July 3, 2021 | Weekly Update

Heed God’s Voice

THIS COMING WEEK

Please help us to better serve you!

• Please let us know how you are doing by filling the survey out.  We continue to invite and pray that everyone comes back soon, we are also making plans for parish community-wide gatherings in August 20 thru 22 (save the date).To assist us with both of these, we would be most grateful if you can please fill out this quick, anonymous survey (2 minutes tops!).

Schedule for Monday 7/5

• Holy Mass for Independence Day will be at 9am on Monday 7/5th. Come out and pray for our beautiful country. Please also note that there will be no Eucharistic Adoration and there will be Spanish Mass at 6:30pm. Also, the parish office will be closed.

PADS Hesed House on 7/6

• PADS is on Tuesday 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

Baptism Ministers Meeting 7/8

• 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.

LOOKING AHEAD

• 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.  Check out the AMA webpage to view the video of Part 2 (and Part 1) of the AMAas well as to submit any more of your “great’ questions!  The website also lists out all the questions that Father James answered such as “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?”
• The next one will be on Monday 7/19th at 7:30pm as Father James will continue to answer the questions you submitted.

• Monthly Magnify is on 7/21st at 7pm. With the summer season comes swimming, sun, and BBQ.  But while summer can bring some much-needed time to slow down our lives and rest, it can also be tempting to take a break from prayer or even attending Mass itself. Rather, let’s come out to Magnify and have that personal contact with the living Jesus. Share your heart with Him to be loved by Him as you are.

• Register now for one of the Charisms Workshop!  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?  And what the difference is between your natural talents, spiritual gifts, and the charisms God has gifted you with.
• Discover all these things
  • The role of the Holy Spirit in your life
  • The charisms you received at Baptism
  • How those charisms help you become the disciple God intends you to be
  • How charisms transform parishes, communities and the world
  • A discernment process that will help you make good spiritual decisions
  • That you are a very needed part of the Body of Christ. You were made for more!
• Looking forward to “activating” the gifts God has given you!
  • Register for Sat 7/24
  • Register for Sat 7/31

• Pope Francis has established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly taking place for the first time on Sunday 7/25.  Grandparents and the elderly are often overlooked, but this new day in the Universal Church calendar is a momentous achievement for Grandparents and the elderly and will hopefully reassure them that they are loved and that they are needed. We look forward to celebrating our Grandparents and elderly at the Masses that weekend.

Catholic Baseball Camp; play baseball with Fr Burke Masters 7/27 – 7/28

• 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.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 8/2 through 8/6

• 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

• The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith and threatens unborn life. Did you get a chance to tell senators to oppose the Equality Act?  If not, please do by going to this site. Each of our voices joined together is powerful.

Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!

• Did you get an email or a text message 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’re Hiring!

• 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.

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM through the CMAA

• Thank you to those who have pledged!  We are so close to our parish goal, we are almost there!  Help us meet our goal; please support Our Lady of Mercy by supporting the Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA).
• Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to 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.
• Donations can be made here https://bit.ly/2MOQHVY  Check out how your how your gifts to the CMAA helps at this link https://bit.ly/3dd154X. Thank you for your consideration.

For the Hispanic Community

• 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.

Stream Team Update

• We continue to (and permanently) livestream the 10am Sunday Mass and Daily week day 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 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

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

We’re looking for volunteers to join “The Messengers”

• 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. Check out the details at this link. Connect with zara@olmercy.com, she would love to chat about the volunteer position over coffee, zoom, or phone call.

Have you downloaded our myParish App yet?

• If you haven’t done so, we encourage you to download the Our Lady of Mercy app available to download for iPhone and Android smart phones.  Or text APP to 88202 to download.
  • Stay connected with our parish throughout the week with instant notifications, an easy-to-access event calendar, and the ability to quickly reply to or share messages via Facebook or Twitter. Also enjoy a bunch of additional features like prayers, daily readings, helpful reminders to silence your phone before Mass or Confession, and much more.

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

Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints.
Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and every two weeks for social gatherings.
Connect.  Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com
See what they have been up to at this video.

VINE & BRANCHES GROW GROUP

Mission.  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.
Website.  Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings.
Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches

GROW YOUR FAITH
FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.

FORMED.ORG

Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.

1. Visit http://signup.formed.org/
2. Enter our parish zip or name
3. Enter your name and email

EUCHARIST RESOURCES

Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.

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

Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.

Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.

Get it all—for FREE – at HeroicMen.com

PINTS WITH AQUINAS – FREE CONFESSIONS COURSE

Become acquainted with one of the world’s greatest spiritual masterpieces!  https://bit.ly/PWA-Confessions
Join Dr. Chad Engelland for a FREE seven-part online course on St. Augustine’s “Confessions.” You’ll learn:
– What finally caused Augustine to leave a life of sin
– Why we find evil so attractive
– The right way to address God

Happy Independence Day!

Ever since he died, there has been speculation that George Washington converted to Catholicism on his deathbed. Part of the reason why some think our first President did so is related to the attitudes and actions in his life that were favorable toward Catholics.

Throughout his public life, Washington was known to be more favorably disposed toward Catholics than was usual for a man of his social standing. Many of the officers he relied upon most closely during the Revolutionary War were themselves Catholic, including the Marquis de Lafayette, who was almost like a son. He almost put an end to anti-Catholic customs, like Pope Night, among his soldiers, calling the demonstrations idiotic.

He attended Mass on a number of occasions at St. Mary’s in Philadelphia over the years, as a sign of acceptance of religious plurality in America. He would later write a letter to Charles Carroll–the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence–and his brother who become American’s first bishop, John Carroll of his hope that Americans would not forget the vital role that Catholics played in independence. A letter to a Jewish congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1790 of the right to religious liberty now enjoyed by all Americans:

“The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”

Washington was also known for his generosity toward the construction of several Catholic Churches in Philadelphia; Alexandria, Virginia; and Baltimore. In addition, it is known that he kept a painting of the Immaculate Conception in his private room in Philadelphia and that he crossed himself before prayers.But it was in 1799, after ending his service as President, as Washington lay dying at Mount Vernon that he called for Jesuit Father Leonard Neale to be with him at his deathbed. Fr. Neale stayed by Washington’s bedside for four hours before his death.
While none of that constitutes definitive evidence of conversion, it does paint an interesting portrait of the tolerant and pious man that was George Washington. What do you think?

For much more about George Washington and his attitudes toward Catholicism, listen to American Catholic History, Episode #85 and check out the links to further resources.

The American Catholic History podcast, hosted by Tom and Noelle Crowe, finds the hidden gems and compelling stories of Catholic Americans who have contributed to their nation by virtue of their faith over the past three centuries. In about 15 minutes, American Catholic History will introduce you to the amazing men and women who came to these American shores and were born here and contributed in ways both great and small, celebrated and unheralded. Send them your feedback at history@sqpn.com. To find more stories from American Catholic History and to subscribe to the podcast, please visit sqpn.com/history.