Catholics throughout the Diocese of Peoria will join their prayers with people around the world as Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II are canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27. It was John Paul II who declared in 2000 that the Second Sunday of Easter would be devoted to the celebration of God’s great mercy.

The Community of St. John in Princeville has made that the focus of its annual Family Faith Fest, which will be held that Sunday. The theme for the day comes from Psalm 138, “His Mercy Endures Forever!”

The event begins at 8:45 a.m. with registration in front of the chapel at St. Joseph’s Priory, 11223 W. Legion Hall Road. After the opening prayer at 9:15 a.m., the Brothers and Sisters of St. John will lead activities for adults, youth and children, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the sacrament of reconciliation will be available. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Each family is asked to bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch at 1:15 p.m. In addition to games and skits, the afternoon includes a “living Chaplet of Divine Mercy” and a eucharistic procession.

Anyone who wishes may end the day by joining the Brothers and Sisters of St. John for vespers at 5:30 p.m.

The community is proposing an offering of $15 or $20 per family to help cover costs, but organizers said no one should stay away if they are unable to make an offering.

Those who would like to attend are asked to contact Father Joseph Mary, CSJ, prior, at frjosephmary@yahoo.com by April 18. Please include the names and ages of each family member.

PRAYER AROUND THE DIOCESE
Many parishes are also planning Holy Hours, eucharistic adoration, the sacrament of reconciliation and novenas for Divine Mercy Sunday. All of the celebrations will be held on April 27, unless otherwise noted. They include:

— Bushnell: A Divine Mercy Holy Hour will be held at St. Bernard Church, 376 W. Hail St., at 3 p.m. In addition to adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed. To take part in the novena, which begins on Good Friday, April 18, contact Father Dominic Vitaliano, administrator, at (309) 334-2180 for a booklet.

— Champaign: An hour-long prayer service, including recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, will take place beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, 405 W. Clark St.

— DePue: A Divine Mercy Novena will start at 4 p.m. on Good Friday, April 18, and continue through Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. each evening at St. Mary Church, 312 Park St. Services will include hymns, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and St. Faustina’s Praises of Divine Mercy. The celebration concludes with prayer at 2 p.m. on Divine Mercy Sunday. Confessions will be available during the novena service on Wednesday, April 23, and on Sunday, April 27.

— Havana: At St. Patrick Church, 437 S. Orange St., confessions will be available at 1 p.m. and Father David Whiteside, pastor, will celebrate Mass at 2 p.m. Adoration with the Divine Mercy Chaplet will follow and the observance will end at 4 p.m. with veneration of a relic of St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy image.

— Normal: The Divine Mercy celebration at Epiphany Church, 1000 E. College Ave., will begin at 2 p.m. with readings, including excerpts from St. Faustina’s diary, and time for quiet reflection. The sacrament of reconciliation will be available from 2 to 2:50 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 3 p.m.

— Peoria: Prayers, including the Divine Mercy Chaplet, start at 3 p.m. at St. Philomena Church, 1000 W. Albany. Confessions will be available during the Holy Hour.

— Rock Island: The Divine Mercy celebration at St. Pius X Church, 2502 29th Ave., is planned for 3 p.m. It will include eucharistic adoration, singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the sacrament of reconciliation, and a homily by Father Jeremy Freehill, parochial vicar.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This list will be updated as other events are made known to The Catholic Post. Email information to cathpost@cdop.org or call (800) 340-5630.