diocesan-aurora – Page 3 – Our Lady of Mercy

October 24, 2020 | Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

October 24, 2020 | Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

Beautiful fall day greetings to you. Before anything else, with regards to the most recent update of the Mitigation plan from the governor’s office, please note there is no change for Churches. Praise God for being able to gather safely, to be nourished and strengthened by the gift of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; we pray to see you at the Mass times this weekend.

THIS COMING WEEK

Weekend Mass Links is live, these are live on Tuesday of each week

Please sign-in ahead of time online at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ so we can adequately prepare for all who are attending Mass.
Father James will be preaching at all the Masses this weekend!
Let us know where you are tuning in from, we’d love to acknowledge you.
If you are interested in sponsoring a Livestream of the Mass, please reach out to frdon@olmercy.com. Cost is $750.
During the 10AM Mass, for those that are feeling uncomfortable about being inside the Church but would like to receive Holy Communion, you can watch the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot and then when it is time to receive Holy Communion, the parking attendants will guide you as to how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Receiving the Eucharist on the Tongue

Bishop Pates renewed permission for the faithful to resume receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. Please carefully review the following instructions if you would like to receive our Lord on the tongue rather than on the hands https://bit.ly/33lT5cc (scroll down to the middle of the webpage.)

EDGE Middle School Grades 6-8 registration

Registration is now taking place! Check out the EDGE program for middle school youth and register online. Get all the details here https://bit.ly/2SiCZtD
Parents and interested adults, can you help by serving as an EDGE Catechist? Please contact Dave if you are interested or need additional information, connect with him at davem@olmercy.com

Join the Rosary Group after daily Mass

October is dedicated to honoring the Most Holy Rosary, so we encourage you to join us after all the daily Masses to pray this beautiful devotion.

Pilgrimage to Israel & Greece Informational Meeting on 10/25^th

Join Deacon Mike Plese on a pilgrimage to Israel & Greece, walking in the footsteps of Jesus and St. Paul on October 2021. Informational Meeting is on 10/25^th @ 6:45pm in Room 124. Call (855)842-8001 or go to proximotravel.com for any questions.

Holiday Pie Sale order by 10/25th

The holiday pie sale is help our teens attending the summer mission trip! This year we are taking orders for our wonderful Holiday Pies and delivering them on the Saturday before Thanksgiving via a drive through pick-up in our parking lot. We are also donating pies to Hesed House as in the past!
All orders must be returned by Sunday, October 25th to the R.E. Office located in the Parish Life Center. Pick-up of Pies is Sat. Nov. 21st from 10-11am.
Details and order form are located here https://olmercy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Annual-Pie-Sale-2020-Parish-Order-Form-1.pdf
Help Hesed House. You can help the residents at Hesed House by purchasing a Apple Hi Pie ($17) OR Pumpkin Pie ($16) and we will take care of delivering it to Hesed House for you.

Magnify on Weds 10/28th https://bit.ly/33ZPv8b

A special time for the children, family, friends to adore Jesus, meditate on a scriptural reflection with an opportunity to go to Confession; come out to Magnify. Join Father James as he leads us in adoring Jesus, accompanied by Josh Goodman. Father James will be hearing Confessions up until sometime before Benediction after he leads us in a scriptural reflection.

Trunk-or-Treating with the Saints on 10/30th

Please save the date for October 30 from 6-8PM for our first ever “Trunk-or-Treating with the Saints” event! Come trunk-or-treat as you learn about different saints, get a treat & have some fun! Wear your Halloween costumes and a face mask covering! Registration is required! Please see our website for registration and contact our DRE at maryjot@olmercy.com if you are interested in decorating your trunk to represent a saint!
For more details and registration, please proceed here https://olmercy.com/trunk-or-treating-with-the-saints/

LOOKING AHEAD

PADS Day is Tuesday 11/3rd https://pads.rehmer.com/

Please help our brothers and sisters in need; sign up for 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.
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40

Forming Your Conscience Before the Upcoming Elections on 11/4th

For summary and highlights to the USCCB Faithful Citizenship document proceed here https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-part-two
For complete document. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship.pdf
For the Illinois Catholic Conference brochure. https://www.ilcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/Political_Guidelines_Brochure_ENGLISH_FINAL_2016.pdf

St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive on 11/7^th & 11/8^th https://bit.ly/2IARXd3

Were you hoping to clean out your closets? The St. Vincent de Paul clothing drive 11/7^th & 11/8^th is a great incentive to do so! Click here for items they will accept (whether in good or bad condition) https://bit.ly/2IARXd3
Your donations go to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shops where much of your donations are given away free to needy families in the community. Some are sold at reasonable prices at the thrift shops so that needy families can shop with dignity. “Proceeds” from the thrift shops go into a general assistance fund where St. Vincent de Paul Conferences at the churches help families with rent, mortgage or utility assistance.

