Polish Sister St. Faustina Kowalska is depicted with an image of Jesus Christ the Divine Mercy. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

In 2000, St. John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter would be devoted to the celebration of God’s great mercy. Catholics around the Diocese of Peoria will come together again this Sunday, now known as Divine Mercy Sunday, to pray and give thanks.

A feature of Divine Mercy Sunday is the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence, which is the suspension of punishment due for all sins that have been forgiven. Msgr. Mark Merdian, vicar of the Ottawa Vicariate, described this as, “Amazing. It’s a great gift of the Lord.”

Conditions for receiving the plenary indulgence are to participate in Divine Mercy celebrations, to receive Communion, pray for the Holy Father’s intentions, and go to confession 20 days before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.

Celebrations planned for this Sunday, April 16, include:

• Bloomington: After Masses at 9 and 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Church of Merna, children will be invited to Shamrock Hall to make Divine Mercy ice cream sundaes with red and blue sprinkles.
• Bloomington: A service with Scripture, a homily, eucharistic adoration and Benediction is planned for 1:30 p.m. at Historic St. Patrick Church. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be chanted. There will also be an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation.
• Chenoa: St. Joseph Church has invited parishioners in the Pontiac Vicariate to its Divine Mercy celebration at 5 p.m.
• LaSalle: St. Hyacinth Church will welcome all the parishes in the LaSalle Vicariate at 3 p.m. The program includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, veneration of the Divine Mercy image, praying the Divine Mercy Litany, a sung Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Benediction. The sacrament of reconciliation will be available from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Ottawa/Streator: The Ottawa Vicariate is hosting simultaneous Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Streator and at St. Patrick Church in Ottawa, with confession at 2 p.m., and Holy Hour at 3 p.m. Msgr. Merdian, pastor of St. Columba, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Patrick, all in Ottawa, and St. Mary Shrine in Naplate, will offer a reflection on Divine Mercy at St. Patrick Church.
• Pekin: St. Joseph Church is holding a Divine Mercy service with adoration and confession at 3 p.m.
• Peoria: St. Ann Church will be open from 3 to 4 p.m. There will be eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation will be available.
• Peoria: St. Philomena Church will host a Divine Mercy hour of prayer, starting at 3 p.m. It will include eucharistic adoration, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
• Peoria: The observance at St. Vincent de Paul Church is planned for 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. In addition to the sacrament of reconciliation, there will be eucharistic adoration and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed.
• Rock Island: The sacrament of reconciliation will be offered at 2 p.m. and a Divine Mercy Holy Hour will start at 3 p.m. It will include the Divine Mercy Chaplet, homily, and songs of praise.
  Urbana: Parishes in the Champaign Vicariate will gather for a Divine Mercy Holy Hour at St. Patrick Church from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. In addition to the Divine Mercy Chaplet, there will be exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction. The sacrament of reconciliation will be available starting at 2 p.m.
• Westville: St. Mary Church will host a Divine Mercy Holy Hour for the Danville Vicariate from 2 to 3 p.m. It will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.
• Woodhull: Parishes in the Kewanee Vicariate were invited to participate in a Divine Mercy Novena that started on Good Friday and ends Saturday, April 15, at 3 p.m. On Divine Mercy Sunday, all are invited to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 4 p.m., with confession available until the 5 p.m. Mass.

For more information on these and other celebrations, check your parish bulletin, Facebook page, or website.