By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -
POMPANO BEACH | On April 3, the Church celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday. For parishioners of St. Coleman, the celebration was more special as they unveiled a new painting of the image of Divine Mercy.
Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino concelebrated Mass with Father Henryk Pawelec, St. Coleman’s pastor, and other parish priests. He also blessed the new painting, which is modeled after the vision described by St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun canonized by St. John Paul II: Jesus Christ with rays of light radiating from his heart.
“It’s so beautiful,” said Johanna Franco, a parishioner at St. Coleman. “Because it is the Year of Mercy, it belongs here.”
Zbigniew Lazur, a parishioner at Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Mission in Pompano, created the almost seven-foot tall painting several months ago, with materials donated by Father Pawelec.
“I was waiting for the right Sunday to reveal the painting,” the priest said. “I especially wanted the bishop to bless it.”
One of the painting’s greatest features are the eyes because, as Father Pawelec put it, “Wherever you go, his eyes follow you.”