May 1, 2021 | Weekly Update

May 1, 2021 | Weekly Update

It’s the 5th Week of Easter Weekly Update and Jesus says “Remain in Me”

When plucked from a vine, a fruit or vegetable will live for a short while before starting to decay. As it is with us. We can live for a short while on the fumes of God’s grace when we neglect or turn away from Him, but in short order, we begin to falter and wither under our own strength.

Perhaps someone we know and love has cut themselves off from God and the Church. Have we cut them off as well?  Have we doubted the power of God’s grace to intervene in their lives?  The early disciples doubted and feared Saul (who became Paul) after his conversion, for he had been persecuting them and hunting them down. But they saw how the power of Christ had transformed Saul and he became one of the greatest evangelizers of the entire Gospel.  The question becomes, maybe it’s time to invite the person(s) that’s been cut-off back, you just never know what a simple invitation back to Mass or to any of our spiritual offerings can do (CRHP, Bible Studies, an upcoming Alpha, parish life here at OLM).

At the Mass this weekend, Jesus asks that we remain close to Him, for without Him we can do nothing and our earthly efforts will surely fail.  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower” (John 15).  Listen to the 3-minute video on the Flocknote email that speaks of this further and can help us prepare our hearts for the Masses this weekend where we get to hear from Deacon Tom Logue as he preaches at each Mass; sign-in ahead of time here or see you online.  May crowning of our Blessed Mother takes place at the beginning of each Mass as well.

 

THIS COMING WEEK
Ladies Virtual Afternoon of Reflection on 5/2
  • Like the Mother of God – mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers  – are called to personify faith to our families and to the world. What does it mean to be “faith personified”? We can learn so much from Our Blessed Mother, from our own relationships with each other, and from our relationship with God.
  • Come together in community to start the month of May with the focus on Our Blessed Mother Mary. Register to receive the ZOOM link with Jolene LeRoy RN Director of Pastoral Care at 331-707-5380 or at jolenel@olmercy.com by April 30.
PADS Hesed Hesed House on 5/4
  • Please help our brothers and sisters in need; sign up at this linkfor any of the items posted above or send funds via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PAD”. Thank you so much for your generosity.
  • For those new to our parish. Find out more of the OLM PADS/Hesed House ministry in the “Did you know?” section below.
    ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40
A Shout-Out to our Wonderful Moms due 5/6
  • We’re compiling a video shout-out to our most wonderful mothers.
    If you would like to submit a Happy Mother’s Day video to be aired before the live stream on Mother’s Day and posted separately thereafter, please submit with the following guidance

    • 10 – 15 seconds video (longer videos are harder to email and upload).  A simple “Happy Mother’s Day” will do.
    • Landscape / horizontal orientation please
    • Email to zara@olmercy.com by Thursday 5/6th
1st Friday Devotions 5/7
  • Respect Life 1st Friday devotion from 8am to 2pm  https://bit.ly/3fHaPDs
    • We hope you can come out anytime from 8am to 2pm, 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.
  • Confessions immediately following the 8am Mass
Season 2 of Be Formed 90-Day Discipleship starts 5/9
  • Accountability partners, weekly small groups, monthly large groups, and commitment cards. Fr Burke Masters will continue to offer daily videos based on the Mass readings of the day. New to Season 2 are daily videos from him on Book 4 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which we will cover in 90 days. We will also offer small groups for couples, while still offering women’s groups and men’s groups. The men and women will have the same curriculum. We are offering a prayer journal online or in printed form. There is no cost to participate, but we suggest a donation to expand the reach of Be Formed.
  • Check out this video for more details.
  • The registration link can be found here.
LOOKING AHEAD
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Renewal Weekends sign up by 5/10
  • The weekends are just around the corner, come and be uplifted and strengthened at the Renewal Weekends: Women’s Renewal Weekend is on 5/15 thru 5/16, Men’s Renewal Weekend is on 5/22 thru 5/23.
  • Proceed to this link for details and sign-up.We pray you sign-up soon as spots are filling up fast.  COVID safety notes: we follow the Diocesan Covid guidelines.
  • Connect with Kevin Nemetz @ 630.301.2312 Kevin@tix4cause.com or Vicki Petersen @ 708.250.7634 crhpolm@gmail.com
St. Peregrine and St. Dymphna Prayer Service on 5/11
  • On Tuesday, May 11 following the 6:30pm Mass, there will be a St. Peregrine and St. Dymphna Prayer Service in-person with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Director of Pastoral Care. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of the sick, especially those suffering from cancer, serious illness, or chronic illness whose Feast Day is May 11. St. Dymphna is the patron saint of mental health, stress, and anxiety whose Feast Day is May 15. The prayer service is for the intention of those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, mental health illness or concerns, and their caregivers.
Bible Study | Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come starts 5/12
  • How exciting to have a Bible Study on the book of Revelation!  Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm starting on 5/12th for 11 weeks until 7/21st.
  • Discover what the mysterious figures and images of Revelation mean and see how Revelation is more than an apocalyptic vision of the “end times.” Explore the Church’s teaching on the second coming of Christ and the Last Judgment.  Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.comfor details.
  • Purchase the workbook and sign-up at https://bit.ly/2QcDTu9
AMA (Ask Me Anything) with Father James on Facebook & YouTube Live
  • Why do we exist? Why can’t women be priests in Catholicism?  What do Catholic priests do on vacation?
    Join Fr. James and Zara to discuss whatever questions you may have about Catholicism, prayer, the Bible, Church happenings, and your very own local priest! We’ll vet the questions for you, so you can feel free to truly ask father anything!
  • Submit your question(s) at the link and we will try and answer them on an upcoming AMA Evening on Facebook & YouTube Live.  https://bit.ly/3xEUfwU
Virtual Baby Bottles for Life Mother’s Day to Father’s Day
  • Our Lady of Mercy Respect Life Ministry is hosting our annual Baby Bottle For Life Fundraising for Waterleaf Women’s Center from Mother’s Day (May 9, 2021) to Father’s Day (June 20, 2021). Please support their life-affirming work of meeting the needs of men and women facing unplanned pregnancies.  http://www.fundeasy.com/m/5133322/
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
  • Did you get an email this weekend from a fake Father Don? 
  • 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.
Bulletin
  • Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
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/3dd154Xon 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.
For the Hispanic Community
  • Please proceed herefor the OLM Hispanic Ministry 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.
  • Serie: María en el Nuevo Testamento 
    • Si quieres recibir los materiales de esta clase, y participar de la rifa de algunos libros, regístrate en el siguiente formulario: https://forms.office.com/r/impuxaABSZ
    • Mayo es el mes dedicado a María, para ayudarnos a conocer mas sobre la Madre de Dios, durante 4 lunes de Mayo, William Becerra enseñará como los cuatro evangelios canónicos presentan a María en sus narrativas y su significado teológico.Participa en estas clases de Biblia totalmente gratis, por el canal YouTube o la página de Facebook de la Oficina de Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Joliet, los lunes 10, 17, 24, y 31 de Mayo de 8:00 a 9:00 PM, Hora del Centro.
      La serie estará disponible en:

Joining the Stream Team
  • As we continue to welcome more Mass attendees, we started livestreaming the 4pm, and 12pm Mass times (in addition to the 10am Mass).  This is so that when we’ve reached the social distancing capacity inside the Church, we proceed to invite people to watch the Mass inside the gym where the livestream is being shown.
  • We are seeking creative individuals who are interested in joining our “Stream Team” to help.  It is fun, easy and fulfilling to take part in.  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