His Excellency, Bishop Kevin Sweeney will make his first visit to Divine Mercy Academy on Thursday, March 25th. The visit will include the celebration of Holy Mass via live stream. Following the Mass the Bishop will visit all of the grades and have an opportunity to become acquainted with our school.

“Welcome Home” is the initiative of the Diocese of Paterson to encourage every Catholic to go to confession during Lent in preparation for the Solemnity of Easter. Every Monday evening, from February 22 to March 22, churches in the diocese will be open from 7 to 8:30 for the sacrament of penance. All of us, old and young, should approach the sacrament of penance during this holy time.

ASH WEDNESDAY IS A DAY OF STRICT FAST AND ABSTINENCE. NO MEAT IS PERMITTED ON THIS DAY. ONE FULL MEAL AND TWO SMALLER MEALS ARE PERMITTED. THIS IS A DAY OF PRAYER AND RESPONDING TO THE CALL TO REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION!

Every Friday during the holy season of Lent the Stations of the Cross will be prayed following the 8 o’clock morning Mass and in the evening at 7 o’clock. Join us in meditating upon the sorrowful and painful journey the Lord Jesus took for our sins.

Our annual parish Lenten retreat sponsored by the Rosary Society will take place on March 20. The Saturday morning event will begin with the celebration of the Holy Mass at 8 o’clock. The presenter will be Father Cesar Jaramillo, parochial vicar at Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany. As with the Advent retreat, this year’s Lenten retreat will also be virtual with a limited audience in Hayes Hall. The retreat is free of charge. Additional information will be printed in next Sunday’s bulletin.