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

June 25, 2023 | Parish Update

Saying Thank You & Farewell, VBS & Family Faith Formation Registrations, and Save the Dates

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)

Oddly enough, one of the best parts of my two-week pilgrimage to France this month was returning to OLM and celebrating Sunday Mass with all of you. I felt more joy praying the Mass with the people whom I have come to know and love over the last three years than when I was visiting some of my favorite saints: St. Therese of Lisieux, St. John Vianney, and St. Bernadette of Lourdes to name a few. Maybe you find that hard to believe. Maybe that’s just the jet-lag speaking. True, saying Mass at the tombs of these heroes of our faith was a blessing I’ll never forget—I’d do it again in a heartbeat! But I think the Lord was telling me at 8am Mass last Sunday something along the lines of “there’s no place like home.”

People imagine that the priesthood is somehow extraordinarily demanding—that we must be so brave and selfless to give up a wife and children and money for the collar…but we’re not. I’m just as much a sinner in need of God’s grace as anyone else—slow to relinquish my preferences, slow to give God my heart, slow to trust that He’ll give me more than I give Him. I became a priest because God called me to, and what I found was the pearl of great price—what I pray all of you discover as well. That “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matt 16:25)

The issue at hand is that we imagine that the opposite of the Gospel is true. We think, “Whoever preserves his life from the excessive demands of God will find it.” But to preserve oneself from God’s invitations, is to preserve oneself from love. Hence, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matt 16:25)

It is certainly a big demand from God to me to have to leave here. I will always remember OLM, and yes, I will deeply miss it, because I will deeply miss you. I started tearing up months ago at the thought of leaving this place that has been my family and my joy! But I know that the Lord has good things in store for all of us.

With St. Paul, I hope that I have at least somewhat succeeded in living out the words: “what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor 4:5). Many times I have fallen short of living this out, so I humbly ask that you forgive me where I have fallen short. But above all, I must say, thank you… for your love, your friendship, and for blessing me over the last three years. I have learned so much here from Fr. Don, from Fr. Michael, and from all of you. The priesthood has been an inestimable gift to me. This assignment has been an inestimable gift to me. Serving you has been an inestimable gift to me. Please pray for us priests as we seek to lose our lives for His sake, as we try to help you to do the same!

Father James

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

Farewell to Fr. James, Len Eickhoff, Jolene Leroy, and Paul Secola 6/25

Here is a note from Jolene Leroy

• In September 2000, I felt the Lord calling me to the parish nurse ministry. It allowed me to practice as a registered nurse in the faith community promoting the health and wellness of the mind, body and soul to those who reached out to me. The Lord helped me to meet people where they were at and be a companion providing physical, emotional and spiritual care. It has been a blessing to be on staff at Our Lady of Mercy as the parish nurse and pastoral care minister for over 22 years.
  
  I would like to thank Father Hugh Fullmer for believing in me and hiring me as the parish nurse and thank Father Don McLaughlin and Father Michael Kearney for supporting me in my role as I continued to serve. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who allowed me to minister to you, pray with you, cry with you, rejoice with you and become closer to the Lord with you. My relationship with Jesus has deepened because of witnessing your faith. You have helped me to learn about forgiveness, mercy, and humility through experiencing the joys and sorrows of life with you. My heart overflows with gratitude and love.
  
  As I feel the Lord nudging me to retire my position at the parish, I want you to know that I will continue to serve as a volunteer in pastoral care ministries. One of my favorite scripture passages encourages us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). May this inspire you in your walk of faith as it has in mine. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord’s blessings be upon you!
  
  JOYfully in Christ, Jolene

THIS COMING WEEK

Consuming Fire 6/27

• Calling all young adults, come and pack food for children with Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group at Feed My Starving Children on Tuesday 6/27th at 7pm. Reach out to cfyagg@gmail.com to get connected with the group.
• On Tuesday 7/4th, join the group for Consuming FireWORKS, connect with them for more details.

SoulCore 6/28 

• 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

PADS Hesed House Hybrid Format of Donations Needed 

• Because our PADS/Hesed House Service Day falls on Tuesday, July 4th Independence Day, we will use a hybrid format in soliciting donations.
  The main meal and side dishes will be purchased with monetary donations, and the PADS Board will only be used to solicit non-perishable items and cleaning supplies. 
• In the spirit of brotherly love and charity, please make a monetary donation, to help cover the cost of purchasing meals for 250 guests at Hesed House. Monetary donations can be made via the OLM Online Giving Portal or on this link (please specify donation is for Hesed House), or make checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy Church, and write on the memo “Hesed House -PADS”.

Biblical Institute in the Diocese of Joliet (BIDJ) Preview Events 6/26, 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, June 26 Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Elmhurst 
  • 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

Peter’s Pence Collection for the Holy Father 7/1 & 7/2

• Please see the following letter from Bishop Hicks regarding prayerfully considering supporting Peter’s Pence collection, which helps fund not only all the activities of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia that assist the pope in the exercise of his ministry but also a number of solidarity projects that aid those most in need such as when a 7.2 earthquake affected the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. Pope Francis sent funds from Peter’s Pence to support immediate emergency relief efforts in the most affected dioceses of Haiti.  
• Join our brothers and sisters in faith from around the globe to help Pope Francis carry out his ministry to the Universal Church and reach out to the most marginalized in our world; donate at this link.
• Proceed here to find out more about Peter’s Pence

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) resumes on 7/2

• We are thrilled to announce the resumption of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) during the 10am Sunday Mass, starting on July 2nd, and we couldn’t be more excited to have the children join us at CLOW
• 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.

Parish Schedule for 7/4 

• Start your July 4th Celebration by coming to Mass, come and pray for our country; we hope to see you @ 9am on 7/4th. Please note that there is no Mass at 6:30pm or Confessions at 7pm.
• The parish offices will be closed on Monday 7/3, and Tuesday 7/4.

First Friday Devotion 7/7 

• Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 7/7
  • We hope you can come out anytime from 8am to 4pm, to pray for the helpless, innocent unborn who can’t speak for themselves.  Pray in front of Waterleaf Women’s Center, at the public right of way access. Sign up to cover one of the time spots here. Connect with Lisa SanDiego for any questions (630) 258-0122 or sandiego_family@msn.com.  
• Confessions immediately following the 8am Mass
• Every 1st Friday (in addition to the 8am Mass), we will have a 12pm Mass. We hope you join us!

Family Faith Formation Open House & Registration 7/8 & 7/9 

• Calling all parents with children in grades Kindergarten through 12th Grade! We warmly invite you to join us at the Family Faith Formation Open House & Registration on Saturday 7/8 from 4pm to 7pm and Sunday 7/9 from 8am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 8pm! This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to explore the myriad of spiritual possibilities awaiting you on your shared journey.
• Discover the enriching spiritual experiences tailored specifically for your child and yourself as you navigate the path of faith together. Take this chance to engage with our dedicated catechists, who are eager to answer any questions you may have. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other families who are also partaking in this transformative program, fostering a sense of community and support.
• If you have already made the decision to participate in the Family Faith Formation opportunities, we are thrilled to have you on board. To secure your spot, we invite you to register right away by clicking on the following link. Your spiritual journey awaits! Register now at this link.

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

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!

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.

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.

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, be on the lookout for an email from zara to sign up to reserve a table.

