One billboard for Christ in Johnstown

When you come around a slight turn on North Perry Street in Johnstown, the image of Divine Mercy is the first thing you see adorning a billboard with the words “THERE IS NO SIN GREATER THAN MY MERCY.”

The billboard in a group of others, including the law firm Martin, Harding & Mazzotti, is next to the gravel parking lot of Auto World Used Car Sales and Service Center and just down from the Midway Grill, with its glowing blue and red “Pabst” sign in the window. 

And it was the evangelization idea of Holy Spirit Parish in Gloversville and Holy Trinity in Johnstown: A Divine Mercy themed billboard located halfway between the two parishes. 

“It’s an effort to raise awareness of the (Adoration) Chapel and hopefully to evangelize to the nearby community,” Rev. Matthew Wetsel said. “It’s an opportunity to reach out to those who haven’t been to a Catholic Church in a long time.” 

The billboard was the brainchild of several members of the Fulton-Montgomery County Adoration Chapel, which collected funds from private donations and church groups such as the Rosary Society, Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Knights of Columbus, Adoration Committee, Promise Store, the Helpers Community and others. 

“The parishioners from the (24-hour) Adoration Chapel (in the Church of the Holy Spirit) asked if we could put the billboard up to promote the presence of the Adoration Chapel and the presence of both parishes,” said Father Wetsel. “It’s for evangelization and to also spread the news of Divine Mercy.”

The billboard which stands 101⁄2 feet tall and nearly 23 feet wide has the image of the Divine Mercy and under the words “THERE IS NO SIN GREATER THAN MY MERCY” are the words “Jesus, I Trust In You!” Beneath that are the names of the two parishes with their phone numbers. The re­usable billboard, designed by Lamar Advertising, cost $550 to produce and $700 for the ­initial four-week run, which started on June 24.

“Both communities have people that are hurting, but we want them to know that we are there for them,” Wetsel added. “It’s also close to a Planned Parent­hood, so it’s a good way to shed some light and hope for those who either have had or are contemplating abortion.”