In declaring this Year of Mercy that we are currently in, Pope Francis said he wanted this to be “a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective.” With the official Year of Mercy coming to a close not too long from now one of the hopes of these 7th grade essays is to help us continue to be people of mercy. Our 7th graders, as we listen to them each week, will help us to “gaze even more attentively on mercy,” as Pope Francis asks, growing stronger and more effective everyday. And opportunities abound to be merciful. Today, in fact, begins the 40 Days for Life vigil off of Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino—I plan to be there on Thursdays since I go out that way then.
In his essay Thomas talks about praying out loud and praising God in public—that strong and effective witnessing the Pope talks about. Your faith and love for Jesus is inside of you. You take your faith with you wherever you go, don’t be afraid to be visible and pray out loud as Thomas suggests. Even to pray out loud in public.
Evangelizing Mercy
By Thomas P.
I can evangelize mercy by telling everyone in my neighborhood and my friends. [I can evangelize] by praising the Lord in public. I should tell everyone to pray. I can also tell this to everyone in my family.
Another way to evangelize mercy is by going to Mass more, and to feed the poor, and to pray out loud in my house. I can also tell people who don’t believe in the Lord.
These are the ways I can evangelize mercy.
This Saturday is the Year of Mercy Pilgrimage to the 7 Holy Doors in our diocese. Looking at the schedule I just got the evening Mass is at Sacred Heart in Palm Desert and not at the Cathedral. There will be a closing prayer and light supper at Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral from 8:00 - 9:00pm. If you are not able to join for any of the stops at the Holy Doors this Saturday I hope you will take an opportunity to go through one of these doors in the next several weeks to receive the indulgences the Pope has granted for the Year of Mercy.
Thank you, Mrs. Alhadef