Connect with us on Facebook! Receive the Saint of the Day daily reflection and prayers.ย View the livestream, Sunday homilies, shout-outs, and notices of happenings at Our Lady of Mercy.
๐๐ก๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ @ ๐ข๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐๐
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ค๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ข๐บ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐ ๐ธ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ. ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ธ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ฆ. ๐ ๐ฆ๐ด, ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ต. โ ๐๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ช๐ข๐ฉ 29:12-13
The modern life and business of daily living can weigh us down, leave us feeling disoriented, restless or tired. The things of this world will never deeply satisfy, truly only Jesus does. Battle back the weariness and the restlessness, live a set-apart life, by encountering Jesus at Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) through any of the following.
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P.S.
๐ Set aside time in silence with Jesus anytime during the week at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel; dial down from the business of life, and take a brief or long respite by having conversations with Jesus. Bring before Him whatever is on your mind and heart. Then, and most importantly, give the Lord the space to respond speaking to you in the silence.
๐ Feel free to share this.
๐ Need more details on any of the encounter gatherings below? Proceed here for more info www.bit.ly/HangingOutatOLM
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๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ. The early Church was โat peace,โ and โbeing built up.โ โWith the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.โ Only one thing can account for such astounding well-being and prosperity: the presence of the risen Christ. โThe way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us.โ Jesus warns, โWithout me you can do nothing.โ Yet we live always with the confidence that comes from knowing โGod is greater than our hearts.โ That greatness showed itself by transforming Saul into a disciple and apostle who โspoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.โ
You can also view livestream by subscribing to our YouTube channel here www.youtube.com/ourladyofmercyaurora
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\_For those who are able, please consider supporting our efforts here at OLM, the offertory can be made through our secure online platform located here www.osvhub.com/olmercy/giving/funds.
Thank you for supporting Our Lady of Mercy, your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
\_For those at the livestream; make an act of Spiritual Communion Prayer bit.ly/SpiritualCommunionPrayer
\_Livestreaming from the following, please share; this is a wonderful opportunity to share our faith with one another and family and friends from afar. olmercy.com/ www.facebook.com/olmercy/ www.youtube.com/ourladyofmercyaurora
\_Find community in the following
Grow Groups
olmercy.com/amothersheart/
olmercy.com/consumingfire/
olmercy.com/saltandlight/
olmercy.com/vineandbranches/
\_Spend your days at Our Lady of Mercy
bit.ly/HangingOutatOLM
\_Share your heart with Jesus at Eucharist Adoration
olmercy.com/eucharisticadoration/
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Living With Grief โ โWhat We Can Learn from Mary While Grievingโ 5/7
Experiencing the loss of a loved one is a difficult journey. Our Lady of Mercy is offering a monthly supportive place for participants ages 18 and older living with grief to be together in a faith community to find healing and hope.
Come to our session โWhat We Can Learn from Mary While Grievingโ on Tuesday, 5/7 from 1pm to 2:30pm in Room 217
Registration is requested- Connect with Jolene Leroy at 331-707-5380 to RSVP or for questions.
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๐๐'๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ @ ๐ข๐๐ !
๐๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต 3 ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ฐ๐ญ๐ท๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ง๐ญ๐ช๐ค๐ต last Friday looked at how couples can increase their intimacy by expressing appreciation to each other, recognizing their differences, learning to negotiate disagreements, and supporting each other. There is value in seeing each other's differences as complementary if couples are to work effectively together as a team.
Below is a pictorial recap of the edifying evening. Let's continue to be in prayer for all the couples taking part at 7 Great Dates @OLM as they continue to invest in their marriage; Come Holy Spirit to all the couples!
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Although each date night builds upon the previous night, ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฅ๐ก๐๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐ค๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ค๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐. Each date night is also designed to be enjoyed independently from the previous date night.
Take this opportunity to invest in the flourishing of your relationship. Secure your place now and prioritize the enrichment of your marriage.
Discover more and register at the following link olmercy.com/m4m/
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๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐? OR ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what youโre facing, weโd love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link olmercy.com/prayerforme/
๐ Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and on the last weekend of the month Mass times.
๐ Prayer ministry is an opportunity for those in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing or with a specific intention. Come as an individual, as a couple, or as a family and receive prayer for yourself or request prayers for someone in need. Listen and receive the prayers while being open to the Holy Spiritโs movement.
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Who is Saint Mark?
Jesus said to them, โGo into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.โ (cf. Mark 16:15)
Tradition holds that Mark, the author of the second Gospel, is the โJohn Markโ of the Acts of the Apostles, Barnabasโ cousin, and a co-worker with Peter in Rome. According to Saint Clement, Mark wrote his account โat the insistence of the Christians of Rome.โ Many early Church Fathers believed that Mark โsignedโ his Gospel with the account of the mysterious young man who fled the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested, leaving his linen cloth behind (15:51-52). Mark is believed to have been martyred in Alexandria, Egypt.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY
Mark was the son of Mary, a widow who hosted early Christian gatherings in her home (Acts 12:12). Although he was not one of the twelve apostles, itโs likely that he was one of Jesusโ followers. Mark accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey, but for some reason, he left them prematurely (13:13). When it came time for Paulโs next trip, he didnโt want to take Mark along. In Paulโs eyes, Mark had deserted the cause of the gospel (15:38).
