FRENCHVILLE, Maine — Over 100 enthusiastic participants, from New Brunswick to Houlton, traveled to Frenchville on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 for a day of reflection for the Holy Year of Mercy.
Bishop Robert P. Deeley offered three presentations to those gathered at St. Luce Church, focusing on the virtue of mercy; mercy and the early Church fathers; and mercy in the teachings of the popes.
The Holy Year of Mercy, declared by Pope Francis, began on Dec. 8, 2015, with the purpose of helping all believers to have a genuine experience of God’s mercy, both received and given.
“In a retreat setting, Bishop Deeley taught us about God’s incredible gift of mercy, its origins, our need for God’s mercy in our lives, and our role in extending God’s mercy to others,” said Janet Beckwith, pastoral life coordinator for the Parish of the Precious Blood, based in Caribou.
“Everybody developed a greater understanding and appreciation for the importance of the Holy Year of Mercy. This day of reflection was truly a blessing in our Lenten journey and equipped those present with ways to more actively participate in transforming our world into a merciful place through corporal and spiritual works of mercy,” Beckwith said.
The event also included the opportunity for confession, Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, small group discussions, a “song fest,” and a special lunch featuring Acadian chicken stew.
A special Holy Year of Mercy section has been created on the Diocese of Portland’s website. The section includes a wide range of resources, including prayers, reflections, local stories from the diocese and parishes, and a calendar of Holy Year of Mercy events and gatherings that will be continually updated.
To access the section, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/holy-year-of-mercy.