Mobile Food Pantry on Weds 11/11th https://bit.ly/2DPCaVA

Please spread the word on the Mobile Food Pantry this month. Share the attached link. If you have a Facebook account, share the Facebook post from our page, this is an easy way to help someone you may be unaware that is in need of food.

Catholic Moms Free Online Summit 11/13^th & 11/15^th

Don’t miss this unprecedented FREE event for mothers and grandmothers! The Catholic Moms Summit is FREE, online, and includes some of the most trusted and loved Catholic women experts as they go deep in to the issues mothers and grandmothers face every day. It will be filled with powerful and practical sessions on everything from parenting, to prayer, work/life balance, health, and much more! Over 80 presenters; Danielle Bean, Kimberly Hahn, Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Lila Rose, Pam Barnhill, Lisa Hendey, Crystalina Evert, Elizabeth Foss, just to name a few. To learn more please click here https://bit.ly/3nS9SMx

Brogan Family Coat Drive 11/15^th

Mike and Carole Brogan were icons at Our Lady of Mercy. Both passed away in 2019. One of the ways they supported our parish was a yearly coat drive. Their family and our church would like to continue this mission by asking for donations of new and gently used coats, hats, boots, and gloves. The donations for women and children will benefit Mutual Ground and the donations for men’s items will benefit Breaking Free. On Sunday, 11/15th from 9am to 12pm a trailer will be in the OLM parking lot accepting the donations. Please support this mission to carry on this tradition that is near and dear to our hearts.
Here is an ad you can share https://bit.ly/3nS9SMx

Undy Sunday by Catholic Charities

Due to the COVID pandemic, Catholic Charities is requesting cash donations and/or purchases from their Undy Sunday Amazon Wish List which can be made through their website at https://catholiccharitiesjoliet .org/undy-sunday/
Cash donations will be used to purchase the Undy Sunday items that their clients most-need. Items purchased from the Amazon Wish List will be sent directly to Catholic Charities.
Your generosity and help during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. Know that your contribution makes a huge difference in the lives of the poor and vulnerable in our community.
For questions on Undy Sunday please email Maybird D’Silva at maydsilva@aol.com

Alpha @ OLM registration https://olmercy.com/alpha/

Virtual Alpha registration is open-ended! It’s never too late to sign-up. Do you have questions? Are you looking for a place to find authentic community right now? Try Alpha.

Email communication platforms – Moving from Constant Contact to Flocknote

Please note that after 11/7^th we will be using Flocknote for our weekly/parish wide updates. Flocknote is free and through Flocknote you will receive our emails as well as watch any of Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire content. Sign up to receive this weekly update via Flocknote at this link https://OurLadyofMercyAurora.flocknote.com/everyone

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

OLM is only able to do any of this because of YOU! Your continued prayers and words of encouragement keep us going and your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please reach out and let us know how we can help, here is a private link.
If you are not experiencing hardship at this time, please consider supporting our efforts and support our community through your giving, our Give page is accessed here or text an offering amount to (630)647-8105, follow the rest of the instructions.

To continue to stay open and hold the Sacraments, we ask that everyone observe social distancing and that you bring and wear a mask while inside the Church and PLC. Thank you for keeping each other safe.

Here is the brief reflection on the Mass.

“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness….. He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted…. It is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.”

—St. John Paul II

October 16, 2020 | It’s the Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

October 16, 2020 | It’s the Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

Happy Fall Day! We pray to see you at Mass or at any of the following.

THIS COMING WEEK

Weekend Mass Links is live, these are live on Tuesday of each week

Please sign-in ahead of time online at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ so we can adequately prepare for all who are attending Mass.
Father Don will be preaching at all the Masses this weekend!
Let us know where you are tuning in from, we’d love to acknowledge you.
The livestream of the Mass is courtesy of the following souls who have generously donated towards the livestream efforts, thank you so very much!

