ELGIN—“We are one Church,” said Bishop David J. Malloy in the ceremony marking the Jubilee of Mercy, Oct. 15 at Elgin Community College. More than 2,000 people, most of them Hispanics, were congregated to share their faith and look for God’s mercy.

Even though the Year of Mercy continues through the Feast of Christ the King on Nov. 20, the day-long celebration served as a formal closing ceremony for the jubilee in the diocese.

“Every person has another chance for heaven,” Bishop Malloy said in his homily. “This was the first act of God’s mercy toward us.”

Eight priests heard confessions in different shifts during the day.

“I am very pleased to see all of the confessions being heard today,” the bishop said and encouraged the faithful to “seek God’s mercy and forgiveness in this Year of Mercy.”

The celebration was full of energy and faith, with music, adoration, reflections on Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, and a special prayer for Our Heavenly Mother.

People  who attended were generous with donations of clothing, food, toiletries and medicines for the needy.

“It was a great event, nice to reach out to the Hispanic community. I was very impressed with bishop speaking Spanish, the music and the kids,” said Richard Dunne, a city councilman from Elgin.

Aurora Gutierrez, a parishioner at St. Thomas More in Elgin, said, “I listened important message(s) ... that touched my heart.”

Among speakers were Fathers Felipe Forero, Jhakson García, and Andres Salinas.

“The unity of the faithful and priests, in a context of our Catholic Church was very edifying,” said Bishop Malloy of the Day of Mercy. “So too was the presence of so many children and young people. Pope Francis would certainly be pleased.”