St. John Paul II (Feast Day October 22)

May 18, 1920-April 2, 2005

Born Karol Wojtyla in Poland in 1920, St. John Paul II was a man who loved people and the outdoors. He worked at a rock quarry as well as a chemical plant. Prayer was important to him, including daily Mass, a devotion to Mary, and studying the Bible. He lost his parents and his older brother before he turned 21.

He had a love of performing and helped set up a secret theater group to perform in homes and stores when the Nazis occupied Poland during World War II. He soon left to study for the priesthood in an underground seminary. He loved meditation and monastic contemplation. He served as a chaplain at a college campus as a young priest and became a philosophy professor.

After the short papacy of John Paul I, Karol Wojtyla was elected pope in 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years. He took the name of John Paul II and became known for his interfaith and ecumenical works, World Youth Days, numerous encyclicals, advancing multiple cases for sainthood, and the Great w of the Year 2000 among other great initiatives. He made pastoral visits to over 120 countries. St. John Paul II modeled forgiveness and mercy, most notably when he met with the man who had attempted to assassinate him. He suffered from Parkinson's disease later in life and died in 2005. He was beatified in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI and was canonized in 2014 by Pope Francis.

• Jesus dies on Good Friday, and now he is alive. Imagine being in the room with the apostles when Jesus appears to them. What was their reaction?

• Why do you think Thomas needed proof that Jesus was alive?

• What are some reasons some people don't believe in Jesus today? How can we help people to know him and love him?

• St. John Paul II loved the outdoors. How does nature help you grow closer to God?

Make a Rosary

The Rosary is a devotional prayer that has been used for centuries to call on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The rosary itself can also be used for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Rosary-making kits can be purchased at local religious stores or online. Alternatively, you can make one at home with craft supplies. Here is a simple and easy way to make a decade rosary using some beads and a pipe cleaner. Put 10 beads on the pipe cleaner in the center. Twist the two ends of the pipe cleaner together where the beads end. Pull those two pieces together tight and slide another bead over them together. Twist again and you have all the beads you need. You can get more creative and add a cross made of beads at the bottom.

https://www.reallifeathome.com/rosary-craft-for-kids/

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs

There is no doubt that you will enjoy this delicious and easy recipe.

12 oz. jar chili sauce
10 oz. grape jelly
Frozen meatballs, thawed (you can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight)

In a frying pan over low heat, mix the chili sauce and jelly together until the jelly melts in. It will appear soupy. Add the thawed meatballs to the sauce. Put everything in the slow cooker. Simmer until ready to eat.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

St. John Paul II declared the Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000, when St. Faustina Kowalska, to whom Jesus revealed the Divine Mercy image, was beatified. Jesus told Sr. Faustina, "Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy." This day is a chance to reflect on God's mercy in our lives. Many people pray The Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. every day.
You are encouraged to pray it today, on the feast of Divine Mercy.

Here is how you pray the chaplet using a rosary:

To begin:

• Sign of the Cross
• Our Father
• Hail Mary
• Apostles' Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Repeat these next two steps five times:

• On the Our Father bead: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
• On each of the 10 Hail Mary Beads: For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

After the fifth decade, conclude by reciting three times: 

• Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

During the Sprinkling Rite, the priest sprinkles holy water on the congregation using an aspergillum. The aspergillum has two common forms: a brush and a silver ball on a stick. 

Which kind of aspergillum is used at your church?

In honor of the feast of Divine Mercy, pick one of the Corporal Works of Mercy to do this week. The Corporal Works of Mercy are kind acts by which we help others with material and physical needs. They include the following: feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead, give alms to the poor.

The rosary dates back to 1208 when the Blessed Virgin Mary gave the rosary as we know it to St. Dominic.