This past Sunday, April 12th, Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) Parish hosted a significant gathering for the 2026 Divine Mercy Feast. The highlight of the day was a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet, which brought together people from across the Diocese of Sale to conclude the nine-day Novena.
The afternoon began at 1:00 PM with a time for quiet prayer, followed by Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. At 2:30 PM, the community joined in a procession of the Divine Mercy images around the church grounds before heading inside for the main service.
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At 3:00 PM, Mass was celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet and concelebrated by Fr. Michael Willimsen, Fr. Peter Kooloos, Fr. Prabhu Antony, Fr. Ajin Albarnas, and Deacon Michael Mannuel. During his homily, Bishop Greg reflected on the origins of the devotion, noting:
“When Saint Faustina received the precious gift of her encounter with Jesus, the Lord told her that the image of Divine Mercy should be a reminder of the demands of His mercy. Because He said to her, ‘Even the strongest faith is of no avail without works.’”
Continuing the theme of active faith, Bishop Greg emphasized the role of the faithful in the modern world:
“Let us remember that it will also be through us that the Lord wishes to grant His prayer, His grace, His mercy. That as we ask for mercy, we must commit ourselves to being apostles of mercy to others, bearing His love to the world.”
The Bishop concluded his message by encouraging the congregation to carry this spirit forward in their daily lives, stating, “May we also remember that at the same time Jesus entrusts Himself to us. He calls us to lead with love, faith, and charity.”
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The event was supported by a dedicated coordination team, with the OLHC safety team, ushers, and first-aid volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure the wellbeing of all attendees. It was a day centered on the Mass and the community, leaving those who attended with a renewed sense of faith and connection to their neighbors.
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