March 5, 2021 | Weekly Update

March 5, 2021 | Weekly Update

It has been great seeing so many people return to Mass and just wanted to place this important note below as we continue to see an increase in attendance at the Weekend Mass times.

Your safety is always our highest priority which is the main reason we ask you to please register ahead of time so that . . .

  • for contact tracing purposes, we can reach you
  • we are adequately prepared to welcome you

So as to keep you safe while at the same time not have to turn anyone away . . .

  • we will start to Livestream the highest attended Mass times of 4pm Saturday, and 12pm Mass times (in addition to the 10am Mass times)  
  • we will begin seating in the Parish Life Center PLC when the church has reached its socially distanced seating capacity at any of these Mass times.  We pray for your understanding if you find you or your family are being invited to take seats in the PLC. 

Additional Notes on this Weekend’s Mass Times  

  • The Deacons will be preaching at all the Masses this weekend, the 3rd Sunday in Lent.  Whether at the Livestream or the in-person Mass times, we hope you join us in this 2021 Lenten journey because compared to last year, this year we have the opportunity to “keep the Sabbath holy” together at Mass inside our church (following social distancing safety protocols of course).
  • Regarding registrations for Mass times, especially those new to Our Lady of Mercy—Welcome, we are so glad you are worshipping Jesus with us.  
    Please note that your registration is complete when you see the confetti splash across your screen.  If you need assistance, please reach out to us at 331-707-5381.
  • Thank you so much for being mindful about keeping each other safe by observing social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands while inside the Church and PLC. Your cautious way of following the social distancing parameters helps us to stay open and hold the Sacraments.
  • Please register ahead of time at this link.

THIS COMING WEEK

1st Saturday Devotion 3/6

  • 1st Saturday 3/6 after the 8:30am Mass is the First Saturday Devotion
    • This devotion is one of the principal points of the Fatima message.  It consists of the following on 5 consecutive first Saturdays: Going to Confession, Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Praying five decades of the Rosary, and Meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary.
    • Find out the reasons why the five Saturdays from our Lord Jesus to Sister Lucia as well as additional details here.  We hope you incorporate this powerful devotion into your life. Please connect with Bonnie Ramirez 630-723-4289 for any questions.
  • Regarding Outdoor Confessions tomorrow, Father James will start outdoor confessions at 9:30am.  (Father Don will be hearing confessions in the Narthex right after the 8:30am Mass.)

Mobile Food Pantry on Weds 3/10

  • Please spread the word on the Mobile Food Pantry this month. Share the attached link. If you have a Facebook account, share the Facebook post from our page, this is an easy way to help someone you may be unaware that is in need of food.

Living Your Baptism in Lent on Weds 3/10

  • It’s not too late to join Father Don this Lenten season, as he leads this weekly reflection and discussion on “Living Your Baptism in Lent.”  There will be personal reflection questions and Scripture passage to consider in your prayer throughout the six weeks of Lent.
  • Join either in-person or Zoom sessions.  It’s been really great to journey personally with our pastor this Lent. Register here for the Online study and here for the In-Person study

Spring Forward Daylight Savings Time 3/13

  • Next weekend time ‘springs forward’ one hour.  Please don’t forget to set the clocks ahead an hour before bedtime Saturday night so you arrive on time at the Masses next weekend.

LOOKING AHEAD

Lent Resource Highlight | Prayer

  • On our website is the “Lent Resources & Schedule” within it are really cool resources for Prayer.  One of which is the Catholic Prayer App called “Hallow“.
  • From “How to Pray:” (:with Music, :Holy Hour) to access of the “Bible In a Year” podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. 
  • Hallow is a Catholic prayer and meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through audio-guided contemplative prayer.
    The app has over 1,000 individual prayer sessions and with 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 minute options, Hallow truly has something for everyone.
  • Here are several thoughts from people who have used it
    “I need this app. It’s put quiet, prayerful time with God back in my life.”
    “If anyone wants to start a prayer life, this is the way to go. I went from not praying at all to praying twice a day.”
    “My experience with Hallow so far has revolutionized my prayer life.”
  • Hallow is free to download and has permanently free content, as well as a premium subscription called “Hallow Plus” that includes the rest of the content library. Hallow Plus is usually $60/year.

