Divine Mercy Parish in the Minooka section of Scranton will celebrate its patronal feast with devotions and the Eucharistic liturgy for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7.

Coinciding with the canonization of Saint Faustina Kowalska on April 30, 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II officially designated the Second Sunday of Easter as the Sunday of Divine Mercy.

The Divine Mercy Sunday devotion has its foundation in the mystical writings of Saint Faustina, based on the divine apparitions and revelations she received from the Lord Jesus in the 1930s in Poland.

During the spiritual encounters, Christ declared through the Polish nun the necessity for all of humankind to seek and receive his Divine Mercy, which was poured out for the entire world through his death on the cross.

Since the papal proclamation of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2000, Catholic faithful are strongly encouraged to join together in prayer and adoration on the Sunday following Easter Sunday to implore God’s mercy for themselves and the whole world.

Saint Joseph Oblate Father Paul McDonnell, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, announces the Divine Mercy devotion begins with sacramental confessions and prayers at 1 p.m. at the parish worship site of Saint Joseph Church, 312 Davis St., Minooka, Scranton.

The pastor will serve as celebrant and homilist for Divine Mercy Sunday Mass at 3 p.m. A light reception will follow the devotions in the parish hall.

For more information, contact the parish office at (570) 344-1724.

Divine Mercy at Avoca Parish

Divine Mercy Sunday coordinators Father Phillip Sladicka, pastor, and Deacon Jim Rose announce Queen of the Apostles Parish, 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca, will host the Divine Mercy celebration on Sunday, April 7.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the parish’s Saint Mary Church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confessions) will be offered until 2 p.m., followed by the celebration of Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed at 3 p.m. Benediction and blessing with the first-class relic of Saint Faustina will conclude the special celebration.

All faithful are welcome to participate. For more information, call Queen of the Apostles Parish at (570) 457-3412.