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June 26, 2021 | Weekly Update

Arise! Jesus says

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Let’s prepare ourselves to participate at Holy Mass where Father Don is preaching, by watching the short video on the Flocknote email from Matt Nelson, an author and Fellow of Apologetics at the Word on Fire Institute, from their new series Catholicism 101, to learn more about the power of God in our history.

Looking forward to seeing you at Holy Mass!

THIS COMING WEEK

• This weekend is an opportunity for us to join with Pope Francis and be a sign of mercy through the “Peter’s Pence Collection”, a worldwide collection that supports the activities of the Holy See through which Pope Francis governs the Church and exercises his charitable works. Support for such papal efforts has its roots in the scriptural message to take care of the poor and is an expression of unity with the Holy Father.
• To donate online: https://www.givecentral.org/scpp21-v2
  For more information: http://www.peterspence.va/en.html

• Please see this beautiful note from Father Don thanking our wonderful secretary in the Religious Education office, Jean Rehmer.  As Father Don says, “Jean, we thank you for all you have done for us at OLM and wish you all the best in your retirement!”
• You may still reach Jean at jeanr@olmercy.com if you want to send your best wishes to her or 630.851.3444 ext 232.

• Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 7/2 from 8am to 4pm
  • We hope you can come out anytime from 8am to 4pm, to pray for the helpless, innocent unborn who can’t speak for themselves.  Pray in front of Planned Parenthood, at the public right of way access.  Connect with Lisa SanDiego for any questions (630) 258-0122 or sandiego_family@msn.com.    https://bit.ly/3yGSzmU
  • Confessions immediately following the 8am Mass
• Every 1st Friday (in addition to the 8am Mass), we will have a 12pm Mass. We hope you join us.
• 1st Saturday 7/5 after the 8:30 am 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.

LOOKING AHEAD

• A reminder that PADS is on 7/6th to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board at the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed. We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”.
  Thank you so much for your generosity.
  ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40

• We are looking for individuals or couples who are interested in becoming a Baptism Minister. Please consider helping out at this most important and beautiful ministry.
  • Baptism Ministers serve once a month either on a Saturday from 11:15AM-1:30PM or a Sunday from 1:15-3:30PM.
  • Ministers assist the families who are bringing their child to be baptized by offering hospitality and welcoming each family and child into the Catholic Church.
  • In addition to greeting and welcoming the families, Baptism Ministers set up for the baptism, assist the celebrant during the ceremony, and clean up after the ceremony.
  • Training will be offered on Thursday July 8 from 7PM – 8:30PM in the Church. Please email Lydia Schmitt, lydias@olmercy.com, for more information about the Baptism Ministry and if you are interested in attending the training to become a Baptism Minister.

• Please spread the word on the Catholic Charities of Joliet  Mobile Food Pantry this month. Instead of Wednesday, it’s going to be on Thursday 7/15.
  Share the attached link. If you have a Facebook account, keep an eye for the upcoming Facebook post from our page and share it; this is an easy way to help someone you may be unaware of that is in need of food that is in your network of friends or acquaintances.

• We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them.  Proceed to the AMA webpage to view the video of Part 2 of the AMA.
• The next one will be on Monday 7/19th at 7:30pm as Father James will continue to answer the questions you submitted.
• Have more ‘great’ questions; submit them here.  Or check out the AMA webpage for the list of the questions and the two videos.  Here are is a snippet of some of the questions.
  • Why does mass attendance on Sunday matter? Can’t we just go during the week on the day that’s most convenient? What if we have to work on Sunday?
     
    What does the church believe about non-Christians and salvation?
     
    If a friend is getting married outside of the Catholic Church can you attend their wedding or be in their wedding? If your sibling is getting married and is Catholic but isn’t getting married in the Catholic Church can you attend?

• Pencil these dates in!  You won’t want to miss this…. because wouldn’t you like to know about the gifts, the “charisms” God has given you?  To discern—figure out what they are?
• Every person is born with certain natural gifts, and every baptized person is given at least one charism, or spiritual gift, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Keep an eye out for an App Blast, and email message Blast which will have details, timeframe, and registration link.
  • Don’t have the App? Text “App” to 88202 to download our parish app. Or download “myParish App” on your mobile device, then select our parish.

• Register at catholicsportscamps.org for the Catholic Baseball Camp for boys and girls ages 8-12. Fee is $150 (scholarships are available).
• Basic to advanced baseball skills and training. Women’s softball/baseball coach for girls. Daily Mass, Rosary, Adoration, Confession.

