Dear friends in Christ

The Octave Day of Easter renews our joy and hope in the Resurrection of Our Lord! The Gospel calls to our minds and hearts the moment on that same evening when Jesus confers His power to forgive sin on the Church. The Apostles are given the Divine mandate to forgive sins in His name. Since the year 2000 we celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy this Sunday. It was this Day that year that St Pope John Paul II Canonised Sister Faustina Kowalska announcing her as a modern day Apostle of Divine Mercy. As we listen again to the words of Jesus addressed to the Apostles on that evening of the Resurrection in the Upper Room, let us ask ourselves if we are generous in approaching Jesus and seeking His Divine Mercy often.

Our prayerful good wishes go to the eight who were initiated into the Church last weekend during the Easter Vigil; this Sunday during 11.30am Mass Tommy Brunning and Katelyn Gallacher will be Baptised, Confirmed and receive First Holy Communion. Pray for all of them that, they may be faithful to what they promise and receive what is promised to them!

Thank you for the many personal greetings I have received this Easter and for your many kind gifts as well as the generous Easter Offerings. As we celebrate the Easter season over the coming weeks, may we always do so fully conscious of the privilege we have, of belonging to the Catholic Church, the Church founded by and on Jesus Christ—our glorious Catholic Faith!

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale