July 9, 2023 | Parish Update

Children come to know who they are…, Ministry Expo, Alpha & Chris Stefanick

View the full posting at our Flocknote email (don’t forget to join so you can receive the update via email).

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From the P.I.T. (Pastor In Training)

It’s amazing how we can learn a lot about our faith by reflecting through the eyes of a child. Jesus says as much in our Gospel this weekend: “For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones.” 

Think about this, for instance: What were your first words as a child? You probably don’t even remember them, but that’s okay, because you could probably make a good guess. Mom and Dad were our everything as toddlers—so much so that they were the foremost things on our minds and in our words. We really couldn’t understand ourselves or the world apart from them.

As beings made in the image and likeness of a trinitarian God—a God whose essence is relational—this doesn’t surprise us. Our essence and identity too is inherently relational. This explains why Christ talks about his relationship with his Father in heaven immediately after talking about the wisdom of children. Children come to know who they are because of their relationship to their parents. We come to know who we are because of our relationship to our Heavenly Father.

Hence why we are pursuing a family-centered faith formation process for our children! If we truly want our children to better understand themselves in light of their heavenly Father, it is most effectively passed on through catechesis of their earthly parents. If children learn to walk, talk, and do just about everything else essential for life from their parents, why not also the most essential thing of all? 

God revealed that He is a loving communion of persons. May the communion of our families be at the heart of where our children come to know communion with our loving God. 

Father Michael

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Did you miss one? View past news from the P.I.T. here.

THIS COMING WEEK

Consuming Fire 7/11

• Calling all young adults, come and join our Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group on Tuesday 7/11th at 7pm for community and faith building. Reach out to cfyagg@gmail.com to get connected with the group.

SoulCore 7/12 

• Ladies, come and join our fitness class, SoulCore! Nourish your body, mind, and soul with prayer-inspired workouts. Classes are Wednesdays at 7pm throughout the summer. Get physically and spiritually fit this summer at a SoulCore class at OLM!
• Meet the SoulCore fitness leaders, view testimonies, FAQs, registration, and further details at this link.

First Saturday Devotion 7/1

• 1st Saturday 7/1 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.

Weekly Praying for Priests

• A prayer group has been praying for priests in front of the Blessed Sacrament weekly for over a year now, as well as on First Fridays. With Lent approaching, these prayer gatherings could be an offering of prayer/sacrifice. Even if you can’t join the group inside the church, you can pray wherever you are at during the times below.
• Here are the days/hours:Wednesdays at 10:30am – Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy with meditations for priests,   Thursdays at 12:30pm –  Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy with meditations for priests,First Friday of the month following 12pm Mass – Stations of the Cross with meditations for priests in the narthex.

Restore weekly confidential meetings

• Restore is a ministry that accompanies men so as to win the battle against the struggles of living a lust-free life.
• The ministry meets at a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas about strengthening their resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity.  All men are welcome, whether you have been free of the addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day. Though the meetings are weekly, at the last weekly meeting of the month, men are guided by a licensed Catholic therapist. If you are ready to start breaking free from the struggles of living chastely and want to Restore your life email Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet or call 331-684-7415.

LOOKING AHEAD

Donut & Coffee Sunday 7/16

• Stop by the PLC after all the Masses on 7/15th and 7/16th for yummy Donuts, good Coffee & wonderful Fellowship. Thank you to Family Faith Formation office for hosting!

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) continues on 7/16 at the 10am Mass

• What is CLOW? The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a beautiful and meaningful experience designed specifically for our young ones. Through storytelling, interactive discussions, and age-appropriate activities, children have the opportunity to deepen their connection to faith and spirituality. The scriptures are brought to life in a manner that resonates with their hearts and minds, allowing them to grasp the timeless teachings and wisdom contained within. By creating a space that is inviting and inclusive, we hope to instill a love for God’s Word within each child, nurturing their spiritual growth and helping them discover the beauty and significance of their own faith journey. Sometime after the beginning of Mass, Father invites all children to participate in CLOW. The children joyfully return to rejoin their families, just before the Eucharistic Prayers take place, ensuring a shared celebration of faith for the entire congregation.

Catholic Sports Camps 7/17 thru 8/1

• Founded by Fr. Burke Masters, pastor at St. Isaac’s in Hinsdale and Cubs Chaplain, Catholic Sports Camps wants to bring the love of Christ to kids and KIDS LOVE SPORTS! Our camps offer a very unique experience as young athletes enter an environment intentionally created to help them grow in holiness and virtue, while learning high-level training in their sport. Register at catholicsportscamps.org
  • Tennis Camp at Joliet Catholic Academy 7/31 – 8/1
  • Baseball & Softball Camp at Montini High School 7/26 – 7/27      
  • Basketball Camp at Chesterton Academy 7/17 – 7/18    

St. Peregrine Prayer Service 7/18

• All are invited to attend the St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, 7/18 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo.
• St. Peregrine is the patron saint of the sick, especially those experiencing cancer, serious illness, or chronic illness. Anyone experiencing physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual health concerns would benefit from attending the prayer service. The relic of St. Peregrine will be present.
• Save the Dates for the monthly St. Peregrine Prayer Service 8/22, 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, and 12/19.

Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry 7/19

• The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds 7/19 from 4:30pm to 6pm.  Don’t forget to share the Our Lady of Mercy social media posting on your network; you never know who among your network is in need of food.
• The Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet Mobile Food Pantry delivers healthy food (meat, produce, and non-perishable items) to people in need. No identification or information will be required or collected. This event is open to anyone in need of food! Mobile Food Pantries use a “drive-thru” method to distribute food. Please clear space in your trunk or backseat so volunteers can load boxes of food directly into your vehicle. Catholic Charities helps people of all faiths and beliefs. Mobile Food Pantries take place snow, rain, or shine!
• Save the Dates for the monthly Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry 8/22, 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, and 12/19.

MAGNIFY Adoration Night 7/19

• This summer season, deepen your relationship with Jesus by discovering the healing power of eucharistic adoration, praise, and worship at MAGNIFY.  Contemplate in silence the scriptural reflection, Confession, and prayer ministry are opportunities for spiritual nourishment, finding peace and solace in the presence of Jesus. Bring your little ones along so as to be filled with wonder and awe as they encounter the profound love of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. See you on Wednesday, 7/19th at 7pm.

St. Vincent DePaul Clothing Drive 7/22 & 7/23

• The St. Vincent dePaul (SVDP) truck will be in our parking lot the weekend of July 22 & 23 for our Clothing Drive!! Please pick up the SVDP white donation bags found in the atrium entrance and drop them off before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and Sunday until noon. 
• We 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. SORRY NO TELEVISIONS.
• For furniture and large item donations please call 630-231-4658 to schedule a home pickup at a later date or email us at – saintvincentdonate@gmail.com. 
• Your donations go to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shops, where many of your donations are given away free to needy families in the community. Some are sold reasonably at thrift shops so needy families can shop with dignity. “Proceeds” from the thrift shops go into a general assistance fund where St. Vincent DePaul. Clothing Drives at the churches help families with rent, mortgage, or utility assistance. 

Diocese of Joliet Grandparents Mass 7/23

• You are cordially invited to the Diocese of Joliet Grandparents Mass at the Cathedral of St. Raymond celebrated by Bishop Ronald HIcks on 7/23 at 2pm. Please RSVP at the following link or contact Jessica Kreiter 815-221-6192.

Biblical Institute in the Diocese of Joliet (BIDJ) Preview Events 7/24, 7/31 & onwards

• Interested in learning the Bible but aren’t sure if this is the program for you? Come to a BIDJ Preview Night! You’ll learn a lot about this tremendous diocesan program – and a few things that will help you with Scripture right now.  Jesus invited potential disciples to “come and see”!
• At the preview event, you will meet a BIDJ instructor, talk to current students, see the resources used, get a feel for a typical class, ask questions about BIDJ and Bible Study in general, and learn about the Catholic approach to Scripture and how this program uses it.
• Come out to any of the following preview gatherings; all are from 7pm to 8:30pm
  • Monday, July 24 Holy Ghost Parish, Wood Dale
  • Monday, July 31 St. Piux X Parish, Lombard
  • Monday, August 7 Ascension Parish, Oak Brook Terrace
  • Tuesday, August 8 St Mary Immaculate, Plainfield
  • Monday, August 14 Visitation Parish, Elmhurst
  • Monday, August 21 Immaculate Conception Parish, Elmhurst
  • Tuesday, August 22 Holy Family Parish, Shorewood
  • Tuesday, September 5 St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Plainfield
  • Monday, September 11 Visitation Parish, Elmhurst
• For more information such as registration and dates of classes about the Biblical Institute of the Diocese of Joliet, check out their website at this link or connect with Dr. Joan Gorski, Biblical Institute Program Director, at jgorski@mayslakeministries.org or 630-698-8961

Prayer Ministry 7/29 & 7/30

• Receive Prayer Ministry after all the Mass times the weekend of 7/29 and 7/30! Prayer ministry is an opportunity for those in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing or with a specific intention. Come as an individual, as a couple, or as. a family and receive prayer for yourself or request prayers for someone in need. Listen and receive the prayers while being open to the Holy Spirit’s movement. Trained prayer ministers are available in the back of Church.

