DIVINE MERCY EVANGELIZATION MOVEMENT FOUNDATION (DMEMF)
HISTORY & ACTIVITIES UPDATE
As of December 2024
I. BACKGROUND:
After successfully completing the formational program (Fortnight) on the fundamentals of the Divine Mercy message and devotion at the John Paul II Institute of Divine Mercy in April 1997, and with the commissioning by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, Mass., Angel & Estrella Mijares of La Habra, California, organized and founded the Southern California Divine Mercy Movement last March 17, 1999. They invited Jun and Nemia Ventura to join them as co-founders since they also have completed the Fortnight. They later changed the name of the organization to Divine Mercy Evangelization Movement (DMEM). After a few years, Jun and Nemia decided to resign from DMEM to form their own organization which was primarily focused on home enthronement of the Divine Mercy image.
The DMEM ministry has the approbation of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California, under the direction of Rev. Fr Jim Clarke as the Archdiocesan Contact. Fr. Jim was then the Consultant for Adult Religious Education/ Evangelization Programs of the Archdiocese. Fr. Jim Clarke, and the Parish Pastors Msgr. Loretto Gonzales & Msgr. Michael Kileen (now deceased) endorsed Angel & Estrella Mijares as speakers to promote the Divine Mercy message and devotion in parishes and homes.
The Ministry’s Spiritual Directors were Rev. Msgr. James J. Loughnane, (now deceased), and Rev. Joseph Visperas.
In April 2023, DMEM expanded into the promotion of devotion to the holy rosary and the Divine Mercy devotion with the registration of DMEM as a Foundation. Its founders and Board of Trustees are Angel and Estrella Mijares, Dr. Pete and Linda Balacuit. The Spiritual Adviser is Fr. Joseph Dass.
II. MISSION & VISION of DMEMF:
A.
B. Vision Statement: To assist in organizing faith communities of people from all walks of life who will live the Divine Mercy Message and to plead for God’s mercy for the whole world.
III. STRATEGIES:
IV. PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
A1. Establishment of working relationships with the Roman Catholic Church Authorities.
A.2. Maintain communication and coordination with Divine Mercy International, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
A.3. Invite an effective Spiritual Director to the Foundation for spiritual guidance and growth of its members.
B.1. Design and Conduct Divine Mercy Leadership Formation program.
B.2. Design and Coordinate Conferences on the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion.
B. 3. Home Enthronement of the Divine Mercy Image.
B. 4. Coordinate Mercy Sunday Celebration.
B. 5. Integrate the Divine Mercy devotion to existing Parish Holy Hour Adoration.
B. 7. Develop training modules and audio-visual presentations on Divine Mercy Message
and Devotion.
B. 8. Organize a Speaker’s Bureau.
V. ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Enthronement of the Divine Mercy Image & Family Consecration
From April 1999 to September 2000, we visited about 300 homes with multi-families, and gave presentations/ talks on the Elements and Message of the Divine Mercy Devotion, and enthroned these homes with the Image of the Divine Mercy. Our ministry helped the families organize themselves into small cenacle groups, identified a coordinator, and assisted them to celebrate Mercy Sunday in their parish or a neighboring church.
These presentations were held every weekend in many cities of
On October 10, 2000, DMEM celebrated its first anniversary, which was held at St. Denis Parish,
and Multi-Family Enthronement of the Image & Family Consecration
Due to the increased demands on our time with more families requesting for the Divine Mercy presentation in homes, our Ministry could not accommodate them as fast as we should, thus we had a backlog in our schedule. Upon consultation with our Spiritual Director, Msgr. Loughnane, he advised us to start holding our Divine Mercy presentation in parishes and invite the families to attend it there instead of conducting our evangelization program in homes.
Thus, we started our first parish presentation at St. Denis Parish, Diamond Bar in November 2000. We invited prayer group leaders and coordinators, parishioners and all the families who were interested in the seminar on Divine Mercy. There were about 100 participants who came from various parishes, and they became our contact persons in their parishes.
We helped in the formation of the St. Denis Divine Mercy Promoters and organized them to celebrate Mercy Sunday and hold weekly (every Friday) Divine Mercy Holy hour in the parish. We participated as speakers in the Divine Mercy Seminar which was held there in lent 2001. Angel & Estrella gave a power point presentation on Divine Mercy and the Passion of Christ.
