Thursday, April 01, 2010

News from the Divine Mercy Center of Hawaii

The following is current news from the Divine Center in Hawaii. I especially direct your attention to the part regarding the filming of the new Divine Mercy Chaplet recitation in Hawaii.

From Rose Balayan of the Divine Mercy Center of Hawaii:

SEVEN YEARS of Trusting in God's Mercy and Divine Providence
As we enter a new decade in the third millennium, we thank God for giving us the grace to persevere in trusting in His Mercy and Divine Providence for seven years now. We give praise to God for allowing us to enter our seventh year of spreading the message and devotion to the Divine Mercy in the Hawaiian Islands. When the Lord spoke to my heart in 2003 and gave me unmistakable signs to start the Divine Mercy ministry in the islands, I never imagined that I would be experiencing many blessings as well as tribulations that would put my faith into test and practice.

For those who still do not know what happened to me and for updates on my condition, please read on my personal testimony "A Test and Lesson in Trust". Here, you will read how I served God in small ways during my illness and at the same time, how I understood the value of suffering. And despite all the difficulties that we encounter in our lives, the Lord tells us to trust in His Mercy and to continue helping Him to save souls.

We have a busy time ahead of us and I am excited to be sharing these plans and other news with all of you. For residents of Oahu, I invite you to make time to attend the upcoming Divine Mercy Crusade from April 7-12. Many people have asked me time and time again, "when is the next Divine Mercy event?" I wasn't intending on organizing an event because of my medical conditions, but the Lord had once again manifested His desire to celebrate and glorify His Feast of Mercy. So things just fell into place and started happening.

For our brothers and sisters outside Hawaii who have signed up in our mailing list, I ask you to pray for us here as we celebrate the Feast of Mercy during the crusade. But more importantly, I ask for everyone's continued support and prayers that I may be able to carry out the Lord's work faithfully. God bless you always.


To to download and print the March 2010 newsletter, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Divine Mercy Crusade April 2010
The annual Divine Mercy Crusade will take place in six churches in Oahu from April 7-12 in celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday. We have invited Fr. Tom Sullivan of the Fathers of Mercy based in Auburn, Kentucky to help us reflect on God's invitation to approach Him in the Fount of His Mercy. Fr. Tom, a native of Havertown, Pennsylvania, is a 2004 graduate of Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut and was ordained to the priesthood in May 2004. Prior to his joining the Fathers of Mercy, he owned and operated his own roofing company and worked extensively with the Missionaries of Charity throughout the world and with the Padre Pio Center in Barto, Pennsylvania. During the crusade, Fr. Tom will encourage and challenge the parish community to make a stronger, deeper commit-ment to Christ, His Church and the Sacraments. Click for more info.

Blessing of the Sick with St. Padre Pio Holy Oil
Fr. Tom will bless all those attending the crusade with the holy oil of St. Padre Pio. He will also have a special talk on the life of St. Padre Pio in celebration of the Year of the Priests. The crusade is a free event but love-offerings are most welcomed and appreciated.
Divine Mercy Healing Conference in October 2010
We are pleased to announce the Fourth Divine Mercy Conference. Due to limited funds, resources and time, we are organizing our conferences every other year. It takes a tremendous amount of sacrifice, both financially and physically, to organize conferences or events of great magnitude. The fourth Divine Mercy Conference will be held on October 7 - 9, 2010 (registration required) with a free for all session for youth, children and families on October 10. The theme for the conference will be "The Healing Power of God's Mercy". Subject to change, topics will include "Victory Over Depression", "The Healing Power of the Eucharist", "Our Lady, Health of the Sick", "Deliver Us From Evil", "5 Signs of the Second Coming of Christ", "To St. Faustina: Prepare the World for the Coming of My Son", "Healing of Family Trees", and more. There will be healing services and on Sunday October 10, there will be special healing prayers for generations and families. The Sunday closing Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva. More details will be provided later. Be sure you are in our mailing list to receive updates. Keep on checking our website for updates. Don't miss this event! Please mark your calendars now and spread the word.
Other News and Info

Filming of the Divine Mercy Chaplet for EWTN
Jesus said to Saint Faustina Kowalska of Poland: "Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I desire that the whole world know My Infinite Mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy...." (Diary 687) Our Lord Jesus referred to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that He dictated word for word to St. Faustina for the whole world to pray.

As a priest of the Diocese of Los Teques, Caracas, Venezuela, Fr. Luis Eduardo Rodriguez worked tirelessly in creating a short film that would recommend the chaplet as a last hope of salvation to mankind. Fr. Rodriquez embarked on this film project with the only global Catholic TV Network - Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). The film would show different people around the world leading in the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet across 5 continents. On February 22 - 26, 2010 Fr. Rodriguez visited Hawaii to capture a representation of the people of Oceania, the last of the 5 continents covering the entire world. He travelled extensively across continents and Hawaii was his last stop before finalizing the film in time for Divine Mercy Sunday. The film would have its debut showing on Easter Sunday. EWTN has over 180 million viewers across 150 countries. (Read more...)

