“My Sheep Hear My Voice”
“Love without suffering is sweet, but it is soft and sentimental; suffering without love is strong, but it is hard and bitter; but love that suffers is both strong and sweet,” writes Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft.
To know someone in the deepest sense is to see them totally, to love and trust them unconditionally. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” Jesus asserts in John’s Gospel. God knows us in the deepest sense. He created us! Do we care to know God deeper, to allow ourselves to be seen fully and thus transformed, and then respond to the mission he’s calling us to?
Jesus knows us. Do we know Him?
Consider watching the video on the Flocknote email of Bishop Barron on how the early apostles led the Church in boldness and courage.
As a Church rooted in the apostles (“one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church”), we take inspiration from the early leaders who went out into the world to boldly preach the Good News of Jesus Christ!
We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father James is preaching or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.” -St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein)
Did you miss Deacon Tom’s homily last week on “Do you love Me? Follow Me”? See it below.
THIS COMING WEEK
Please bring home a Baby Bottle for Life
The 2022Waterleaf Baby Bottles for Life campaign is to benefit, support, and educate pregnant women facing crisis or unintended pregnancies. The funds collected through the Baby Bottles for Life campaign support the life-affirming programs and services of the Waterleaf Medical Clinic and their Aspire Education and Resource Center located in Aurora. The campaign will run from 5/7 (Mother’s Day) through 6/19 (Father’s Day). Participation is so easy!
Take a bottle or envelope home
Fill your bottle with coins, cash, or checks (envelopes cash and check only)
In 2021, Waterleaf served over 1,400 unique clients, had over 2,540 appointments, performed 980 pregnancy tests, 1,475 ultrasounds, 100 parenting coaching, and 600 healthy relations education sessions, and joyfully welcomed over 128 babies. For more information about Waterleaf, visit their websites listed below, or call them at (630) 701-6270. Help give the gift of life, love, and hope!
How to Respond to the Leak of Draft Supreme Court Opinion
The final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, currently under review by the Supreme Court, may significantly alter the legal framework established by Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion throughout the nation in 1973. The Court’s draft majority opinion, leaked to the media on 5/2, indicates the Court may be prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade and to return abortion determinations to the individual States, certainly a most promising development.
The unprecedented way the draft decision in Dobbs was released to the public is disturbing. Violating Court procedure and numerous ethics rules, the leak has had the unfortunate but predictable effect of rendering an already contentious issue even more fraught in the public discourse. Regardless of the release and the speculation it engenders, the outcome of Dobbs will remain uncertain until a final decision is rendered by the Court, most likely in June of this year.
We must keep in mind that for us as Catholics, the legal decision, whenever and however it comes, will in no way alter our essential pro-life mission to support and protect the life and dignity of mothers and their children. The end of Roe would constitute a call for each of us to redouble our efforts to accompany women and children, to provide life-affirming assistance and to promote public policies that support families, especially where most vulnerable.
Please Pardon the Error
A “Draft” of this email was sent in error on Friday. Please pardon the inconvenience and thank you so much for your understanding.
LOOKING AHEAD
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive 5/14
Schedule to donate blood at this linkon Saturday 5/14 from 8am to 12pm in room 114. Every donor will save up to 3 lives!
While appointments are appreciated, walk-ins are welcome!
Please make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Thank you!
First Holy Communion 5/14 & 5/15
Please keep our children receiving their First Holy Communion next weekend on 5/14 & 5/15 in your prayers!
Hear from our Seminarian Andrew Bogusz at the Serra Dinner on 5/16
Our seminarian Andrew Bogusz will be the speaker at the Serra Club May Dinner on Monday 5/16th at St. Michael’s in Wheaton.
The evening starts with Rosary at 6pm followed by Mass, fellowship, dinner, and then hearing from Andrew.
All are invited to attend the St. Peregrine and St. Dymphna Prayer Service on Tuesday, 5/17th in the church after the 6:30pm Mass with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Director of Pastoral Care.
St. Peregrine is the patron saint of the sick especially those experiencing cancer, serious or terminal illness, or chronic illness. The feast day of St. Peregrine is May 4. St. Dymphna is the patron saint of stress, anxiety, and mental health. The feast day of St. Dymphna is May 15. Our parish has the St. Peregrine Ministry devoted to St. Peregrine and the Open HEARTS Ministry devoted to St. Dymphna. We are having one prayer service to celebrate their feast days in May.
Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry 5/18
This month’s Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds 5/18th 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 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 snow or shine!
Deacon Tom’s Ordination 5/21
Have you ever been to a priest ordination? As Deacon Tom has invited us at the end of Mass last weekend if you’ve never gone “I do hope that some of you come to my ordination, it is an incredibly beautiful ceremony, I’ll be anointed on my hands to be consecrated to minister to the people of God, it’s very profound.”
Let us all come out, support, and be a witness as he says yes to the sacred and holy priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. See you at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus at 604 N. Raynor Avenue in Joliet at 11am.
Tour the Holy Land & Greece with Father Don & Deacon Mike Informational Sessions on 5/21 & 5/22
Join Father Don and Deacon Mike Plese for a pilgrimage to Israel and Greece to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and Saint Paul. There will be information sessions on Saturday, 5/21 at 10am and on Sunday, 5/22 at 1:30pm in Room 114. For additional information or to register for the trip call (855)842- 8001 or go to www.proximotravel.com.
Neighborhood Clean-Up Day on 5/21
A clean-up day will take place on Saturday, 5/21, for residents of Ward 8. Trash compactor trucks will be arriving at 8AM and will leave promptly at 11AM. Trucks will be placed at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Acceptable Items: building materials, empty or dried out paint cans, discarded furniture, large & small household appliances, carpet & pads, grills, wood, metal, old toys, bicycles, mattresses & similar items. For questions, please call the Aldermen Patty Smith’s Office at 630-256-3020. *NO ELECTRONICS*
MAGNIFY is on 5/25
Save the date for MAGNIFY this month which is on 5/25th, we hope to see you there as we continue celebrating these days of Easter and preparing our hearts for Pentecost. #adorationeasterpraiseandworship #scripturalreflection #confessions #prayerministry.
Sign Up to Receive the Pentecost Novena that starts 5/27
Let’s come together as a parish family in praying a novena in preparation for Pentecost Sunday for an outpouring of the Love of the Father and the Son, that is the Holy Spirit, on our parish, our families, and our community especially those who have not met Jesus.
Starts Friday 5/27 to Saturday 6/4 which is the Vigil of Pentecost. Receive the Novena in your Inbox at 7AM at this link
The novena to the Holy Spirit is significant because it was the first Novena. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He instructed our Lady and His disciples to return to Jerusalem to pray and wait for the promise of the Father. As our Lady and the disciples waited and prayed, let us do so as well.
On May 4, 1897, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed: “We decree and command that throughout the whole Catholic Church, this year and in every subsequent year, a novena shall take place before Pentecost, in all parish churches.” (Encyclical On the Holy Spirit, 13). Come Holy Spirit enkindle in us the fire of Your love!
Mary’s Squad In-Person Workout starts 5/28
Mary’s Squad workouts on Saturday mornings at 9:15am will now be in-person starting on 5/28th!
Workout details are: stretch and strengthening mat workout while we pray the rosary. Concludes with 10 minutes of meditative silent prayer followed by group prayer intentions.
On some Saturday mornings, a certified SoulCore instructor (Kiley Tyler) will lead a SoulCore workout (check out this video to find out what it is); a much better and safe alternative to yoga.
Please reach out and Juanita Pachecojuanitapacheco@yahoo.com one of the leads and let them know you will be joining them; they are looking forward to welcoming you.
Salt & Light is starting a new series “Sharing Christ” on 6/1
Not part of any of our Grow Groups? Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. Salt & LightGrow Group provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
Connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464.
Vines & Branches Grow Group is starting a new book study (on annulment) on 6/1
Do you know anyone or are you seeking answers about the Catholic annulment process after having gone through the pain of divorce?
Perhaps you or someone you know have gotten divorced and have not gone through annulment? Come to the book study at Vines & Branches Grow Group where you will go through “Mending the Heart: a Catholic Annulment Companion” by Lisa Duffy. Meets on Wednesdays at 7pm, please register herel
Pentecost Vigil & Father Tom Logue’s Reception 6/4
Father Tom will celebrate his first Mass at Our Lady of Mercy at the Pentecost Vigil Mass at 6:30pm. Immediately after is a reception for Father Tom.
Did you know that the Pentecost Vigil is one of the top 3 most beautiful liturgies after Midnight Mass and Easter! Please save the date for this beautiful hidden gem of the Catholic liturgy and time with Father Tom at the reception.
Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/18
Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Council #12005 has established a scholarship program for high school seniors seeking financial assistance for continuing education (accredited trade school / junior college, college or university only). Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit to Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who are high school seniors.
All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, June 18 @ 4pm.
Proceed to this linkfor application details, requirements, and contact information.
Corpus Christi Procession 6/19
Save the date for our Corpus Christi Procession on Sunday 6/19th from 1pm to 3pm immediately following the 12pm Mass.
Saint Pope John Paul II said it best on why he encourages you and I to take part in the procession. . . simply put it’s to make Jesus Christ “known in the modern metropolis.” The procession reminds us Jesus is present in the world, it’s also an outward sign that represents a deeper reality, an interior disposition, here is Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity under the appearances of bread, the host, walking through the streets.
Or as Pope Benedict XVI points out, “Corpus Christi processions allow us to “immerse [Christ], so to speak, in the daily routine of our lives, so that He may walk where we walk and live where we live.”
We look forward to walking with Jesus with you on Sunday, 6/19th!
