Today, on the final day of the Octave (from the Latin meaning eight days) of Easter, the eight-day celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, we give praise and thanks for God’s mercy.
In the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II proclaimed that from that year forward the Second Sunday of Easter would be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This was proclaimed at the Canonization Mass of St. Faustina Kawalska, who worked throughout her life to make all aware of the merciful love of God. St. Faustina (1905–1938) was born and raised in Poland. Following a vocation to religious life, she was accepted by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.  As a member of the Congregation, she worked as a cook, gardener, and porter. In her spiritual life, her contemplation on the Mercy of God led her to develop a childlike trust in God and deep love for her neighbor.
 
In her years in the convent, St. Faustina heard a call from God to make God’s mercy known to the world so that the world may more fully receive God’s healing grace. St. Faustina promoted the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which consists of the recitation of prayers to the Eternal Father with the use of the rosary for the sake of Christ’s sorrowful passion.  Please take home an image of the Divine Mercy and a prayer card with the Divine Mercy Chaplet on it.  They are available in the Church vestibules.
 
And I think it is appropriate that on Divine Mercy Sunday, we resurrect the Parish Men’s Group with a Communion Breakfast and the traditional name for a Catholic Men’s Group, the Holy Name Society.  There is already a great group of guys that I like to refer to as the St. Michael’s “Roadies” who are always ready to step forward for a parish clean-up day, or to put up the Christmas mangers, or to help out as roadies for the Mass on the Pier.  So, we are formalizing what already exists and adding a spiritual dimension to it. In addition to helping its members grow in holiness through devotion to the most Holy Name of Jesus, the HNS encourages its members to perform the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
 
Corporal Works of Mercy
.....to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, shelter to the homeless, tend the sick, visit those in prison, and bury the dead.
 
Spiritual Works of Mercy  
I’ve been blessed by the visit of both my surviving brothers, Mike (Judy) and Dave (Kimberly),
and their families in the past month.  I am so very grateful for all of you who made them feel so welcomed and at home.  We had so much fun.  They now know why I love Tybee.  Michaela, my grandniece, pointed out to me what she found out about us on Google.  Here are a couple of our reviews:
 
★★★★★ (highest) 6 months ago - Anthony Ralston
“Wonderful church. In town visiting and went to mass. The pastor is incredible, gave a wonderful sermon; was very engaging, funny, and very humble.  Music was fantastic, not your typical Catholic hymns. Singer/pianist was incredible. Sang/played with lots of emotion, probably should have some kind of recording deal.  Wish my local church was like here.”
 
★★★★★  9 months ago - Roman
“After drinking way too much on my trip to Tybee for a bachelor party, I found myself separated from my group at 2am. In a drunken daze I decided to find my way back home to the house we had rented when I decided to sit down in front of St. Michael's church. Before long, I had passed out for about 45 minutes on the front steps until my best friend came and found me sprawled out on the ground. Honestly, they were the most comfortable steps I've ever slept on, and if the openness and love from the congregation matches the comfort of the architecture outside, this Protestant might have to make a visit to Tybee for Sunday mass. 5/5 stars. Would visit again, sober or inebriated.”
 
How can it be that someone named Roman is not Roman Catholic?   I hope he does return so as to find that indeed we are a very loving faith community.  And while our front steps may be a good place to sleep when you’ve had too much to drink, I worry about folks, most of whom are sober, falling coming into and out of Church.  The Pastoral Council is going to look into possible upgrades for better safety.  While we want visitors to have a good experience when entering our Church we don’t want them falling into it.

Fr. Jerry Ragan