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 our myParish App and look for the button “Real Life Catholic”

Praise Be Jesus Because . . . . . 

• We reached our goal for the Adoration Chapel and More Campaign! Thank you so much for your generosity!

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 James 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

April 2, 2023 | Parish Update

How to Enter into the Great Week; Holy Week, 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 (and/or the Holy Week services)

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)

On Good Friday, Pontius Pilate was not the only one who had a choice to make. The very same choice was brought both to the people of the world then, as well as to the people of the world now. We may be unaware of this choice, but that’s why the Church, in her wisdom, has us hear Pontius Pilate pose the very same question to us on Palm Sunday. He brings before us the one called Jesus of Nazareth and the one known as Barabbas. The two seem like they couldn’t be more different until we recognize that Barabbas literally means “son of the father”. Here then, is our choice and question: Which son of the father will we follow? Will we choose to follow Jesus Christ, the son of the Father of sacrificial love, or will we follow Barabbas, the son of the father of the passions?

Surprisingly, we participate in the Palm Sunday liturgy by crying out, “Barabbas!” It’s a painful moment each year, no matter how many times we’ve done it because if we are honest with ourselves, we know that we all too often choose our own passions over our Lord. Like the crowds before Pilate, we, too, choose to act selfishly over being selfless. In a sense, whenever we choose sin, we once again choose Barabbas!

To admit this is hard. It’s very sobering. It, first of all, takes a certain about of self-awareness—and then, very quickly, a lot of humility. To be willing to look in the mirror and humbly submit our understanding of right vs. wrong to the God of all rather than to what we’d like to think is right or wrong. When we put aside our attempts at justifying ourselves and our actions, the reality is clear: in our human brokenness, we don’t always do what is right! St. Paul describes this experience so well: “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.” (Rom 7:15). What then do we do? Do we just surrender, give up, and resign ourselves to a life of sin? NO! “You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:15) In Christ we have forgiveness; in Christ we have hope. Just look at St. Peter! He himself, who was hand-picked by Jesus to be the rock upon which the Church was built, denied our Lord 3 times. The head of the apostles himself had at one point ‘chosen Barabbas’. Yet,

The Church is founded upon forgiveness. Peter himself is a personal embodiment of this truth! She is held together by forgiveness, and Peter is the perpetual living reminder of this reality: she is not a communion of the perfect but a communion of sinners who need and seek forgiveness. ~ Pope Benedict XVI

As we experience Palm Sunday, let us never be afraid to acknowledge our brokenness, seek forgiveness, and turn with confidence to our true Father through His one eternal Son!

Father Michael

THIS COMING WEEK

Holy Week

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲? 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. The holiest days of the liturgical year, the Easter Triduum is in this Great Week; these are the days that have changed the world.  What exactly is the Easter Triduum you may ask? Or how to make the most of Holy Week?  Perhaps we should start out with a Prayer to Begin Holy Week.  You can find these and more on our Holy Week and & Easter Schedule and Resource page.

𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚.  𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒚.

• Check out the Holy Week & Easter Schedule and Resources that you can share with family and friends. Invite them to journey with you at Holy Week @ OL.  Here is what you can find on the webpage.
  • A Prayer to Begin Holy Week
  • Holy Week Services & Easter Mass Times
  • 5 Things To Do To Make Holy Week the Most Important Week of the Year
  • Holy Week Infographic (The events of Holy Week are told in pieces throughout the four Gospels. Putting it all together can be a bit challenging, below is an infographic that lays everything out in one place. It even tells you exactly where to look in each Gospel if you want to read the text for yourself.)
  • How Are We To Enter Into the Great Week Reflection?
  • Each Day of Holy Week Reflection
  • Easter Invitations You Can Use; who will you invite to Easter Mass?
  • Posting of the Homilies from the Easter Triduum

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE & RESOURCES

Use the following invitations to text and invite others to
Holy Week and Easter @ OLM!

Eucharistic Adoration during Holy Week

• Regular Eucharist Adoration on Monday and Wednesday will take place. However, on Thursday, there will not be Eucharistic Adoration. Instead, spend time with Jesus from 8:30pm through Midnight on Holy Thursday Repository; adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This is immediately following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Sign Up to Receive the Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday 4/7

• Jesus asked that the Feast of Divine Mercy, known today as Divine Mercy Sunday which is on 4/16, be preceded by a Novena to The Divine Mercy. A Novena is nine days of prayer in preparation for a feast. In the case of the Novena to The Divine Mercy, we pray the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy each day for a specific intention. Our Lord told St. Faustina, “I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw … strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death” (Diary, 1209).
• Please join us as we follow our Lord’s wish to bring to Him various intentions during our nine days of prayer.  Sign up to receive the Divine Mercy Novena in your Inbox.

Teen Living Stations of the Cross at the holy hour of 3pm on Good Friday 4/7

• Please join us on Good Friday, 4/7th at 3pm in the Our Lady of Mercy Church for a reflective portrayal of the Stations of the Cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ by the OLM Teen Youth Ministry. All family members are welcome to attend.

Good Friday “Way of the Cross” in front of Waterleaf 4/7

• Through His Holy Passion, Our Lord united Himself with all the victims of suffering in this life. None suffer more innocently than children in the womb whose lives are taken by abortion. None suffer more deeply than their mothers, who carry such a burden of guilt and shame.
• On Good Friday we remember all the victims of abortion—the children lost, the mothers wounded, the communities blighted—in a solemn, ecumenical prayer service
  Event: Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion
  When: Friday, April 7 at 10am
  Where: In front of Planned Parenthood, 3051 E New York Street in Aurora
  More Info: Contact Matt Yonke at 630-896-1200 or matt@prolifeaction.org
• Join us as we pray for healing for the victims of abortion and for a final end to this injustice in our land.

Pontifical Good Friday Collection 4/7

• Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are now less than 2% of the population. Your support is essential to help the Church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, and offer religious education.
• The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines of Christianity, including in Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, to name only a few. The pandemic hit Christians in the Holy Land particularly hard. Most of them depend on pilgrimages for work. In these times, the Pontifical Good Friday Collection is necessary to meet the basic needs of the People of God still living in this Land and to maintain a Christian presence where the Church was born. PLEASE BE GENEROUS! For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit www.custodia.org and www.myfranciscan.org.

LOOKING AHEAD

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.

Parish Office is closed on Easter Monday 4/10

• Happy Easter! The Parish Office will be closed on Easter Monday, 4/10th, and will reopen the next day.

Hesed Coffeehouse Chat Event on 4/13

• On Thursday 4/13th from 4pm to 6pm, Hesed House is hosting a Coffehouse Chat Event at Java Plus located at 1677 Montgomery Road, Aurora.
• Come to this informal gathering and learn more about volunteering at Hesed House. Stop by at your convenience anytime within the timeframe to see how you can help make a difference in the lives of those most in need.  To rsvp please email Adam directly at azapfel@hesedhouse.org or Maybird D’Silva at maydsilval@aol.com.