Did you know Yoga is bad for you? Find out why on 6/28
“Wait what?” you’re probably wondering. Father James actually spoke about this in one of his AMA segments. Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group is hosting Kiley Tyler Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at Loyola University Chicago and is also a certified SoulCore instructor where she will speak about why Yoga is harmful and what you can do instead.
Come hear the talk on Tuesday 6/28th @ 7pm. Bring everyone you know who does Yoga to the talk.
Undone Freedom for the Feminine Heart 9/22 thru 9/24
Save the Date for the Women’s Conference from John Paull II Healing Center – Undone – Freedom for the Feminine Heart taking place here at Our Lady of Mercy from Thursday 9/22 through Saturday 9/24. Registration opens 6/27th.
Do you desire to dive deeper into the freedom that you were created for? Do you feel restricted and bound by the knots of sin and shame that conceal the profound beauty of your feminine heart?
Ladies, immerse yourself in a three-day conference of truth and transformation as the knots of Eve, in us, are undone by Mary’s example of radical receptivity. Through a series of talks, teachings, and prayer experiences, you will be invited to become Undone in God’s presence while deeply receiving the truth of your authentic identity. Let your friends know to save these dates as well, you won’t want to miss this conference.
Family Faith Formation Office is Hiring
Coordinator of Family & Youth Evangelization & Catechesis for Grades 6-12 Youth Ministry – LIGHT & EDGE
We are seeking a part-time Coordinator for Family and Youth Catechesis and Evangelization for Grades 6-12. The Coordinator will work with a ministry team to develop and grow disciples for Christ and send them on mission. The primary focus will be spent working with high school and middle school teens and their families in a variety of ministry settings. An applicant must have experience in youth or family ministry, have a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, or Pastoral Ministry or a related field and must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing, and must know, profess and act consistently in accordance with the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church, and with the mission, philosophy, objectives, and policies of the Diocese of Joliet. The position is 28 hours a week with no benefits.Please submit a resume to Dave Miserendino via email at DaveM@olmercy.com.
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
Building a Community Garden on Parish Grounds
Do you have a green thumb? Or perhaps you like gardening and are good at caring for plants? Connect with the Justice & Peace Ministry, which is planning a Community Garden at Our Lady of Mercy. Produce from the Community Garden will be given to local organizations such as Hesed House and local food pantries. Please contact Ida at 630-605- 6038 or idamphillips@gmail.com or Chris at 631-561-9722 or chrisharveyny@gmail.com. They will be forming a committee to organize and care for the community garden.
Parish Mission – Unbound: Freedom In Christ Conference
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦, be encouraged; read Unbound and connect with unboundjoliet@gmail.com after reading the first 7 chapters for next steps.
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥, please let us know of your experience by filling out this feedback form, we would be most grateful for your insight.
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto 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 the last quarter of 2021, we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
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
Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
Thank you so much to those who have pledged! Once we have reached our goal in paid pledges, 70% of the additional funds received will be returned to our parish.
Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
Donations can be made here Check out how your gifts to the CMAA help at this link. Thank you for your consideration.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
World Youth Day 2023. 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. This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29. Proceed here for further details.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
FREE CONFERENCE The Theology of the Body Institute is hosting a free ’three-day LIVE “Revealed: Become What You Are” online experience one that you could experience and feel a part of, instead of just merely watching.
From May 13-15, top Catholic voices come together to share the good news of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body teachings as it applies to the most pressing issues in today’s culture. With Dr. Christopher West, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, Jackie and Bobby Angel, Jason Evert, and more!Proceed to this link for details and registration.
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
Invitation & Prayers Leading up to the Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacon Tom Logue
On May 21st @ 11am, Deacon Tom will be ordained to the sacred priesthood for the Diocese of Joliet by Bishop Ron Hicks. 𝑫𝒆𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒔!
We hope to see you at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.
Read Deacon Tom’s path to the priesthood below.
Of your charity, please pray that Deacon Tom’s priesthood will be happy, holy, and fruitful. Here is Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Prayer for Priests which commends the presbyterate to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚. Mary, Mother of Jesus, throw your mantle of purity over our priests.
Protect them, guide them, and keep them in your heart. Be a Mother to them, especially in times of discouragement and loneliness. Love them and keep them belonging completely to Jesus.
Like Jesus, they, too, are your sons, so keep their hearts pure and virginal. Keep their minds filled with Jesus, and put Jesus always on their lips, so that He is the one they offer to the sinner and to all they meet.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, be their Mother, loving them and bringing them joy. Take special care of sick and dying priests, and the ones most tempted. Remember how they spent their youth and old age, their entire lives serving and giving all to Jesus.
Mary, bless them and keep a special place for them in your heart. Give them a piece of your heart, so beautiful and pure and immaculate, so full of love and humility, so that they, too, can grow in the likeness of Christ. Dear Mary, make them humble like you, and holy like Jesus. Amen.
Deacon Tom’s Vocation Story
I felt the call to priesthood at the young age of 5, though upon reaching junior high I began to dismiss the idea of such a path and began growing apart from God. Throughout high school the thought continued to follow me along with God’s own providence. On our senior Kairos retreat in high school I had an encounter with the love of God that prompted me to prostrate myself on the floor in surrender to Jesus with a willingness to do whatever He might ask of me, and He began to hint once again that this was priesthood. A number of trials and subsequent mistakes began to weigh on me at this time, and by the Lord’s loving grace I was continually drawn to both fasting and to being alone with Him in our high school chapel in off-time everyday in study halls and occasional lunch periods. I was eventually led to the sacrament of confession and gave all the ugliness of my sin to Jesus, only to have the priest remark to my surprise afterwards, “Tom, I think you have a vocation to the priesthood.”
Months later, on entering college, I began to seriously discern this invitation of Christ, and I fell in love with the Eucharist and His Bride, the Church before heading on to college seminary. I did take some time away from the seminary to discern more deeply the way of life to which Christ was calling me and worked as a youth minister in my diocese for a couple years before returning to formation at Mundelein. I could not be happier pursuing this vocation in the service of the Jesus and the Church, and I ask you to pray for myself and all of our seminarians that would be perpetual witnesses to His mercy and love, especially in confession and His real presence in the Eucharist!
Priest Aspirations
Being Jesus’ instrument of mercy in the distribution of Eucharist, hearing confessions, and preaching for renewed conversion.
Save the Date for Father Tom’s Mass of Thanksgiving & Reception at Our Lady of Mercy
Pentecost Vigil Mass Saturday, June 4 @ 6:30pm
Immediately following the Mass is a Reception for Father Tom Logue
Deacon Tom’s Homilies
Here are Deacon Tom’s homilies; thank you Holy Spirit for blessing us with your wisdom through Deacon Tom’s homilies.
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.
To prepare our hearts for Holy Week consider watching the video on the Flocknote email of a video on Jesus’ suffering, death, and Resurrection from the series Catholicism 101 with Rachel Bulman with these questions in mind:
Do you believe that you would have stood apart from the crowd in crying for Jesus to be crucified? Would you have been silent? Would you have joined them?
What are the “seven last words” of Christ?
Why is the resurrection of Christ so central to what our faith is about?
“Holy Spirit, let the grace of this Holy Week change my heart”
Did you miss Deacon Tom’s homily last week on “Come Out of Your Tomb”? See it below.
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
There is No Regular Eucharistic Adoration during Holy Week
Eucharist Adoration on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday will not be taking place this week. Come and 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 4/15
Jesus asked that the Feast of Divine Mercy, known today as Divine Mercy Sunday which is on 4/24, 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).
All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, 4/19 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care.
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 4/20
The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds 4/20th 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 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 snow or shine!
Earth Day 4/23
We will celebrate Earth Day 2022 with a free Green Fair on Saturday 4/23rd from 9am to 3pm. There will be plenty of organizations with displays of important information on how to be a greener household, community, world, and more. Let your friends and neighbors know. Check out the list of organizations in this ad.
Fiesta Taco Food Truck will be at the fair.
Regarding the Second Collection on the weekend of 4/23 & 4/24
On the weekend of April 23-24, our diocese will take up a second collection for the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its territories are unable to fund the essential pastoral work their communities need. This appeal helps our brothers and sisters here in the United States who do not have access to basic pastoral services like Mass, the sacraments, and religious education. Through your support, the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps these mission dioceses form vibrant faith communities and strengthens the Church at home.
Divine Mercy Feast Day 4/24
In celebration of the Feast Day of Divine Mercy on Sunday 4/24, we will hold a beautiful celebratory service in the MPR at 2pm. Our service will include a group recitation of The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, 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 Don and James) in designated PLC rooms
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 15), 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 23rd.
MAGNIFY 4/27
An Easter-themed MAGNIFY will be on Wednesday 4/27 @ 7pm #adorationeasterpraiseandworship #scripturalreflection #confessions #prayerministry. Save the date.
Aurora Day of Service 5/7
Aurora Day of Service is May 7th. Parishioners are invited to request a job that can be done around the yard or garage. Get the details and sign-up form HERE.
Teen Volunteers for Aurora Day of Service. Get the details and sign-up HERE.
Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/18
Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Council #12005 has established a scholarship program for high school seniors seeking financial assistance for continuing education (accredited trade school / junior college, college or university only). Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit to Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who are high school seniors.
All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, June 18 @ 4pm.
Proceed to this linkfor application details, requirements, and contact information.
Bishop Hicks’ Column for April
Check out Bishop Hicks monthly message to us titled “Lenten Pruning Leads to Easter Glory“. Read it here.
On Saturday 4/2nd, the 4pm Mass-goers were so blessed by the visit from Bishop Hicks! Here are a few pics from Bishop Hick’s visit.
Easter Flowers Dedications
If you’d like to dedicate one of the Easter flowers which will decorate our sanctuary during the Easter season, please proceed to this link and log in to Online Giving and choose “Flowers”.