Janice Hurtado Aeppli
James Barbosa
Jesse & Carol Bautista
RB Del Rosario
Leninson Gomez
Reshmi James
Carolyn Kerkla
Beata Merchel
Marichu Morelos
DeAnna Myers
Haidee Polgar
Chris Schade
Julie Siegrist
Carolyn Villiger
Kim & Allen Whitehouse
Erin Winkeler
Sergio Zalasar

If you are interested in sponsoring a Livestream of the Mass, please reach out to frdon@olmercy.com. Cost is $750.
For those that are feeling uncomfortable about being inside the Church but would like to receive Holy Communion, you can watch the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot and then when it is time to receive Holy Communion, the parking attendants will guide you as to how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Receiving the Eucharist on the Tongue

Bishop Pates renewed permission for the faithful to resume receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. Please carefully review the following instructions if you would like to receive our Lord on the tongue rather than on the hands https://bit.ly/33lT5cc (scroll down to the middle of the webpage.)

World Mission Sunday this weekend

There will be a basket in the narthex for World Mission Sunday. Bishop Pates invites us to ponder on how, “we are called personally to mission – especially at this time – to bring Christ’s love to those most forgotten around the world. Through the Pope’s own missionary society, you too can be sent out to all the ends of the earth – sent through your support of missionaries and those they serve. … This year, in response to the challenges to the Mission Church from the pandemic, I invite all of us in this diocese to respond in the most generous way you are able. As you do, I offer my sincere personal gratitude for your kind missionary heart, reaching out in love throughout Mission Month.” Here is the full invitation from the Bishop https://dioceseofjoliet.org/communications/newsdetail.php?id=158

EDGE Middle School Grades 6-8 registration

Registration is now taking place! Check out the EDGE program for middle school youth and register online. Get all the details here https://bit.ly/2SiCZtD
Parents and interested adults, can you help by serving as an EDGE Catechist? Please contact Dave if you are interested or need additional information, connect with him at davem@olmercy.com

Mobile Food Pantry on Weds 10/21st https://bit.ly/2DPCaVA

Please spread the word on the Mobile Food Pantry this month. Share the attached link. If you have a Facebook account, share the following Facebook post, this is an easy way to help someone you may be unaware that is in need of food.

Women at the Well on Fri 10/23rd

An evening of fellowship with women of the parish, centered on Scripture and living our faith is on Friday 10/23^rd from 6:30pm – 8:30pm in Room 114. Connect with Joana Lopez lopez@gmail.com or Cindy Hapke chapke20@gmail.com with any questions.

Join the Rosary Group after daily Mass

October is dedicated to honoring the Most Holy Rosary, so we encourage you to join us after all the daily Masses to pray this beautiful devotion.

LOOKING AHEAD

Pilgrimage to Israel & Greece Informational Meeting on 10/24^th & 10/25^th

Join Deacon Mike Plese on a pilgrimage to Israel & Greece, walking in the footsteps of Jesus and St. Paul on October 2021. Informational Meeting is on 10/24^th @ 10am and 10/25^th @ 6:45pm in Room 124. Call (855)842-8001 or go to proximotravel.com for any questions.

Holiday Pie Sale order by 10/25th

The holiday pie sale is help our teens attending the summer mission trip! This year we are taking orders for our wonderful Holiday Pies and delivering them on the Saturday before Thanksgiving via a drive through pick-up in our parking lot. We are also donating pies to Hesed House as in the past!
All orders must be returned by Sunday, October 25th to the R.E. Office located in the Parish Life Center. Pick-up of Pies is Sat. Nov. 21st from 10-11am.
Details and order form are located here https://olmercy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Annual-Pie-Sale-2020-Parish-Order-Form-1.pdf
Help Hesed House. You can help the residents at Hesed House by purchasing a Apple Hi Pie ($17) OR Pumpkin Pie ($16) and we will take care of delivering it to Hesed House for you.

Magnify on Weds 10/28th https://bit.ly/33ZPv8b

A special time for the children, family, friends to adore Jesus, meditate on a scriptural reflection with an opportunity to go to Confession; come out to Magnify. Join Father James as he leads us in adoring Jesus, accompanied by Josh Goodman. Father James will be hearing Confessions up until sometime before Benediction after he leads us in a scriptural reflection.

