2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

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2nd Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday Healing wounds Dear Parishioners dear friends: The announcement yesterday of the death of Prince Philip generated an immediate public reaction. Some people have improvised memorials at various places with messages and flowers, while others were flooding the web with tributes. TV and Radio stations across the country cancelled their programmes. A moment of silence was kept at many sport events… Even The Piccadilly lights gave up their space to display a tribute to him. Not to speak of the innumerable international personalities who sent their condolences from abroad. And rightly so. We cannot let events of such historical importance pass us by, nor can we ignore the mark they leave in our lives. For that very reason, it makes most sense that after celebrating the greatest event in human history – that is the resurrection of Jesus Christ – we question ourselves: “what does Jesus’ triumph over death mean for me?” The Gospel this Sunday allows us to see how the apostles gradually came to understand and experience the immense power of the resurrection. When Mary Magdalen first broke the news of the resurrection to them, the first ones to react were Peter and John. They went running to the sepulchre and indeed they found it empty. The news spread quickly and with no doubts it enkindled a spark in their hearts.  But they were still afraid and full of doubts. Perhaps some of us have the same experience. Our personal circumstances, the difficulties to live Easter as we would have liked, the many distractions… has meant that the resurrection of Christ has almost passed by. We have not experienced fully yet, the joy and the peace that Christ brings. Instead we are still full of fears and doubts. Fortunately, the risen Jesus was able to reach the apostles, despite them being locked down in the cenacle, and fill them with his joy and peace. This, though, was much more than the return of a friend they considered to be gone. Seeing his wounds in his hands, feet and side opened their minds and hearts to the real significance of the resurrection from the dead. For the first time ever, they could witness the sheer power of God to transform what was shameful into something glorious, what was painful into what will bring us life and healing. The hope is that we too can complete the journey and come to discover the real depth and power of the resurrection. That the wounds we carry, our insecurities, our frustrations, our pain, our failures, the negative experiences of the past… can be transformed into something new. That failure can be turned into victory, what we were ashamed of can now be our pride, what we thought would ruin our life can now be the source of meaning and purpose. Fr Daniel Herrero Peña For news and prayer list for the sick and our deceased go to the notice board section of our website.    HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, RIP God of our lives, we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip  and for his devotion to duty. We entrust him now to your love and mercy. Be close to all who mourn, especially The Queen and all members of the Royal Family. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    Sunday Evening Mass Sunday Evening Mass returns at 6.00 pm from Sunday 18th of April. As you are aware the Easter Offerings that you make go towards the support and income of the clergy.  Easter offering envelopes are available at the back of the Church.  We are truly grateful for your support and kindness on these challenging times.    A date for your diary Commemorating the one hundred and sixth anniversary of the Armenian genocide there will be here at Our Lady of Victories a service of vespers at 7 pm on Tuesday April 27th. This service was postponed from last year due to Covid restrictions.    Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  kensington1@rcdow.org.uk