Divine Mercy Feast Day 4/16

• In celebration of the Feast Day of Divine Mercy on Sunday 4/16, we will hold a beautiful celebratory service in the Church at 2pm. Our service will include prayer of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy through song, a devotion that Jesus revealed in His numerous apparitions and revelations to Saint Faustina.
  “On that (Feast) Day, the depths of My mercy will be open to all …. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.”
  Our observance of the Divine Mercy Feast Day will include the following:
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation, 2pm to 4pm (Fathers Michael and James) 
  • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration starting at 2pm
  • Recitation of the Holy Rosary
  • Silent Meditation and Prayer
  • Taking of Personal Intentions for the Divine Mercy Chaplet
  • Recitation of the Chaplet (at the Hour of Jesus’ Death)
  • Blessing of participants’ Divine Mercy Images at the altar
  • Benediction, closing prayers to Jesus and Mary
  • Pamphlets featuring the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, as well as other resources, will be available, but participants should be sure to bring their Rosary!
  • *Also, on Good Friday morning (April 7), immediately after the 8am prayer service in the church, the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited. It’s a great way to start your Good Friday observance and Divine Mercy Novena, which should include your recitation of the Chaplet and a Spiritual or Corporal Work of Mercy through April 16.

St. Peregrine Prayer Service 4/18

• All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, 4/18 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy.
• 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.

Mobile Food Pantry 4/19

• The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds 4/19th 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!

MAGNIFY on 4/26

• An Easter-themed MAGNIFY will be on Wednesday 4/26 @ 7pm! #adorationeasterpraiseandworship #scripturalreflection #confessions #prayerministry #resurrectionlife. Save the date.

33 Days to Morning Glory | Preparation for Marian Consecration starts 4/27

• Join us for a 6-week small group gathering on Thursday evenings at 7pm starting 4/27th in preparation for Marian Consecration.  Let’s get close to the Immaculate Heart of Mary who leads us to her Son Jesus during the Marian Month of May!
  Please purchase the book “33 Days to Morning Glory” at this link.
• We will read the select readings in the book, ponder the daily reading and questions and meet weekly on Thursday evenings sharing our insights gleaned from our reflections and answers gleaned during the week.
  For any questions, please connect with Bonnie Ramirez at bnnrmrz@gmail.com or zara at zara@olmercy.com
  We’re looking forward to hanging out with you gaining new insights into Marian consecration, and learning how key saints (rockstars of our faith such as St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Pope John Paul II) lived their consecration out and how we can live it out as well.
  Why the focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary as a profound way to get to know Jesus more intimately?  Mary’s greatness lies in her willingness to continue to bring Jesus to the world. She doesn’t draw attention to herself, but to Him. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, “What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ” (487)
  Holy Mary, Mother of God, you have given the world its true light, Jesus, your Son – the Son of God. You abandoned yourself completely to God’s call and thus became a wellspring of the goodness which flows forth from him. Show us Jesus. Lead us to Him. Teach us to know and love him, so that we too can become capable of true love and be fountains of living water in the midst of a thirsting world.-~Pope Benedict XVI
• Click on the graphic to register.

Justice and Peace Ministry ‘Green Fair’ on 4/29

• The Justice & Peace Ministry will host a Green Fair on 4/29. More details to follow. If you wish to volunteer to help, contact Chris Harvey at 631-561-9722 or Ida at 630-605-6038.
• And if you can help with the following… they are looking for Electric Car owners and electric cars for the Green Fair on Saturday, 4/29th from 9:30am to 3:30pm for 1 or 2 hours taking place in the OLM Parking Lot and share why you like having an electric car and answer questions car owners may have. Connect with Deacon Tim at 815-603-4089 to volunteer.

Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/17

• Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, applications for the 2023 Robert H Weaver Knights of Columbus College Scholarship program are now being accepted. A total of $2,000 will be awarded to students graduating from High School in 2023 and attending a 2 or 4-year University program starting in the fall of 2023.  Awards will be made in July.  Good luck to all applicants. 
• All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, 6/17th @ 4pm.
• Proceed to this link for application details, and requirements. For any questions please reach out to Jeff LeRoy, Grand Knight jleroy53@hotmail.com.

Go on a Pilgrimage with Father James 6/5 thru 6/17

• Father James will be leading a Great Shrines of France Pilgrimage June 5-17, 2023 with Father James  Join him as he leads pilgrims and explores France’s beautiful Catholic Shrines on this cross-country Pilgrimage. From small villages in the South of France to Paris, one of the greatest cities in the world, France is sure to take your breath away. On this Pilgrimage, you will see magnificent Shrines and Churches and learn of the lives of; St. Bernadette, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Veronica and Zaccheus, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine Labourne. Don’t miss this incredible tour highlighting the Best Shrines in France.
• Father James is looking forward to answering any questions you may have email him at frjames@olmercy.com or you can also check out details of the pilgrimage at this link.

Catholic Sports Camps 6/12 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
  • Soccer Camp at Chesterton Academy 6/12 – 6/14   

Teen Mission Trip 7/19 thru 7/15 

• High School Teens are invited to attend our Mission Trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday-Saturday, July 9-15, 2023.  This coming summer, the Our Lady of Mercy youth ministry will be traveling to MI to do service work for those in need. 
• Sign up now for this life-changing encounter! Proceed here for further details.  

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 March is titled “Journeying 10 years with Pope Francis“ 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 James 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!

Do you have a story to share of your time with Jesus in the Eucharist?

• In the Eucharist, Jesus wants to remind you that you are never alone, that He is with you. In your brokenness, sorrows, and frustrations, He is with you. In everything you face—when you’re tired, ready to give up, hanging on by a thread, Jesus says to you, “I AM HERE.”  
• If you have experienced the above with Jesus, we invite you to share your story so as to inspire others to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist, and to go to Holy Mass.  Allow your story to be the vessel that can reach that person who Jesus is drawing to Himself more closely, especially those who are going through a tough time right now.  Let us take part in the National Eucharistic Revival in a tangible way; come and share your story of your encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.  Connect with zara@olmercy.com to share your encounter.

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

March 12, 2023 | Parish Update

The Way to Satisfy Our Thirst, The Parish Mission, & The Stations of the Cross on the Hallow App and on Fridays

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 Father James . . .

With the woman at the well, it is unclear why she has had five husbands. The detail is not included because it’s really not that important. Rather, we find her in the same situation that we all find ourselves in: she is thirsting for authentic love—she is thirsting for God.

Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world without a lot of authentic love. In fact, cheapened love is all around us! One of its simplest and most prevalent forms is immodesty. Modesty keeps at the forefront that ‘I am more than my body, I am more than how attractive I am to others, I am first and most importantly a beloved child of God.’ Immodesty, on the other hand, cheapens love. For if modesty is about “protect[ing] the intimate center of the person,” then immodesty must be the opposite. (CCC 2521) This is because immodesty trains us to treat others (and ourselves!) as objects for use rather than persons to be sacrificed for. Thus, the Catechism says, “Modesty protects the mystery of persons and their love.” (CCC 2522) It is an invitation to authentic love and to seeing the full dignity of the human person.

Matthew 5:8 reads, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” Note, then, that this passage not only refers to seeing God Himself but even seeing God in others! For, when we see others and ourselves in light of our being beloved children of God, then we can more readily treat them as such.
We can therefore see that ‘purity of heart’ extends to much more than just our sexuality. Soren Kierkegaard’s book, Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing makes just this point in an interesting way: if we want heaven, if we want peace, if we want a heart that is undivided and filled, then we must give our entire hearts to one thing and one thing alone: God.

