The Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, is calling on local Catholics to participate in the U.S. bishops’ initiative to offer 250 Holy Hours and 250 Works of Mercy to bring spiritual renewal to the country during its 250th anniversary.
The U.S. bishops will consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on June 12.
“In consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we entrust ourselves to the love of Christ. When we commit to Adoration, prayer and works of mercy, we become instruments of that love in the world,” Father Vincent Guest, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Camden, wrote in the diocesan paper Catholic Star Herald June 2. “May this be a time of renewed faith, deeper charity, and lasting hope for our Diocese, our nation, and all those we are called to serve.”
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June 12 is the same day the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be passing through the New Jersey diocese, where Bishop Joseph Williams will celebrate a special Mass for the occasion, Father Guest noted.
He encouraged local Catholics to participate and observe the nation’s 250th birthday in a spiritual way.
“At a time when our country and communities face division, uncertainty, and hardship, the Church turns to the Heart of Christ as the source of healing, unity, and peace,” he wrote.
There are many ways to participate in the initiative of spiritual renewal, Father Guest explained: going to daily Mass, praying silently before the Eucharist in adoration, praying daily with Sacred Scripture, and praying specifically for peace, unity, and healing.
Among the works of mercy he suggested are visiting a sick, elderly, or homebound person or sending them a note; donating to a food pantry, thrift shop or Saint Vincent de Paul Society; actively forgiving a longstanding grudge; or performing acts of kindness in one’s family or school.
“No act is too small,” Father Guest wrote. “A few minutes in prayer, a word of encouragement, or a simple act of service all contribute to a larger movement of grace.”