Fortunately, Barnabas didnโt give up on him. While Paul went on to Syria with Silas, Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus (Acts 15:39-41). Tradition tells us that Mark went on to Rome, became Peterโs interpreter, and later wrote his Gospel. A second chance was all he needed. Paul eventually forgave Mark, commending him for his service and calling his companionship โhelpfulโ (2 Tim. 4:11). Tradition holds that Mark founded the church in Alexandria.
What if Barnabas had rejected Mark because of his earlier failure? Mark might never have become Peterโs โsonโ in the faith. Whatโs worse, he might never have written his Gospelโwhich means that Matthew and Luke might not have written theirs!
Like Barnabas, we need to give people a second chance. No one is perfect. Everyone needs the gift of a new beginning. Godโs grace and love can cover a multitude of sins. Our willingness to mend relationships can make a difference not only in our lives, but even in eternity!
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๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐น'๐ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฑ/๐ฏ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ ๐ฑ/๐ฑ
If you are suffering from grief after having had an abortion, remember that God always offers forgiveness. Nothing is unforgivable and the Church is the hospital of healing. Just as the father ran to the prodigal son when he came home, so too is God waiting with open arms to receive you back home!
Rachelโs Vineyard weekend retreats offer a beautiful opportunity for healing to any woman or man who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion.
For more information, and to register, please proceed here: www.diojoliet.org/w/rachel-s-vineyard-retreat
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Who is Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen?
If a poor man needed some clothing, Fidelis would often give the man the clothes right off his back. Complete generosity to others characterized this saintโs life.
Born in 1577, Mark Rey became a lawyer who constantly upheld the causes of the poor and oppressed people. Nicknamed โthe poor manโs lawyer,โ Rey soon grew disgusted with the corruption and injustice he saw among his colleagues. He left his law career to become a priest, joining his brother George as a member of the Capuchin Order. Fidelis was his religious name. His wealth was divided between needy seminarians and the poor.
As a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Fidelis continued his devotion to the weak and needy. During a severe epidemic in a city where he was guardian of a friary, Fidelis cared for and cured many sick soldiers.
He was appointed head of a group of Capuchins sent to preach against the Calvinists and Zwinglians in Switzerland. Almost certain violence threatened. Those who observed the mission felt that success was more attributable to the prayer of Fidelis during the night than to his sermons and instructions.
While he was preaching at Seewis, to which he had gone against the advice of his friends, a gun was fired at him, but he escaped unharmed. A Protestant offered to shelter Fidelis, but he declined, saying his life was in Godโs hands. On the road back, he was set upon by a group of armed men and killed.
Reflection
Fidelisโ constant prayer was that he be kept completely faithful to God and not give in to any lukewarmness or apathy. He was often heard to exclaim, โWoe to me if I should prove myself but a halfhearted soldier in the service of my thorn-crowned Captain.โ His prayer against apathy, and his concern for the poor and weak make him a saint whose example is valuable today. The modern Church is calling us to follow the example of โthe poor manโs lawyerโ by sharing ourselves and our talents with those less fortunate and by working for justice in the world.
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Earlier this month, our seminarian Jonathan spoke to our EDGE 6-8th graders about Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. They also had the fantastic opportunity to visit Jesus in the Adoration Chapel. Afterwards, they went home with an Adoration reflection/ journal page for future visits.
The Adoration Chapel is open for silent prayer on Monday -Friday from 8:30 am-10 pm. Come stop by for time with Jesus!
And registration is OPEN for EDGE 2024-2025. Check it out here: olmercy.com/formation/edge/
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๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐น๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ, ๐ด, ๐ญ๐ฑ & ๐ฎ๐ฎ
Hey ladies! Are you ready to embark on a journey that nourishes not just your body, but your soul too? Join us at SoulCore every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm for a transformative experience that combines the power of prayer with core-strengthening exercises and functional movements.
This Easter season, we're delving into the Glorious Mysteries, offering a unique opportunity to deepen your faith while strengthening your body. Come prepared with your workout mat, water bottle, and comfy attire, and arrive by 6:15pm to kickstart our session promptly at 6:30pm.
Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of candlelight, soothing prayer, uplifting music, and sacred art as you contemplate the mysteries and fruits of the rosary. It's more than just a workout; it's a holistic journey toward wellness and spiritual growth.
Don't miss out on this enriching experience! For further details, visit
olmercy.com/soulcore/
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Who is Saint Adalbert?
Opposition to the Good News of Jesus did not discourage Adalbert, who is now remembered with great honor in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Germany.
Born to a noble family in Bohemia, he received part of his education from Saint Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27, he was chosen as bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform forced him into exile eight years later.
In time, the people of Prague requested his return as their bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again. After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach the Good News to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred by pagan priests in that region. Adalbertโs body was immediately ransomed and buried in the Gniezno, Poland, cathedral. In the mid-11th century his relics were moved to Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
Who is Saint George?
George, whose name in Greek means โfarmer,โ was born to a Christian family in Cappadocia around the year 280. After moving to Palestine, he joined the army of Diocletian. When the emperor issued the edict of persecution against Christians in 303, George gave all his belongings to the poor and, in front of Diocletian himself, tore the document apart and professed his faith in Christ. For this he suffered terrible torture and was eventually beheaded.
The crusaders contributed a great deal to transforming the figure of St. George the martyr into a holy warrior. Richard I of England (โthe Lionheartโ) invoked him as the protector of all soldiers. Devotion to St. George became firmly rooted in England. Throughout the Middle Ages his figure inspired a great deal of epic literature.
As in the case of other saints wrapped in legend, the story of St George serves to remind the world of a fundamental idea, that good ultimately triumphs over evil. With Christ, evil will never have the last word.
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