“You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart!” (Deut 6:5) “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:37) It seems harsh, it seems counterintuitive, but God needs to be number one—even before children and spouses, family and friends—not because He needs it, but because we need it.

Think about it. If God is my number one, I will love my spouse with the love of God. If God is my number one, I will be intimately acquainted with Beauty, Goodness, and Truth Himself and thus be able to lead my children to all those things. If God is my number one, I will know which path is best, which decision is most efficacious, and which lifestyle is the most meaningful.

Purity of heart is simplicity of heart—it is to will the one thing! It is the way to satisfy our thirst. The pure of heart will see God, and the pure of heart will find the fullness of love.

Father James

THIS COMING WEEK

Great job, parish family; Fr. Michael trimmed his beard!

• Great job parish family, Fr. Michael trimmed his beard because we raised $5,000! Let us aim to raise $8,000 so he can shave it all off for a worthy cause; to support our teens going on the Mission Trip this summer. (Did you know that the teens are individually responsible for the cost of the trip as well as the tools needed?) Donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here.
• 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, and any dollar amount is helpful.
• The cost for the trip is $650 per teen, and this amount includes not only the participant fee for the workcamp but all of the other common costs like transportation, rooming, meals at the camp, the free day activity, and other associated community costs.  Each teen is also responsible for bringing the tools.
• The teens will be working throughout the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan Workcamp to do various home repair projects for residents. They will demonstrate Jesus’ love and compassion in tangible ways, serving people in need while working on projects such as…
  – Building wheelchair ramps and handrails
  – Weatherizing homes and trailers
  – Reconstructing sagging porches
  – Significant painting projects
  – Interior and exterior carpentry
  – Other home repair projects that the homeowner cannot otherwise complete
• Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip.  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.  
  𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.
  Come Holy Spirit!

UPDATE on IL legislation against Waterleaf from Fr. James

• Friends,
       THANK YOU! More than 8,000 witness slips were filed in opposition to HB 2463 compared with barely 2,000 for the proponents.  The outpouring of prayers to support Waterleaf and the pushback against this attempt to eliminate pregnancy centers like Waterleaf was clearly successful since the bill did not even make it into discussion because of the overwhelming opposition! Praise God! The fight is certainly not over, but it is encouraging to see how much your assistance has helped!—whether in filling out a witness slip or offering prayers and fasts.
            We most likely will be asking you to sign witness slips again for the identical Senate bill, SB 1909.  In the meantime, THANK YOU, and keep up the prayers!
  Fr. James Guarascio
  Parochial Vicar

St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday 3/14

• The monthly prayer service will be on Tuesday, 3/14th at 7pm (after the 6:30pm Mass) in the church led by Deacon Tony Leazzo. Come together to support one another in prayer and presence.
• 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. There will be time after the service to venerate the relic of St. Peregrine and pray for your personal needs or intentions.

Consuming Fire on Tuesday 3/14

• All young adults are invited to join the Consuming Fire Young Adult Community. This group meets every Tuesday from 7pm to 8:30pm. We gather to eat, pray, and ‘do life together’!
• From the weekly Tuesday gatherings to additional social gatherings (hiking, dinner at someone’s home or at a restaurant, movie nights, adoration, rosary walks), there are so many good reasons to join this fun, and awesome group! Want more information? Sign up HERE

Chosen Catholic Bible Study on Tuesday 3/14

• The Catholic Bible Study on The Chosen will host the Hallow App co-founder as he talks about the App’s Lenten offering leading up to Holy Week of a deeper dive into “The Stations of the Cross with Jonathan Roumie and Jim Caviziel” on the Hallow App.
• Sign up now for this free event. The presentation will start at 7pm with a free dinner, followed by assisting with how to download the App and gain full and free access through the end of Easter.

Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry on Wednesday 3/15

• This month’s Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds 3/15th from 4:30pm to 6pm in the parking lot at OLM.  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. (Here are shareable links to an Instagram post, Facebook post).
• 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 during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 rain or shine!

The Rescue Project on Thursday 3/16

• We head into Week 4 on our parish-wide journey at The Rescue Project (TRP), where the talk titled “It Gets Worse” helps us to understand what the dire predicament every single human person is in and why we need someone to rescue us.
• Thus far, a fully packed gym of TRP Participants experiencing the gospel surrounded by food, conversation and prayer have been increasingly transformative. Please keep them and the team in your lenten prayers. You can view the recap of week 1 and week 2 on our social media platforms!

Stations of the Cross on Friday 3/17

• Every Friday in Lent, we journey together through the Stations of the Cross. Come join us!
  12 pm • Stations of the Cross in Spanish
  7 pm • Stations of the Cross in English

Lenten Fish Dinner on Friday 3/17

• Have a fish dinner to support our teens going on the Mission Trip on Friday 3/17 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
• Purchase your meal tickets at this link soon for there are limited meal quantities.
• Meals are $15 each which includes potatoes, dinner roll, dessert and beverage (soda or water). Meal choices are:
  • Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces)
  • Cod (Fried)
  • Salmon (6 oz)
• Purchase your meals at the Friday 3/17 Meal Purchase Link

Lenten Movie Night on Love & Mercy 3/17

• Immediately after the Stations of the Cross on 3/17 is the Lenten Movie Night on “Love and Mercy: Faustina” in room 211 at 7pm.
• Connect with Bill Troller for questions at trollerw@live.com
• This is a great way to understand the Divine Mercy movement, how it was born, and how it was spread. The film also reveals new information from scientific analyses of the image of the Divine Mercy as it compares to the Shroud of Turin, proving St. Faustina did indeed see Christ.

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.

Lenten Resources Page

• To accompany you on your Lenten journey, the Lenten Resources page has the Lent Schedule (such as Confession times, Easter Egg Hunt, Friday Fish Dinners) and Holy Week Schedule, as well as Lenten Guidelines, FAQs, Homilies of the Fathers and prayerful suggestions for deepening your relationship with Jesus through Prayer, fasting, and Almsgiving.
• Pick up a Lenten Flyer to place on your fridge if you didn’t get one yet; it has all our Lenten Offerings on there; you can also view it here.

Arts & Environment Accompaniment During Lent

• We are blessed at Our Lady of Mercy by the blessing of the creative talent of our Arts & Environment team. With each liturgical season, this amazing team of volunteers (Annie Clark, Jeanne Daill, Linda Eickhoff, Betsy Utterback just to name several) led by Marty Kadziela transforms our beautiful church and surrounding spaces so we can enter the liturgical season with our visual senses accompanied.
• In this liturgical season, among the artfully placed lenten visual inspirations, the Arts & Environment team has set the 7 Last Words of Jesus on the Cross adorning the church’s walls beneath each wall sconce light fixture. We invite you to use these lenten visuals to accompany you as you journey through Lent with Jesus. Reflections are also noted below; each picture below points you to a YouTube reflection. (We will post the rest in the next parish update).

The Father already knows what the Son is thinking, but through these words, the Father and Son invite us into their thinking. They make us aware that forgiveness is offered to us through this sacrifice, and that through forgiveness, we are freed from the sin and lies that trap us.

The penitent thief acknowledged his guilt and wickedness and was welcomed by Christ. We, too, can find salvation if we acknowledge our sinfulness.