Quo Vadis Days 7/30 thru 8/2

• Please spread the word of the dynamic Quo Vadis Days on 7/30 through 8/2 run by the Vocation Offices of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet. During this 4-day/3-night camp at the Mundelein Seminary, young men ages 13 to 18 will participate in powerful discussions, outdoor activities, sports, daily Mass, and Liturgy of the Hours.
• Forms and payment are due in the Vocation Office no later than Wednesday, 7/26th.
• Please click on the links below to register and pay early. Spots fill up quickly!  If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Camp at dcamp@dioceseofjoliet.org. Thank you so much for giving your son this wonderful opportunity to grow in his faith.
• Please fill out the following two forms.
  • Fill out and submit this registration form.
  • Fill out and make the payment here.

A Behind the Scenes Look at Waterleaf Women’s Center 7/31

• We pray that you’ll join Our Lady of Mercy’s Walking With Moms In Need Ministry for an inside look and guided tour at Waterleaf Women’s Center!
• Find our how an ultrasound works, walk through a typical appointment and meet with some of the staff while you enjoy some refreshments during our Q&A!
• This event takes place on July 31st at 6pm. Please meet at Waterleaf Women’s Center which is located at 3055 E. New York Street
• Please RSVP by July 28th to Lydia Schmitt at lydias@olmercy.com

Sign Up Your Child(ren) For and/or Volunteer At Vacation Bible School 8/7 thru 8/11

• Send your children in Kindergarten (age 4) through 5th Grade on an out-of-this-world adventure at “Stellar” Vacation Bible School (VBS), taking place 8/7 through 8/11 from 9am to 12pm!
• Stellar VBS is filled with awesome Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, and touch! Sciency-Fun Gizmos, team-building games, unforgettable Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the standout activities that help faith flow into real life. Plus, we’ll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life, something we call God Sightings. Get ready to hear that phrase a lot!
• Only a few dozen spots are left, so please register now.
• We could also use your help; teens parents, grandparents, and young adults, let’s come together as a community to serve our children at VBS.
• For camper registration and volunteer sign-up, proceed here. 

Women Volunteers Needed for Dominican Literacy Center – Training is on 8/15, 8/22, 8/24

• The Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora will train new tutor volunteers for its literacy program in August. Female volunteers (with high school diplomas) are trained to help women students learn to read, write, and speak English. Tutoring sessions are 90 minutes, once a week, from September through May, at 260 Vermont St., Aurora (behind St. Therese Church). 
• Tutors do not need to speak Spanish or have teaching experience, but all volunteers must attend 3 training sessions and view several training videos online. The next training dates are August 15, 22, and 24, from 6pm to 8:30pm. To volunteer, email Alison Brzezinski at Alison@dominicanliteracycenter.org. For more information, visit www.dominicanliteracycenter.org or call 630-898- 4636. The Center is not handicap accessible.

Catholic Charities Back to School Fair 8/9

• Catholic Charities’ Back to School Fairs help prepare children from low-income households for a new school year by providing a variety of services, including free school supplies! The Back to School Fair will be held as a drive-through. Pre-registration for the Fair is mandatory. Please spread the word to families that belong to DuPage County. The fair is on Wednesday 8/9th from 11am to 6pm at the DuPage County Fairgrounds located at 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Share this flyer with others that have details and QR code for the registration.

Ministry Expo 8/20

• Save the Date for the Ministry Expo on Sunday 8/20th held after all the Mass times where you can check out the Ministries and Groups at Our Lady of Mercy! See how our parish can be here for you spiritually, physically, and mentally.
  Ministry leaders, if you did not receive an email from Zara to sign up to reserve a table, please connect with her at zara@olmercy.com.

Golf for a Good Cause! Catholic Charities “A Swing & A Prayer” 8/24

• Register now for a day of Golf to support the life-saving work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet.
• Taking place on Thursday 8/24 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club at 11am. Early bird pricing of $250/golfer includes 18 holes of golf with cart, grab and go lunch, drinks on the course, cocktail hour, buffet dinner and on-course contests with prizes!
• Reserve your spot now and golf for an amazing cause at this link!

Join the OLM Mixed Bowling League! (August through May)

• You need not be a good bowler. You only need to come out and enjoy some safe time out with fellow parishioners for one Friday a month. If you have thought about joining a league, now is the time to give it a try. There are 4 players to a team, but we will build a team for <4 players who wish to join. fees are $17person per month. the league will be one fridaymonth from august through may, skipping december. if you have questions andor would like join league, please contact dan panozzo at tanddpanozzo@comcast.net or call 815-302-4111. Come on out and join the fun!

Save the Date for Alpha on Thursdays starting 9/7

• We all know someone who is exploring life, faith, and meaning; invite them to Alpha!
• Or if you’ve never experienced Alpha at OLM, join the Fall session. Connect with new people. Watch an episode on a question of faith. Share your thoughts and hear from others.
• Alpha is a series of group conversations that explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly environment. It’s a place to connect with people, share your own questions, say anything you like or nothing at all. Everyone’s welcome.
• We’d love to hear your perspective! You’re invited, no matter your background or beliefs. Various pathways this fall are In-person, Spanish, Young Adults, and Family Alpha. We hope to see you on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm starting 9/7th. Find out more or register now at this link.

