New Beginnings, New Opportunities
June 2025
Deacon Alexander Pumphrey, MIC, joined the Divine Mercy Apostolate UK this month, working with Fr. Lukasz Mazurek, MIC. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Catholic convert, he was ordained to the transitional diaconate in February, and will be ordained to the priesthood on 16 August. Here is his first monthly “corner” blog.
On my flight over from the United States on 1 June, the young lady sitting next to me and I started chatting as we waited for the plane to take off (it was delayed, as often is the case with air travel). She was coming to London for a summer semester at university and was intrigued when I told her that I was moving to the U.K. for the next few years to serve in ministry with my religious community. She was particularly impressed by the small number of things I was bringing with me.
It made me smile when she exclaimed, “You’re bringing two suitcases for your move… and I’m bringing two suitcases for just the summer!”
But new beginnings are not just for Americans, whether they be intelligent university students or charming and humble young deacons. We are all called to new beginnings. That’s what the Christian life is all about. A world in bondage to sin and death is now freed, futures once dim are now illumined by the light of Christ.
As Jesus Himself says, “Behold, I make all things new!” (Rev 21:5)
Unlike what some of our separated brothers and sisters may believe, the Christian life is not just a one-time decision but rather a journey. The decision to live your life for Christ is important, don’t get me wrong; in fact, it is the most important decision that a person will ever make!
Still, the decision to follow Jesus is not just “one and done” but a life-long decision that must be renewed each day. Each day is a new beginning, an opportunity to grow in grace. Each day is a new beginning, an opportunity to grow in love.
June and the Sacred Heart
In this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we ask Him to give us the grace we need to make new beginnings. Maybe it’s meeting a major life decision head-on, maybe it’s rising up and fighting an addiction or a habitual sin that’s taken over your life or maybe it’s something as mundane as learning how to drive on the other side of the road (seriously though, pray for me…roundabouts and I do not get along…!)
It does not matter how many new beginnings we need to make. Our Lord’s hand is always extended in love and mercy: that’s why He came and lived and died and rose! If we need proof of this, we only need to remember that Our Lord told St. Faustina: “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy” (Diary, 723).
God will always give us everything we need for our salvation. He will always give us His grace. No matter how many times we fall, He will always lift us up. No matter how many times we begin again, He will see us through.
I have only been here for a few days but already I have such great hope for my time here. Even the other day, I met a group of young adults in Chalfont St. Peter, Gerrards Cross, who are so on fire with their faith and excited to follow God and grow in goodness and holiness. May we learn from their example and be joyful and zealous in our following of the Lord, that we may be faithful to the new beginnings to which God is calling us.
Daily Prayer
In these days leading up to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (27 June), I strongly encourage you to start a daily prayer life if you don’t already have one. Start off small with a daily Chaplet of Divine Mercy and/or a daily Rosary. It won’t take you that long, I promise.
For those of you who do have a daily prayer life, I encourage you to continue in it and remain faithful to it while also considering the question: What new beginnings can you make in your life of prayer?
So, my brothers and sisters, as children of the same Heavenly Father, we must pray for one another, that we are faithful to those graces. Pray for me too, as I make my new beginnings here in the United Kingdom, that I will be faithful to the call of God as I minister to and with you.
Finally, pray for the young people of this nation that they will hear the voice of God and courageously rise up and follow Him as holy mothers and fathers, as holy religious sisters and brothers, as holy deacons and priests. And maybe, just maybe, some of the young men will become holy priests and brothers of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception!
May God bless you now and always!
Contact Deacon Alex at info@divinemercy.org.uk
“Meet Deacon Alex Pumphrey, MIC”: click here
