Weekly Updates

November 27, 2020 | Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

It’s the first Sunday of Advent this weekend.  While, it can be very easy to go from Thanksgiving to Christmas, praise God for the blessing of the Advent season because it is one of the best times to prepare our hearts for the beauty of the Christmas season and to recognize our need for the Savior.  Let’s journey together this season, starting with the Masses this weekend.  We pray to see you then or at the livestream.

THIS COMING WEEK

Weekend Mass Links and Livestream of the Mass 

  • Father James will be preaching this weekend, please sign-in ahead of time online at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ so we can adequately prepare for all who are attending Mass.  (The sign-in is live by Tuesday of each week).
    During the 10AM Mass, for those that are feeling uncomfortable about being inside the Church but would like to receive Holy Communion, you can watch the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot, and then when it is time to receive Holy Communion, the parking attendants will guide you as to how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
  • In addition to Facebook, we live stream on YouTube as well!  Subscribe to your OLM YouTube Channel here; subscribing helps the livestream effort out and will give you alerts on when the Mass is live.
  • The livestream of the Mass is courtesy of the CRHP Christ Renews His Parish ministry.  Thank you so much.
  • We’ve purchased permanent equipment for our live stream needs (camera, audio, software, and all that it entails).  Would you like to help with the livestream? We’re looking for interested individuals to join our livestream team.  Connect with zara@olmercy.com to join this new ministry.

Advent Resources https://bit.ly/39hMhjr

  • Advent is a good time to reset our prayer life and to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus; pick up one of the following Advent Reflection booklets after all the Masses this weekend—Word Among Us or Little Books.  For those that cannot make it to church, please see the following online resources.
  • Sign up for the following free online resources
  • Download the App for the following paid subscription
  • MyParish App Advent Button

Ladies Virtual Advent Tea 11/29th An Advent Season Rooted in Hope by Kate Wicker https://bit.ly/2IcQM3u

PADS Hesed House on 12/1 https://pads.rehmer.com/

  • Please help our brothers and sisters in need; sign up for any of the items posted above or send funds via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PAD”. Thank you so much for your generosity.
  • ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40

Bible Study – A Biblical Walk With the Blessed Mother  12/2/20 thru 1/27/20 https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/52878/registrations/new 

  • What a great way to prepare our hearts to herald Jesus’ birth than to go through a Biblical Walk With the Blessed Mother starting 12/2nd. Get to know the only woman who knew Jesus the best and the one to whom God had entrusted His most precious and only begotten Son. Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.com or at 630-240-6993 for any questions. Sign-up at the link.  Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.com or at 630-240-6993 for any questions.  Here are the details
    DATES. December 2 – January 27 (Dec. 23 and 30 are off)
    WHERE. Virtual or in person at the PLC (limited space)
    TIME. 7pm – 8:30pm except night 1 will be 7pm – 9pm

Mobile Food Pantry on Weds 12/2nd https://bit.ly/36dlMtG

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

1st Friday and 1st Saturday Devotions 12/4 & 12/5 

  • 1st Friday 12/4
    • Respect Life 1st Friday devotion from 8am to 2pm  https://bit.ly/3fHaPDs
      • We hope you can come out anytime from 8am to 2pm, to pray for the helpless, innocent unborn who can’t speak for themselves.  Pray in front of Planned Parenthood, at the public right of way access.   Connect with Jane Fonner for any questions (630)851-8433 or janecfonner@comcast.net.
    • Confessions immediately following the 8am Mass.
  • 1st Saturday 12/5 after the 8:30AM Mass is the First Saturday Devotion
    • This devotion is one of the principal points of the Fatima message. It centers on the urgent need for mankind to offer reparation and atone for the many injuries that the Immaculate Heart of Mary suffers from the hands of those who are irreverent and indifferent.
    • The devotion consists of the following on 5 consecutive first Saturdays
      1. Going to Confession
      2. Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion
      3. Praying five decades of the Rosary
      4. 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 here 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.

Fair Trade Sale Online sponsored by the Peace & Justice Ministry https://www.serrv.org/?a=JusticeandPeaceFTSale

  • Shop for some unique items from the convenience of your home and choose from a wider variety than the sales we have held in person in the past.
  • Fair-trade is a way of helping farmers and artisans in developing countries by offering them a minimum price for their produce or products and thus insuring them a decent wage. It is a good practice for all involved.
  • Gifts to buy? Homes to spruce? Shop handmade from the web link below and 100% of your purchase will support SERRV International, a nonprofit that employs global artisans living in poverty. Do a world of good and support this Our Lady of Mercy Serrv and Earn fundraiser today. Here is SERRV & Earn web link: https://www.serrv.org/?a=JusticeandPeaceFTSale
  • The weekend of 12/5-12/6 is free ground shipping for orders over every $50 purchase.  Use the promo code SECSNOWMAN20.  Please be sure to use the link and check the orange banner at the top of the home page before shopping, to be sure our parish sale is identified. Thank you!  Any questions call Chris Harvey 631-561-9722 or Jean Rehmer 630-851-3444 x232

LOOKING AHEAD

Our Lady of Mercy’s Hispanic Ministry Advent Schedule 

  • Join OLM’s Hispanic Ministry at the following events https://bit.ly/37bKud3 during this Advent season.  Let’s journey together at these beautiful gatherings, in-person or virtual,  discovering how God wants to make this season into a time for us to grow closer to Him and come to know Him better.