From 2001 to present, we designed seminar-workshops and presented the Divine Mercy Message and devotion to several parishes and at the same time, helped organize prayer groups, trained leaders/promoters of the Divine Mercy devotion, and assisted in the celebration of Mercy Sunday in these parishes:
Angel and Estrella Mijares organized, managed, and were speakers at the following events:
2001
March 12 –St. Denis, Diamond Bar California- Divine Mercy Lenten Retreat together
with Fr. Seraphim Michalenko and Dr. Robert Stockpole as speakers
April 7 – St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Stockton, California – Divine Mercy Lenten
Retreat – A Power point presentation on Divine Mercy and the Passion of Christ
May 10-15 – St. Anthony Claret,
on the elements of the Divine Mercy devotion)
June 21 – St. Paul the Apostle,
Enthronement and Talks on the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion
September 20 – Our Lady of Guadalupe, Irwindale, California – A Bilingual
Power point presentation on the Divine Mercy message & devotion
October 20 – St. Bernard Parish, Bellflower, California -Leadership training for
Divine Mercy Promoters
November 10 – St. John Vianney,
Enthronement and talks on the Elements of the Devotion
2002
January 27 – Holy Family Parish, Artesia California- Divine Mercy Image
Enthronement and Talks on the Elements of the Devotion
February to December (every 3rd Friday of the month) – Holy Family Parish, Artesia
March 16 – St. Michael’s Catholic Church,
Workshop= Presentation & Enthronement
June 15 – Good Shepherd Catholic Church,
Workshop – Presentation & Enthronement
July 21 – St. Paul the Apostle,
Divine Mercy Message and Devotion)
September 16 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Pomona, Ca – Divine Mercy Seminar
(Bilingual presentation)
November 10 – St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church, Walnut,
Mercy Seminar – Presentation on the Promises of the Image and Chaplet
2003
February 18 – St. Bernard Catholic Church,
Lenten Presentation
May 20 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
Mercy Promoters)
June 18 – St. Therese Catholic Church,
Enthronement and Talks on the Divine Mercy Devotion and Message
July 13 – St. Francis Catholic Church,
Enthronement and talks on the Elements of the Devotion
August 9 – Holy Family Parish,
November 8 – St. John Vianney,
Seminar and talks on the Elements of the Devotion
2004
February 28 – Holy Family Parish,
Recollection
March 14 – Beatitudes of Our Lord Parish,
Lenten Recollection
March 30 – Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish,
Seminar for Leaders and promoters
December 19 – Christ the King, Manila Philippines - Leadership
Training on Divine Mercy for the Pax Christi Foundation prayer community
2005
March 12 – St. Christopher Parish, West Covina, California - for the Marriage
Spirituality Lenten recollection on Divine Mercy and Mediations on the
Passion of Christ
March 19 Beatitudes of Our Lord Parish,
Recollection on the Divine Mercy Message & Devotion
April 2 – St. Juliana Catholic Church,
Workshop on The Elements & Message of Divine Mercy
December 5 – St. Vincent de Paul, Montebello California - for the Marriage
Spirituality Advent Recollection – The Sacraments of Mercy
2006
March 8 – St. Christopher Parish, West Covina, California - for the Marriage
Spirituality Lenten Recollection – Divine Mercy Presentation)
May 26 -27 – Monterey, California & Fresno California - Divine Mercy Image Home
Enthronement and power point presentation on the Divine Mercy Message and Devotion for multi-families)
July 25 – Palos Verdes, Long Beach, California- Quinto Residence - Divine Mercy
Image Home Enthronement and power point presentation on the Divine Mercy Message & Devotion for multi-families)
2007
March 7- Mary Immaculate Conception Mission – coordinated blessing and
enthronement of the Divine Mercy Image at the
Seraphim Michalenko, MIC as guest speaker
March 20 – Beatitudes of our Lord Parish,
Lenten with Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC as keynote speaker
July 15 – Los Angeles Sports Stadium – Heal LA event of Fr. Fernando Suarez –
participated as the Divine Mercy Choir for the Singing of the Chaplet
November 22 – Las Vegas, Nevada – Baloloy Residence -Divine Mercy Image
enthronement and talks on the elements of devotion for multi-families.