Trunk-or-Treating with the Saints on 10/30th

Please save the date for October 30 from 6-8PM for our first ever “Trunk-or-Treating with the Saints” event! Come trunk-or-treat as you learn about different saints, get a treat & have some fun! Wear your Halloween costumes and a face mask covering! Registration is required! Please see our website for registration and contact our DRE at maryjot@olmercy.com if you are interested in decorating your trunk to represent a saint!
For more details and registration, please proceed here https://olmercy.com/trunk-or-treating-with-the-saints/

Forming Your Conscience Before the Upcoming Elections on 11/4th

For summary and highlights to the USCCB Faithful Citizenship document proceed here https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-part-two
For complete document. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship.pdf
For the Illinois Catholic Conference brochure. https://www.ilcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/Political_Guidelines_Brochure_ENGLISH_FINAL_2016.pdf

St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive on 11/7^th & 11/8^th https://bit.ly/2IARXd3

Were you hoping to clean out your closets? The St. Vincent de Paul clothing drive 11/7^th & 11/8^th is a great incentive to do so! Click here for items they will accept (whether in good or bad condition) https://bit.ly/2IARXd3
Your donations go to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shops where much of your donations are given away free to needy families in the community. Some are sold at reasonable prices at the thrift shops so that needy families can shop with dignity. “Proceeds” from the thrift shops go into a general assistance fund where St. Vincent de Paul Conferences at the churches help families with rent, mortgage or utility assistance.

Catholic Moms Free Online Summit 11/13^th & 11/15^th

Don’t miss this unprecedented FREE event for mothers and grandmothers! The Catholic Moms Summit is FREE, online, and includes some of the most trusted and loved Catholic women experts as they go deep in to the issues mothers and grandmothers face every day. It will be filled with powerful and practical sessions on everything from parenting, to prayer, work/life balance, health, and much more! Over 80 presenters; Danielle Bean, Kimberly Hahn, Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Lila Rose, Pam Barnhill, Lisa Hendey, Crystalina Evert, Elizabeth Foss, just to name a few. To learn more please click here https://bit.ly/3nS9SMx

Undy Sunday by Catholic Charities

Due to the COVID pandemic, Catholic Charities is requesting cash donations and/or purchases from their Undy Sunday Amazon Wish List which can be made through their website at https://catholiccharitiesjoliet .org/undy-sunday/
Cash donations will be used to purchase the Undy Sunday items that their clients most-need. Items purchased from the Amazon Wish List will be sent directly to Catholic Charities.
Your generosity and help during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. Know that your contribution makes a huge difference in the lives of the poor and vulnerable in our community.
For questions on Undy Sunday please email Maybird D’Silva at maydsilva@aol.com

Alpha @ OLM registration https://olmercy.com/alpha/

Virtual Alpha registration is open-ended! It’s never too late to sign-up. Do you have questions? Are you looking for a place to find authentic community right now? Try Alpha.

Email communication platforms – Moving from Constant Contact to Flocknote

Please note that after 11/7^th we will be using Flocknote for our weekly/parish wide updates. Flocknote is free and through Flocknote you will receive our emails as well as watch any of Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire content. Sign up to receive this weekly update via Flocknote at this link

National Nutrition Month

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Health and Wellness Table on
Hospitality Weekend with a focus on National Nutrition Month®. There was a variety of information available to promote eating fruits and vegetables and to be aware of the sugar content in the beverages that we drink. There were samples of a green smoothie and avocado-lemon hummus to taste with carrots. Many wanted the green smoothie recipe to make at home.

The recipe is from www.simplegreensmoothies.com and it is called the
Beginner’s Luck Green Smoothie. It is full of iron, potassium and vitamins. It is recommended to use organic spinach and fruits. Ingredients:
one cup of fresh spinach; one cup of water; one half cup of frozen mango; one half cup of frozen pineapple and one peeled banana. Tightly pack spinach into a measuring cup. Add spinach to blender with water. Blend together until are chunks are gone. Add pineapple, mango and banana to the blender. Blend together until smooth and creamy – thirty seconds to two minutes depending on the type of blender. Serve immediately. The smoothie can be stored in a container with a tight lid up to two days in the refrigerator. This makes one to two servings. Enjoy!!

Our seminarian, Senovio Sarabia drinks a green smoothie every morning and encourages others to do so. He feels that the smoothie gives him energy and helps him to be clearheaded and calm. By blending the fruits and vegetables, they are “predigested” so that the body does not have to work to break down the foods and waste unnecessary energy in digestion. The smoothie provides powerful antioxidants, vitamins and fiber which helps keep you feeling fuller throughout the morning into lunch. The recipe for the Glowing Green Smoothie® by Kimberly Snyder at kimberlysnyder.com is as follows. It is suggested to use organic fruits and vegetables and a blender with a motor that can handle the blending of the following ingredients: one to two cups of cold water (depends on your preference of thickness); one head of romaine lettuce (about six cups, chopped); one half head of spinach (about seven cups, chopped); a juice of half a lemon (about two tablespoons); three to four stalks of celery; one pear (cored); one apple (cored); and one ripe banana. Fill the blender with water, blend spinach and romaine until smooth. Add celery, apple and pear – blend until smooth. Add lemon juice and banana and blend. Pour and drink! This recipe makes a big batch that can be kept in the refrigerator in a container with a tight lid for up to two and a half days or it can be frozen and thawed out in the refrigerator.

