Divine Mercy Catholic Church of Aurora, Colorado was planted in April 2016, and is still going strong today. Five years later, the parish was blessed to find a permanent home in Aurora in the lower level of the Bridge Centers Building on East Smoky Hill Road.
The parish worships on Sundays and Wednesdays, combining the historic liturgical practice of the Church with joyful, contemporary music. Lay ministers and servers take important roles in the assembly, and a chapter of the Guardians of the Cross is active in the parish.
Divine Mercy continues to experience numerical growth, together with a deepening love for the Lord. The parish desires to become more visible to the community and expand its impact through loving and serving the community.
The people of the Parish draw great spiritual strength and guidance from central tenants of two prominent Christian leaders. First, from Saint Francis of Assisi, the concept "Go out into the world and spread the Gospel, using words when necessary" serves as an invitation to action. This concept is supported by the words of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., who once stated emphatically that, "The time is always right to do what is right."
Inspired by these bold Christian leaders, the parish has consistently emphasized outreach as a means of answering the Lord's call. Local outreach efforts include partnerships with Aurora Warms the Night and the Colorado Hosting Asylum Network. On a national level, the parish actively supports Father Steve Block and St. Martin’s Mission in Wisconsin. Internationally, support is extended to work in Haiti.
The parish pastor is Rev. Michael Messina, who was ordained as a deacon in 2001, and as a priest in 2002, by Bishop Dan Gincig, the first diocesan bishop of the American Catholic Communities. Father Michael served in various ministries in Wisconsin before relocating to Colorado with his wife, Tania, in late 2014. Before planting Divine Mercy, he served at Christ the King Church in western Aurora.
Father Michael and Tania have four children, Michaela, Ashley, Ryan, Nicole; and two cats, Squeak and Jerry.
PHOTOS FROM THE LIFE OF DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Note: A previous Mass time is mentioned in the video.
The current time for Sunday Mass (as of June 2023) is 10:30 AM.