Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
Divine Mercy Sunday is the second Sunday of Easter. It is the final day, or the eighth day, in the Octave of Easter. All this week we have rejoiced in the Resurrection of Jesus. Each of these days is so important in the Church calendar that they are declared solemnities. In other words, very solemn days of prayer as we contemplate the Easter mysteries. We will continue to celebrate the Easter Season for weeks yet, but today marks the completion of the most intense celebrations.
It is rather ironic to talk about celebrations and solemn worship in a time we are not able to even gather together.  Yet still our hearts are filled with rejoicing in the presence of our Risen Lord.
The Gospel on Divine Mercy Sunday is always the one where Jesus appears to Thomas.  His doubts are chased away and his faith is restored.  The restoration of faith is truly a mercy for us all. The world is so filled with doubt. There are so many people who have wandered away from the practice  of the Faith.  There is not a one of us who is unable to call to mind several pf our family and friends who were once practicing Catholics and are now lukewarm at best.
This time of fear and uncertainty must be a time of extreme darkness for those who are not people of Faith. Let us pray that during this time they may become more aware of the need for God in their lives.  May this time provide a wake up call for them, and may God chase away their doubts and restore their faith, just as He did for Thomas.
Those of you who read Magnificat Magazine may recognize this little reflection called Overjoyed. It is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for the Easter joy that filled the heart of the eight century monk St. Cosmas of Maiuma. I found it to be such a profound expression of Easter joy:

Overjoyed
Christ incarnate makes me worthy of God,  
Christ humbled for me, raises me high,             
Christ, the giver of life, suffering in human nature,
makes me impassive.                                           
And so, I sing a hymn of thanksgiving,                        
to him who is glorified.
Christ crucified raises me high,                        
Christ who is slain makes me rise again with him;
Christ gives me life.                                                     
And so, clapping my hands with joy,                                
I sing to the Savior a hymn of victory,                             
to him who is glorified.

May God in His Divine Mercy remove all doubt from your heart, strengthen your faith in Him, and fill you with the joy of new life in Christ!
Clapping my hands with joy! I am your pastor, 
Msgr. Cox
 
Doubting Thomas, Gospel of John.  Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1877)