These recipes can be modified to what fruits and vegetables that you prefer. Be sure to check with your physician to see if the dark leafy greens will interfere with medications that you are taking such as anticoagulants. Be aware that the increased intake of fiber may have an effect on the gastrointestinal system. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN.

Second Sunday of Easter

As the Easter Alleluias continue to be proclaimed, the church throughout the world celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday today. In the year 2000, when Saint Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina Kowalska, he declared that the universal Church would now observe the 2nd Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus comes from the private revelations that Sr. Faustina received from Jesus and wrote in her diary from 1937. Those who receive sacramental confession (the confession may take place some days before) and receive holy communion on Divine Mercy Sunday shall obtain the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment. Additionally, one may receive a plenary indulgence with the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chapel. All are welcome to our celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday today from 1:30PM to 4:00PM.

Last Saturday night at the Easter Vigil, three adults were baptized, confirmed and received the Eucharist. We warmly welcome Amy Ball, Douglas Cahanin, and Eric Weyhrich. Also, five adults, baptized in other Christian denominations made a profession of faith and joined the Catholic Church and were confirmed and shared in the Eucharist. We also warmly welcome into our family of faith, Felicia Caldernon, Sabrina Molinari, Haide Noyola, Matthew Sincora, and Alexander Stokowski. And, five baptized Catholics completed their initiation into the church by receiving the sacrament of confirmation. Whenever a priest baptizes and adult, or receives a baptized Christian into the church, those individuals are to be confirmed by the priest as part of being baptized or received into the church. For a priest to confirm baptized Catholics, he has to be delegated by the bishop. Bishop Conlon delegated me to confirm at the Easter Vigil, Jorge Diaz, Kendra Liscano, Alejandra Lopez, Francesca Parrino and Uriel Terrazas. We congratulate them on their confirmation. And, we pray for all our newly baptized, received, and confirmed, that they will have a life changing encounter with the Risen Lord and truly become His disciples.

With our new parish app, you can send in special prayer requests. Ever wonder what happens to those requests? They are prayed for daily by our staff. Monday through Friday, the staff gathers at 9:15am to 9:30am to pray for God’s guidance as we lead our parish, for our parish in general, our local community, individual needs, and the prayer requests that come in through our parish app. Prayer is power!

Finally, I want to share with you a special moment……Palm Sunday at the
10:45AM Mass, as I was distributing communion, a mother with child age 4
or 5 in the line next to me came up to the Eucharistic minister to receive communion. As he gave her communion, the child blurted out “I love you Jesus!” Made me smile!

Have a Blessed Easter Season!

March 25, 2018

SPRING WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT…SO HOW ABOUT “SPRINGING” INTO A GEMS MEETING AND SEE WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT?

Our next regularly scheduled luncheon meeting with be held at Noon on April 11 in the Parish Life Center (PLC).

This luncheon will be specially catered and provided to us at no fee by a representative of Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home in Naperville who will be speaking to us about funeral service and related activity planning. If you haven’t already signed up for the April event please let Phyllis know (her email address is shown below). If you would like to bring a desert dish for this luncheon, they are always welcomed!

Please also consider participating on yet another fun activity that one of our members, Pat Feinberg hosts. The “Critics Corner Movie Club” meets on the last Friday (occasionally on the last Thursday) of each month at a local theater with a following luncheon nearby. Please contact Pat at 630-585-6437 for additional information.

Also please consider the OLM Bridge club, which meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Ministry Room at 1:00 p.m. sharp. Please contact Willie at 630-898-1999 regarding joining. Both men and
women are welcomed.

You may also be interested in the OLM card group,
which also meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the PLC (room #110) from 1:00-3:00 p.m. If you have any questions please email Ann at ANNC1001@AOL.COM

If you have any other GEMS related questions please send them to Phyllis Anderson via email at phyllisanderson5027@yahoo.com

2018-2019 School Year Registration – All Saints

All Saints offers preschool through Grade 8. Preschool
openings are going fast. Tuition Transfer Grants totaling $1,500 are available for students transferring into grades 1-7 from any private*, public, charter or home school (* for exceptions, visit our website).

