Faith and tradition can be comforting touchstones in life. Holy Week is probably the most tradition and faith filled of all the Christian holy days. The Divine Mercy Parish united St. Cecilia Church, St. Nicholas Church, and St. Francis of Paola in 2011, and its Holy Week calendar features each of these North Brooklyn Churches.
On Good Friday, Divine Mercy’s The Way of the Cross Procession once again took a journey of solemn recognition that mirrored the Stations of the Cross and marked a path along the roads that connected the three churches. This year the procession started at St. Nicholas Church, then went to St. Cecilia Church, and finished at St. Francis of Paola Church. Each year the order of the churches changes.
Each church also got its own featured mass on Easter Sunday. The 9:30 mass in English was held at St. Cecilia Church and was given by Thomas F. Vassalotti, Divine Mercy’s Pastor. He welcomed all, and encouraged those coming to the church for the first time or returning after a long absence to join in this community, because the community is the church. St. Francis of Paola held a mass in Italian and English at 8 am and St. Nicholas Church’s Easter mass was in Spanish and English at 11:30am with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.
At the end of the mass at St. Cecilia’s, Father Thomas mentioned that this is the Year of Mercy. To celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy, St. Cecilia’s will be open for 40 straight hours of devotion from 8pm Friday, April 1st to 3pm Sunday, April 3rd. All are welcome to come in and pray during this time.
If you’d like to volunteer to be present for an hour or two of the Forty Hours of Devotion especially in the late night and early morning hours call: 718.387.0256. Feast of Divine Mercy Mass will be observed at 3pm on April 3rd at St. Cecilia Church 84 Herbert St. A special gift will be given to the first 50 person who attend the Mass.
The Greenline 