Hispanic & Ethnic Ministry of the Diocese of Joliet is sponsoring a virtual Our Lady of Guadalupe event on 12/10th: Saludos amigos en el Ministerio Hispano https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Virgen_de_Guadalupe

  • Saludos amigos en el Ministerio Hispano
    Les comparto este evento virtual para aprender sobre el Simbolismo de la Virgen de Guadalupe, siéntanse libres de compartir con sus comunidades.
  • Cualquier dudar puede comunicarse con William Becerra 815 -221 -6247 wbecerra@dioceseofjoliet.org 

Christmas Flower Offerings

  • This Christmas we will decorate the church with poinsettias around the altar. If you wish to make a gift towards the flowers please go to Give page and log into the secure Online Giving site and choose “Flowers:”. If you wish to memorialize your loved ones you can add their names in the Comments section. The recommended donation is $10.00. Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make our church beautiful during the holiday season.

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

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

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

  • OLM is only able to do any of this because of YOU! Your continued prayers and words of encouragement keep us going and your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
  • If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please reach out and let us know how we can help, here is a private link.
  • If you are not experiencing hardship at this time, please consider supporting our efforts and support our community through your giving, our Give page is accessed here or text an offering amount to (630)647-8105, follow the rest of the instructions.
  • Do you shop on Amazon?  If so, you can help OLM just by shopping for yourself!  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love-same products, same prices, same service. There is no change to your user ID, password, wish lists, registries, or Amazon Prime benefits.  Here is how
    • Every time you shop on Amazon, please type the following web link in your browser from your computer or mobile device: smile.amazon.com then select Our Lady of Mercy Parish, in Aurora, IL as your charitable organization of choice.
    • Please update your bookmark or favorites to use this link every time for every purchase.
    • Only purchases made through smile.amazon.com credit our account, not the main website or the app.

Angel Giving Program 2020

  • Our Angel Tree Giving Program Is Going Virtual!  Due to the pandemic, and in order to minimize contact, this year we have decided that there will not be tree tags available in the Narthex, but rather, all donations for our Angel Giving Program can be made online or by mail!
  • Who Will Benefit From Your Donation? Our Angel Giving Program will benefit Mutual Ground and Breaking Free clients and their families, Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who receive support from St. Vincent de Paul, and the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.
  • Ways To Donate! Donations for the Angel Giving Program can be donated in one of the following ways:
    1) We encourage you to donate via our Online Giving portal under the “Angel Giving Program” fund. If you already have an Online Giving account set-up, then you can log into your account to make your donation HERE.
    2) You may also write a check made out to Our Lady of Mercy Church with “Angel Giving” in the memo line and mail it to 701 S Eola Road, Aurora, IL 60504 OR after Masses you may place your check in a bin in the Narthex that is labeled “Angel Giving Program.”
    It is important to remember to write “Angel Giving” in the memo of your check so that it goes to the correct fund and can be documented correctly for tax statement purposes.
  • All donations can be made thru December 31, 2020.
  • Thank you for your prayerful consideration to give to those in need who will benefit from your donations!

Christmas Schedule Letter

  • The Christmas Schedule Letter will be released on December 1st.  Those who are registered parishioners will receive this in the mail.  We will also post on our website and send via email.  With that said, if you haven’t made it official, come and be a registered parishioner at Our Lady of Mercy! You can register online here.

Thank you for being mindful about keeping each other safe by observing social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands while inside the Church and PLC.  Your cautious way of following the social distancing parameters helps us to stay open and hold the Sacraments.

Each week, we will post a reflection from one of the Advent Resources.

FROM WORD AMONG US

I give thanks . . . for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:4)

Welcome to Advent! Whether it’s your first time entering this holy season or your ninetieth, be assured that God, your heavenly Father, is eager to bestow his grace on you.

As Paul says in today’s second reading, God has already poured his grace on you. He has given you access to every spiritual gift as you wait for Jesus to reveal himself to you (1 Corinthians 1:7). And God wants to do even more. He wants you to have a great Advent! He wants to make this season into a time for you to grow closer to him and come to know him better.

That doesn’t necessarily mean these days before Christmas will be easy. Your faith might deepen, or you might receive unexpected blessings. But you might also experience hardship or setbacks. Yet no matter what happens, God will reward whatever effort you put into your Advent preparations. That’s because he wants nothing more than for you to deepen your relationship with Jesus. That’s the grace God is offering you this season.

So dig in! Start by committing to spend more time in prayer this month. Use this magazine to read the Mass readings and meditations with an open heart. Participate in the life of your parish, maybe through Eucharistic Adoration or a service project. Pick up a spiritual book or do an Advent Bible study to develop your understanding of your faith.

Above everything else, be hopeful: “God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son” (1 Corinthians 1:9). That’s what this season is all about.

“Father, I want to experience your blessing as I wait and watch and prepare this Advent.”