Blessed Sacrament Church in Honolulu Celebrates 10 Years of Divine Mercy Devotion
Ten years ago during the Feast of the Divine Mercy in April 2000, St. Faustina was canonized as the first saint of the third millennium, and Pope John Paul II declared that the Church will observe the second Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. At that time, a few faithful parishioners of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Honolulu began the formation of a Divine Mercy cenacle prayer and study group that would be instrumental in establishing a weekly Divine Mercy Devotional Mass every Wednesday evening. Ten years after that initial formation, the weekly devotion and study continues under the leadership of Leimomi Kondo. Devotees who come from various parishes, gather at 5:30 pm for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Prior to the celebration of Holy Mass at 6:30 pm, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is made available to all those who are in need. Oftentimes during the Mass, the homily is supported by the merciful words of Jesus to St. Faustina as written in her diary "Divine Mercy in My Soul". After the Mass, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed and recently, Ivana, a 9-year old student of the Cathedral Academy leads the congregation in the recitation of the prayer. The evening devotion is concluded with the veneration of the first-class relic of St. Faustina. A few cenacle members meet after the devotion to further study on the Church's teachings on Divine Mercy. On special occasions, a fellowship and potluck get-together is arranged to foster community growth, support and interaction. We thank those who have persevered these past 10 years and we pray that many will continue to trust in the Mercy of the Lord Jesus. CONGRATULATIONS!

Formation of Divine Mercy Cenacle in St. Joseph, Waipahu
The parish community of St. Joseph in Waipahu, Oahu is pleased to announce the formation of a Divine Mercy cenacle and ministry under the leadership of Rose Balayan and husband Tony. The new ministry is now a permanent part of the parish and hopes to foster devotion to the Divine Mercy and to bring awareness of the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Ron Guzman, MS the ministry's spiritual director will provide the spiritual guidance during the formation. The ultimate goal of pastor Fr. Greg Honorio, MS is to involve this new Divine Ministry in establishing an adoration chapel in the parish. All are invited to be a part of this important ministry and invitation is extended most especially to parishioners of the Leeward Vicariate. If interested, contact Rose at 808-389-5764 or email at rose@divinemercyhawaii.org. Be sure to attend the St. Joseph Divine Mercy Sunday Vigil celebration on April 10, Saturday from 2 pm to get more information about the new ministry. If you would like information on how to start a cenacle in your parish, home or community, contact us or visit our website.

Spreading Devotion to the Divine Mercy
The ministry's reach has now gone international and the movement has taken a life of its own. We welcome those who have signed up to be in our mailing list especially those who are from various states of the U.S. as well as other countries as far as Africa, Europe, Asia and others. We are happy to share the news here in Hawaii to our brothers and sisters around the world. Thank you for your support and prayers.

In order to continue the mission of the Divine Mercy Center of Hawaii, we ask for your generous support for prayers as well as monetary contributions and whatever form of assistance. We thank the loyal supporters of the ministry for without them, we would not be able to faithfully carry out the mission of the apostolate. We continue to thank the sponsorship of Mr and Mrs Robert and Lisa Santos for providing the cost of web hosting for the ministry's website. Unimaginable blessings and graces have come to those who visited the website as we unite in prayers worldwide and seek help from one another.

We continue to seek help especially in helping those who are needy both locally and internationally. The Divine Mercy Center of Hawaii is a legitimate non-profit Catholic organization recognized and blessed by the Diocese of Honolulu. The center has a board of director comprising of various parishioners in the island of Oahu. It is affiliated with the Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy, a lay ministry of the Congregation of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception based in Stockbridge, Massachussetts. The Marians are the official promoters of the Divine Mercy devotion and message and the custodians of the U.S. National Shrine of the Divine Mercy.

The Lord Jesus said, "Do what ever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. " Won't you help us to help Jesus? God bless you all.
Plans for Next Year

Divine Mercy Crusade 2011
April 2011 - Divine Mercy Crusade with Fr. Bill Casey, CPM. Fr. Casey, former superior of the Fathers of Mercy is a well-known EWTN personality and a sought-after speaker in conferences, missions and retreats throughout the country.

Divine Mercy Congress in Poland 2011
October 2011 - The Second World Congress on Divine Mercy will be held in Poland. The first world apostolic congress was held in Rome in 2008. Next year, leaders and devotees of Divine Mercy will converge in the site of the apparition to further proclaim God's Mercy to the whole world. Divine Mercy Center will lead a delegation as well as organize a pilgrimage. More info to follow. Save the dates now and start saving money. Join us!

2 comments:

Amy Pedersen said...

Hi. Thanks for all you are doing to spread His mercy. I just spoke at the Divine Mercy conference in NY last weekend. (I'm the author of The Miracle of Me from conception to birth.) Would be happy to support your efforts any way I can. Check out www.thedivinemercy.org for details about the event. Feel free to email me at amy@amypedersen.com. God bless.

EC Gefroh said...

Thank you Amy. I look forward to reading about it. God bless,