If you wish to memorialize your loved ones you can add their name(s) in the Comments section. You can also find Flower Offering Envelopes in the Narthex. The recommended donation is $10 for each memorial. Memorials donated between now and 4/3 will appear in a future bulletin.
Family Faith Formation Office is Hiring for 2 Positions
Administrative Assistant Grade Pre-K through Grade 12
Does the idea of placing your administrative skills at the service of growing the Catholic faith-life of families bring you joy? We are seeking an individual who possesses a positive team spirit, is comfortable taking initiative, and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Being fluent in Spanish and English is desired.
Other requirements include; Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Accounting skills, Record Keeping, Coordination of Volunteers and Tracking Safe Environment Requirements, and Comfortable learning technology platforms.The position is full time 37.5 Hours/Week, Benefited, Some Evening & Weekend Hours Expected. Interested candidates may send a cover letter and resume to Mary Jo Trapani at maryjot@olmercy.com
Coordinator of Family & Youth Evangelization & Catechesis for Grades 6-12 Youth Ministry – LIGHT & EDGE
We are seeking a part-time Coordinator for Family and Youth Catechesis and Evangelization for Grades 6-12. The Coordinator will work with a ministry team to develop and grow disciples for Christ and send them on mission. The primary focus will be spent working with high school and middle school teens and their families in a variety of ministry settings. An applicant must have experience in youth or family ministry, have a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, or Pastoral Ministry or a related field and must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing, and must know, profess and act consistently in accordance with the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church, and with the mission, philosophy, objectives, and policies of the Diocese of Joliet. The position is 28 hours a week with no benefits.Please submit a resume to Dave Miserendino via email at DaveM@olmercy.com.
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
Attention High School Teens – 4 Spots Left on the Mission Trip
There are still a few spots open for the High School Mission Trip to Ohio scheduled for this July. Proceed here for the LIGHT webpage or contact Dave in the office for more details. Take part in this life-changing experience!
Building a Community Garden on Parish Grounds
Do you have a green thumb? Or perhaps you like gardening and are good at caring for plants? Connect with the Justice & Peace Ministry, who is planning a Community Garden at Our Lady of Mercy. Produce from the Community Garden will be given to local organizations such as Hesed House and local food pantries. Please contact Ida at 630-605- 6038 or idamphillips@gmail.com or Chris at 631-561-9722 or chrisharveyny@gmail.com. They will be forming a committee to organize and care for the community garden.
Parish Mission – Unbound: Freedom In Christ Conference
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻.𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦, be encouraged; read Unbound and connect with unboundjoliet@gmail.com after reading the first 7 chapters for next steps.
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥, please let us know of your experience by filling out this feedback form, we would be most grateful for your insight.
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 the last quarter 2021, we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
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
Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
World Youth Day 2023. 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. This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29. Proceed here for further details.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
The event of the Passover celebrated the Hebrews’ freedom from their slavery in Egypt.
Passover also celebrates freedom from the slavery of sin. For we Christians, this is the call: to live a life “fully alive,” free of addiction and self-centered egotism. This is the story of the Prodigal Son—the evocative parable that speaks up and down the generations. It’s the story of us all when we selfishly grasp out of concern only for ourselves instead of honoring God, the giver of the gift and life itself.
It’s also the story of conversion and the fact that God never gives up on us. He’s always scanning the horizon, waiting for us to come home.
Everything is grace and everything is a gift.
Come and encounter His grace at the weekend Mass times where Father James is preaching or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
To prepare our hearts to come to Holy Mass this weekend, consider watching this clip from the award-winning series Catholicism (formulated for school enrichment!) on the themes within the Prodigal Son:
In the story of the Prodigal Son, who do I most identify with?
When have I been the Son?
When have I been the Father?
When have I been the Older Brother?
Why do you think Jesus spoke in parables? Why did He tell stories instead of simply telling people facts about God?
“The glory of God is a man fully alive.”
—Saint Ireneaus
Did you miss Deacon Tom’s homily last week on “Why Be Catholic”? See it below.
THIS COMING WEEK
Confessions This Week
Don’t wait until the last moment to go to Confession before Easter. Here are Confession opportunities this week. Come and encounter Jesus who never gives up on us.
Tuesday 3/29 @ 7pm
Friday 4/1st @ 8:30am (First Friday of the Month Confession after Daily Mass)
Saturday 4/2 @ 9am to 10am and 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Lenten Fish Dinner on 4/1
Have dinner for a good cause! All proceeds from the Lenten Fish Dinners benefit the Teen Summer Mission Trip. Free-will offerings will be accepted on both dates.
Friday 4/1st from 5:30pm to 8pm with the following choices Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces) $12, Cod (choice of baked or fried) $11, or Salmon $12. All plates include coleslaw, tator-tots, dinner roll, chocolate brownie and beverage (soda or water).
Ticket sales will be held after all masses and in the Parish Office. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
First Friday and First Saturday Devotions 4/1 and 4/2
1st Friday 4/1 is the Respect Life Prayer & Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion
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.
What is the First Friday Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion you may wonder? The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has become one of the most widely practiced of Catholic devotions in modern times. It emphasizes the love and compassion of Jesus Christ towards humanity, has its expression in frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, including Holy Communion on First Fridays, Confession, and the Observance of Holy Hours. Find out more here and why it is a powerful and life-changing devotion to incorporate into your life.
1st Saturday 4/2 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.
Pope Francis and Bishop Hicks have encouraged the faithful this past Friday to pray the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary even after 3/25th, so on Saturday we will continue to pray this exhortation. Here is a link to the consecration for your private prayer time as well. Echoing Bishop Hicks’ beautiful thought on his homily “Never underestimate the Blessed Virgin Mary!”
Interfaith Food Pantry 4/2 and 4/3
Please consider donating nonperishable items to the Interfaith Food Pantry. The collection is the first weekend of the month. Our next collection is April 2nd and 3rd. The collection bin will be located in the Atrium (Door B Entrance). This collection is separate from the collection for PADS that supports Hesed House Homeless Shelter.
Youth Alpha for High School Teens starts 4/3
Any high school teen who is interested in learning more about Christianity is welcome to attend! Alpha gives teens the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once a week for 9 weeks, sometimes in a church, a home, or a restaurant. Sessions begin with food, followed by a short video/talk, and time to discuss the topic.
Our Spring Session will begin April 3rd, so please go to our Youth Alpha page to get all the details and then sign-up if you would like to attend. Please note this session of Alpha is for High School age teens. Please contact Dave if you have questions at DaveM@olmercy.com.
Bring PADS Food Items to Masses on 4/2 and 4/3
PADS will be on Tuesday 4/5 to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board in the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed. We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”. 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
Lenten Resources
This Lent, let us journey with Jesus through the desert with Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
The season of Lent is a grace-filled opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts, to repent and seek conversion, and to follow the Lord more closely from the desert to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Listed below is a variety of offerings Our Lady of Mercy has for you and your family to enter these days intentionally. Ask the Lord what He desires of you this Lent, and let’s make the pilgrimage of Lent a sacred journey and a holy adventure as we grow in faith, hope, and love through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
LENTEN GUIDELINES
LENTEN HOMILIES
LENTEN LITERARY, VISUAL, OR ONLINE RESOURCES
LENT SCHEDULE
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
PRAYER
FASTING
ALMSGIVING
LENT FAQs (Such as Are Sundays excluded from Lent? Does Lent end on Palm Sunday or Holy Thursday?)
Register by 3/31st to join an ecumenical, prayerful, and silent pro-life event sponsored by St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton from 10:15am to 11:30am held at Compass Church parking lot.
The media would have us believe that Pro-Life advocates are in the minority. The hope is to bring as many Pro-Life advocates as possible together in a large, visible way, to let others know who share a similar view, that they are not alone and certainly not in the minority. We hope this will encourage them to speak out in their own way. We also look to use this event to send a message to our Supreme Court (Dobb’s case decision is due this summer) and to our national, state, and local politicians, and to our broader communities, that we want an end to abortion.
We will celebrate Earth Day 2022 with a Green Fair on Saturday 4/23rd from 9am to 3pm. There will be plenty of organizations with displays of important information on how to be a greener household, community, world, and more. Details to follow. Let your friends and neighbors know.
Divine Mercy Feast Day 4/24
In celebration of the Feast Day of Divine Mercy on Sunday 4/24, we will hold a beautiful celebratory service in the MPR at 2pm. Our service will include a group recitation of The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, 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 Don and James) in designated PLC rooms
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 15), immediately after an 8 a.m. 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 23.
Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/18
Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Council #12005 has established a scholarship program for high school seniors seeking financial assistance for continuing education (accredited trade school / junior college, college or university only). Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit to Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who are high school seniors.
All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, June 18 @ 4pm.
Proceed to this linkfor application details, requirements, and contact information.
Bishop Hicks’ Column for March
In his March column, Bishop Hicks writes about Pope Francis’ 2022 Lenten Message with gusto – or even with a tone of “Lenten Madness”. Read it here.
Easter Flowers Dedications
If you’d like to dedicate one of the Easter flowers which will decorate our sanctuary during the Easter season, please proceed to this link and log in to Online Giving and choose “Flowers”.
If you wish to memorialize your loved ones you can add their name(s) in the Comments section. You can also find Flower Offering Envelopes in the Narthex. The recommended donation is $10 for each memorial. Memorials donated between now and 4/3 will appear in a future bulletin.
Family Faith Formation Office Administrative Assistant Grade Pre-K-12
We’re hiring! Does the idea of placing your administrative skills at the service of growing the Catholic faith-life of families bring you joy? We are seeking an individual who possesses a positive team spirit, is comfortable taking initiative, and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Being fluent in Spanish and English is desired.
