Letter to the Editor

To The Editor:

I was very blessed on Sunday, May 21 to see the live production / video of Faustina, Messenger of Divine Mercy. The play was shown at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Calais, Maine. The actress, Maria Vargo played Faustina. This was produced by Saint Luke Productions of Battle Ground, WA. That's right, Washington State. They were on tour in the United States.

The two parishes in Washington County, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Pastor Father Kevin Martin and Saint Peter the Fisherman Parish, Pastor Father Paul Marquis sponsored the play.

I grew up saying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy when I was just a child. My father was from Newport, RI and was taught this prayer there. For those of you that knew "Freddie" at Fitzhenry's Sore in Lubec, you probably remember a picture of a woman in a nun habit hanging on the wall by the hunting jackets! He put Faustina's picture there because he sold lots of the black/red jackets and they had to look at her - there was always comments! My father was a big promoter of the Chaplet and had them in the store to pass out to any one who wanted one, or really didn't, but took one anyway.

You may be asking, what is Divine Mercy? Well, Divine Mercy comes from Jesus, the three things, Mercy, Trust and Forgiveness. For me the play was spiritual, very powerful. I'm glad I had a bunch of kleenex tissues in my purse as I used every one of them. The play was that powerful to me!

You may be saying, I'm not Catholic - God's Mercy is for everyone, not just Catholics. I recommend you reading "Divine Mercy in my Soul, Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska."

For those of you that were at the play, please share the Divine Mercy with your family and friends. Tell them about The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. For non-Catholics, you don't even need Rosary beads. My father used to tell people, say the "Our Father" then say "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. Then say this ten times, "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Then repeat everything four more times, ending, saying this three times, "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

For more information you can contact the above parishes. The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, 2 Prospect Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262 or www.marian.org. Saint Luke Productions, P.O. Box 886, Battle Ground,  WA 98604 or www.divinemercydrama.com. Dish Network EWTN channel 261. I know it's on DirecTV but can't remember the channel. Divine Mercy is usually everyday at 3:00 p.m.

I thank God everyday for my father teaching me about Jesus and Faustina. A priest who was a close family friend taught me about mercy and forgiveness. Mercy and forgiveness has touched my own life. On February 21, 2007 I went back to the Catholic Church after being away for over 36 years, a very long time, not to receive the sacraments! I never stopped praying, I always prayed. I always said the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Let us share that with others.

We all need God's mercy in our lives. May we all say, Jesus I trust in you!

Ann Marie McClure

Lubec, Maine