• We are excited to announce that OLM Vacation Bible School will be welcoming 100 students in person this summer!  Children, come on out 8/6 thru 8/6 from 9am to 12pm and embark on an epic quest through hidden ruins, ancient caves, and dense jungles.
• At Treasured VBS, kids dig into action-packed, faith-filled adventures. They’ll discover God’s greatest treasure isn’t diamonds, gems, or gold – it’s them!  Details and registration are at this link.

• The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith and threatens unborn life. Tell senators to oppose it by going to this site.

• Did you get an email from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards.  If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.

• We are looking for an intentional disciple of Jesus who has a heart for the youth, who will be the Associate Director of Family and Youth Evangelization and Catechesis for Grades 6-12. Please lift up in prayer who God is going to send to us and please let others know as well so as to cast the net wide for our search.
• Click here for details.

• Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.

• If you have not done so already, please do consider supporting Our Lady of Mercy by supporting the Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA).
• The 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.

• Our Online Giving has been upgraded to a newer, easier-to-use platform! If you currently give online, you should have received an email with instructions on how to log into the new system. Best of all, your existing payment and donation information will be migrated over so you will not have to set up your gifts again! Please reach out to the business office for any questions 630-851-3444.

• Please proceed here for the OLM Hispanic Ministry’s upcoming events and resources.
  Continúe aquí para conocer los próximos eventos y recursos del Ministerio Hispano de OLM.
• There will be Stations of the Cross in Spanish every 2nd Wednesday of the month after the 12pm Mass.
  A partir de la próxima semana, habrá Estaciones de la Cruz en español cada segundo miércoles del mes después de la misa de las 12 pm.

• Hooray, we are at full capacity! Because of this, we will only live stream the 10am Mass.
• For those who are not comfortable attending Mass in the Church, please continue to watch on your mobile device in your vehicle, where Holy Communion will be brought to you at the 10am Mass.
• We continue to seek creative individuals who are interested in joining our “Stream Team” to help.  It is fun, easy, and fulfilling to take part in and you’ll have the love, support, and thankfulness of the Livestream Community.
• If you are interested or know someone who would enjoy volunteering in this role, please connect with zara@olmercy.com

• 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

• The overall goal of this team is to bring to life through communications our parish vision: to offer every person a life-changing encounter with Jesus, grow disciples and send them on mission.
• Volunteers that will be part of “The Messengers” team will be tasked with implementing the Communications, Social Media, and Online Engagement Strategy of Our Lady of Mercy.
• They will be trained and empowered to manage engaging communications pieces of our parish such as our emails (like this Weekly Update), and postings on all our Communications platforms (website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter).
  They can also assist in creating social media content that builds relationships and community as well as other projects at the direction of the Communications Director.
  • Must either be a committed disciple of Jesus or open to being one
  • Needed skill sets
    • Must enjoy working with others towards common/shared goals and communicate well in a spiritually paced, engaging environment.
    • Some knowledge of Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and other emerging platforms.
    • Strong content writing/editing background.
    • Takes initiative and responsibility, a self-starter.
  • Desirable skill sets (but not necessary)
    • Some skills in graphic design. Photography, audio/video editing are assets.
    • Familiarity with best practices and analyzing analytics of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and other emerging platforms.
• Interested?  Have questions?  Know of someone that can be a “Messenger”? Connect with zara@olmercy.com, she would love to chat about the volunteer position over coffee, zoom, or phone call.

Grow Groups | We continue to launch Grow Groups, one group at a time. 
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.

CONSUMING FIRE YOUNG ADULT GROW GROUP 

The group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Since February, they have grown to a roster of more than 50 souls from all over the Aurora, Naperville, and surrounding areas. Join them during the summer session for a wide variety of social activities (rock climbing, and rosary & volleyball are scheduled for June), all with the underlying purpose of cultivating holiness.

• Or let the young adult in your life know about Consuming Fire, they are going to go through a new series “Metanoia” on Tuesday evenings this summer from 7pm to 8:30pm.
• Connect them to their website at this link or with Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com
• See what they have been up to at this video or at their website

VINE & BRANCHES GROW GROUP

Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce.

• The group’s primary purpose is to help divorced or separated individuals looking to restore hope, find healing, and grow authentic friendships with other individuals who are in a similar situation.
• If this group is of interest to you or if you would like to know more, connect at the following. Don’t forget to let others know who may want to be part of this grow group.
  • Click here for more Information & Registration 
  • Connect with the group leaders (they are looking forward to hearing from you)Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
    Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
    John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
    Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com

WORD ON FIRE

Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library!   Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.

Not sure where to start? How about the episode of the Pivotal Players series of St. Ignatius of Loyola which covers Ignatius’ journey from a courageous and celebrated warrior to a passionate servant of Christ, and the influence he effected through the establishment of the Jesuit order and through his masterpiece, “The Spiritual Exercises.”

HEROIC MEN