The World Needs God’s Love and Mercy More Than Ever
The world's need for God's love and mercy may explain why the Divine Mercy Ministry to Seniors, a new ministry introduced by the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship, has quickly become one of the most popular new ministries in the Diocese. When the announcement about an informational meeting was released a month ago, the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship was flooded with inquiries about the new ministry and its implementation. The calls and emails continued from across the Diocese as we explained how volunteers were needed to spread the Divine Mercy message to our seniors in local nursing homes and healthcare facilities.
The new ministry invites volunteers to commit to lead a Divine Mercy prayer group twice a month at a facility of their choosing. The leader is given a manual with simple scripture readings, prayers from Saint Faustina’s Diary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It is a way to remind our seniors of Jesus’ continuous love and mercy, something we all need to be reminded of at every age and stage of our lives.
The prayer group format takes 30 minutes from start to finish and works in collaboration with the participating facility’s schedule. The facility agrees to assist with the prayer group by getting the residents to and from the prayer group space as well as having a representative from the staff in attendance should any unforeseen needs arise.
This ministry was brought to our diocese by its founder, Mary Higgins. Through Mary’s passion and some help from the Holy Spirit, this ministry has moved forward in leaps and bounds. The ministry goals are to establish communities within senior residential facilities, affirm these communities as prayer families, deepen the faith, hope, and love of our seniors, and help attend to senior residents' spiritual needs.
Due to the increased interest in this ministry, two additional informational evenings were offered. Volunteers who are ready to commit to being a leader are given the Diocese’s Safe Environments packet to complete. Once that paperwork is turned in, volunteers will be asked to recommend a facility where they would like to host their group. The Evangelization & Discipleship office then contacts the facility and serves as the liaison to help establish the ministry.
We currently have thirty people who have committed to becoming leaders, with that list growing every day. This ministry truly embodies Jesus’s words to St Faustina,
“Tell the world about My mercy and My love.”
“Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it with peace.”
Please keep this ministry in your prayers as it continues to spread across our Diocese. Help us remind our seniors that they are not lost or forgotten at any point in their lives, by the Diocese or by God. They are His beloved children, and He wants them to know how much they are loved!
Pamphlets outlining the Divine Mercy Ministry to Seniors are available upon request via email. If you are interested in more information, please contact Andrea Hoisl, 860-848-2237, ext.203 or ahoisl@norwichdiocese.net
By Andrea Hoisl