2008
March 17 – Evangelization talks and power point presentation on the Message and
Elements of the Divine Mercy Devotion to the Forever Grateful Prayer
Community- San Gabriel Region, Glendora California
August 10 – Participated in the Divine Mercy Congress for the Hispanic Community
in cooperation with Guadalupe Radio/ Hombre Nuevo Ministry held at the
2009
March 21 – Organized and conducted a Divine Mercy Lenten Recollection
at the
Keynote Speaker: Fr. Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC; Other Speakers: Fr. Ed
Broom, OMV, Fr. Joseph Visperas, Angel and Estrella Mijares, and guest
Artist, Donna Lee.
August 1 – Organized and conducted jointly with the Hombre Nuevo/Guadalupe
Radio, the first English Divine Mercy Congress, participated by over
2000 Divine Mercy promoters/devotees at the Los Angeles Convention
Center. Keynote Speaker: Fr. Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC; Marie
Romagnano, RN; Fr. Ed Broom, OMV; Fr. Fernando Suarez, CCC.
Donna Lee; Angel and Estrella Mijares.
September 19, 2009 – Role Play Presentation on
Angel and Estrella Mijares, at the San Diego Divine Mercy Movement’s Annual Conference on Divine Mercy.
October 17, 2009 – Organized/ conducted the Divine Mercy Image Enthronement
and workshop & presented the Divine Mercy Message & Devotion at St.
Catherine Laboure Parish, Torrance CA.
2010
February 12-13 – Role Play presentation on St. Faustina and Blessed Sopocko by
Angel and Estrelle Mijares, at the San Diego Divine Mercy Movement’s
Annual Conference on Divine Mercy
March 7 – Organized/conducted & presentations =the Spanish Divine Mercy
Workshop and Image Enthronement at St. Albert the Great,
With Fr. Ed Broom, OMV as guest speaker
March 13 – Organized and conducted a Divine Mercy Lenten Recollection for
Confirmandis of Beatitudes of Our Lord Parish. Speakers: Fr. Donald
Calloway, MIC, Fr. Ed Broom, OMV; Angel & Estrella Mijares
April 12 & June 10 – Angel & Estrella Mijares did presentations on the Scriptural
Foundations of the Divine Mercy Devotion from the Old and New
Testaments at the Holy Family Parish Charismatic Prayer Group, Artesia CA.
November 8 & December 6 – Angel & Estrella Mijares were Resource Speakers on the Basic Elements of the Divine Mercy Devotion at the Forever Grateful Charismatic Prayer Group at St. John Eudes, Chatsworth CA.
November 20 – Organized and conducted a Divine Mercy Workshop & Image
Enthronement at St. Jude Parish, Marina CA
2011
January 15 & February 12 – Angel & Estrella Mijares gave presentations on the Basic
Elements of the Divine Mercy Devotion and the Scriptural
Foundations of the devotion at the MIC Mission, Glendora Ca, for
the members of the Forever Grateful Charismatic Prayer Group,
San Gabriel Valley
March 12 – Presentation on the Passion of Christ and Divine Mercy by Angel &
Estrelle Mijares done at the St. John Eudes Parish, Chatsworth, CA for
the Forever Grateful Prayer Group
April 2 – Organized and conducted a Divine Mercy Image Enthronement and
Workshop at St. Christopher Church, Moreno Valley
April 16 – Coordinated and conducted a Divine Mercy Lenten Recollection at St.
Paul of the Cross, with Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC as a Retreat Speaker
July 10-16 – Coordinated and conducted jointly with John Paul II Institute of Divine
Mercy of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, the first Leadership
Formation Training entitled “Tell the World About My Mercy” at Serra
Retreat Center, Malibu CA. This was attended by 110 priests, deacons, religious brothers, lay leaders from the United States, Australia, Philippines, Caribbean Islands, Guam, Africa, Samoa.
September to December – Organized the ongoing Divine Mercy Cenacles facilitated
by Angel & Estrella Mijares and mentors the following prayer groups: DMEM members, Forever Grateful-San Gabriel Valley, Glendora CA,
and St. Christopher Church-DMP, Moreno Valley, CA.
