OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“I am loved, therefore I exist; I am forgiven, therefore I am reborn; I have been shown mercy, therefore I have become a vessel of mercy.” (Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter at the Conclusion of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy)
Although the Jubilee Year of Mercy has come to a close, inspiring works of mercy continue in parishes across Hawaii. As we enter the new liturgical year beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, we will continue to “talk story” about God’s mercy in and through our lives all year long.
Pope Francis’ beautiful apostolic letter reminds all that we are loved and forgiven by God and also called to be instruments of his mercy:
“Mercy cannot become a mere parenthesis in the life of the church; it constitutes her very existence, through which the profound truths of the Gospel are made manifest and tangible. The Jubilee now ends and the Holy Door is closed. But the door of mercy of our heart continues to remain wide open. We have learned that God bends down to us (cf. Hos 11:4) so that we may imitate him in bending down to our brothers and sisters. … The Holy Door that we have crossed in this Jubilee Year has set us on the path of charity, which we are called to travel daily with fidelity and joy. It is the road of mercy, on which we meet so many of our brothers and sisters who reach out for someone to take their hand and become a companion on the way.
“Mercy renews and redeems because it is an encounter between two hearts: the heart of God who comes to meet us and a human heart. The latter is warmed and healed by the former. Our hearts of stone become hearts of flesh (cf. Ezek 36:26) capable of love despite our sinfulness. I come to realize that I am truly a ‘new creation’ (Gal 6:15): I am loved, therefore I exist; I am forgiven, therefore I am reborn; I have been shown mercy, therefore I have become a vessel of mercy.”
This Thanksgiving we gave thanks for all our volunteers involved in “mercy ministries” across our diocese. Just as Bishop Larry Silva commemorated the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy by opening the doors to a new Mercy Home for women returning from prison, we are reminded to continue our good works of mercy today, tomorrow and beyond.
Advent season is a perfect time to renew that commitment to mercy ministries. Our annual “Star Light, Star Bright” event on Dec. 10 is a great opportunity to be a “vessel of mercy” for children and caregivers who will reunite with their mothers at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua, Oahu. Donations, gifts and volunteers are always needed. For more information on ways to share in this mercy ministry, please contact Paulette Vernay at pvernay@rcchawaii.org.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
