By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
“It is a particular joy to gather with you today for Holy Mass and to bless the inauguration of the Divine Mercy Healing Center. What a beautiful sight to see this church so full again,” said Bishop of Allentown Alfred Schlert May 6 to more than 1,000 faithful gathered in the former church of St. Joseph, Easton.
Bishop Schlert and Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, Illinois opened the doors of the former church that was built in 1915 to unveil the building as the new Divine Mercy Healing Center.
The new center will be operated by the Vincentian Congregation, a clerical society that belongs to the Eastern Rite and was founded in Kerala, India. The congregation is comprised of an estimated 600 priests around the world, including approximately 30 priests engaging in ministry in the United States.
The center will host celebrations of prayer and healing, including the celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy, special feast day celebrations, and monthly healing services with internationally known speakers.
All the events will include Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Benediction, a healing service and an opportunity for confession, private prayer and veneration of a first-class St. Faustina relic.
Initially based in Warren County, New Jersey, the congregation had been looking for a larger space to accommodate growing numbers of people attending prayer services, which led members to the Diocese of Allentown and St. Joseph.
“The Diocese of Allentown has a long history of connection with the Vincentian Fathers. American Vincentian Fathers have provided parochial and education ministry in the Slate Belt area of our Diocese since the beginning. We are honored to now welcome also the Vincentian Fathers from India,” said Bishop Schlert.
He also welcomed former members of St. Joseph parish, whose German ancestors built the beautiful edifice to the glory of God.
“My father and relatives were baptized here, received their sacraments here, and worshiped here at daily and Sunday Mass. After almost exactly two years since its closing, we are particularly thankful to see this church used for a dignified, Catholic purpose,” said Bishop Schlert.
After the congregation was formed in 1625, Bishop Schlert said, the Vincentian Fathers have preached the Word of God throughout the world – especially in parishes.
“The presence and ministry of the Church is to proclaim the Good News in every nation, showing no partiality. All of us are called to be the witnesses of the Christ and the proclaimers of the Good News, whatever our vocation in life,” he said.
“The work of the Divine Mercy Healing Center will allow priests, religious, and lay people to be strengthened in our baptismal call and vocation to be the light of Christ in our communities, workplaces, and schools. We must take this obligation to be witnesses of Christ seriously and courageously.”
Bishop Schlert also told the faithful that the essential work of the Universal Church and the new healing center is to enlighten, with the power of the Holy Spirit, believers, non-believers, and those struggling with their faith so that they may know the one true God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
“May the Holy Spirit descend and remain in this place dedicated to God and with all those who come here to be renewed, refreshed, enlightened and strengthened,” he said.
In his remarks, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath said the two main aims of the Vincentian Congregation, which operates 51 prayer and retreat centers, are to preach the Good News to the poor, and to care for the poor and afflicted.
“Since 1950, Indian Vincentian priests have been conducting popular mission retreats in parishes in Kerala, India. The effect has been overwhelming – it brought out a dynamic spiritual transformation in the lives of people because of the persistent request of the people and of the ecclesiastical authorities from various parts of the world. The Congregation was inspired to start a number of retreat and prayer centers in different parts of India and abroad,” he said.
He also said the Vincentian Fathers – through their preaching of the Word of God and the larger new center – will be able to help more people encounter God.
“It is so true that the Eastern and Western Rites are like two wings of the Church. We are all part of the Church of God,” said Bishop Angadiath.