2012
January 26- Organized/conducted the Divine Mercy Retreat & presented the Message
& Elements of the Divine Mercy devotion at St. Dorothy Catholic Church,
Glendora CA
February 10-11, 2012 – Angel & Estrella Mijares presented the “Divine Mercy and
the Passion of Christ” at the San Diego Divine Mercy Movement’s Annual Divine Mercy Conference.
August 5 – Organized/Conducted a Day of Mercy for the Youth and Families, jointly
With Teen Mercy, at the Anaheim Park with Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, as
guest speaker
September 22 – Organized/conducted Divine Mercy Recollection & presented the
Divine Mercy Message & Devotion at St, Christopher Catholic Church,
Moreno Valley CA
2013
June 4, 2013- June 4, 2016 – Angel & Estrella Mijares completed a 3-year course on
bible studies and received certification from the Catholic Bible Institute,
Loyola Institute of Spirituality, Diocese of Orange CA
October 26 – Organized/conducted Divine Mercy Enthronement Seminar & presented
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion at St. John Eudes Catholic Church,
Chatsworth, CA
2014
April 12 & 19– Participated as presenters of the Lenten Retreat at Our Lady of
Guadalupe Parish, La Habra CA – English & Spanish – Role Play on St.
Faustina and Fr. Sopocko and the Divine Mercy message & devotion
July 26-27 – Served as speakers on Spiritual Warfare at the Divine Mercy Retreat
for the Board of Directors of the Divine Mercy Hills Foundation at Prince
Abby, Oceanside CA
2015
July 27-September 27 – Conducted weekly formation teachings in English and Spanish
on The Elements and Message of the Divine Mercy at St. Madeleine Catholic Church, Pomona CA
2016
March 5 – Organized/Conducted Divine Mercy Recollection & presented the Divine.
Mercy Message and Devotion at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Whittier CA
October –December - Conducted weekly formation teachings for the members of Our
Lady of Guadalupe Parish, La Habra CA, Small Group prayer community on Divine Mercy
2017
April 8 – Conducted small group Divine Mercy workshop at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Parish, La Habra CA
June 3 – Organized/ Presented Divine Mercy presentations at the Holy Name of Mary
Parish, San Dimas jointly with Forever Grateful -SGV prayer community
2018
June to December – conducted monthly formation teachings on the diary of St. Faustina
to DMEM members at the Padre’s prayer house, West Covina
September 8 – Facilitated the approval by Holy Name of Mary Parish, San Dimas, of the
Divine Mercy Ministry of HNM
2019
Jan to December – conducted monthly formation teachings on the diary of St. Faustina
for the Divine Mercy Ministry of Holy Name of Mary, San Dimas
August 24 – Organized/Conducted Divine Mercy and Holy Spirit Retreat at the Holy
Name of Mary Parish, San Dimas with Fr. Joseph Dass as guest speaker
2020-2023
January to December –conducted zoom meetings for intercessory prayers and scriptural
Teachings on Divine Mercy, Mariology. Catechism of the Catholic church
2022
February 5 – Organized/Conducted Divine Mercy Retreat with Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, Fr.
Quan Tran, Angel & Estrella Mijares as speakers, sponsored by the Divine
Mercy Ministry of HNM, at Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove CA.
2023
April 1 – Organized/conducted Divine Mercy Retreat jointly with the Secular Branch of
The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and presented Meditations on the
Passion of Christ and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, at St. Frances X
2023
Cabrini Church, Yucaipa CA. Speakers: Fr. Mike Barry, SSCC, Deacon Steve Greco, Angel & Estrella Mijares
April to December – organized the DMEM Foundation, distributed rosaries with Divine
Mercy prayer cards to churches, prayer groups, families for evangelization worldwide
November 2 – Organized the DivineMercy Prayer group of St. Anthony Claret Catholic
Church, Anaheim CA with Rita Wisco as coordinator; conducted teaching
on the diary of St. Faustina
2024
Jan to December – Conducted monthly Study and Intercessory Divine Mercy prayer meetings at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, La Habra CA and Holy Name of Mary Parish, San Dimas CA. Distributed 60,000 rosaries with Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer cards to Legion of Mary, Divine Mercy prayer groups and parishes in the USA, Canada, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Mexico.