Other requirements include: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Accounting skills, Record Keeping, Coordination of Volunteers and Tracking Safe Environment Requirements, Comfortable learning technology platforms.
The position is full time 37.5 Hours/Week, Benefited, Some Evening & Weekend Hours Expected supporting both Dave Miserendino and Mary Jo Trapani. Interested candidates may send a cover letter and resume to Mary Jo Trapani at maryjot@olmercy.com
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
Attention High School Teens – 5 Spots Left on the Mission Trip
There are still a few spots open for the High School Mission Trip to Ohio scheduled for this July. Proceed here for the LIGHT webpage or contact Dave in the office for more details. Take part in this life-changing experience!
There is also 1 spot left for a female volunteer over age 25 to chaperone the teens.
Building a Community Garden on Parish Grounds
Do you have a green thumb? Or perhaps you like gardening and are good at caring for plants? Connect with the Justice & Peace Ministry, who is planning a Community Garden at Our Lady of Mercy. Produce from the Community Garden will be given to local organizations such as Hesed House and local food pantries. Please contact Ida at 630-605- 6038 or idamphillips@gmail.com or Chris at 631-561-9722 or chrisharveyny@gmail.com. They will be forming a committee to organize and care for the community garden.
Did You Notice the New Beautiful Monstrance?
We have a beautiful new Monstrance beautifully holding our Lord Jesus.
What is a Monstrance you may wonder? The monstrance is a liturgical vessel used to display the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus in the form of the Sacred Host for its adoration and veneration outside of Mass and outside of the tabernacle. Here is a close-up picture or video from Magnify.
If you would like to offset the monies used to purchase the Monstrance, please submit your donation in an envelope with “Monstrance” written on it. Thank you for your generosity.
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 the last quarter 2021, we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
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
Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article (where he also shares an update on his health) located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
World Youth Day 2023. 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. This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29. Proceed here for further details.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
On this second Sunday of Lent we hear from God the Father Himself proclaiming to the terrified disciples on the top of the mountain:
“This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”
Pretty big deal, right? The Gospels are not myth or legend, but eye-witness accounts written by the disciples that knew and walked with Jesus during His time on earth. From Luke’s Gospel, we hear about the experience where Jesus’ body is illuminated by light (Transfigured) as He transcends space and time in conversing with Moses and Elijah.Our very bodies are something good, as declared by the Catholic faith. We can degrade the body or we can obsessively worship the body—by the truly Catholic stance is honoring the body because we are our bodies; we are a body and soul composite, destined to follow Christ in the illumination of heavenly life.
The question of who Jesus is, His very identity, is so important. If we miss this piece—and the goodness of His earthly body—we miss the point of Christianity.
We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father Don is preaching or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
To prepare our hearts to come to Holy Mass this weekend, consider watching the short clip on the Flocknote email from Bishop Barron’s newest series 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥: 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴?
“The flesh is the very condition on which salvation hinges.”
—Tertullian, Church Father
Did you miss Father James’ homily last week on “satan and Identity Deceptions”? See it below.
THIS COMING WEEK
Early Registration Deadline for Parish Mission – Unbound deadline is 3/13
This weekend is the last day to register for our parish mission – Unbound Freedom in Christ Conference for the early registration fee of $40 otherwise it is $50 at the door. The fee covers lunch and dinner on Saturday and materials. Please register as soon as possible.
The 2-day parish mission is on Friday evening 3/18 from 6:30pm to 9:15pm and all day Saturday 3/19 from 9am to 8pm (catered lunch & dinner included)
Led by Father Burke Masters, Father Steven Borello, Father James Guarascio, and the Unbound Team.
These past two years have been a difficult time for us and we need a place to process what we’ve been through; from a number of things from our past or from our time during the lockdown, that we had either forgotten about or had never really dealt with.
With this in mind and our vision of providing ways to encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and experience more power for mission, our parish mission this year is an Unbound Conference. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Recommended reading prior to the conference is the “Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance.” The book is available in the parish office for $15, purchase a copy today and prepare your heart to be overwhelmed by the love of Jesus.
Unsure about Unbound? Check out the short video below which gives you a snippet of what Unbound is. Hope to see you there.
Lenten Resources
This Lent, let us journey with Jesus through the desert with Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
The season of Lent is a grace-filled opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts, to repent and seek conversion, and to follow the Lord more closely from the desert to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Listed below is a variety of offerings Our Lady of Mercy has for you and your family to enter these days intentionally. Ask the Lord what He desires of you this Lent, and let’s make the pilgrimage of Lent a sacred journey and a holy adventure as we grow in faith, hope, and love through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
LENTEN GUIDELINES
LENTEN HOMILIES
LENTEN LITERARY, VISUAL, OR ONLINE RESOURCES
LENT SCHEDULE
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
PRAYER
FASTING
ALMSGIVING
LENT FAQs (Such as Are Sundays excluded from Lent? Does Lent end on Palm Sunday or Holy Thursday?)
All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, 3/15 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care.
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 3/16
The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds 3/16th 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 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 snow or shine!
Salt and Light Grow Group 3/16
Salt and Light Grow Group’s first gathering started this past Wednesday! And it was a packed house! Come and be loved & be fed; come and experience family, hospitality, and intentional community.
We weren’t meant to do life alone. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
To follow Jesus is to commit to lifelong learning and growth. Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. At OLM and in the company of friends, Grow Groups provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com
Week 2 at Alpha was just as awesome as week 1, if not more! We got to know more new people, had a great time sharing another delicious meal, and watched a really compelling talk! (Check out Alpha Week 2 in pictures at the bottom of this email). This coming Thursday is the last evening to join this season’s Alpha. No matter where you are at in your life/faith journey, come and spend time in the desert with Jesus this Lenten season at Alpha, it’s life-changing!
Invitations can be intimidating, so we want to make inviting your friends and family to Alpha as easy as possible. Read some tips that can help you invite anyone in your life to join us for Alpha! You can do it! We’re praying for you https://olmercy.com/alphainvitations/
Regarding the Stations of the Cross for this Friday 3/18
Because the Parish Mission is starting at 6:30pm this Friday 3/19th, the Stations of the Cross normally held at 7pm will be taking place at the holiest of hours 3pm instead.
LOOKING AHEAD
Our new pastor is here for a quick visit and will be at all the Masses on 3/19 & 3/20
You may not want to miss going to Holy Mass next weekend, because our new pastor Father Michael Kearney will be preaching at all the Mass times—except for the 10am.
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive 3/19 & 3/20
Clear out your closets for a good cause! Pick up a St. Vincent de Paul bag and bring it back on before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and on Sunday until noon.
The Clothing Drive 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. Unfortunately, NO TELEVISIONS.
Lenten MAGNIFY 3/23
Walk with Jesus through the desert this Lenten season at MAGNIFY. Scriptural reflection by Father James, Adoration, Praise & Worship, Confessions, and Prayer Ministry. So many powerful reasons to come to Lenten MAGNIFY.
Unplanned Movie Showing 3/25
The Respect Life ministry is showing the movie Unplanned at 6pm. Students for Life will be present to answer questions and lead a group discussion after the movie.
“Unplanned” tells the story of Abby Johnson, who rose quickly through the ranks of Planned Parenthood, becoming one of the youngest clinic directors in the organization. One fateful day, she assists with an ultrasound-guided abortion of a 13-week-old fetus. And that changed everything for her.
Johnson quit Planned Parenthood and became a pro-life advocate herself. She eventually founded “And Then There Were None,” which claims to be the only ministry in the country that helps abortion workers leave the industry and find new jobs. Close to 500 people, including doctors, have chosen a new walk of life through Johnson’s organization.
Catholic News Service’s review of the film calls it, a “hard-hitting, fact-based drama (that) dares its viewers to confront the reality of what happens when a baby is aborted.”
Do you have a teenager or young adult in your life? Bring them to watch Unplanned. Or if you’ve never watched Unplanned, come and see this movie that is one of those that is important to see.
Lenten Fish Dinners on 3/25 and 4/1
Have dinner for a good cause! All proceeds from the Lenten Fish Dinners benefit the Teen Summer Mission Trip. Free-will offerings will be accepted on both dates.
Fridays 3/25th and 4/1st from 5:30pm to 8pm with the following choices Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces) $12, Cod (choice of baked or fried) $11, or Salmon $12. All plates include coleslaw, tator-tots, dinner roll, chocolate brownie and beverage (soda or water).
Ticket sales for both dates will be held the weekend of March 19-20 after all masses and in the Parish Office during the weeks of March 21-25 and March 28-April 1. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Youth Alpha for High School Teens starts 4/3
Any high school teen who is interested in learning more about Christianity is welcome to attend! Alpha gives teens the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once a week for 9 weeks, sometimes in a church, a home, or a restaurant. Sessions begin with food, followed by a short video/talk, and time to discuss the topic.
Our Spring Session will begin April 3rd, so please go to our Youth Alpha page to get all the details and then sign-up if you would like to attend. Please note this session of Alpha is for High School age teens. Please contact Dave if you have questions at DaveM@olmercy.com.
An Ecumenical Chain-For-Life Event on 4/9
Register by 3/31st to join an ecumenical, prayerful, and silent pro-life event sponsored by St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton from 10:15am to 11:30am held at Compass Church parking lot.
The media would have us believe that Pro-Life advocates are in the minority. The hope is to bring as many Pro-Life advocates as possible together in a large, visible way, to let others know who share a similar view, that they are not alone and certainly not in the minority. We hope this will encourage them to speak out in their own way. We also look to use this event to send a message to our Supreme Court (Dobb’s case decision is due this summer) and to our national, state, and local politicians, and to our broader communities, that we want an end to abortion.
Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/18
Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Council #12005 has established a scholarship program for high school seniors seeking financial assistance for continuing education (accredited trade school / junior college, college or university only). Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit to Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who are high school seniors.
All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, June 18 @ 4pm.
Proceed to this linkfor application details, requirements, and contact information.
Bishop Hicks’ Column for March
In his March column, Bishop Hicks writes about Pope Francis’ 2022 Lenten Message with gusto – or even with a tone of “Lenten Madness”. Read it here.
Family Faith Formation Office Administrative Assistant Grade Pre-K-12
We’re hiring! Does the idea of placing your administrative skills at the service of growing the Catholic faith-life of families bring you joy? We are seeking an individual who possesses a positive team spirit, is comfortable taking initiative, and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Being fluent in Spanish and English is desired.
Other requirements include: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Accounting skills, Record Keeping, Coordination of Volunteers and Tracking Safe Environment Requirements, Comfortable learning technology platforms.
The position is full time 37.5 Hours/Week, Benefited, Some Evening & Weekend Hours Expected. Interested candidates may send a cover letter and resume to Mary Jo Trapani at maryjot@olmercy.com
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
Attention High School Teens – Few Spots Left on the Mission Trip
There are still a few spots open for the High School Mission Trip to Ohio scheduled for this July. Proceed here for the LIGHT webpage or contact Dave in the office for more details. Take part in this life-changing experience!
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 the last quarter 2021, we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
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
Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
With Lent officially underway, we kick things off with the account of Jesus’ temptation by satan in the desert.
After 40 days of fasting (symbolic of the Israelites’ 40 years of desert wandering), Jesus meets the devil who tries to lure Him into sin. Tempted by the sensual pleasure (“turn this stone into bread”), fame across all kingdoms (“I will give you power and glory”), and power (“throw yourself down” from the mountain), Jesus rebukes satan and emerges from the desert victorious, ready to gradually reveal His identity as the Messiah of the World.
As the Son of God, Jesus could never sin but He allowed Himself to experience temptation so that He might be with us in all things, and show us an example of the nonviolent path forward.
This week, be courageous! Ask the Lord, “Help me!” whenever you experience temptation, for Jesus Christ is truly with us in this season of Lent and all the days to come!
We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father James is preaching or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
To prepare our hearts to come to Holy Mass this weekend, consider watching the short clip from the award-winning Catholicism series “Who is Jesus?” in the Flocknote email
“Repent of the past briefly and quietly, and concentrate on the present!”
—Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Did you miss Father Don’s’ homily last week on “Respect, Welcoming Father Michael, & Giving to the CMAA”? See it below. Come and support OLM through the CMAA, donate at this link.
THIS COMING WEEK
Bishop Hicks’ Column for March
In his March column, Bishop Hicks writes about Pope Francis’ 2022 Lenten Message with gusto – or even with a tone of “Lenten Madness”. Read it here.
Lenten Resources
This Lent, let us journey with Jesus through the desert with Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
The season of Lent is a grace-filled opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts, to repent and seek conversion, and to follow the Lord more closely from the desert to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Listed below is a variety of offerings Our Lady of Mercy has for you and your family to enter these days intentionally. Ask the Lord what He desires of you this Lent, and let’s make the pilgrimage of Lent a sacred journey and a holy adventure as we grow in faith, hope, and love through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
LENTEN GUIDELINES
LENTEN HOMILIES
LENTEN LITERARY, VISUAL, OR ONLINE RESOURCES
LENT SCHEDULE
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
PRAYER
FASTING
ALMSGIVING
LENT FAQs (Such as Are Sundays excluded from Lent? Does Lent end on Palm Sunday or Holy Thursday?)
What an amazing first night of Alpha! We had a great time sharing a meal, getting to know new people, and discussing the first video! (Check out Alpha Week 1 in pictures at the bottom of this email).
It’s not too late to join this session, walk-in and registration will still be open for the next couple of weeks.
Invitations can be intimidating, so we want to make inviting your friends and family to Alpha as easy as possible. Read some tips that can help you invite anyone in your life to join us for Alpha! You can do it! We’re praying for you https://olmercy.com/alphainvitations/
Salt and Light Grow Group 3/9
Salt and Light Grow Group’s first gathering start this Wednesday! Come and be loved & be fed; come and experience family, hospitality, and intentional community at Salt and Light Grow Group.
We weren’t meant to do life alone. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
To follow Jesus is to commit to lifelong learning and growth. Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. At OLM and in the company of friends, Grow Groups provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com
Have you ever asked: What really is racism? How does it affect me? How could I help make the world a little more accepting of all God’s children?
The Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) of The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate will be doing a free workshop open to all parishes of the Joliet Diocese via ZOOM on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 10am to 12pm. The committee is made up of a multicultural mix of Sisters and laypersons. This well-done workshop is informative while treating this topic with the sensitivity it deserves.
All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, March 15 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care.
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 3/16
The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds Mar 16th 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 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 snow or shine!
Parish Mission – Unbound 3/18 & 3/19
Proceed to this link for details and registration for the 2-day parish mission on Friday evening 3/18 from 6:30pm to 9:15pm and all day Saturday 3/19 from 9am to 8pm (catered lunch & dinner included)
Led by Father Burke Masters, Father Steven Borello, Father James Guarascio, and the Unbound Team!
These past two years have been a difficult time for us and we need a place to process what we’ve been through; from a number of things from our past or from our time during the lockdown, that we had either forgotten about or had never really dealt with.
With this in mind and our vision of providing ways to encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and experience more power for mission, our parish mission this year is an Unbound Conference. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Recommended reading prior to the conference is the “Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance.” The book is available in the parish office for $15, purchase a copy today and prepare your heart to be overwhelmed by the love of Jesus.
Check out the short video below on what Unbound is. Please register soon. The deadline is Sunday 3/13th.
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive 3/19 & 3/20
Clear out your closets for a good cause! Pick up a St. Vincent de Paul bag and bring it back on before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and on Sunday until noon.
The Clothing Drive 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. Unfortunately, NO TELEVISIONS.
Lenten MAGNIFY 3/23
Walk with Jesus through the desert this Lenten season at MAGNIFY. Scriptural reflection by Father James, Adoration, Praise & Worship, Confessions, and Prayer Ministry. So many powerful reasons to come to Lenten MAGNIFY.
Unplanned Movie Showing 3/25
The Respect Life ministry is showing the movie Unplanned at 6pm. Students for Life will be present to answer questions and lead a group discussion after the movie.
“Unplanned” tells the story of Abby Johnson, who rose quickly through the ranks of Planned Parenthood, becoming one of the youngest clinic directors in the organization. One fateful day, she assists with an ultrasound-guided abortion of a 13-week-old fetus. And that changed everything for her.
Johnson quit Planned Parenthood and became a pro-life advocate herself. She eventually founded “And Then There Were None,” which claims to be the only ministry in the country that helps abortion workers leave the industry and find new jobs. Close to 500 people, including doctors, have chosen a new walk of life through Johnson’s organization.
Catholic News Service’s review of the film calls it, a “hard-hitting, fact-based drama (that) dares its viewers to confront the reality of what happens when a baby is aborted.”
Do you have a teenager or young adult in your life? Bring them to watch Unplanned. Or if you’ve never watched Unplanned, come and see this movie that is one of those that is important to see.
Lenten Fish Dinners on 3/25 and 4/1
Have dinner for a good cause! All proceeds from the Lenten Fish Dinners benefit the Teen Summer Mission Trip. Free-will offerings will be accepted on both dates.
Fridays 3/25th and 4/1st from 5:30pm to 8pm with the following choices Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces) $12, Cod (choice of baked or fried) $11, or Salmon $12. All plates include coleslaw, tator-tots, dinner roll, chocolate brownie and beverage (soda or water).
Ticket sales for both dates will be held the weekend of March 19-20 after all masses and in the Parish Office during the weeks of March 21-25 and March 28-April 1. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Youth Alpha for High School Teens starts 4/3
Any high school teen who is interested in learning more about Christianity is welcome to attend! Alpha gives teens the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once a week for 9 weeks, sometimes in a church, a home, or a restaurant. Sessions begin with food, followed by a short video/talk, and time to discuss the topic.
Our Spring Session will begin April 3rd, so please go to our Youth Alpha page to get all the details and then sign-up if you would like to attend. Please note this session of Alpha is for High School age teens. Please contact Dave if you have questions at DaveM@olmercy.com.
An Ecumenical Chain-For-Life Event on 4/9
Register by 3/31st to join an ecumenical, prayerful, and silent pro-life event sponsored by St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton from 10:15am to 11:30am held at Compass Church parking lot.
The media would have us believe that Pro-Life advocates are in the minority. The hope is to bring as many Pro-Life advocates as possible together in a large, visible way, to let others know who share a similar view, that they are not alone and certainly not in the minority. We hope this will encourage them to speak out in their own way. We also look to use this event to send a message to our Supreme Court (Dobb’s case decision is due this summer) and to our national, state, and local politicians, and to our broader communities, that we want an end to abortion.
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2021 we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
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
Father Don speaks about our new pastor! Read all about it at his weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
Bishop Ronald Hicks in consultation with the Priest Personnel Board has appointed Fr. Michael Kearney to succeed Fr. Don McLaughlin as Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Aurora effective July 1, 2022.
Fr. Michael writes: “I grew up in Naperville, just down the road, since I was four years old. I went to Naperville Central for high school and I can remember coming to play against Waubonsie High School in volleyball. I went to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and received my General Engineering degree concentrated in Control Theory Robotics with the hope to go in consulting work after college. God, clearly had a different plan.
It was in college my love for my Catholic faith grew exponentially and I wanted to share my faith with others. After college I was blessed to do 7 years of college ministry and missionary work with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). I worked at Washington University in St. Louis, Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, University of Kansas City in Missouri, and University of Colorado in Boulder!