Eucharistic Adoration Weekly Sign-Up

  • Did you know we have Eucharistic Adoration at the following times?  Mondays and Thursdays immediately after daily Holy Mass through 6pm, and Wednesdays 9am – 12pm.  Sign-up here.

Confession Schedule

  • Don’t deprive yourself of the grace the Lord wants to give us in the Sacrament of Confession and in the Sacrament of the Eucharist that’s there for the taking; all we have to do is repent.  Jesus came and died to wipe away our sins.  Here is the Lent Confession schedule and Confession Resources.  Or see the graphic below.
  • Upcoming:  Saturday 9am – 10am and 1:30pm – 2:30pm.  Tuesday 7pm – 8pm.

Stations of the Cross Fridays

  • We hope to see you at the Stations of the Cross on Fridays @ 7pm.  We will be using the “Way of the Cross” by Saint Alphonsus Liguori.  For those attending in-person, you may bring your own or you may take one that we have available for your own use.  They are for you to keep but we ask that you bring them with you each time you come to the church to pray the Stations of the Cross.
  • You can also scan the QR code when you come in to view the booklet on your cell phones or click on this link
  • Praying the Stations of the Cross is a wonderful way to enter more deeply into the life of Jesus and the Pascal Mystery; if it’s been a while or if you’ve never prayed the Stations of the Cross, we encourage you to embrace this powerful prayer this Lenten season to understand better what Jesus did for us.

Bulletin

  • Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article is located here; he writes about why we celebrate the ‘Scrutinies’ these next 3 Sundays.

Supporting OLM through the CMAA

  • The Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA) allows us, together, to do our part in building God’s kingdom here on earth.  Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in supporting the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
  • Our parish’s goal for the 2021 CMAA is $154,400, with 70 percent of any amount we raise over this goal returned to us for our use.
  • If you wish to donate now, please click here https://bit.ly/2MOQHVY  Read the following report at this link https://bit.ly/3dd154X on how your gifts to the CMAA helps. For further details, please click here https://bit.ly/3jQxf7i  Thank you for prayerfully considering supporting the 30 ministries and shining Jesus’ light brightly in our diocese.

Mission Trip Help Our Teens Fundraiser

  • Support our teens on their Senior High Youth Ministry Mission Trip this summer who are traveling outside their comfort zone to experience the call of Jesus to serve the poor. Please pray for their trip and consider donating financially; donations can be made through this link.

For the Hispanic Community

  • Please proceed here for the OLM Hispanic Ministry upcoming events and resources.
    Continúe aquí para conocer los próximos eventos y recursos del Ministerio Hispano de OLM.

A Note from the Intercessory Prayer Ministry

  • How can we be praying for you today?
    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 you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you! Submit your prayer requests at this link

St Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive 3/20 – 3/21

  • 3/20th is the first day of spring, perhaps it’s a great time for our closets to go through a ‘spring cleaning for a good cause’ for the St. Vincent de Paul clothing drive! Click here for items they will accept (whether in good or bad condition)
  • Your donations go to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shops where much of your donations are given away free to needy families in the community. Some are sold at reasonable prices at the thrift shops so that needy families can shop with dignity. “Proceeds” from the thrift shops go into a general assistance fund where St. Vincent de Paul Conferences at the churches help families with rent, mortgage, or utility assistance.

Are you a Grandparent?

  • The Grandparents Ministry is formed to create awareness, encourage and support the vocation of Grandparents to pass on their faith within their families and the Church.  In the words of Pope Francis, “The mission of grandparents is a real and true vocation.” “Grandparents’ words hold something special for the young. This is how faith is transmitted – through the elders who have made their faith the leaven of their life.”
  • If you would like more information about the Grandparents Ministry or would like to join, please contact Deacon Tony and Allyson Martini at tonym@olmercy.com or Jolene and Jeff LeRoy at jolenel@olmercy.com.

Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application

  • Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Council #12005 has established a scholarship program for high school seniors seeking financial assistance for continuing education (accredited trade school / junior college, college or university only). Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit to Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who are high school seniors.
  • All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, June 19 @ 4pm.
  • Proceed to this link for application details, requirements, and contact information.

Looking to connect and find community right now? Scroll down to join any of the Grow Groups below.  Keep an eye on upcoming groups this year.

CONSUMING FIRE YOUNG ADULT GROUP

WALKING WITH PURPOSE WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

FIT SHEPHERDS

GRANDPARENT MINISTRY