November 22, 2020 | Weekly Update

We have the Fathers back, hooray, or rather, praise God!  We pray to see you at any of the Daily or Weekend Mass times especially since we are still able to gather together with Jesus.  We hope you are continuing to set Sunday apart as a day for prayer and rest whether in-person or at the livestream.

THIS COMING WEEK

Livestream of the Mass update

  • In addition to Facebook, we will live stream on YouTube as well!  Subscribe to your OLM YouTube Channel here; subscribing helps us out and will give you alerts on when the Mass is live.
  • Let us know where you are tuning in from, we’d love to acknowledge you.
  • We’ve purchased permanent equipment for our live stream needs (camera, audio, software, and all that it entails). Would you like to help with the livestream? We’re looking for interested individuals to join our livestream team.  Connect with zara@olmercy.com to join this new ministry.
  • Father James will be preaching on 11/28 – 11/29, please sign-in ahead of time online at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ so we can adequately prepare for all who are attending Mass.  (The sign-in is live by Tuesday of each week).  During the 10AM Mass, for those that are feeling uncomfortable about being inside the Church but would like to receive Holy Communion, you can watch the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot, and then when it is time to receive Holy Communion, the parking attendants will guide you as to how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Mass on Thanksgiving Day 11/26th

  • Start Thanksgiving day by joining us in giving thanks to the Lord our God and rejoicing in the gift of His love. Join us in-person inside the Church or view the livestream from your car in the parking lot at 9am.
  • Sign-in ahead of time at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ or see you at the livestream.
  • College students home for Thanksgiving break, it would be great to see you at the Mass!

Ladies Virtual Advent Tea 11/29th An Advent Season Rooted in Hope by Kate Wicker https://bit.ly/2IcQM3u

LOOKING AHEAD

Bible Study – A Biblical Walk With the Blessed Mother  12/2/20 thru 1/27/20 https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/52878/registrations/new 

  • How exciting, a 7-week study on Wednesday evenings on the Blessed Virgin Mary!  Sign-up at the link.  Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.com or at 630-240-6993 for any questions.  Here are the details
    DATES. December 2 – January 27 (Dec. 23 and 30 are off)
    WHERE. Virtual or in person at the PLC (limited space)
    TIME. 7pm – 8:30pm except night 1 will be 7pm – 9pm

Fair Trade Sale Online sponsored by the Peace & Justice Ministry https://www.serrv.org/?a=JusticeandPeaceFTSale

  • Shop for some unique items from the convenience of your home and choose from a wider variety than the sales we have held in person in the past.
  • Fair-trade is a way of helping farmers and artisans in developing countries by offering them a minimum price for their produce or products and thus insuring them a decent wage. It is a good practice for all involved.
  • Gifts to buy? Homes to spruce? Shop handmade from the web link below and 100% of your purchase will support SERRV International, a nonprofit that employs global artisans living in poverty. Do a world of good and support this Our Lady of Mercy Serrv and Earn fundraiser today. Here is SERRV & Earn web link: https://www.serrv.org/?a=JusticeandPeaceFTSale
  • As a little extra incentive if you order this weekend 11/21-11/22 use the promo code SEGC20 and receive a $10 Gift card with every $50 purchase.
  • The weekend of 12/5-12/6 is free ground shipping for orders over every $50 purchase.  Use the promo code SECSNOWMAN20.  Please be sure to use the link and check the orange banner at the top of the home page before shopping, to be sure our parish sale is identified. Thank you!  Any questions call Chris Harvey 631-561-9722 or Jean Rehmer 630-851-3444 x232

Hispanic & Ethnic Ministry of the Diocese of Joliet is sponsoring a virtual Our Lady of Guadalupe event on 12/10th: Saludos amigos en el Ministerio Hispano https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Virgen_de_Guadalupe

  • Saludos amigos en el Ministerio Hispano
    Les comparto este evento virtual para aprender sobre el Simbolismo de la Virgen de Guadalupe, siéntanse libres de compartir con sus comunidades.
  • Cualquier dudar puede comunicarse con William Becerra 815 -221 -6247 wbecerra@dioceseofjoliet.org 

Christmas Flower Offerings

  • This Christmas we will decorate the church with poinsettias around the altar. If you wish to make a gift towards the flowers please go to Give page and log into the secure Online Giving site and choose “Flowers:”. If you wish to memorialize your loved ones you can add their names in the Comments section. The recommended donation is $10.00. Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make our church beautiful during the holiday season.

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

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

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

  • OLM is only able to do any of this because of YOU! Your continued prayers and words of encouragement keep us going and your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
  • If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please reach out and let us know how we can help, here is a private link.
  • If you are not experiencing hardship at this time, please consider supporting our efforts and support our community through your giving, our Give page is accessed here or text an offering amount to (630)647-8105, follow the rest of the instructions.
  • Do you shop on Amazon?  If so, you can help OLM just by shopping for yourself!  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love-same products, same prices, same service. There is no change to your user ID, password, wish lists, registries, or Amazon Prime benefits.  Here is how
    • Every time you shop on Amazon, please type the following web link in your browser from your computer or mobile device: smile.amazon.com then select Our Lady of Mercy Aurora, IL as your charitable organization of choice.
    • Please update your bookmark or favorites to use this link every time for every purchase.
    • Only purchases made through smile.amazon.com credit our account, not the main website or the app.

Angel Giving Program 2020

  • Our Angel Tree Giving Program Is Going Virtual!  Due to the pandemic, and in order to minimize contact, this year we have decided that there will not be tree tags available in the Narthex, but rather, all donations for our Angel Giving Program can be made online or by mail!
  • Who Will Benefit From Your Donation? Our Angel Giving Program will benefit Mutual Ground and Breaking Free clients and their families, Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who receive support from St. Vincent de Paul, and the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.
  • Ways To Donate! Donations for the Angel Giving Program can be donated in one of the following ways:
    1) We encourage you to donate via our Online Giving portal under the “Angel Giving Program” fund. If you already have an Online Giving account set-up, then you can log into your account to make your donation HERE.
    2) You may also write a check made out to Our Lady of Mercy Church with “Angel Giving” in the memo line and mail it to 701 S Eola Road, Aurora, IL 60504 OR after Masses you may place your check in a bin in the Narthex that is labeled “Angel Giving Program.”
    It is important to remember to write “Angel Giving” in the memo of your check so that it goes to the correct fund and can be documented correctly for tax statement purposes.
  • All donations can be made thru December 31, 2020.
  • Thank you for your prayerful consideration to give to those in need who will benefit from your donations!

Thank you for being mindful about keeping each other safe by observing social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands while inside the Church and PLC.  Your cautious way of following the social distancing parameters helps us to stay open and hold the Sacraments.

Today as a church we celebrate Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. Christ is the good shepherd who tends to His sheep. He is also the King of the Universe. He reigns over His creation. Let us gather together as one to proclaim,

Long live Christ the King!

November 13, 2020 | Important Update from Father Don & Father James

Dear Parishioners:

We apologize for this late notice.  This morning Fr. James and I learned that to be compliant with CDC and Diocesan guidelines we need to be in self-isolation through November 20 due to close contact with someone who has informed us that they tested positive for the Coronavirus. We both had had dinner at the home of this person a week ago. While Fr. James and I have not experienced any symptoms, and even though Fr. James just had a rapid test and the results were negative, we must still self-quarantine until the evening of November 20.

Please be aware of the following:

Currently, even though the state is in Tier 2 restrictions regarding the size of gatherings, we are still allowed the 225 capacity of OLM Church for weekend and weekday Masses, weddings, and funerals.

MASSES THIS WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 14 & 15 WILL be celebrated as scheduled.  Luckily, at this late notice, we were able to find priests available to help us out.  THANK YOU, GOD! AND THANK YOU Fr. Michael Groth, Fr. Michael McMahon, and Fr. Joseph Kappilumakkal!

Regarding weekday Masses: 

A Communion Service will take place at the regularly scheduled Mass times Saturday, November 14 through Friday, November 20.  The Communion Service will not be livestreamed.

Fr. James will livestream Mass from his residence at 8:30am on Saturday, November 14 and at 8:00am this coming Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday which will be celebrated for the 8:00am Mass intention scheduled that day. Fr. James will also livestream the Spanish Mass from his residence at 6:30pm on Monday, November 16. Fr. Don will offer a private Mass during the day on Tuesday and Thursday for the intention scheduled at 6:30pm on Tuesday, and 6:30am on Thursday.

Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration will take place as scheduled and Benediction will take place on Monday and Thursday as scheduled.

Magnify:  Wednesday Magnify Eucharistic Adoration, Adoration and Praise will be livestreamed only.

Confessions:
Cancelled on:  Saturday, November 14 / Tuesday, November 17 / Wednesday, November 18

Fr. James and I thank you for your prayers, understanding, and cooperation as we do what is best to keep everyone safe.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr, James and Fr. Don

Below is the Mass Sign-Up Reminder & Weekly Update

We pray to see you at any of the Mass times this weekend especially since we are still able to gather together with Jesus.  Let us continue to set Sunday apart as a day for prayer and rest whether in-person or at the livestream.

THIS COMING WEEK

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

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

Remembering our Departed Loved Ones Throughout November  

  • In the month of November, the Church has two traditional means of obtaining a plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory. (For the full post, proceed to this link https://bit.ly/35OD2DV)
    • The first is to visit a cemetery and pray for the dead during the Octave of All Saints’ Day, which is Nov. 1-8.  This year, the Vatican decreed that this plenary indulgence can be obtained on any day in November.
    • The second plenary indulgence is connected to the Feast of All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2 and can be received by those who piously visit a church or oratory on that day and recite the Our Father and the Creed.  The Vatican said that this plenary indulgence has also been extended and is available to Catholics throughout the month of November to reduce crowds.
    • A Catholic who wishes to obtain a plenary indulgence must also fulfill the ordinary conditions of an indulgence, which are sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the pope. Sacramental confession and reception of the Eucharist can occur up to about twenty days before or after the indulgenced act.
    • The Vatican also said that, because of the health emergency, the elderly, the sick, and others who cannot leave the house for serious reasons can participate in the indulgence from home by reciting prayers for the deceased before an image of Jesus or the Virgin Mary.  They must also spiritually unite themselves to other Catholics, be completely detached from sin, and have the intention of fulfilling the ordinary conditions as soon as possible.

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

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

Brogan Family Coat Drive 11/15th

  • Mike and Carole Brogan were icons at Our Lady of Mercy. Both passed away in 2019. One of the ways they supported our parish was a yearly coat drive. Their family and our church would like to continue this mission by asking for donations of new and gently used coats, hats, boots, and gloves. The donations for women and children will benefit Mutual Ground and the donations for men’s items will benefit Breaking Free.  On Sunday, 11/15th from 9am to 12pm a trailer will be in the OLM parking lot accepting the donations. Please support this mission to carry on this tradition that is near and dear to our hearts.
    Here is an ad you can share https://bit.ly/2Jkjjo7

Magnify on Weds 11/18th – LIVESTREAM ONLY

  • Due to the updated guidelines from the Diocese (which is reflective of the governor’s recent mitigation update), Adoration is being capped at 10.  With that said, Magnify this month will be livestream only.
  • During these trying times is the time our Lord Jesus desires for us to turn to Him, seek Him out at the livestream @ 7pm and share your heart with Him.

LOOKING AHEAD

Mass on Thanksgiving Day 11/26th

  • Join us in giving thanks to the Lord at the Thanksgiving Mass, Thursday 11/26th @ 9am.

Ladies Virtual Advent Tea 11/29th An Advent Season Rooted in Hope by Kate Wicker https://bit.ly/2IcQM3u

Bible Study – A Biblical Walk With the Blessed Mother  12/2/20 thru 1/27/20 https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/52878/registrations/new 

  • How exciting;  a 7-week study on Wednesday evenings on the Blessed Virgin Mary!  Sign-up at the link.  Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.com or at 630-240-6993 for any questions.  Here are the details
    DATES. December 2 – January 27 (Dec. 23 and 30 are off)
    WHERE. Virtual or in person at the PLC (limited space)
    TIME. 7pm – 8:30pm except night 1 will be 7pm – 9pm

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

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

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

  • OLM is only able to do any of this because of YOU! Your continued prayers and words of encouragement keep us going and your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
  • If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please reach out and let us know how we can help, here is a private link.
  • If you are not experiencing hardship at this time, please consider supporting our efforts and support our community through your giving, our Give page is accessed here or text an offering amount to (630)647-8105, follow the rest of the instructions.
  • Do you shop on Amazon?  If so, you can help OLM just by shopping for yourself!  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love-same products, same prices, same service. There is no change to your user ID, password, wish lists, registries, or Amazon Prime benefits.  Here is how
    • Every time you shop on Amazon, please type the following web link in your browser from your computer or mobile device: smile.amazon.com then select Our Lady of Mercy Aurora, IL as your charitable organization of choice.
    • Please update your bookmark or favorites to use this link every time for every purchase.
    • Only purchases made through smile.amazon.com credit our account, not the main website or the app.

Angel Giving Program 2020

  • Our Angel Tree Giving Program Is Going Virtual!  Due to the pandemic, and in order to minimize contact, this year we have decided that there will not be tree tags available in the Narthex, but rather, all donations for our Angel Giving Program can be made online or by mail!
  • Who Will Benefit From Your Donation? Our Angel Giving Program will benefit Mutual Ground and Breaking Free clients and their families, Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who receive support from St. Vincent de Paul, and the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry.
  • Ways To Donate! Donations for the Angel Giving Program can be donated in one of the following ways:
    1) We encourage you to donate via our Online Giving portal under the “Angel Giving Program” fund. If you already have an Online Giving account set-up, then you can log into your account to make your donation HERE.
    2) You may also write a check made out to Our Lady of Mercy Church with “Angel Giving” in the memo line and mail it to 701 S Eola Road, Aurora, IL 60504 OR after Masses you may place your check in a bin in the Narthex that is labeled “Angel Giving Program.”
    It is important to remember to write “Angel Giving” in the memo of your check so that it goes to the correct fund and can be documented correctly for tax statement purposes.
  • All donations can be made thru December 31, 2020.
  • Thank you for your prayerful consideration to give to those in need who will benefit from your donations!

Thank you for being mindful about keeping each other safe by observing social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands while inside the Church and PLC.  Your cautious way of following the social distancing parameters helps us to stay open and hold the Sacraments.

The reflection on the Mass continues to come from our Lord Jesus.

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting.”

  • The ultimate promise of the Gospel is that we will share in the life of the Holy Trinity. The Fathers of the Church called this participation in the divine life “divinization” (theosis). In this we see that God does not merely send us good things from on high; instead, we are brought up into the inner life of God, the communion among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • St. Augustine informs us that the Catholic people in his Diocese called the Eucharist by the word “Life.” When they were to go to Holy Communion, they would say, “We are going to Life.”
Let us go “to Life” at the Mass this weekend, or join us at the 10am livestream.

November 6, 2020 | Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

We pray to see you at any of the Mass times this weekend especially on these beautiful fall days we are having.  What a great setting the Lord has for us as we continue to set Sunday apart as a day for prayer and rest striving to live up to His loving commandment to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy”

THIS COMING WEEK

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

  • Please sign-in ahead of time online at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ so we can adequately prepare for all who are attending Mass.
  • Father Don will be preaching at all the Masses this weekend.
  • Let us know where you are tuning in from, we’d love to acknowledge you.
  • The livestream of the Mass is courtesy of Patricia Leatherwood, son Reggie Dowd, and brother John Pulliam, in loving memory of Parents, John and Myrtle Pulliam, brother Robert Pulliam, sister Chevela Pulliam and grandmother Anna Lee aka Popeye.  Happy birthday in heaven Myrtle aka Nump.
    Thank you so much.
  • If you are interested in sponsoring a Livestream of the Mass, please reach out to frdon@olmercy.com.  Cost is $750.
  • Viewing the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot during the 10AM Mass, please note that we will continue to have this in place.  In other words, this will NOT be discontinued.
  • During the 10AM Mass, for those that are feeling uncomfortable about being inside the Church but would like to receive Holy Communion, you can watch the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot and then when it is time to receive Holy Communion, the parking attendants will guide you as to how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Remembering our Departed Loved Ones Throughout November  

  • In the month of November, the Church has two traditional means of obtaining a plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory. (For the full post, proceed to this link https://bit.ly/35OD2DV)
    • The first is to visit a cemetery and pray for the dead during the Octave of All Saints’ Day, which is Nov. 1-8.  This year, the Vatican decreed that this plenary indulgence can be obtained on any day in November.
    • The second plenary indulgence is connected to the Feast of All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2 and can be received by those who piously visit a church or oratory on that day and recite the Our Father and the Creed.  The Vatican said that this plenary indulgence has also been extended and is available to Catholics throughout the month of November to reduce crowds.
    • A Catholic who wishes to obtain a plenary indulgence must also fulfill the ordinary conditions of an indulgence, which are sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the pope. Sacramental confession and reception of the Eucharist can occur up to about twenty days before or after the indulgenced act.
    • The Vatican also said that, because of the health emergency, the elderly, the sick, and others who cannot leave the house for serious reasons can participate in the indulgence from home by reciting prayers for the deceased before an image of Jesus or the Virgin Mary.  They must also spiritually unite themselves to other Catholics, be completely detached from sin, and have the intention of fulfilling the ordinary conditions as soon as possible.

Email communication platforms – Moving from Constant Contact to Flocknote by 11/7th

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




 

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

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

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

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

 

LOOKING AHEAD

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

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

Brogan Family Coat Drive 11/15th

  • Mike and Carole Brogan were icons at Our Lady of Mercy. Both passed away in 2019. One of the ways they supported our parish was a yearly coat drive. Their family and our church would like to continue this mission by asking for donations of new and gently used coats, hats, boots, and gloves. The donations for women and children will benefit Mutual Ground and the donations for men’s items will benefit Breaking Free.  On Sunday, 11/15th from 9am to 12pm a trailer will be in the OLM parking lot accepting the donations. Please support this mission to carry on this tradition that is near and dear to our hearts.
    Here is an ad you can share https://bit.ly/2Jkjjo7

Magnify on Weds 11/18th https://bit.ly/33ZPv8b

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

Mass on Thanksgiving Day 11/26th

  • Join us in giving thanks to the Lord at the Thanksgiving Mass, Thursday 11/26th @ 9am.

Ladies Virtual Advent Tea 11/29th An Advent Season Rooted in Hope by Kate Wicker https://bit.ly/2IcQM3u 

Bible Study – A Biblical Walk With the Blessed Mother  12/2/20 thru 1/27/20 https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/52878/registrations/new 

  • How exciting;  a 7-week study on Wednesday evenings on the Blessed Virgin Mary!  Sign-up at the link.  Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.com or at 630-240-6993 for any questions.  Here are the details
    DATES. December 2 – January 27 (Dec. 23 and 30 are off)
    WHERE. Virtual or in person at the PLC (limited space)
    TIME. 7pm – 8:30pm except night 1 will be 7pm – 9pm

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

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

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

  • OLM is only able to do any of this because of YOU! Your continued prayers and words of encouragement keep us going and your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
  • If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please reach out and let us know how we can help, here is a private link.
  • If you are not experiencing hardship at this time, please consider supporting our efforts and support our community through your giving, our Give page is accessed here or text an offering amount to (630)647-8105, follow the rest of the instructions.
  • Do you shop on Amazon?  If so, you can help OLM just by shopping for yourself!  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love-same products, same prices, same service. There is no change to your user ID, password, wish lists, registries, or Amazon Prime benefits.  Here is how
    • Every time you shop on Amazon, please type the following web link in your browser from your computer or mobile device: smile.amazon.com then select Our Lady of Mercy Aurora, IL as your charitable organization of choice.
    • Please update your bookmark or favorites to use this link every time for every purchase.
    • Only purchases made through smile.amazon.com credit our account, not the main website or the app.

and one more thing with Father James | Companions of Christ: History

  • Learn about how, on May 1, 2020, the Diocese of Joliet became the third diocese in the world to establish the Companions of Christ. Our very own Fr. James helped to found this new group of diocesan priests who focus on fraternity, mutual support, and accountability within their priesthood.  For more information on the Joliet Companions, check out https://www.companionsofchristjoliet.org/ 

Thank you for being mindful about keeping each other safe by observing social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands while inside the Church and PLC.  Your cautious way of following the social distancing parameters helps us to stay open and hold the Sacraments.

The reflection on the Mass comes from our Lord Jesus.

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting.”

  • The ultimate promise of the Gospel is that we will share in the life of the Holy Trinity. The Fathers of the Church called this participation in the divine life “divinization” (theosis). In this we see that God does not merely send us good things from on high; instead, we are brought up into the inner life of God, the communion among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • St. Augustine informs us that the Catholic people in his Diocese called the Eucharist by the word “Life.” When they were to go to Holy Communion, they would say, “We are going to Life.”
Let us go “to Life” at the Mass this weekend, or join us at the 10am livestream.

October 30, 2020 | Mass Sign-Up Reminder and Weekly Update

Before anything else, with regards to the most recent update of the Mitigation plan from the governor’s office, please note there is no change for Churches, we are open—praise God!

Happy Hallows Eve to you, that’s essentially what Halloween is, which is a contraction of “All Hallows Evening,” the vigil for the Christian holy day All Saints Day.  “Hallow” refers to something consecrated to a special purpose. November 1 is celebrated as the Feast of All Saints, or the Feast of All Hallows because those who are honored are all those in heaven—the holy ones of God, heroes of our faith who have experienced the tug-of-war between the world and the kingdom of God.
Evening vigils on the day before a feast or solemnity are customary in the Catholic Faith, and so Halloween falls on October 31 because it is the vigil before All Saints Day.   Speaking of the saints, something that all the saints have understood by experience during their time here on earth is the awesome meeting of union with Jesus in the Eucharist, let’s emulate them in this desire and longing for Holy Communion.

THIS COMING WEEK

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

  • Please sign-in ahead of time online at this link https://bit.ly/3he0WxJ so we can adequately prepare for all who are attending Mass.
  • The Deacons will be preaching at all the Masses this weekend.
  • Let us know where you are tuning in from, we’d love to acknowledge you.
  • If you are interested in sponsoring a Livestream of the Mass, please reach out to frdon@olmercy.com.  Cost is $750.
  • Viewing the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot during the 10AM Mass, please note that we will continue to have this in place.  In other words, this will NOT be discontinued.
  • During the 10AM Mass, for those that are feeling uncomfortable about being inside the Church but would like to receive Holy Communion, you can watch the Mass while in your car in the Parking Lot and then when it is time to receive Holy Communion, the parking attendants will guide you as to how to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

FALL BACK | Set your clocks back one hour

  • Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday.

Receiving the Eucharist on the Tongue

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

Remembering our Departed Loved Ones Throughout November and in the All Souls’ Mass of Remembrance on Monday 11/2nd @ 5:30pm Spanish |  7:30pm English 

  • All Souls Day is a day during which we especially remember in prayer those that have gone before us.
    In memory of your faithful departed loved ones, we pray you join us in-person or at the livestreams. Sign-in ahead of time here https://bit.ly/2TwjJta
    For the 5:30pm Spanish Mass for All Souls’ Day or “Dias de los Muertos”, the custom of bringing pictures of deceased loved ones to church is encouraged.
  • In the month of November, the Church has two traditional means of obtaining a plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory. (For the full post, proceed to this link https://bit.ly/35OD2DV)
    • The first is to visit a cemetery and pray for the dead during the Octave of All Saints’ Day, which is Nov. 1-8.  This year, the Vatican decreed that this plenary indulgence can be obtained on any day in November.
    • The second plenary indulgence is connected to the Feast of All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2 and can be received by those who piously visit a church or oratory on that day and recite the Our Father and the Creed.  The Vatican said that this plenary indulgence has also been extended and is available to Catholics throughout the month of November to reduce crowds.
    • A Catholic who wishes to obtain a plenary indulgence must also fulfill the ordinary conditions of an indulgence, which are sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the pope. Sacramental confession and reception of the Eucharist can occur up to about twenty days before or after the indulgenced act.
    • The Vatican also said that, because of the health emergency, the elderly, the sick, and others who cannot leave the house for serious reasons can participate in the indulgence from home by reciting prayers for the deceased before an image of Jesus or the Virgin Mary.  They must also spiritually unite themselves to other Catholics, be completely detached from sin, and have the intention of fulfilling the ordinary conditions as soon as possible.

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

  • Please help our brothers and sisters in need; sign up for any of the items posted above or send funds via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PAD”. Thank you so much for your generosity.
    ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40

Forming Your Conscience Before the Upcoming Elections on 11/3rd

LOOKING AHEAD

Email communication platforms – Moving from Constant Contact to Flocknote by 11/7th

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




 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brogan Family Coat Drive 11/15th

  • Mike and Carole Brogan were icons at Our Lady of Mercy. Both passed away in 2019. One of the ways they supported our parish was a yearly coat drive. Their family and our church would like to continue this mission by asking for donations of new and gently used coats, hats, boots, and gloves. The donations for women and children will benefit Mutual Ground and the donations for men’s items will benefit Breaking Free.  On Sunday, 11/15th from 9am to 12pm a trailer will be in the OLM parking lot accepting the donations. Please support this mission to carry on this tradition that is near and dear to our hearts.
    Here is an ad you can share https://bit.ly/2Jkjjo7

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

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

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

  • OLM is only able to do any of this because of YOU! Your continued prayers and words of encouragement keep us going and your generosity continues to create more opportunities for OLM to keep our family connected and bring people to Jesus, form them as disciples and send them on mission.
  • If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please reach out and let us know how we can help, here is a private link.
  • If you are not experiencing hardship at this time, please consider supporting our efforts and support our community through your giving, our Give page is accessed here or text an offering amount to (630)647-8105, follow the rest of the instructions.
  • Do you shop on Amazon?  If so, you can help OLM just by shopping for yourself!  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love-same products, same prices, same service. There is no change to your user ID, password, wish lists, registries, or Amazon Prime benefits.  Here is how
    • Every time you shop on Amazon, please type the following web link in your browser from your computer or mobile device: smile.amazon.com then select Our Lady of Mercy Aurora, IL as your charitable organization of choice.
    • Please update your bookmark or favorites to use this link every time for every purchase.
    • Only purchases made through smile.amazon.com credit our account, not the main website or the app.

and one more thing with Father James | Companions of Christ: Explained

  • “What do you mean Fr. James isn’t living at OLM? Is he part of a religious order? What is this Companions of Christ thing anyways?” Learn more about OLM’s newest parochial vicar and the association that he helped bring to the Diocese of Joliet in this episode of “…and one more thing!”. For more information on the Joliet Companions, check out https://www.companionsofchristjoliet….

Thank you for being mindful about keeping each other safe by observing social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing your hands while inside the Church and PLC.  Your cautious way of following the social distancing parameters helps us to stay open and hold the Sacraments.

Here is the reflection on the Mass.

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Day, ordinary men, women, and children, known and unknown, who’ve become heroes of our faith.  And though they’ve each had their own unique journey of sinners-to-saints, rising up from the hardships of their lives, they do possess one thing in common. 

And that is, all the saints have understood by experience the divine marvel of our meeting and our union with Jesus in the Eucharist.  Perhaps we think too little about the sublimity of every Holy Communion.  Yet St. Pius X said that “if the angels could envy, they would envy us for Holy Communion.”  And St. Madeleine Sophie Barat defined Holy Communion as “Paradise on earth.” 

All the saints have understood that a devout Holy Communion means being possessed by Him and possessing Him. “He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me and I in Him” (John 6:57).  On one occasion St. Gemma Galgani wrote, “It is now night.  Tomorrow morning is approaching, and then Jesus will possess me and I will possess Jesus.”  It is not possible to have a union of love which is deeper and more total: He in me and I in Him; the one in the other.  It could lead one to wonder, what more could we want?

“You envy,” said St. John Chrysostom, “the privilege of the woman who touched Jesus’ vestments, of the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears, of the women of Galilee who had the happiness of following Him in His pilgrimages, of the Apostles and disciples who conversed with Him familiarly, of the people of the time who listened to the words of grace and salvation which came forth from His lips.  You consider fortunate those who saw Him…. However, come to the altar and you will see Him, you will feel Him [when received in Communion], you will give Him holy kisses, you will wash Him with your tears, you will carry Him within you like Mary Most Holy.”

For this reason, the saints desired and longed for Holy Communion.  May we also come to desire and long for Holy Communion like they did.

Please note if you can’t come to the weekend Masses, we have daily Mass at the following times (listed in order of least attendance).
Wednesday 12pm
Thursday 6:30am
Tuesday 6:30pm
Monday Spanish Mass 6:30pm
Saturday 8:30am
Monday through Friday 8am

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

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

THIS COMING WEEK

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

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

Receiving the Eucharist on the Tongue

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

EDGE Middle School Grades 6-8 registration

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

Join the Rosary Group after daily Mass

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

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

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

Holiday Pie Sale order by 10/25th

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

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

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

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

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

LOOKING AHEAD

PADS Day is Tuesday 11/3rd https://pads.rehmer.com/
  • Please help our brothers and sisters in need; sign up for any of the items posted above or send funds via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PAD”. Thank you so much for your generosity.
    ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brogan Family Coat Drive 11/15th

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

Undy Sunday by Catholic Charities

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

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

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

Email communication platforms – Moving from Constant Contact to Flocknote

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




 

Bulletin

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

Supporting OLM | Parish Sacrificial Giving

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

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

Here is the brief reflection on the Mass.

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

—St. John Paul II

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

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

THIS COMING WEEK

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

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

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

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

Receiving the Eucharist on the Tongue

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

World Mission Sunday this weekend

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

EDGE Middle School Grades 6-8 registration

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

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

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

Women at the Well on Fri 10/23rd

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

Join the Rosary Group after daily Mass

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

LOOKING AHEAD

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

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

Holiday Pie Sale order by 10/25th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Undy Sunday by Catholic Charities

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

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

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

Email communication platforms – Moving from Constant Contact to Flocknote

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