Pretty big deal, right?  The Gospels are not myth or legend, but eye-witness accounts written by the disciples that knew and walked with Jesus during His time on earth. From Luke’s Gospel, we hear about the experience where Jesus’ body is illuminated by light (Transfigured) as He transcends space and time in conversing with Moses and Elijah.Our very bodies are something good, as declared by the Catholic faith. We can degrade the body or we can obsessively worship the body—by the truly Catholic stance is honoring the body because we are our bodies; we are a body and soul composite, destined to follow Christ in the illumination of heavenly life.

The question of who Jesus is, His very identity, is so important. If we miss this piece—and the goodness of His earthly body—we miss the point of Christianity.

We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father Don is preaching or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.

• You may not want to miss going to Holy Mass next weekend, because our new pastor Father Michael Kearney will be preaching at all the Mass times—except for the 10am.

• Clear out your closets for a good cause!  Pick up a St. Vincent de Paul bag and bring it back on before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and on Sunday until noon.
• The Clothing Drive will accept clothing, shoes, linens, and books in good or bad condition. Unusable clothing, shoes, linens, and even books generate income for the needy because they are sold for rags or in bulk. No baby equipment such as cribs, walkers, strollers, playpens, etc. ALL BABY CLOTHES ACCEPTED! Small housewares and electronics – dishes, glassware, utensils, toasters, blenders, coffee makers, radios, cd players etc. Unfortunately, NO TELEVISIONS.

• Walk with Jesus through the desert this Lenten season at MAGNIFY.  Scriptural reflection by Father James, Adoration, Praise & Worship, Confessions, and Prayer Ministry.  So many powerful reasons to come to Lenten MAGNIFY.

• The Respect Life ministry is showing the movie Unplanned at 6pm.  Students for Life will be present to answer questions and lead a group discussion after the movie.
• “Unplanned” tells the story of Abby Johnson, who rose quickly through the ranks of Planned Parenthood, becoming one of the youngest clinic directors in the organization. One fateful day, she assists with an ultrasound-guided abortion of a 13-week-old fetus. And that changed everything for her.
  Johnson quit Planned Parenthood and became a pro-life advocate herself. She eventually founded “And Then There Were None,” which claims to be the only ministry in the country that helps abortion workers leave the industry and find new jobs. Close to 500 people, including doctors, have chosen a new walk of life through Johnson’s organization.
  Catholic News Service’s review of the film calls it, a “hard-hitting, fact-based drama (that) dares its viewers to confront the reality of what happens when a baby is aborted.”
• Do you have a teenager or young adult in your life?  Bring them to watch Unplanned.  Or if you’ve never watched Unplanned, come and see this movie that is one of those that is important to see.

• Have dinner for a good cause!  All proceeds from the Lenten Fish Dinners benefit the Teen Summer Mission Trip. Free-will offerings will be accepted on both dates.
• Fridays 3/25th and 4/1st from 5:30pm to 8pm with the following choices Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces) $12, Cod (choice of baked or fried) $11, or Salmon $12. All plates include coleslaw, tator-tots, dinner roll, chocolate brownie and beverage (soda or water).
• Ticket sales for both dates will be held the weekend of March 19-20 after all masses and in the Parish Office during the weeks of March 21-25 and March 28-April 1. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

• Any high school teen who is interested in learning more about Christianity is welcome to attend! Alpha gives teens the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once a week for 9 weeks, sometimes in a church, a home, or a restaurant. Sessions begin with food, followed by a short video/talk, and time to discuss the topic.
• Our Spring Session will begin April 3rd, so please go to our Youth Alpha page to get all the details and then sign-up if you would like to attend. Please note this session of Alpha is for High School age teens. Please contact Dave if you have questions at DaveM@olmercy.com.

• Register by 3/31st to join an ecumenical, prayerful, and silent pro-life event sponsored by St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton from 10:15am to 11:30am held at Compass Church parking lot.
• Details and registration can be found here.
• The media would have us believe that Pro-Life advocates are in the minority. The hope is to bring as many Pro-Life advocates as possible together in a large, visible way, to let others know who share a similar view, that they are not alone and certainly not in the minority.  We hope this will encourage them to speak out in their own way.  We also look to use this event to send a message to our Supreme Court (Dobb’s case decision is due this summer) and to our national, state, and local politicians, and to our broader communities, that we want an end to abortion.

• 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 18 @ 4pm.
• Proceed to this link for application details, requirements, and contact information.

• In his March column, Bishop Hicks writes about Pope Francis’ 2022 Lenten Message with gusto – or even with a tone of “Lenten Madness”. Read it here.

• We’re hiring!  Does the idea of placing your administrative skills at the service of growing the Catholic faith-life of families bring you joy?  We are seeking an individual who possesses a positive team spirit, is comfortable taking initiative, and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Being fluent in Spanish and English is desired.
  Other requirements include: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Accounting skills, Record Keeping, Coordination of Volunteers and Tracking Safe Environment Requirements, Comfortable learning technology platforms.
  The position is full time 37.5 Hours/Week, Benefited, Some Evening & Weekend Hours Expected. Interested candidates may send a cover letter and resume to Mary Jo Trapani at maryjot@olmercy.com

• Every moment we walk alongside a young person as they join in the work God is doing is an opportunity to affirm their purpose and celebrate their gifts.  You have the opportunity to walk alongside our teens in a simple and good way by supporting them financially to offset the costs of the Misson Trip, any dollar amount is helpful.
• Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
• Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July.  In a special way let us pray for our teens for God to bless their quest for purpose, joining them in prayer on their journey to discover what God is doing in their lives.

• There are still a few spots open for the High School Mission Trip to Ohio scheduled for this July. Proceed here for the LIGHT webpage or contact Dave in the office for more details.  Take part in this life-changing experience!

• All Saints Catholic Academy (ASCA) located at 1155 Aurora Ave, Naperville is our parish school!
• Are you a parent with preschool, elementary and middle school-aged children struggling with the antithetical to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the government schools?  You’re not alone.
• Join a growing number of OLM parents who have made the movement!  Consider connecting with some of the families who have made the move from sending their child(ren) to public school to All Saints Catholic Academy.
• Connect with Patty Bajek at (630) 961-6125, or pbajek@ascacademy.org to express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour.  Or peruse their website to explore your interest.

• Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word.  Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.

• Thank you for your support of our clothing drive. Your clothing donation, as well as your financial donations throughout the year, allows us to help our parishioners and neighbors in need. In the last quarter 2021, we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
• The ministry is always looking for volunteers to join our St. Vincent de Paul Society in assisting our neighbors in need. If you would like to volunteer or learn more, send an email to olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.

• Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here. 

HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP