Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Divine Mercy Sunday is a day that invites us to reflect deeply on the boundless mercy of God and the incredible gift of His love. As we celebrate this special Sunday, we are reminded of the words of Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska, who was chosen as the messenger of Divine Mercy: “Jesus, I trust in You.” These words encapsulate the essence of our faith and our relationship with God.
In the Gospel reading today from John 20:19-31, we encounter the risen Christ appearing to His disciples. They were gathered in fear, locked away in a room, uncertain of what the future held after the crucifixion of their Lord. Yet, in their moment of despair, Jesus comes to them, offering peace and reassurance. He greets them with the words, “Peace be with you,” and shows them His wounds, the marks of His suffering and love. This moment is profound. Jesus does not come to chastise or condemn; instead, He comes to offer mercy. He understands their fear, their doubts, and their failures. He knows that Peter denied Him, and yet He extends His peace and forgiveness. This is the heart of Divine Mercy: God’s willingness to forgive us, no matter how far we have strayed.

As we reflect on this Gospel, we see that Thomas, one of the disciples, was not present during this first encounter with the risen Lord. When he hears the others speak of their experience, he expresses doubt, saying, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks, I will not believe.” Yet, when Jesus appears again, He addresses Thomas directly, inviting him to touch His wounds and believe. “Do not be unbelieving, but believe,” Jesus says. In this encounter, we see the depth of Jesus’ mercy. He does not scold Thomas for his doubt; rather, He meets him where he is, offering him the opportunity to believe. This is a powerful reminder for each of us. In our moments of doubt, fear, or uncertainty, Jesus invites us to come to Him, to bring our struggles and our questions, and to experience His mercy.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful expression of God’s mercy, where we can bring our sins and burdens to Him and receive His forgiveness. It is a chance to experience the healing power of His love, to be renewed and strengthened in our faith.
Divine Mercy Sunday is not just a day to reflect on God’s mercy; it is a call to action. We are invited to extend that same mercy to others. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. This can be challenging, especially when we have been hurt or wronged. Yet, it is in forgiving others that we truly embrace the mercy that God has shown us. As we celebrate this day, let us remember the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These acts of kindness and compassion are tangible ways to live out our faith. Whether it is feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, or forgiving those who have wronged us, each act of mercy reflects the love of Christ in our world.

As we move forward from this celebration, let us carry the message of Divine Mercy in our hearts. I appreciate everyone who are instruments of spreading the message of Divine Mercy. Let us be instruments of peace and reconciliation in our families, our communities, and our world. let us pray for the grace to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful. May we strive to embody the words of Saint Faustina: “I trust in You, Jesus.” Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! May the mercy of God fill your hearts and guide your lives today and always. Amen.

Fr. Varghese Puthussery SAC.

Caption: Dale Smith, Pat Noel, Father Varghese Puthussery, Rose Connolly, Peggy Billhartz, and Charlie Jinardina

On Sunday 4/6/25 a contingent from the Catholic War Veterens Post 1916, prayed with us at Saint Peter Catholic Church.
Their Mission is to serve, support, and uphold the values that make our nation and our faith strong.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of veterans, their families, and our communities.

For more information, please check out their website. https://thecwv.org/our-programs/

As we will soon enter into the Sacred days of Holy Week, Father Varghese and the parishes of St Peter & Holy Family want to reach out to invite all of you to St. Peter’s Church, Petersburg and Holy Family Church, Athens for mass. The Holy Week is a time for reflection, prayer, and renewal as we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each day of the Holy Week provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the significance of this journey with Jesus and to deepen our faith and understanding of His love and the salvation He won for us. Come “let’s journey together in hope” alongside Jesus Christ.

On Palm Sunday, we joyfully celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, acknowledging Him as our King. Holy Thursday, we commemorate Jesus’ last Supper with his disciples, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist, and washed the disciples’ feet teaching the significance of our call to serve one another. As the week unfolds, we will walk with Jesus through the trials and tribulations He faced, culminating in His Passion and Death, bearing our sins and offering us the gift of salvation, on Good Friday. As we gather for the Easter Vigil and celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, we are reminded of the hope and new life that Jesus’ victory over death brings to the world.

Rev. Varghese Puthuserry, S.A.C

If you are a soon-to-be high school graduate from St. Peter’s or Holy Family parish, you may be eligible for a Sangamon Valley Knights of Columbus parish scholarship.

A total of $5,000.00 is available between the two parishes.

Applications due May 11. If you have questions, contact Aaron Kuehl, Scholarship Chair at 217-341-7171.

Visit and complete the application at https://forms.gle/QHPzeyA2bLHrHWJz6 to apply.