Saint-Nazaire parish has stepped into quite a renewal due to recent initiatives. \u201cI would like the parish to touch people of all ages,\u201d the high-spirited Father Dominic Richer insists. This new form of evangelization largely inspired by the writings and recommendations of Father James Mallon rests on many projects. To start with, five evangelization units meet each month over a meal, to praise and to read the Gospel and, finally, to pray for everyone who would benefit encountering Jesus. Almost 50 people participated to this missionary impulse. An Alpha Journey is also proposed to facilitate a more personal encounter with the Lord, and more than 60 people have already followed the teachings over the last two years!<\/p>\n\n
The parish also attaches importance to having an outreach team welcome everyone before each Sunday Mass, a celebration filled with music and two choirs leading activities. In the fall, youth people will offer coffee and a small present to all new parishioners as a welcome gift.<\/p>\n\n
Yet, \u201call this would not be possible without the Merciful Jesus: His heart attracts people like a magnet\u201d, Father Dominic Richer says. Indeed, over the last two years the Devotion of the Divine Mercy has moved to Saint-Nazaire Church. The goal of this Devotion is to raise awareness and to put into practice trust in God\u2019s mercy based on the messages given by Jesus to Saint Faustina. It has been in Montreal for 35 years as a result of Father Bernard Signori\u2019s impulse, the first to welcome the Devotion in his parish, Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs. Saint-Nazaire parish is since September the most recent location of the Devotion in Canada.<\/p>\n\n
From Monday through Thursday, Francine, Gis\u00e8le, Anne and Marie testify to the Merciful Jesus through the means revealed to Saint Faustina: working, speaking and praying.<\/p>\n\n
Working: an office and a store are open from Monday through Thursday to prepare the Devotion\u2019s newsletters and pamphlets, and to suggest all sorts of religious articles on the Divine Mercy to pilgrims.<\/p>\n\n
Speaking (and listening!): those who need to be listened to and understood can call and, through volunteers, hear the messages Jesus gave to Sister Faustina. \u201cI feel very fortunate to be loved by the Lord that way; it gives me confidence on a daily basis in my mission,\u201d Francine Valiquette, vice-president of the Devotion in Montreal, reveals.<\/p>\n\n
Praying: every day at 3 p.m., recitation of the Holy Rosary<\/a> takes place for the world and for all who asked this prayer. On each third Friday of the month at 2 p.m. a prayer meeting is held. Half of this day is devoted to a presentation under the theme of Mercy (\u201cthe Prodigal Son and Mercy\u201d, \u201cThe Heart of Merciful Jesus\u201d, \u201cSaint Francis and Mercy\u201d), followed by Adoration, the prayer of the rosary and the way of the Cross. A Mass celebrated by priests from the entire region, who also come to give the Sacrament of Reconciliation, closes the meeting.<\/p>\n\n Father Dominic Richer is also there every day to offer spiritual guidance, to discuss with people and to hear their confessions. \u201cMercy, it is Jesus healing the wounds of my heart and enabling me to give back Mercy to others,\u201d he reveals.<\/p>\n\n For some months now, flocks of pilgrims have been coming from everywhere, dozens of buses arriving from the United States or Ontario.<\/p>\n\n Divine Mercy Sunday \u2013 the first Sunday following Easter \u2013 is also a great moment. More than 1000 people attended the parish activities last year on that day: procession through the streets, animated Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a Mass.<\/p>\n\n Archbishop L\u00e9pine\u2019s wish and ours is to see the parish becoming a Shrine to the Divine Mercy. Every effort is made to have the Church appear on the list of the Way of the Sanctuaries Montreal \/ Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupr\u00e9<\/a> in the near future.<\/p>\n\nSoon a Shrine?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n