Religion

Last Updated on Saturday, 30 January 2016 17:30

Bernadette Conklin, founder of Preborn Jesus Ministry of Evans City and Pat Polachek, O.F.S., founder of Jesus – The Divine Mercy Foundation of Bentleyville, helped to usher in the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome.

Local Ladies in Rome to celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy Jubilee opening

On December 8, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated a solemn outdoor Mass and pushed open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, signaling the beginning of the Holy Year of Mercy, a 12-month jubilee focusing on the merciful and welcoming side of the Catholic Church. Catholic pilgrims from around the world assembled in and around St. Peter’s for the beginning of this Extraordinary Jubilee.

The following day, the pilgrims assembled in the reserved seating on the upper platform where the Holy Father spoke to the multitudes of pilgrims during the Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square. They had the opportunity to gift the Holy Father a full vestment set with image of “Mary, Ark of The New Covenant,” a 16-inch statue of Mary, Ark of The New Covenant, and Jesus – The Divine Mercy Foundation’s Jubilee icon by local artist James Sulkowski.

Before departing, the group prayed together, asking Blessed Mother’s intercession for the homeless, the restoration of the babies with their families, and all the works of mercy done for God’s glory.

Pope Francis instructed his bishops to open a Holy Door in every diocese. Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy with the Rite of Opening the Door of Mercy at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland on December 13. Bishop Zubik said that in order to be serious about the Year of Mercy, one must reflect and act upon the seven corporal works of mercy and the seven spiritual works of mercy.

In the photo, above right:
From left, Debbie Scavo; seamstress Sue Newman holding vestments she made for the pope; Pat Polachek, O.F.S., founder of Jesus – The Divine Mercy Foundation of Bentleyville; and Bernadette Conklin, founder of Preborn Jesus Ministry of Evans City, holding the Jubilee icon gifted to the Holy Father; Sister Pia Teresa Tucker holding a statue of “Mary, Ark of The New Covenant”; and Sister Rose Catherine Marshall are in reserved seating before Pope Francis' audience on December 9, 2015 at the Vatican.