Now that all the activities around our parish "week of mercy" are finished (the mission, the visit to the Holy Door, the feast of Transfiguration and parish picnic) it would be natural to think that our participation in the Holy Year is finished. Far from it! I hope we can savor every remaining day of the Holy Year, all the way to November 20 (ninety two days if I counted them correctly).
Here are some ideas to keep the Holy Year of mercy alive in our hearts:
* Promote family reconciliation by seeking out one family member who needs a word of mercy from you
* A personal visit to the Holy Door of mercy at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
* Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation if you have been away from it for awhile
* Carry out one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy (pick up the holy card at the information desk in the gathering room after mass)
* Volunteer for a Monday or Wednesday morning at our Franciscan Outreach to help distribute food
* Visit our bell tower shrine and say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
* Take time in prayer to contemplate the good qualities of someone who is difficult for you. Do the same for each member of your family
* Make a list of your “enemies.” Then, every day, say a prayer for them
* Send me some of your own ideas so that I can include them in my column!
The Holy Year's was meant to influence the parishes of the world, but just as important, it must have an impact on each disciple. These final three months are all we have left of this gift to the Church.