Father Michael Kearney
After hearing the Lord call me to the priesthood through prayer and ministry, I knew the Lord was calling me to serve in the Diocese of Joliet where I grew up! I was ordained a Priest in May of 2016 and was assigned at Visitation Parish in Elmhurst. And after 3 years, I was blessed to be assigned to serve in seminary formation helping young men discern their own vocational calling toward priesthood at St. John Vianney Minor Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota. I currently serve as Formation Advisor and Spiritual Director for men in college seminary, including men from our own diocese.
I’m truly excited to be named by Bishop Ronald Hicks to be your next pastor at Our Lady of Mercy. I know I have many things to learn, but excited to be back in the Diocese and be back in parish life! I joke with my brother priests; I’m being called up from the Minors (as I worked at a minor seminary). Please know of my prayers and I look forward to meeting you in July!”
While I don’t know Fr. Michael personally – he is one of our more recently ordained – Fr. James knows him well and assures me that Fr. Michael will make a great pastor for OLM. I ask your prayers for Fr. Michael as OLM will be his first pastorate. I also ask you to give him, as you have given me, your warm enthusiastic welcome and support!
— Fr. Don
February 19, 2022 | Weekly Update
“Devoted to the Works of the Lord”
. . . is the 2022 CMAA Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal theme this year. This weekend we hear from Father Don who is preaching at all the Mass times and encourages us to briefly hear from Bishop Hicks about our calling as a diocese, and parish to be “devoted to the works of the Lord.” You can watch Bishop Hick’s short message to us below and read his reflection on the CMAA Report or at this link.
We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” —1 Corinthians 15:58
Did you miss Father James’ homily last week on love and how we are called to be sent out on mission? See it below.
THIS COMING WEEK
OLM Swag Bags 2/19 & 2/20
There is a handful of OLM Swag Bags left. What is inside you may wonder? There is a Car Magnet Decal (“Come Worship Jesus @ Our Lady of Mercy), a postcard of our discipleship “OLM Game Plan”, and a flyer you can place on your refrigerator of our encounter Jesus gatherings. Brush up on our vision statement and receive your OLM Swag Bag!
Open HEARTS Ministry 2/21
Open HEARTS Ministry is the mental and emotional health and wellness ministry of the parish. If you are a mental health professional or are a champion for mental health and wellness, please consider joining the ministry. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental and emotional health concerns, there is support and resources available at Our Lady of Mercy and in the community. The next scheduled in-person gathering for the Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, 2/21 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218.
MAGNIFY 2/23
Our monthly MAGNIFY is on Weds 2/23rd @ 7pm. Encounter Jesus through scriptural reflection, adoration, praise, worship, confessions, and prayer ministry. Deacon Tom Logue will be giving the scriptural reflection; save the date!
Synodal Encounter between Pope Francis & University Students 2/24
Join us at this historic watch party on 2/24th @ 11:45am in the Parish Life Center. Loyola University Chicago in partnership with the Holy See will host a historic synodal encounter between POPE FRANCIS and university students from North, Central, and South America to address important issues facing the Church and the world in our times.
Then stay for the conversation!
Following the watch-party, from 1:30pm to 3pm, the Synodal Process Sub-committee at OLM invites you to participate in a SYNODAL CONVERSATION to voice your dreams, ideas, and concerns in preparation for Synod 2023. A light lunch will be served.
Last month’s AMA was pretty awesome, we learned so much from the All Saints Students’ questions as well as yours! Thank you for submitting them! Do you have a question for Father James? Submit your question here! We’ve been learning so much from them, come and see if he answers your question this Friday 2/25th at 1:15pm, subscribe to our YouTube to get an alert of the livestream.
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Women’s Weekends 2/26 – 2/27
Next week is the Women’s Renewal Weekend on 2/26 thru 2/27. Whether you want to connect with other women in the parish, improve your prayer life, or just take a break from the craziness of your every day to have fun and not have to cook or clean, you will find what you are looking for—and more.
Connect with Lauren Baier @ 630.267.6868 crhpolm@gmail.com for questions on the Women’s CRHP weekend.
Prayer Ministry 2/26 & 2/27
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.
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
Masks Are Recommended But Not Required effective 2/28
The Diocese of Joliet has revised its protocols and lifted restrictions effective 2/28. Here’s how they will be implemented at OLM
1. Mask wearing is optional for everyone, including liturgical ministers, except that anyone distributing Communion will be required to wear a mask when distributing Communion. Please be respectful of everyone’s personal choice whether or not to wear a mask.
2. Eucharistic ministers will continue to sanitize their hands before distributing Communion.
3. Communion on the tongue will continue with the current procedure. Please remember that those who wish to receive on the tongue must go to a priest, deacon, or seminarian (who will sanitize between each communicant), and those who do not wish to receive Communion behind someone who receives on the tongue can always go to a lay-minister.
4. For those with grave reasons for not attending Mass in-person, Communion in the parking lot will continue until Bishop Hicks revokes his COVID-dispensation from attending Mass, at which point the distribution of Communion in the parking lot will be discontinued. If you would like to be visited by a minister of care with Communion after this point, please contact our parish nurse Jolene LeRoy at 331-707-5380 or jolenel@olmercy.com.
5. Please remember that “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.” (CCC 2181) Thus, our livestream Masses, while a beautiful source of support for the homebound and evangelization through the internet, is only intended as a supplement but never a substitute for the real thing. We will continue livestreaming daily Masses, but always encourage you to come and encounter Jesus personally (rather than watching digitally) whenever possible.
Bishop Robert Barron, Fr James Mallon, & Nicky Gumbel; come to the in-person watch party to see their conversation on 3/1st
It’s looking to be an awesome turnout! Join 33 attendees thus far an in-person watch party featuring a live conversation with Bishop Robert Barron, Father James Mallon, and Nicky Gumbel on What Is God Saying to the Church?
Invitation to Seniors to Defer Property Taxes apply by 3/1
Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the applicant’s household income cannot exceed $55,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes. The application period closes on March 1, 2022. For more information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 630-407-5900 or www.dupageco.org/treasurer. Gwen Henry, Treasurer.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Grants apply by 3/1
The Diocese of Joliet is accepting applications for 2022-2023 for Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grant. Please mail in your application by 3/1st.
The Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through the promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. The grants and education for justice program of the Campaign, implemented in collaboration with local dioceses, is supported by the annual collection received each November.
Join us on Ash Wednesday 3/2
Begin Lent with us on Ash Wednesday 3/2nd and receive Ashes at either the 6:30am, 8am, 12pm (livestreamed), 6pm, 7:30pm Mass times or at the 5:30pm Scripture Service.
Alpha In-person starts 3/3
Are you looking for a renewal in faith during the upcoming Lent season, come to Alpha and encounter Jesus in a profound way!
Or who will you bring with you to in-person Alpha on 3/3rd? Experience the Alpha culture if you have not had a chance already. Alpha isn’t just a program. It’s a tool for evangelization. We all know people who are far away from the Lord, who may be asking questions about whether or not God even exists.
Invitations can be intimidating, so we want to make inviting your friends and family to Alpha as easy as possible. Read some tips that can help you invite anyone in your life to join us for Alpha! You can do it! We’re praying for you https://olmercy.com/alphainvitations/
Salt and Light Grow Group 3/9
Be loved & be fed; come and experience family, hospitality and intentional community at Salt and Light Grow Group.
We weren’t meant to do life alone. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
To follow Jesus is to commit to lifelong learning and growth. Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. At OLM and in the company of friends, Grow Groups provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com
Have you ever asked: What really is racism? How does it affect me? How could I help make the world a little more accepting of all God’s children?
The Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) of The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate will be doing a free workshop open to all parishes of the Joliet Diocese via ZOOM on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 10am to 12pm. The committee is made up of a multicultural mix of Sisters and laypersons. This well-done workshop is informative while treating this topic with the sensitivity it deserves.
Proceed to this link for details and registration for the 2-day parish mission on Friday evening 3/18 from 6:30pm to 9:15pm and all day Saturday 3/19 from 9am to 8pm (catered lunch & dinner included)
Led by Father Burke Masters, Father Steven Borello, Father James Guarascio, and the Unbound Team!
These past two years have been a difficult time for us and we need a place to process what we’ve been through; from a number of things from our past or from our time during the lockdown, that we had either forgotten about or had never really dealt with.
With this in mind and our vision of providing ways to encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and experience more power for mission, our parish mission this year is an Unbound Conference. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Recommended reading prior to the conference is the “Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance.” The book is available in the parish office for $15, purchase a copy today and prepare your heart to be overwhelmed by the love of Jesus.
Please register soon. The deadline is Sunday 3/13th.
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive 3/19 & 3/20
Clear out your closets for a good cause! Pick up a St. Vincent de Paul bag and bring it back on before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and on Sunday until noon.
The Clothing Drive 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. Unfortunately, NO TELEVISIONS.
An Ecumenical Chain-For-Life Event on 4/9
Register by 3/31st to join an ecumenical, prayerful, and silent pro-life event sponsored by St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton from 10:15am to 11:30am held at Compass Church parking lot.
The media would have us believe that Pro-Life advocates are in the minority. The hope is to bring as many Pro-Life advocates as possible together in a large, visible way, to let others know who share a similar view, that they are not alone and certainly not in the minority. We hope this will encourage them to speak out in their own way. We also look to use this event to send a message to our Supreme Court (Dobb’s case decision is due this summer) and to our national, state, and local politicians, and to our broader communities, that we want an end to abortion.
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Bishop Hicks’ Monthly Column
For February is now posted, it’s entitled “Kindness: the antidote to a cold heart”read it here.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Father Don spoke last week at all the Mass times about his health; he briefly speaks about it in his insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
BIBLE CONFERENCE ON THE ROSARY AND THE WORD OF GOD
Learn the Biblical backing of the 20 mysteries of the rosary and get more out of this powerful prayer on February 25 – 27. Register for free here.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
Last week Father James continued his 3 part series on faith, hope, and loveas a lens for better understanding our vision statement. Join us this weekend for the last part as he shares about what love is and how we are called to be sent on mission.
If you missed Father James’ homily last week or would like to reflect on the second part of our vision statement to prepare to hear the last part, watch it below.
Father James has an awesome surprise as you leave Mass this weekend wherein he is giving out OLM swag bags to those who can recite the vision statement, so here’s to seeing you soon!
“To offer every person a life-changing encounter with Jesus, grow disciples, and send them on mission.” —Our Lady of Mercy Vision
THIS COMING WEEK
OLM Swag Bags 2/12 & 2/13
What’s in the OLM Swag Bag you may wonder? You will receive a Car Magnet Decal (“Come Worship Jesus @ Our Lady of Mercy), a postcard of our discipleship “OLM Game Plan”, and a flyer you can place on your refrigerator of our encounter Jesus gatherings. So make sure you brush up on our vision statement so you can receive your OLM Swag Bag!
St. Peregrine Prayer Service 2/15
All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, February 15 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care.
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 2/16
The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds Feb 19th, please note the time change of 4:30pm to 6:00pm. 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 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 snow or shine!
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Men’s Weekend 2/19 – 2/20
It’s not too late to sign up for the Men’s Renewal Weekend on Saturday 2/19 and Sunday 2/20. This yearly special opportunity is life-changing.
The CRHP weekend is a time to relax, pray, discover new relationships, and improve your personal relationship with Jesus.
Connect with Kevin Nemetz @ 630.301.2312 Kevin@tix4cause.com, Brian Cancio @ 847.571.6358
LOOKING AHEAD
Open HEARTS Ministry 2/21
Open HEARTS Ministry is the mental and emotional health and wellness ministry of the parish. If you are a mental health professional or are a champion for mental health and wellness, please consider joining the ministry. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental and emotional health concerns, there is support and resources available at Our Lady of Mercy and in the community. The next scheduled in-person gathering for the Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, February 21 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218.
MAGNIFY 2/23
Our monthly MAGNIFY adoration, praise and worship is on Weds 2/23rd @ 7pm. Save the date!
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Women’s Weekends 2/26 – 2/27
The Renewal Weekends are just around the corner Men’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/19 thru 2/20. Women’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/26 thru 2/27
The CRHP weekend is a time to relax, pray, discover new relationships, and improve your personal relationship with Jesus.
Connect with Lauren Baier @ 630.267.6868 crhpolm@gmail.com for questions on the Women’s CRHP weekend.
Bishop Robert Barron, Fr James Mallon, & Nicky Gumbel; come to the in-person watch party to see their conversation on 3/1st
Join us for an in-person watch party featuring a live conversation with Bishop Robert Barron, Father James Mallon, and Nicky Gumbel on What Is God Saying to the Church?
Invitation to Seniors to Defer Property Taxes apply by 3/1
Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the applicant’s household income cannot exceed $55,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes. The application period closes on March 1, 2022. For more information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 630-407-5900 or www.dupageco.org/treasurer. Gwen Henry, Treasurer.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Grants apply by 3/1
The Diocese of Joliet is accepting applications for 2022-2023 for Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grant. Please mail in your application by 3/1st.
The Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through the promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. The grants and education for justice program of the Campaign, implemented in collaboration with local dioceses, is supported by the annual collection received each November.
Alpha In-Person Starts 3/3
Who will you bring with you to in-person Alpha on 3/3rd? Experience the Alpha culture if you have not had a chance already. Alpha isn’t just a program. It’s a tool for evangelization. We all know people who are far away from the Lord, who may be asking questions about whether or not God even exists.
Invitations can be intimidating, so we want to make inviting your friends and family to Alpha as easy as possible. Read some tips that can help you invite anyone in your life to join us for Alpha! You can do it! We’re praying for you https://olmercy.com/alphainvitations/
Salt and Light Grow Group 3/9
Be loved & be fed; come and experience family, hospitality, and intentional community at Salt and Light Grow Group.
We weren’t meant to do life alone. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
To follow Jesus is to commit to lifelong learning and growth. Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. At OLM and in the company of friends, Grow Groups provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com
Save the dates for our 2 day parish mission on Friday evening 3/18 from 6:30pm to 9:15pm and all day Saturday 3/19 from 9am to 8pm (catered lunch & dinner included)
Led by Father Burke Masters, Father Steven Borello, and our very own Father James Guarascio!
Please keep an eye out for further details on the talks and registration (to help us in the materials and catering).
These past two years have been a difficult time for us and we need a place to process what we’ve been through; from a number of things from our past or from our time during the lockdown,/pandemic these past 2 years, that we had either forgotten about or had never really dealt with. With this in mind and our vision of providing ways to encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and experience more power for mission, our parish mission this year is an Unbound Conference. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Registration links will be released sometime this coming week. Please keep an eye out for the App Blast that will notify you when it is live. Don’t have the myParish App yet? Download it here for iPhone and Android smartphones. Or text APP to 88202 to download.
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive 3/19 & 3/20
Clear out your closets for a good cause! Pick up a St. Vincent de Paul bag and bring it back on before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and on Sunday until noon.
The Clothing Drive 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. Unfortunately, NO TELEVISIONS.
2022 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Champions
The Robert H. Weaver Knights of Columbus Council #12005 would like to congratulate the following winners of our free throw competition held January 22, 2022 at the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Life Center:
Gabriella Curcio. Neto Akpuokwe
Grace Grunloh Daniel Callinan
We congratulate Gabriella, Grace, and Daniel who also moved on from the District competition, and wish them the best of luck as they will be representing our council and district at the Regional competition which will be held in March. We thank all the kids that came out for a fun morning of competition. Congratulation once again.
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
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, any dollar amount is helpful.
Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July. 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.
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 to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the 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.orgto express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Bishop Hicks’ Monthly Column
For February is now posted, it’s entitled “Kindness: the antidote to a cold heart”read it here.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
AMA with Father James
We will be hosting Father Don at a future AMA, do you have a question for him or both of them? Submit your question here!
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
BIBLE CONFERENCE ON THE ROSARY AND THE WORD OF GOD
Learn the Biblical backing of the 20 mysteries of the rosary and get more out of this powerful prayer on February 25 – 27. Register for free here.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
Registration links will be released sometime this coming week. Please keep an eye out for the App Blast that will notify you when it is live.
Don’t have the myParish App yet? Download it here for iPhone and Android smartphones. Or text APP to 88202 to download.
February 5, 2022 | Weekly Update
“Grow Disciples”
Last week Father James started a 3 part series on faith, hope, and love as a lens for better understanding our vision statement. Join us this weekend for part two as he shares about what hope is and how we can grow as Jesus’ disciples
If you missed Father James’ homily last week or would like to reflect on the first part of our vision statement to prepare to hear the second part, watch it below.
See you soon at the weekend Mass times or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“To offer every person a life-changing encounter with Jesus, grow disciples, and send them on mission.” —Our Lady of Mercy Vision
THIS COMING WEEK
Bible Studies Launching this next two weeks
One of these Five Bible Studies could be the perfect fit for you.
On MONDAYS is the following
Walking With Purpose Women’s Bible Study which will go through the study called “Ordering Your Priorities” an immensely practical women’s Bible Study that will help you put the most important things first.
Bishop Barron’s “The Creed”takes you into the depths of the Nicene Creed.
Spanish Bible Studyon Ascension Press“Discovering the Mystery of the Bible”
On TUESDAYS will be the Ascension Press Bible Study “Epic: A Journey Through Church History”
And then on WEDNESDAYS is Ascension Press Bible Study“The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation”
Details and registration are found on this link. Be nourished by the Word of God at any of these Bible Studies!
Supporting our Teens Going on the Mission Trip 2/5 & 2/6
Our Mission Trip 2nd collection is taking place this weekend. Please help support our high school teens on their trip. Donations are accepted online through our giving program or you may get a donation envelope in the narthex. Our teens and families thank you for your support.
Be a Part of the Synodal Church 2/5, 2/7, 2/8
In October 2021, Pope Francis has called the Church – you, me, Bishop Hicks, in other words, all the baptized into Synod, with the theme “For a Synodal Church –Communion/Participation/Mission” into a global “listening tour.” He also invites the world – believers, non-believers, the marginalized, the poor, the disenfranchised – to participate and talk about how the Church is living out its communion, participation, and mission. The aim of the Synod is to discern how we are “living the faith” and how, we as a Church, are achieving this together.
We look forward to your participation; come and help build up the body of Christ by taking part in one of the following 4 ways.
1. Fill out this online questionnaireby Jan 30 or
2. Fill out a paper questionnaire (these forms will be available through March 3).
3. Participate in one of the following in-person listening sessions. Please register ahead of time at this link https://bit.ly/RegisterforListeningSession
Saturday, February 5th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm or
Monday, February 7th from 9:00am to 11:00am or
Tuesday, February 8th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm (this Tuesday listening session has an online Zoom counterpart for those that can’t take part in person)
4. Please don’t forget to invite others, a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, someone you know who is from a different faith.
____
To access any of the synod information and videos such as Father Don’s homily and a conversation with him on the listening process, go to https://olmercy.com/synod/
Eucharistic Adoration 2/7, 2/9, & 2/10
Need the warmth of Jesus during these cold snowy days?
Come bask in the warmth of Jesus’ love at Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays & Thursdays 8:30am to 6pm and Wednesdays 8am to 12pm
Do you work from home? Consider taking a break and spend time with Jesus, come and share what’s weighing on your heart with Him.
