Diocese of Youngstown to celebrate Year of Mercy

Staff report

Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced a Jubilee Year of Mercy to recall and remind the world of God’s loving and tender mercy.

The Year of Mercy will officially begin Dec. 8 and conclude Nov. 20, 2016.

The motto and theme is taken from “Merciful like the Father.” (Luke 6.36)

Pope Francis states that God’s mercy has always been a part of human history from the time of Moses when God revealed himself as merciful and gracious, to the coming of Jesus Christ as the face of the God’s mercy.

Pope Francis has asked that at this time, people of faith become mindful of God’s mercy and that they give and offer that same mercy to one another.

The Diocese of Youngstown has planned several events to celebrate the Year of Mercy.

An opening Mass will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., with Bishop George V. Murry as main celebrant.

Priests of the diocese will concelebrate and parishes have been asked to send delegations of parishioners.

Other diocesanwide events include an Evening of Reconciliation on March 2, 2016.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at all parishes throughout the diocese from 7 to 8:30 p.m. that evening.

To close the Year of Mercy, Solemn Evening Prayer is planned at 6 p.m. Nov. 20, 2016, at St. Columba.

Each month during the Year of Mercy, parishes and schools in the diocese will emphasize one of the spiritual/corporal works of mercy with special prayers and activities.

A different spiritual/corporal work of mercy will be featured each month to enable parishioners to more fully understand and be mindful of God’s call to be merciful and forgiving.

For more information, call the Office Worship at 330-744-8451 and visit www.doy.org.