours are divided into seven daily prayer times with morning and evening prayer as the pillars.

Priests, deacons, most Religious, and many lay faithful pray it on a daily basis and find its rhythm and cycle to be rich spiritual fruit.

Having prayed it myself for almost 40 years, the psalms and readings have become comforting and holy companions on my path to God.

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On
Bishop Donald J. Hying

Love and mercy always win

In the summer of 2016, I was blessed to go to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, with 80 pilgrims from the Diocese of Gary.

The highlight was Saturday evening. More than a million of us from every country on earth gathered to spend the night in an open field as an oppressive sun in a cloudless sky beat down.

After the pope’s talk, he placed an enormous monstrance on the altar for Eucharistic Adoration and we all knelt down in silent prayer for 20 minutes.You could hear a pin drop.

The evening shadows lengthened as the sun descended towards the horizon.

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Kevin Wondrash

Divine Savior Healthcare joins Aspirus health system

WAUSAU — Divine Savior Healthcare (DSH) has formally joined the Aspirus health system.

Leaders from Sisters of the Divine Savior and Aspirus signed documents that make the Portage system part of Aspirus, a not-for-profit health care system based in Wausau.

“As sponsors of Divine Savior Healthcare, the Sisters of the Divine Savior have experienced over 100 years of blessings and joy,” said Sisters of the Divine Savior Provincial Leader Sr. Beverly Heitke.

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On
Kay Ringelstetter, For the Catholic Herald

Divine Mercy Sunday to be observed at Sauk City parish on April 28

SAUK CITY — Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on April 28 at St. Aloysius Church on 115 Madison St. in Sauk City.

The festivities will begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude with The Taste of Divine Mercy, which promises a fabulous food celebration at 4 p.m. in the school gym.

Ann Black, parishioner, has the following question for all of us: “If God gave you one special Sunday when Jesus asks us to come to him for his mercy, why wouldn’t you come to him on that day?”

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