LOOKING AHEAD

Mundelein Seminary (where Fr. Michael and Fr. James attended) Explore the Priesthood Weekend 3/17 through 3/19

• All interested men 18 years and older are invited to explore a weekend at one of the top seminary universities from 3/17 through 3/19!
• Let the men in your life know. Proceed to this link for details and registration for this free weekend.

St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck 3/18 & 3/19

• 𝗔 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀! The St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck will be in our parking lot on 3/18 and 3/19 for our clothing drive. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁. 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹. Your donated items are sold at reasonable prices at thrift shops so that needy families can shop with dignity. The sale proceeds from the thrift shops go into a general assistance fund where parishes source help for families needing assistance with rent, mortgage, or utility assistance.

Second collection for Catholic Relief Services on 3/19

• Dear Friends,
       Our diocese will take up the annual second collection for Catholic Relief Services on March 19, and it could not come at a more fortunate time.
       As the arm of the Catholic Church that helps the poor and vulnerable overseas, Catholic Relief Services plays a vital role during emergencies such as the earthquakes that occurred last month in Turkey and Syria. Catholic Relief Services immediately contacted its partners in those countries to provide safe shelter for individuals and families, and access to food, clean water and hygiene supplies.
       Your support of Catholic Relief Services funds organizations dedicated to aiding people affected by war and natural disasters, migrants and refugees in need of material and legal assistance, and people worldwide whose livelihoods are impacted by changing political and environmental conditions.
       This is life-saving work. Thank you for your support of our neighbors overseas with your donation to the humanitarian mission of Catholic Relief Services.
       Paz y bien,
       Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, Bishop of Joliet

Parish Mission on 3/20 and 3/21

• Did you save the date for our powerful Parish Mission held from 7pm to 8:30pm on Monday, 3/20th, and Tuesday, 3/21st.
• Mission Night 1 Your True Identity and Mission Night 2 What is this thing we call the heart?
• Hosted by Fr. Matthew Alexander, formation and spiritual director at St. John Vianney Seminary since 2019.  Fr. Alexander previously served as the associate pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Mundelein and as a formator at St. Joseph College Seminary in Chicago.  In 2010, Fr. Alexander received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, and, in 2017, he completed his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Mundelein Seminary.Fr Matthew is from the Chicagoland area and has greatly impacted Fr. Michael in his own use of the one wheel.  Fr. Matthew has strong opinions of deep-dish pizza and loves to play Ultimate Frisbee, among other sports, reading, listening to music, and camping.  Fr. Matthew has been trained in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and continues to teach classes at the seminary on how to pray and pay attention to movements of the heart.

Donuts & Coffee Sunday 3/28

• Stop by the PLC after the 8am and 10am Masses on 3/28th for yummy Donuts, good Coffee & wonderful Fellowship.  

Confessions on 3/27 through 3/31

• You can find the Lenten Confession schedule on our Lent Resource page. Please note that in addition to the regular Confession times we have, additional opportunities for Confessions are from Monday 3/27 through Friday 3/31, from 7pm to 8:30pm.

Palm Weaving Workshop to Help Decorate our Church 3/27 through 3/30

• Come out and weave palms to help us decorate our church for Palm Sunday and Holy Week on any of the following days. The Arts and Environment team will give easy-to-follow instructions on how to weave the palms.
  • Monday 3/27 from 7pm to 9pm in Room 114.
  • Wednesday 3/29 from 10am to 12pm in Room 114.
  • Thursday 3/30 from 7pm to 9pm in Room 114.

Divine Mercy Seminar on 3/28 and 3/29

• Discover “The Extraordinary Graces and Gifts of the Divine Mercy devotion” by attending our special Divine Mercy seminars held in room 208 on Tuesday, 3/28, at 9am or Wednesday, 3/29, at 7pm.
• A closing highlight of the seminar will be a group recitation of the Chaplet. Pamphlets with the Chaplet and Novena will be available.  No registration needed, but be sure to bring your Rosary!
• For more information, connect with Bill Troller at (630) 585-1865 or trollerw@live.com.

Lenten Themed MAGNIFY 3/29

• There will be additional priests to hear Confessions at the Lenten-themed MAGNIFY! Please be sure to save 3/29th on your lenten spiritual calendar because, indeed, it is because of God’s infinite love for us that we are encouraged to make use of the sacrament of Penance; it is in this sacrament that we release the past to God’s mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.
• In addition to Confessions, there is Prayer Ministry, Adoration Praise and Worship, and Scriptural Reflection.

Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt on 4/1

• The Knights of Columbus are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for kids age 0-10 on Saturday, 4/1st at 10am with the Egg Hunt starting at 10:30am it will be held in the PLC. Please bring your Easter basket or a bag to hold all the eggs you find. Maybe even the Easter Bunny will stop in for some fun. Hope to see everyone there!

Sign Up for World Youth Day by 4/1

• Sign up below by 4/1st for the World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal, it will be an experience of a lifetime for youth 18 and older!
• The Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group is looking to join the Joliet Diocese on a Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day 2023 from July 29 to August 7. Come and join them!  This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29.  Proceed here for further details.  

The Lenten Resource Page has the Holy Week Schedule 4/2 thru 4/9  

• Proceed to the Lenten Resource Page for the Holy Week Schedule. 
• Are you hosting Easter this year? If so, don’t forget to share the Easter Vigil (the most beautiful liturgy in our faith) and the Easter Mass times with your family and friends you will have over.
• We will also post the rest of the schedule at the next parish update.

Jeremiah Day at Mundelein Seminary 4/15  

• For young men in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Grade is your answer “Yes” to any of the following questions?  If so, then Jeremiah Day is for you!
  • Do you often feel close to God?
  • Do you try to do the right thing?
  • Do you like helping other people?
  • Are you a good leader?
  • Do you like to learn new things?
• For further details and registration, proceed to this link!  

Feast of Divine Mercy 4/16

• Save the date for the celebration of the Divine Mercy Feast Day on Sunday, 4/16 at 2pm!  More details to follow.

Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/17

• Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, applications for the 2023 Robert H Weaver Knights of Columbus College Scholarship program are now being accepted. A total of $2,000 will be awarded to students graduating from High School in 2023 and attending a 2 or 4-year University program starting in the fall of 2023.  Awards will be made in July.  Good luck to all applicants. 
• All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, 6/17th @ 4pm.
• Proceed to this link for application details, and requirements. For any questions please reach out to Jeff LeRoy, Grand Knight jleroy53@hotmail.com.

Go on a Pilgrimage with Father James 6/5 thru 6/17

• Father James will be leading a Great Shrines of France Pilgrimage June 5-17, 2023 with Father James  Join him as he leads pilgrims and explores France’s beautiful Catholic Shrines on this cross-country Pilgrimage. From small villages in the South of France to Paris, one of the greatest cities in the world, France is sure to take your breath away. On this Pilgrimage, you will see magnificent Shrines and Churches and learn of the lives of; St. Bernadette, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Veronica and Zaccheus, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine Labourne. Don’t miss this incredible tour highlighting the Best Shrines in France.
• Father James is looking forward to answering any questions you may have email him at frjames@olmercy.com or you can also check out details of the pilgrimage at this link.

Teen Mission Trip 7/19 thru 7/15 

• High School Teens are invited to attend our Mission Trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday-Saturday, July 9-15, 2023.  This coming summer, the Our Lady of Mercy youth ministry will be traveling to MI to do service work for those in need. 
• Sign up now for this life-changing encounter! Proceed here for further details.  

World Youth Day 7/29 thru 8/7 

• The Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group is looking to join the Joliet Diocese on a Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day 2023 from July 29 to August 7. Come and join them!  This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29.  Proceed here for further details.  

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 February is titled “Feeding the hungry through our ministries.”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 James 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!

Do you have a story to share of your time with Jesus in the Eucharist?

• In the Eucharist, Jesus wants to remind you that you are never alone, that He is with you. In your brokenness, sorrows, and frustrations, He is with you. In everything you face—when you’re tired, ready to give up, hanging on by a thread, Jesus says to you, “I AM HERE.”  
• If you have experienced the above with Jesus, we invite you to share your story so as to inspire others to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist, and to go to Holy Mass.  Allow your story to be the vessel that can reach that person who Jesus is drawing to Himself more closely, especially those who are going through a tough time right now.  Let us take part in the National Eucharistic Revival in a tangible way; come and share your story of your encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.  Connect with zara@olmercy.com to share your encounter.

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

February 21, 2023 | Parish Update

Ash Weds/Lent Schedule & Resources, A note from Bishop Hicks on the CMAA, It’s not too late to sign up for CRHP or The Rescue Project (go deeper in your relationship with Jesus at both places)

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

A Reflection from Bishop Hicks . . .

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

In his first Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul tells us, “… all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God” (1 Cor 3:22-23).

After much reflection on this passage, I believe St. Paul is essentially saying, “We belong to God!” Not only does this perfectly encapsulate the baptized missionary disciples of the Diocese of Joliet, but also how we choose to live out the Gospel through our support of the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA).

When we give to the CMAA, we not only show our love of God, but we also demonstrate and share God’s love with our neighbors. Every day across the Diocese of Joliet, because of your generosity, we serve people in need through Catholic Charities, form the next generation of faithful in our Catholic schools and parishes, and educate the men who will serve as our priests.

Each of us is asked to prayerfully reflect on the love God has for us as well as Christ’s Church. We are asked to put that love into action by caring for our neighbors. The stories and videos of individuals featured on our website pages demonstrate how gifts to the CMAA allow us to care for our neighbors.

I invite you to put your faith into action, with love, and make your pledge today.

Peace,
Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks
Bishop of Joliet

Your Gift to the CMAA makes a difference

• Our donors help ensure the works of the Lord can continue to be made possible throughout our diocese. It’s through gifts to the CMAA that our diocesan-wide ministries help feed and shelter the homeless, educate seminarians, teach our faith to children and adults through catholic schools and religious education programs, care for retired priests, and more.
• Every gift—large and small—is appreciated and will help us to meet our goal. We encourage you to watch our testimonials and witness how your gifts will bless our ministries. Thank you to the many people who have demonstrated to those in need that we all belong to God through their gifts to the 2023 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA).
• Our parish’s goal for the 2023 CMAA is $141,900. The diocese will return 70 percent of any amount we raise over this goal to us. Please send your gift to this year’s CMAA at this link.

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THIS COMING WEEK

Join us on Ash Wednesday 2/22

• Begin Lent with us on Ash Wednesday 2/22nd and receive Ashes at either the 6:30am, 8am, 12pm (livestreamed), 7pm Mass times or at the 5:30pm Scripture Service.
• To find out more about Ash Wednesday check out our FAQ page (is it a Holy Day of Obligation, does someone need to be Catholic to receive ashes etc.)
• The 5:30pm Scripture Service will be followed by a simple meatless supper in the gym for families with children, grandparents, godparents, single adults, college students, relatives, and friends. Lenten take-home activities for families and friends will be available. Registration is required for the simple supper, please sign up at this link or click on the graphic below. Contact Karen Schwartz for any questions karens@olmercy.com

The Rescue Project 2/23

• What is The Rescue Project?  Simply put, the Rescue Project is an experience of the gospel surrounded by food, conversation and prayer. It seeks to proclaim the gospel in a compelling and attractive way over eight weeks in a small group format. Held on Thursdays during Lent at 6:30pm starting 2/23rd and ends on 4/20th (no gatherings during Holy Week and Easter Week). This experience is imbued with beauty, authentic humanity, and accompaniment. More concretely, ‘The Rescue Project’ is proposing another way to see reality through biblical lenses; it’s a way to make sense out of why are things going wrong when they go wrong and why it is that even when times are tough, especially when times are tough, we don’t have to be anxious or afraid or give in to depression or despair.
• The Rescue Project proposes a simple question: what if there’s a different story—a story that engages people to answer the deepest cries of the human heart?
  Check out the trailer from Father John Riccardo or click on the graphic below for the website for more details and registration. We hope to see you there at this life-changing experience!

Lenten Resources Page 2/23

• To accompany you on your Lenten journey, the Lenten Resources page has the Lent Schedule (such as Confession times, Easter Egg Hunt, Friday Fish Dinners) and Holy Week Schedule, as well as Lenten Guidelines, FAQs, and prayerful suggestions for deepening your relationship with Jesus through Prayer, fasting, and Almsgiving.
• Pick up a Lenten Flyer to place on your fridge if you didn’t get one yet, it has all our Lenten Offerings on there, you can also view it here.

LOOKING AHEAD

Did you get a chance to
……sign up for the Novena for Fr Michael?
….…save the date for his installation Mass?

• The installation Mass for a new pastor is a rare but beautiful occurrence, so come and celebrate the installation of Fr. Michael by as our Pastor on  Saturday, March 11th, at the 4pm Mass by Bishop Ronald Hicks!
• We hope to see you there, as well as the welcome reception in the Parish Life Center (PLC) afterward.
• As we celebrate Fr. Michael’s installation as the fourth Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, join us in praying a novena as a spiritual bouquet from our community to him. Sign up here to receive the email of the Novena.  Please pray for Fr. Michael as he continues to guide our parish and its surrounding communities under his spiritual care.

Hallow App

• We are thrilled to announce that Our Lady of Mercy has been selected as one of only a handful of parishes to pilot Hallow’s Lenten Challenge from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. For those who don’t know, Hallow is the #1 Catholic prayer app in the world and offers over 5,000 audio-guided prayers on their mobile app.
  As part of this partnership, all parishioners will have free and full access to the app and are invited to participate in the Hallow’s Lenten Challenge through the app at their own pace (without the requirement of meeting in person or virtual meetings).
• Sign up now at www.hallow.com/ourladyofm-len.  Let us pray together as a parish this Lent! 
• Overall OLM Parish Group at Hallow: www.hallow.com/groups/join/MN2VVL
• OLM Prayer Intentions Group: www.hallow.com/groups/join/MPNVV2

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.

CRHP Men’s Retreat 2/25 – 2/26 & Women’s Retreat 3/5 – 3/6

• CRHP is an incredible experience that will recharge your faith life, help you develop lasting friendships, and fill you with newfound energy and purpose.
• The CRHP experience provides you with opportunities to allow God to speak to your heart through witness talks, Scripture, fellowship, prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and Mass. COME TO BE SERVED. You will not be asked to contribute or to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. You will not be asked to give a witness talk. This will be done by team members.This FREE retreat experience will include all meals, beverages, and snacks.
• Connect with the Men and Women’s invitation coordinators for any questions Jeff Daley (708)705-3590 Jeffdaley83@gmail.com or Ida Phillips (630)605=6038 crhpolm@gmail.com.
• Sign up now and encounter Jesus and fellow men and women in a similar journey in a life-changing way.

Stations of the Cross on Fridays starting 2/25

• Every Friday in Lent, we journey together through the Stations of the Cross, and on 3/10 and 3/17, we share a meat-free meal. Come join us!
  12 pm • Stations of the Cross in Spanish
  7 pm • Stations of the Cross in English

Prayer Ministry 2/25 & 2/26

• Receive Prayer Ministry after all the Mass times this weekend 2/25 and 2/26! 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.

First Friday and First Saturday Devotions 3/3 and 3/4

• Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 3/3
• We hope you can come out anytime from 8am to 4pm, 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.    https://bit.ly/3yGSzmU
• Confessions immediately following the 8am Mass
• Every 1st Friday (in addition to the 8am Mass), we will have a 12pm Mass. We hope you join us.
• 1st Saturday 3/4 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.

Lenten Fish Dinners on Friday 3/10 & 3/17

• Have a fish dinner to support our teens going on the Mission Trip on Friday, 3/10 and 3/17 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
• Purchase your meal tickets at this link soon for there are limited meal quantities.
• Meals are $15 each which includes potatoes, dinner roll, dessert and beverage (soda or water). Meal choices are:
  • Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces)
  • Cod (Fried)
  • Salmon (6 oz)
• Purchase your meals at the following links
  • Friday 3/10 Meal Purchase Link
  • Friday 3/17 Meal Purchase Link

Lenten Movie Night on Love & Mercy 3/17

• Immediately after the Stations of the Cross on 3/17 is the Lenten Movie Night on “Love and Mercy: Faustina” in room 211 at 7pm.
• Connect with Bill Troller for questions at trollerw@live.com
• This is a great way to understand the Divine Mercy movement, how it was born, and how it was spread. The film also reveals new information from scientific analyses of the image of the Divine Mercy as it compares to the Shroud of Turin, proving St. Faustina did indeed see Christ. 

Parish Mission on 3/20 and 3/21

• Save the date for our powerful Parish Mission held from 7pm to 8:30pm on Monday, 3/20th, and Tuesday, 3/21st.
• Mission Night 1 Your True Identity and Mission Night 2 What is this thing we call the heart?
• Hosted by Fr. Matthew Alexander, formation and spiritual director at St. John Vianney Seminary since 2019. Fr Matthew is from the Chicagoland area and has greatly impacted Fr. Michael in his own use of the one wheel.  Fr. Matthew has strong opinions of deep-dish pizza and loves to play Ultimate Frisbee with seminarians.  Fr. Matthew has been trained in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and continues to teach classes at the seminary on how to pray and pay attention to movements of the heart.

Confessions on 3/27 through 3/31

• You can find the Lenten Confession schedule on our Lent Resource page. Please note that in addition to the regular Confession times we have, additional opportunities for Confessions are from Monday 3/27 through Friday 3/31, from 7pm to 8:30pm.

Lenten Themed MAGNIFY 3/29

• There will be additional priests to hear Confessions at the Lenten themed MAGNIFY! Please be sure to save 3/29th on your lenten spiritual calendar because truly it is because of God’s infinite love for us that we are encouraged to make use of the sacrament of Penance; it is in this sacrament that we release the past to God’s mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.
• In addition to Confessions, there is Prayer Ministry, Adoration Praise and Worship and Scriptural Reflection.

Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt on 4/1

• The Knights of Columbus are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for kids age 0-10 on Saturday, 4/1st at 10am with the Egg Hunt starting at 10:30am it will be held in the PLC. Please bring your Easter basket or a bag to hold all the eggs you find. Maybe even the Easter Bunny will stop in for some fun. Hope to see everyone there!

The Lenten Resource Page has the Holy Week Schedule 4/2 thru 4/9  

• Proceed to the Lenten Resource Page for the Holy Week Schedule. We will also post the rest of the schedule at the next parish update.

Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/17

• Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, applications for the 2023 Robert H Weaver Knights of Columbus College Scholarship program are now being accepted. A total of $2,000 will be awarded to students graduating from High School in 2023 and attending a 2 or 4-year University program starting in the fall of 2023.  Awards will be made in July.  Good luck to all applicants. 
• All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, 6/17th @ 4pm.
• Proceed to this link for application details, and requirements. For any questions please reach out to Jeff LeRoy, Grand Knight jleroy53@hotmail.com.

Go on a Pilgrimage with Father James 6/5 thru 6/17

• Father James will be leading a Great Shrines of France Pilgrimage June 5-17, 2023 with Father James  Join him as he leads pilgrims and explores France’s beautiful Catholic Shrines on this cross-country Pilgrimage. From small villages in the South of France to Paris, one of the greatest cities in the world, France is sure to take your breath away. On this Pilgrimage, you will see magnificent Shrines and Churches and learn of the lives of; St. Bernadette, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Veronica and Zaccheus, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine Labourne. Don’t miss this incredible tour highlighting the Best Shrines in France.
• Father James is looking forward to answering any questions you may have email him at frjames@olmercy.com or you can also check out details of the pilgrimage at this link.

Teen Mission Trip 7/19 thru 7/15 

• High School Teens are invited to attend our Mission Trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sunday-Saturday, July 9-15, 2023.  This coming summer, the Our Lady of Mercy youth ministry will be traveling to MI to do service work for those in need. 
• Sign up now for this life-changing encounter! Proceed here for further details.  

World Youth Day 7/29 thru 8/7 

• The Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group is looking to join the Joliet Diocese on a Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day 2023 from July 29 to August 7. Come and join them!  This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29.  Proceed here for further details.  

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest Winners

• The Robert H. Weaver Knights of Columbus Council #12005 would like to congratulate the following winners of our free throw competition held January 19, 2023, at the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Life Center:  Gabriella Curcio, Leonardo Medina, Oliwia Kaminski, Juan Pablo Cordero, Grace Grunloh, & James Taylor 
• We wish them luck as they move on to the District competition in February, with the winners advancing to the Regional competition in March. We thank all the kids that came out for a fun evening of competition. Congratulations once again.

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 February is titled “Feeding the hungry through our ministries.”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 James 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!

Do you have a story to share of your time with Jesus in the Eucharist?

• In the Eucharist, Jesus wants to remind you that you are never alone, that He is with you. In your brokenness, sorrows, and frustrations, He is with you. In everything you face—when you’re tired, ready to give up, hanging on by a thread, Jesus says to you, “I AM HERE.”  
• If you have experienced the above with Jesus, we invite you to share your story so as to inspire others to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist, and to go to Holy Mass.  Allow your story to be the vessel that can reach that person who Jesus is drawing to Himself more closely, especially those who are going through a tough time right now.  Let us take part in the National Eucharistic Revival in a tangible way; come and share your story of your encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.  Connect with zara@olmercy.com to share your encounter.

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

January 28, 2023 | Parish Update

Being generous in building up His kingdom, Catholic Bible Study on ‘The Chosen Season 2’, & The Rescue Project

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

From Father Michael . . .

I remember when I was in the seminary, the Powerball Lottery got up to its highest payout yet; 700+ Million dollars. Needless to say, I couldn’t help but stop by a gas station and buy a ticket. All of a sudden, I started doing the calculations: half to taxes, a hundred million to the Diocese, Catholic Schools, and the Hospital; take care of my family debts; pay for my nephew and niece’s colleges… In the end, I would only keep 10 million to myself. How I came up with that number, I don’t know, but needless to say, I wanted to keep some of the winnings for myself, despite the fact that I was on my way to serving the Church and the People of God.  

A similar situation occurred after becoming a priest. A rather well-off parishioner from my former parish was boasting on my behalf saying, “I bet I could offer you a million dollars and I know you would turn it down!” Little did he know of my lack of humility and how eager I would have been to take him up on his offer! Without hesitation, my mind went through the same process: support this and that ministry, give some gifts to my family, and in the end, buy myself a nice new car!

These experiences taught me something very simple: when the occasion presents itself, I do have a tendency to keep things for myself, even if I try to justify it with charity. As a result, I can now see the Church’s wisdom in the spiritual discipline of tithing. Money is a perennial temptation for all of us—“You cannot worship God and money,” (Matt 6:24) and, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 19:23) In tithing I have found the freedom to stop calculating where I can splurge on myself, and instead to grow in dependence upon God. Tithing gives us an opportunity to let go of our attachments and to give ourselves back to God.

Of course, tithing literally 10% of one’s income is not as doable for everyone. The financial situation in our country is only getting harder. Tithing is not meant to be a cold calculation as if God were taxing us in addition to Uncle Sam, but rather it is meant to be a response to God’s generous love. That being said, I also know from my own brokenness that we humans have a tendency to justify keeping more than we need for ourselves. Perhaps that’s why the very first beatitude is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” God has designed that the Body of Christ be built up not by Church taxes, but by the individual decisions of her members to “seek first the kingdom of God.” Regardless of which of the many beautiful Catholic movements and charities that you decide to support, may we continue to strive to be generous in building up His Kingdom so that we can say with St. Paul, “I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance,” but “more than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil 4:12 and 3:8)

Father Michael

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We look forward to seeing you at Our Lady of Mercy taking part in many of our offerings, or maybe when you stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, at daily Mass during the week, or during Eucharistic Adoration.

Prayer Ministry 1/29

• Receive Prayer Ministry after all the Mass times this weekend 1/28 and 1/29! 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.

To All Men: Find Out How to become a Knight 1/29

• Thinking of becoming a Knight? The Knights of Columbus Council 12005 will be holding an information meeting on Sunday 1/29 after the 10am Mass in room 114 to explain who the Knights of Columbus are and how to become a member. We will show a short video and provide refreshments. Interested practicing Catholic Men and their families are invited to join us. Membership is open to all practicing Catholic men aged 18 and up, it will only take 30 minutes of your time and you can become part of the largest Catholic Men’s service organization in the world. We need you to help us make a difference! For information reach out to Jeff LeRoy, Grand Knight, at jleroy53@hotmail.com or call 630- 336-7728.

Donuts & Coffee Sunday 1/29

• Stop by the PLC after the 8am and 10am Masses on 1/29th for yummy Donuts, good Coffee & wonderful Fellowship.  

New Altar Server Training 1/29

• Training for New Altar Servers will take place in the Church on Sunday, January 29 from 2:30 to 4:00 PM. Boys and girls that registered in the parish and are in 5th grade or higher are eligible to become Altar Servers. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Heraty at pat.heraty@opcpolymers.com

Go on a Pilgrimage with Father James Informational Sessions 1/29 & 1/30

• Find out more about the Great Shrines of France Pilgrimage June 5-17, 2023 with Father James  Join him as he leads pilgrims and explores France’s beautiful Catholic Shrines on this cross-country Pilgrimage. From small villages in the South of France to Paris, one of the greatest cities in the world, France is sure to take your breath away. On this Pilgrimage, you will see magnificent Shrines and Churches and learn of the lives of; St. Bernadette, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Veronica and Zaccheus, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine Labourne. Don’t miss this incredible tour highlighting the Best Shrines in France.
• Informational sessions for this 12-day pilgrimage are on Sunday 1/29 at 11:15am and Monday 1/30 at 7:30pm.  Father James is looking forward to answering any questions you may have, you can also check out details of the pilgrimage at this link.

January 8, 2023 | Parish Update

Being open to new relationships, Blessed Epiphany Chalk, Seminarian Vincent & Encountering Jesus at CRHP

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

From Father Michael . . .

The Heisman trophy is awarded to an individual college football player for his outstanding performance on the field. The trophy is a bronze figure of John Heisman with arm extended (a stiff-arm) to ward off any person getting to the football. Sometimes I think this trophy represents more than just a great football player but also a common image of how we can tend to live the Christian life. 

For better or for worse, relationships have the ability to change us. For that reason, we can often carry the same stance as the Heisman trophy: a stiff-arm that wards off potentially life-changing encounters. However, the Lord is constantly inviting us to relationship—both with him and his Body, the Church. Although keeping others at arm’s length can seem more comfortable, it also means that we could be keeping our Lord at a distance as well. 

The Magi offer us a good example. Instead of avoiding new relationships, they sought them out! They went on a long and arduous journey to enter into a new relationship with the King of the Jews. Unsure of what their meeting would mean, they stepped out of their comfortable lives as kings in search of something even greater. What is more, they had the humility to seek wisdom from others on their journey, leading to their eventual discovery of a little child with his mother, and a new King who was worthy of all their gifts. The last line in this narrative is subtle but profound: “They departed for their country by another way.” Their lives were changed! 

As we begin a new year, I encourage you to be open to new relationships. To put away our Heisman stance and open ourselves to the Lord and his Body at Our Lady of Mercy. May I even encourage you further by taking part in the many places of encounter, especially where you haven’t had a chance to take part in, here at Our Lady of Mercy. From encountering the Lord through those in need by helping out at PADS, the Mobile Food Pantry, the funeral, and homebound ministries, to diving deeper into profound intimacy with the Lord through the upcoming CRHP Men’s and Women’s Retreats, the next Bible Study on the Chosen, or the upcoming powerful gatherings in the Rescue Project. May our encounter with the Lord, in these places of encounter or on our own seeking of Him, have the same result as it did for the Magi, that our lives be changed!

Father Michael

We look forward to seeing you at Our Lady of Mercy taking part in many of our offerings, or maybe when you stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, at daily Mass during the week, or during Eucharistic Adoration.

Remembering Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI by Father Michael

• Pope Benedict was a great scholar and a great writer. As Pope John Paul II influenced me at the beginning of my spiritual life, Pope Benedict had a significant impact on my intellectual life and a lot of my homilies actually come from my readings of his writings. When he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, he published 74 books in 24 years. He is a prolific writer and just a phenomenal man and wonderful pope and so I ask that you continue to pray for him for his soul and the wonderful blessings and thanksgiving for his life.
• Let us pray the following novena in honor of Pope Benedict XVI; receive the prayer in your Inbox every day until Friday, January 13th by signing up at this link.

Meet our new seminarian Vincent Otieno!

• Be sure to say hello to our new seminarian, Vicent Otieno, at any of the weekend and daily Masses!  Let us welcome him with the Our Lady of Mercy radical hospitality; with much love.  Find out more about Vincent and his vocation story below.