Talking with a few of the pastors in Rockland County this past week, they all mentioned that the number of people who attended Holy Week services and Easter Mass were “way up” this year.   It was wonderful to see a crowded church for each of the services each day.  And this year, Public Schools were on their spring break during Holy Week.
 
Added to the numbers who attended, there was also a national increase of converts to Catholicism this year.  Our parish had two adult baptisms this year.  Two of an estimated 30,000 converts in this country alone.  Across the country, the number of new Catholics is growing this Easter by 38% compared to last year.
 
What a wonder it is!  Newspapers around the country have been reporting on this phenomenon. It was even splashed on the front page of the New York Times, just before Palm Sunday: “Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge in New Converts.” Something is happening. The Holy Spirit has been busy.  We see it here at St. Margaret’s too.  
 
Along with Mrs. Rebecca Raimone and Ms. Charlotte Davidson who were baptized at the Easter Vigil, three other adults were confirmed: Daisy Livizaca, Cindy Cortez, and 
Andrew Gentile and Daisy and Cindy also received their First Holy Communion.
 
Once again, the Holy Week Services and Mass were beautifully done.   I want to thank all those who participated, especially Mark LaRosa, the choir and choristers, the Chamber Ensemble, the Altar Servers, Lectors, Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, the young men who had their feet washed, the decorators and all who helped along the way.
 
I also want to thank you the parishioners, for your generosity to the Good Friday Holy Land collection and our Easter Collection. Thanks to you it was another prayerful and inspirational Holy Week and Easter Sunday.   Remember the Easter Season lasts 50 days, ending with Pentecost Sunday on May 24^th. 
 Today is the Eighth day of Easter; for the past 8 days we have been celebrating the one long 192 hour “Easter Day.”  It is the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday.  Ever since May 23, 2000, Pope St. John Paul II made it known that this Sunday, a day when the Gospel readings concern Christ's merciful institution of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be known as "Divine Mercy Sunday."   
 
This devotion is based on the 1930 writings of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, who was canonized in AD 2000.   The point of the devotion is mercy -begging God’s mercy, trusting in His mercy, and showing mercy to those around us. 
 
Today at 3:00 PM, we will pray the Holy Hour of Mercy, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  We will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena, concluding with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.  Bring the children.
 
Just a reminder of your Easter Duty: Every Catholic is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year and the Sacrament of Penance, if needed.  It is an obligation that must be fulfilled by Trinity Sunday, May 31^st.