Holy Year of Mercy 2016

Jesus Christ:The Face of the Father’s Mercy

Department for New Evangelisation

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is a Registered Charity No. 234025

Pope Francis on Mercy: Jesus Christ is the face of God’s mercy. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him.

In the “fullness of time”, when everything had been arranged according to his plan of salvation, the Father sent his only Son into the world, born of the Virgin Mary, to reveal his love for us in a definitive way.

Throughout the history of humanity, God will always be the one who is present, close, provident, holy and merciful.

With our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze, we experience the love of the most Holy Trinity. The mission Jesus received from his Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in all its fullness.

The signs he works, especially in favour of sinners, the poor, the marginalised, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in Jesus speaks of mercy. Nothing in Jesus is devoid of compassion.

We are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us. We are called to gaze even more attentively on Mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, may the Church echo the word of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, strength, aid and of love.

Extracts from The Bull of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy, 2016

As we prepare to begin Lent in this special Year of Mercy, called by Pope Francis, I am pleased that the Department for New Evangelisation is proposing this four-part reflection on Jesus Christ, the Face of the Father’s Mercy.

May this be an opportunity to deepen our sense of the unique mystery of Jesus Christ and of the indescribable love he offers the world through his Church.

May Mary, the Mother of our Redeemer, help us all to know with certainty that, again in Pope Francis’ words: From the heart of the Trinity, from the depths of the mystery of God, the great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceasingly.

I wish you a happy and blessed celebration of the holy season of Lent.+ Mark, Bishop of Shrewsbury

+

+

+

+

+

+

God’s Great Gift of Redemption:The love of God is its sourceThe love of God is its heartThe love of God is its end.

C The Gift: God’s merciful love for usC The Response: Our love for God

1. The Incarnation: Mystery of God’s Merciful Love

Why the Incarnation?

What are we redeemed from?

What are we redeemed for?

C Baptism

C Confirmation

C Marriage

3. Christ’s Resurrection & Ascension: Triumph of God’s Merciful Love

Are we truly reconciled?

How do we share in Christ’s Victory?

Does it make any difference?

C Priesthood

C Eucharist

2. Christ’s Passion and Death: Victory of God’s Merciful Love

Why the Passion and the Cross?

How do we share in this Mystery?

C Reconciliation

C Learning to be Merciful

4. The Communion of Saints: Sharing in God’s Merciful Love

Does our suffering have meaning?

What does Our Lady teach us?

C The Viaticum

C The Works of Mercy

Please come to as many talks as you can.

Our Lady’s Star of the SeaEnfield Road

Ellesmere Port CH65 8BYDay: WednesdayTime: 7:30-9pm7:00pm Tea/Coffee

7:30-9pm Reflection, Prayer

January 13: Miss Barbara DaviesPart 1: The Incarnation:

Mystery of God’s Merciful Love

January 20: Fr David LongPart 2: Christ’s Passion & Death:

Expression of God’s Merciful Love

January 27: Fr Nick KernPart 3: Christ’s Resurrection & Ascension:

Triumph of God’s Merciful Love

February 03: Miss Barbara DaviesPart 4: The Communion of Saints:

Sharing in God’s Merciful Love, with Mary, Mother and Model of Compassion

St Winefride’s School Belmont

Shrewsbury SY1 1TEDay: Saturday

Time: 10:30am-12.0010:00 Tea/Coffee

10:30-12:00 Reflection, Prayer

January 16: Miss Barbara DaviesPart 1: The Incarnation:

Mystery of God’s Merciful Love

January 23: Fr David LongPart 2: Christ’s Passion & Death:

Expression of God’s Merciful Love

January 30: Fr Nick KernPart 3: Christ’s Resurrection & Ascension:

Triumph of God’s Merciful Love

February 06: Miss Barbara DaviesPart 4: The Communion of Saints:

Sharing in God’s Merciful Love, with Mary, Mother and Model of Compassion

Come to as many talks as you can.

For reasons of Health and Safety, please register with:

Mrs Pauline McCulloch Tel: 0151 652 9855

pauline.mcculloch@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Further details:

http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/catholic-faith/the-newevangelisation/course-on-redemption

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is a Registered Charity No. 234025

Jesus Christ: The Face of the Father’s Mercy