Save the Date for Children Ages 4 to 12 & Families TALENT SHOW 9/16

• The spotlight is calling your name! We extend a special invitation to all children aged 4 to 12 and their families to showcase their unique gifts and talents at our family-friendly talent show. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this unforgettable event!
• There are 20 spots available, so we encourage you to secure your place by signing up now. Simply click on this link to register your family-friendly act and reserve your moment in the limelight.
• Should you have any inquiries or need further information, please feel free to reach out to Justin and Laura Reyes, our dedicated point of contact, at reyeshj17@gmail.com. They will be delighted to assist you.
• Join us as we create wonderful memories together on the stage. We can’t wait to witness your incredible talents and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to shine!

Save the Date for REBOOT! with Chris Stefanick 9/27

• Mark your calendars for a life changing evening. On Wednesday 9/27 @ 7pm, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and TV host, Chris Stefanick, will be bringing “Reboot!” to OLM.
  
  God did not create us just to “get by” in this world; He created us to live life, and live it to the full. Come learn more about the beauty of our faith, the love that Jesus has for YOU, and how we are meant to live out this JOY in our daily lives.
  
  Reboot! is suitable for ages 12 and up, so bring the whole family, and bring a friend. We challenge you now to think of one person to invite, and get your tickets; don’t think, just do! Whether you’re a lifelong Church goer, just rediscovering your faith, or have never heard of Jesus before, this is THE event for you! Register now for this life-changing event.
• Hear from Chris Stefanick through his show every Monday at 6pm; follow this link for the Chris Stefanick Show on FORMED!
  Get free access to FORMED online; see the Free Online Resources below (or through their App).

You can also check him out on the myParish App, just click on the button “Real Life Catholic”

A Note from Len Eickhoff

• I want to thank all the parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy, and especially those involved in our many groups and events, for making the last eight years as Facility Manager so memorable. I appreciate all the good wishes. This is the third time I’ve retired but I think it will be the last. My wife, Linda, and I will still be around the parish but I will be here in a volunteer capacity. Same time, same pew! Len Eickhof

Health Updates on Father Don

• Please continue to keep Father Don in your prayers. To keep updated on how he is doing, please check the following CaringBridge website.

Bishop Hick’s Monthly Column 

• Bishop Hicks’ monthly column for June is titled “Turning to Jesus: Healing and Hope”. Read his insightful column HERE.

Scam Emails

• From time to time, there are phishing (SCAM) emails going out to members of the parish and staff claiming to be Father Michael.
  Please note that Father Michael and Father Frank DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Michael or Father James, please discard it, (any email that does not have “olmercy.com” is a fake email) and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.  No one on the staff will personally ask for money in whatever form (gift cards etc). If someone sends you a private message, asking for a donation of sorts, it’s undoubtedly a fake account. Please keep praying for us, and God bless you!

Our Lady of Mercy Garden of Hope, Love & Mercy

• The Justice & Peace Ministry, which has constructed a Community Garden on Our Lady of Mercy parish grounds and provided fresh produce over the past few months has had a fruitful season and looks forward to expanding in 2023. Produce from the garden has been donated to local organizations such as the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry and  Hesed House. Late-season plantings are still producing vegetables and herbs. The faithful volunteers have been pleased with the success of this very worthy cause. If you have a green thumb or wish to participate in the preparation and planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting in early spring and throughout the 2023 growing season, please contact Chris at 631-561-9722 or chrisharveyny@gmail.com or Ida at 630-605-6038 or idamphillips122@gmail.com. 

Did You Know We Have a Parish School?

• 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 Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend 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 schedule a personalized tour.  Or peruse their website to explore your interest.  

St. Vincent de Paul Society Volunteers

• 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 2022, we provided assistance to 72 households, helping 185 men, women and children to remain in their homes or apartments in time of financial need.
• 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.

Bulletin

• Check out the weekly Bulletin located here. 

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.

A Note from the Intercessory Prayer Ministry

• How can we pray 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
• Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and on the last weekend of the month Mass times.  Prayer ministry is an opportunity for those in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing or with a specific intention. Come as an individual, as a couple, or as. a family and receive prayer for yourself or request prayers for someone in need. Listen and receive the prayers while being open to the Holy Spirit’s movement. Trained prayer ministers are available.

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 smartphones.  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.

OSV Giving Link Update

• Our online giving link has been updated by our provider (OSV), please be sure to update your bookmark, below is the link.
• The myParish App “Giving” button has been updated.  Don’t have the myParish App yet? Text APP to 88202 to download!  Receive this update, instant news, and get access to the parish calendar, daily readings, and Confession guide.
• https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/giving/funds