Devotees bringing the ‘Divine Mercy’ image during the procession to the church Altar to celebrate the Feast Mass (Photo by JJ/Soccom Penampang)

By JJ/SOCCOM Penampang

Apr 22 2021

PENAMPANG – Catholics in the Penampang district are encouraged to get involved in any of the lay associations existing under the Lay Association Movement (LAM), which comes under the pastoral care of the Penampang parish.

The advice came from assistant parish priest, Fr Gilbert Marcus during the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass at St Michael’s Church Apr 11 for parishioners to be guided in their spiritual journey.

“There are many devotions that we can practise in our lives, and one of it is the Divine Mercy. I encourage you to be involved in at least one devotion to assist you in your spiritual life as it helps to enhance your faith,” said Fr Gilbert after concluding the Mass in the Church.

Meanwhile, the parish coordinator of Divine Mercy Apostolate (DMA), Liza Stephen Kuin, in her thanksgiving note described that it had been a very challenging year for the movement in 2020 as many of its planned programs could not be implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic restriction. One of such, the major feast day celebration at parish level which should have been held at Divine Mercy Church Maang, had to be shelved.

Thanking God’s mercy for this year’s event with strict SOP compliance, parishes from far and near under the zones of Penampang, Limbanak, Minintod, Sukang-Mabpai, Kolopis, Maang, Sugud, Labak, Kinarut/Bisuang, Terian and Buayan were represented.   To make this assembly a reality, a novena prayer for nine days was among the final preparation before the main celebration.