Tours are scheduled on Tuesday mornings at 9 am; and on Thursday afternoons at 1 pm. We are excited to meet you and find out more about your student and family.

Shadow Days are scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through mid-May. Shadow Days afford your student the opportunity to experience our academics and school community first hand, making new friends and meeting future classmates.

For more information, visit our website at ascacademy.org, call (630) 961-6125, or email pbajek@ascacademy.org.

Your journey begins today!

Doubting Thomas: The Faith Strengthener?

From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, Pope

Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He was the only disciple absent; on his return he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time; he offered his side for the disbelieving disciple to touch, held out his hands, and showing the scars of his wounds, healed the wound of his disbelief.

Dearly beloved, what do you see in these events? Do you really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched, touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence. In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief.

The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.

Touching Christ, he cried out: My Lord and my God. Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Paul said: Faith is the guarantee of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. It is clear, then, that faith is the proof of what can not be seen. What is seen gives knowledge, not faith.

When Thomas saw and touched, why was he told: You have believed because you have seen me? Because what he saw and what he believed were different things. God cannot be seen by mortal man. Thomas saw a human being, whom he acknowledged to be God, and said: My Lord and my God. Seeing, he believed; looking at one who was true man, he cried out that this was God, the God he could not see.

What follows is reason for great joy: Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. There is here a particular reference to ourselves; we hold in our hearts one we have not seen in the flesh. We are included in these words, but only if we follow up our faith with good works. The true believer practices what he believes. But of those who pay only lip service to faith, Paul has this to say: They profess to know God, but they deny him in their works. Therefore James says: Faith without works is dead.

Life’s Simple 7

The American Heart Association encourages everyone to make little changes every day that will add up to big improvements in overall health. Number 1 is to Get Active. The goal is to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise or a combination of both. Number 2 is to Eat Better. Try to limit sugary foods and drinks, processed foods and salt. Eat a colorful diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat products, poultry, fish and nuts. Number 3 is to Lose Weight. A healthy weight is important for good health. Number 4 is Control Cholesterol. It is important to know cholesterol levels and ways to decrease as high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Number 5 is Manage Blood Pressure. High blood pressure is also a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. When was the last time that you had your blood pressure taken? The ideal pressure is below 120/80. Number 6 is Reduce Blood Sugar. Blood glucose is an important fuel for the body but too much sugar may contribute to chronic diseases. Number 7 is Stop Smoking. Smoking damages the circulatory system and increases the risk of multiple diseases.

If you would like personal health counseling or have any questions about Life’s Simple 7, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse at jolenel@olmercy.com.

Faith and Good Health Go Together

Over the past twenty years, dozens of studies show that prayer, faith and belief in God has a positive effect on physical, spiritual and emotional health. Dr. Harold C. Koenig is the Director of Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health and is considered among the country’s leading authorities on faith and healing. According to Dr. Koenig, it was reported in 2015 that an analysis of more than 1,500 reputable medical studies “indicate people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health”.

If you are wondering what kind of impact faith may have on physical health, Koenig, the senior author of the “Handbook of Religion and Health”, says that involvement in a faith community, enables people to better cope with stress, experience greater well-being “because they have more hope,” and have stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure and “probably better cardiovascular functioning.” Dr. Koenig reports that nearly 1,200 studies done on the effects of prayer on health show that religious people are motivated to live healthier lives.

It is interesting to note how being involved in and attending religious services on a routine basis offers a trusted support system providing a connection to social interaction and bonding. Clay Routledge, social psychologist and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, writes that recent studies found that praying together promotes feelings of unity and trust. It seems that social prayer may be a factor in bringing people closer together.

The intent of this article is to show that prayer and faith have a positive impact on one’s total health – mind, body and spirit – and to emphasize that our parish provides and supports ministries that promotes whole person health.

MERCYFEST Baskets

Beginning Feb. 26th until the end of EDGE, April 19th, EDGE will begin to take items that are donated from our teens & their families to make Mercy Fest Baskets for next year. Our teens will bring home a sheet explaining what type of basket they have chosen & what type of items could be donated. Then the last week of EDGE, during our “Sports Party” volunteers will make up baskets for the next Mercy Fest. Candy will provide a pizza party to the one class of EDGE teens that bring in the most items-one from Monday’s EDGE & one from Thursday’s EDGE! They can enjoy this during the “Sports Party.”