From the Pastor’s Desk

January 17 – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

This coming Friday, January 22, marks the 48th anniversary of the landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.  Ever since, the Catholic Church, along with some other Christian denominations and some non-Christians have taken up the campaign to reverse that decision.  Over the years that sometimes took on violent confrontations and even bombing of abortion clinics.  These, the Catholic Church has ALWAYS condemned.  Just as our Bishops condemned the recent violence at our nation’s capitol. No matter what the cause one defends, violence is never an acceptable way to protest. Catholic across the country are encouraged to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 28 to Friday, January 29, 2021.  Since the Supreme Court’s 1973 ruling, over 60 million abortions have been performed legally in the United States.  Due to COVID-19 pandemic the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where the vigil is held will be closed to the public.  Instead, it will be televised live on EWTN.  Here is the schedule:  (Time listed is our time zone)

Thursday, January 28

7:00PM National Rosary for Life

7:30PM Opening Mass with Archbishop Naumann

8:45PM Holy Hour for Life

10:00PM Live-stream of holy hours throughout the night

Friday, January 29

7:00AM Closing Mass

We at Our Lady of Mercy are conducting a Novena for Life beginning on January 21 through January 29.  The novena will be prayer before the weekday and weekend Masses those dates.  You will also find the novena on our website.  Friday January 22 is a National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  We will have Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on Friday, January 22 INSTEAD of Thursday January 21.  Let us pray for the conversion of heart of our new president, Joe Biden to defend the right to life of the unborn and promote the dignity of life from conception to natural death.

Have a Blessed Week!

Father Don