August to December – Conducted Divine Mercy Formation I Classes at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, Brea CA. Mentored the Promoters of Divine Mercy at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Moreno Valley thru Cenacle meetings; gave talks at the Divine Mercy Cenacle Group of Holy Family Catholic Church, Artesia CA.
March 9 – Divine Mercy Eucharist Retreat – St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, Brea CA. Speakers: Rev. Robert Spitzer, Rev. William Goldin, Angel and Estrella Mijares. Music Ministry: Donna Lee.
April 7 – Coordinated the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration with a Bilingual Divine Mercy Holy Hour Adoration at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, San Dimas CA. Rev. Eric Cruz, SS.CC. and Deacon Mario Lopez as the presiders.
June 1 – Attended the Divine Mercy Conference of Southern California Divine Mercy Ministry in Temecula CA. Distributed 1000 Rosaries with Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer cards.
July 17-22 – Attended at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. Distributed 4,000 rosaries with Divine Mercy chaplet prayer cards. Established contacts for future networking.
October 12 – Attended at the Divine Mercy Conference of Southern California Divine Mercy Ministry in San Diego CA. Distributed 1000 rosaries with Divine Mercy chaplet prayer cards.
November 15-17 – Angel and Estrella were invited speakers as witness (sharer) on Divine Mercy Evangelization at the 3rd North American Congress on Mercy (NACOM), Surrey B.C. Canada. Distributed 2,500 rosaries with Divine Mercy chaplet prayer cards. Fr. Kaz Chwalek, MIC was the NACOM Coordinator.
November 23- Attended the San Diego Divine Mercy Conference in San Diego CA.
6) Future retreat events: 2025
March 15 – Sat -8 AM to 5 PM – Divine Mercy and Mary Our Hope Retreat, St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, Brea CA; Speakers: Rev. Robert Spitzer, S. J., Rev. William Goldin, SThD,
Rev. Jacob Hsieh, O. Praem, Angel & Estrella Mijares
April 26 Sat– 8 AM to 330 PM Divine Mercy Our Hope Retreat at St. Frances X Cabrini Catholic Church, Yucaipa CA- Speakers: Rev. Eric Cruz, SS.CC, Rev. Ed Broom, OMV, Angel & Estrella Mijares
June 14 Sat – 8 AM to 400 PM Divine Mercy Pilgrims of Hope Retreat at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, San Dimas CA; Speakers: Rev. Kaz Chwalek, MIC, Rev. William Goldin, SThD, Rev. Jacob Hsieh, O. Praem, Angel and Estrella Mijares
VI. Ongoing Activities:
A. Continue as Mentors of the Divine Mercy Cenacles in St. Christopher Church, Moreno Valley, Holy Name of Mary Parish, San Dimas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, La Habra, St. Anthony Claret Parish, Anaheim CA
B. Maintain coordination with interested parishes to continue our Divine Mercy
promotion thru our Presentations, enthronement of the Divine Mercy image,
conducting retreats/recollections/seminars and leadership training workshops
C. Continue with our Annual Corporal & Spiritual works of mercy by feeding the
homeless as volunteers of existing mission, and visiting the sick in convalescent
homes and distribute rosaries with Divine Mercy prayer cards.
D. Accommodate Divine Mercy enthronement & presentations in selected homes where there will be at least 5-10 families in attendance, on a quarterly basis.
E. Assist Parish Coordinators/prayer groups in procuring and selling Divine Mercy Materials at promoter’s price.
F. Attend Divine Mercy Retreats/Seminars for spiritual growth annually and stay abreast of developments by frequently visiting the Marian websites.
G. Maintain promoter’s agreement with the Association of Marian Helpers
H. Continue DMEMF’s monthly Divine Mercy cenacle to further prayer life & spiritual growth of its members.
I. Update the website of DMEMF.
J. Quarterly bible study by Fr. Joseph Dass for the spiritual growth of the DMEMF members and Board of Trustees
K. Organize pilgrimages to holy sites for the enrichment of the DMEMF members and others who might be interested, for evangelization purposes.