Divine Mercy to be focus of Carmel Retreat, Trinity Heights talk
By Renee Webb, Globe diocesan news editor
Posted February 21, 2002

Diving Mercy will be the topic of this year's Day of Recollection at the Carmelite Monastery in Sioux City.

"The focus of the talks will be to help people understand that when we speak of Divine Mercy we are talking about God's great mercy for us, but also that we as Christians are called to live that great message of mercy," said Dr. Bryan Thatcher of Tampa, Fla., who will lead the retreat on Monday, March 11.

Thatcher is a medical doctor who gave up his practice when he founded the Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy in 1996. It is a lay outreach ministry of the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception. A major component of the ministry is promotion of prayer groups or cenacles that spread and live the message of Divine Mercy.

"Ten years ago I hit a personal bottom and at that time it was the message of Divine Mercy that got me through a very difficult time and I felt a deeper calling to tell others," he said. "It seemed everywhere I went people were hurting. We began to feel a deeper need to spread this message and help people understand how much God loves them and how they need to reach out with love to others as well."

The ministry, which is located in 200 U.S. cities and several other countries, has received two apostolic blessings from the Holy Father for its work.

According to Regina Ratino, a member of the Carmel Board, they secured the speaker through the Divine Mercy Apostolate that is presently being established in Siouxland by Dr. John and Carol Wolpert.

In addition to the Carmel Retreat, Thatcher will speak at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 10 at Trinity Heights. The public is invited to the presentation.

"Even though the message of mercy is not a new one, the message of mercy is becoming more prominent today," said Ratino. She referred to Saint Maria Faustina who in the 1930s received a message of mercy from the Lord. God told her to spread the message throughout the world. Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated the week after Easter.

Thatcher was quick to point out that Divine Mercy is much more than a devotion, an image of the merciful savior or feast day. It is that plus an entire way of life built on forgiveness.

"When people leave, they will realize that they need to let go and let God, trust and forgive. They should be Christ in the workplace and families and be vessels of mercy out to a world that is hurting and in such need of mercy," he said.

Ratino said that both the Day of Recollection and the presentation at Trinity Heights appear to be "wonderful ways to spread the message."

Shirley Kennedy, a Carmel Board member, said the Day of Recollection would begin at 9 a.m. with the recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. At 9:15 a.m. Dr. Thatcher will present his first talk, an "Overview of Divine Mercy.

Priests will be on hand for confession from 10 to 10:30 a.m. with Mass to follow. Participants are asked to bring their own sack lunch for the break scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

She pointed out that Thatcher's second talk, "Living the Message," would start at noon. A third talk, "Suffering and Mercy," is scheduled for 1 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament would begin at 1:30 p.m. with a short talk on the Eucharist, followed by benediction. The retreat will close at 2:30 p.m. with the singing of the Chaplet for the Sick and Dying.

"Everyone is invited to attend - men and women," said Kennedy. "We believe it is a very important in this day and age to known about Divine Mercy."

Irene Pile, a member of the Carmel Board, encourages people to take part in the Day of Recollection because it should "be a wonderful experience to spend the day in prayer."

There is no cost to attend.

"It will be a message of joy and hope," said Thatcher. "People will leave, hopefully, with their burdens lighter and walk out with joy in their hearts."