St. Leo the Great closes Year of Mercy with events

Thu, Oct 20th 2016 03:00 pm

As the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy officially comes to a close this month, there are a few more events that will take place at St. Leo the Great Church in Amherst. Pope Francis has decreed the Holy Year will conclude on Nov. 20.

A parish retreat entitled "Mercy Lives On" will take place at St. Leo the Great Parish on Nov. 1-3, beginning at 7 p.m. each evening. On Nov. 1, Mass will be held in honor of All Saints Day. St. Leo's, which is one of the only parishes in the diocese to have a designated Holy Door of Mercy, will host a special closing ceremony for the door during the Mass with main celebrant, Msgr. Robert Zapfel, who will administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

"We opened the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with Bishop (Richard J.) Malone," Msgr. Zapfel said. "We wanted to close with the same sacrament symbolizing the healing that mercy can bring to all of our lives."

Amy Betros, co-founder of St. Luke's Mission of Mercy and Gospa Village for women and children, will speak on the following two nights. Following Betros' talk, the rosary will be prayed on Nov. 2, and Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on Nov. 3. The Voices of Mercy will provide music for both evenings, and light refreshments will be served.

The parish will also screen a film, "Divine Mercy 101," at 3 p.m. Nov. 13. The video is hosted by Father Chris Alar from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as he explains what the divine mercy is and why we need it.

A special prayer service for people and families whose lives have been touched by addictions will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 15. "Grace and Mercy in the Face of Addiction" will take place beginning at 7 p.m. with the rosary, followed by a talk by Dr. Paul Updike, addiction specialist for Catholic Health.

Finally, St. Leo's will screen "Mary of Nazareth" at 3 p.m. Nov. 20.

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