LOOKING AHEAD
St. Peregrine Prayer Service 2/15
All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, February 15 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care.
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 2/16
The Mobile Food Pantry is on Weds Feb 19th, please note the time change of 4:30pm to 6:00pm. 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 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 snow or shine!
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Men’s and Women’s Weekends 2/19 – 2/20 & 2/26 – 2/27
The weekends are just around the corner, come and be uplifted and strengthened at the Renewal Weekends: Men’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/19 thru 2/20. Women’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/26 thru 2/27,
Connect with Kevin Nemetz @ 630.301.2312 Kevin@tix4cause.com, Brian Cancio @ 847.571.6358 or Lauren Baier @ 630.267.6868 crhpolm@gmail.com for any questiions.
Open HEARTS Ministry 2/21
Open HEARTS Ministry is the mental and emotional health and wellness ministry of the parish. If you are a mental health professional or are a champion for mental health and wellness, please consider joining the ministry. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental and emotional health concerns, there is support and resources available at Our Lady of Mercy and in the community. The next scheduled in-person gathering for the Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, February 21 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218.
MAGNIFY 2/23
Our monthly MAGNIFY adoration, praise and worship is on Weds 2/23rd @ 7pm. Save the date!
Invitation to Seniors to Defer Property Taxes apply by 3/1
Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the applicant’s household income cannot exceed $55,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes. The application period closes on March 1, 2022. For more information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 630-407-5900 or www.dupageco.org/treasurer. Gwen Henry, Treasurer.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Grants apply by 3/1
The Diocese of Joliet is accepting applications for 2022-2023 for Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grant. Please mail in your application by 3/1st.
The Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through the promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. The grants and education for justice program of the Campaign, implemented in collaboration with local dioceses, is supported by the annual collection received each November.
Alpha in-person starts 3/3
Who will you bring with you to in-person Alpha on 3/3rd? Experience the Alpha culture if you have not had a chance already. Alpha isn’t just a program. It’s a tool for evangelization. We all know people who are far away from the Lord, who may be asking questions about whether or not God even exists.
Invitations can be intimidating, so we want to make inviting your friends and family to Alpha as easy as possible. Read some tips that can help you invite anyone in your life to join us for Alpha! You can do it! We’re praying for you https://olmercy.com/alphainvitations/
Salt and Light Grow Group 3/9
Be loved & be fed; come and experience family, hospitality, and intentional community at Salt and Light Grow Group.
We weren’t meant to do life alone. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
To follow Jesus is to commit to lifelong learning and growth. Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. At OLM and in the company of friends, Grow Groups provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com
Save the dates for our 2 day parish mission on Friday evening 3/18 from 6:30pm to 9:15pm and all day Saturday 3/19 from 9am to 8pm (catered lunch & dinner included)
Led by Father Burke Masters, Father Steven Borello, and our very own Father James Guarascio!
Please keep an eye out for further details on the talks and registration (to help us in the materials and catering).
These past two years have been a difficult time for us and we need a place to process what we’ve been through; from a number of things from our past or from our time during the lockdown, that we had either forgotten about or had never really dealt with. With this in mind and our vision of providing ways to encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and experience more power for mission, our parish mission this year is an Unbound Conference. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Bishop Hicks’ Monthly Column
For January is now posted, it’s entitled “A New Year’s resolution: Re-educating ourselves on the Eucharist” read it here.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Check out the January AMA with Father James
Checking-in, A Near-Death Experience, Is cohabitation sinful? – these are just some of the items we covered at the January AMA with Father James.
If you click on the YouTube description, it itemizes all the questions and talking points with the time stamp so you can jump ahead if you wish.
We will be hosting Father Don at a future AMA, do you have a question for him or both of them? Submit your question here!
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at 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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
BIBLE CONFERENCE ON THE ROSARY AND THE WORD OF GOD
Learn the Biblical backing of the 20 mysteries of the rosary and get more out of this powerful prayer on February 25 – 27. Register for free here.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
This weekend is the Sunday of the Word of God; according to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, it “is to be devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God.” So let’s ponder briefly about the Bible as we prepare our hearts for Holy Mass this weekend.
In the 4th century, the Church assembled the “Canon of Scripture,” through much open and honest examination of the authenticity of many existing texts, ultimately selecting 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New.
Catholics believe that while the books of the Bible were written by humans over many centuries, it contains the inspired word of God. And the Holy Spirit inspired the creation of the Canon as well.
Uncover the strong, biblical focus of the Catholic Church in the short video on the Flocknote email with Word on Fire Institute Fellow Matt Nelson.
We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father Don is preaching. Or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
THIS COMING WEEK
Bible Studies Sign-Ups Launch 1/22 & 1/23
On this Word of God Sunday weekend, we are launching the sign-ups for Five Bible Studies that takes place in the evenings.
On MONDAYS is the following
Walking With Purpose Women’s Bible Study which will go through the study called “Ordering Your Priorities” an immensely practical women’s Bible Study that will help you put the most important things first.
Bishop Barron’s “The Creed”takes you into the depths of the Nicene Creed.
Spanish Bible Studyon Ascension Press“Discovering the Mystery of the Bible”
On TUESDAYS will be the Ascension Press Bible Study “Epic: A Journey Through Church History”
And then on WEDNESDAYS is Ascension Press Bible Study“The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation”
Details and registration are found on this link. Be nourished by the Word of God at any of these Bible Studies!
Collection for Church in Latin America 1/22 – 1/23
Soon our diocese will take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America. This national collection supports many pastoral projects that benefit the faithful in Latin America and the Caribbean. An important fact that you must know is that 25% of this diocesan collection goes to support our own diocesan mission work. Since 1994 our diocese has sent missioners to Sucre, Bolivia to not only offer our support with concrete actions, but to build relationships with the people who are so grateful for our presence and work there. We are blessed to have our Bolivian friends. Let us all become missionaries by strengthening the Church in Latin America with a donation to the second collection this weekend.
MAGNIFY 1/26
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46-49)
What a beautiful hymn of praise to God. Mary recognizes she is lowly. So are we! And yet, through her perfect co-operation with God’s grace she will become loved and lauded until the end of time. There is the lesson for us.
In praising God, we reflect, we magnify, we radiate, we share in God’s great plan for His universe and all creation – you and I included. There lies the path to happiness as well as to Heaven.
Come, let us praise Him at Magnify! Starts at 7pm through 8:30pm with Scriptural Reflection from Father James, Confessions, Adoration, and Praise, and Prayer Ministry.
Exploring the Priesthood Weekend at Mundelein Seminary 1/28 – 1/30
The Exploring the Priesthood Weekend at Mundelein Seminary is an “open house” to give men Junior in College and older an opportunity to learn about Mundelein Seminary and to hear about the priesthood. Private room and meals included. There is no cost for the weekend.
Recall Father Steve’s homily in late August (found here) where he gives us reason to stop and consider asking those we know who would make wonderful fathers and mothers if they have ever given serious consideration to the joy of being with Jesus as a spiritual father or spiritual mother through the priesthood and religious life? Know of men Junior in college and older that would make a wonderful father, please let them know of the weekend.
Prayer Ministry at the weekend Mass times on 1/28 – 1/30
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
LOOKING AHEAD
Understanding Your Grief 1/31 and onwards
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one and would like companionship, prayerful support, and caring presence during this time, consider attending the in-person grief support sessions that will be guided by “Understanding Your Grief Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones” by Alan Wolfelt, PH.D.
If you would like to attend sessions during the day, sessions will be on Mondays from 1pm to 2:30pm in the Ministry Room on January 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21 28 and April 4, 11, 18. If you would like to attend sessions in the evening, sessions will be on Mondays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Ministry Room on January 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11, 18.
Come Alive starts 2/2
Come Alive is back, it is a Christ led small group program that makes the connection between our spiritual and physical well-being. In our time together, we will discover spiritual practices to strengthen our relationship with God and gain new joy-filled perspectives as we weave healthy activities into the rhythm of our day. The focus is on HOW to change behaviors in the rhythm of our life for the long-term, to encourage each other, and to give grace when we stumble. The group meets for 90 minutes in eight sessions. The meetings are scheduled on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30pm in Room 218 on February 2, 9, 16, and 23 and March 9, 16, 23, and 30.
The guidebook for the program is $15 (scholarships are available) that contains recipes, spiritual practices, scripture, and nutrition information. If you have questions or would like to register please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care at 331-707-5380 or at jolenel@olmercy.com.
Be a Part of the Synodal Church 2/5, 2/7, 2/8
In October 2021, Pope Francis has called the Church – you, me, Bishop Hicks, in other words, all the baptized into Synod, with the theme “For a Synodal Church –Communion/Participation/Mission” into a global “listening tour.” He also invites the world – believers, non-believers, the marginalized, the poor, the disenfranchised – to participate and talk about how the Church is living out its communion, participation, and mission. The aim of the Synod is to discern how we are “living the faith” and how, we as a Church, are achieving this together.
We look forward to your participation; come and help build up the body of Christ by taking part in one of the following 4 ways.
1. Fill out this online questionnaireby Jan 30 or
2. Fill out a paper questionnaire (these forms will be available through March 3).
3. Participate in one of the following in-person listening sessions. Please register ahead of time at this link https://bit.ly/RegisterforListeningSession
Saturday, February 5th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm or
Monday, February 7th from 9:00am to 11:00am or
Tuesday, February 8th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm (this Tuesday listening session has an online Zoom counterpart for those that can’t take part in person)
4. Please don’t forget to invite others, a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, someone you know who is from a different faith.
____
To access any of the synod information and videos such as Father Don’s homily and a conversation with him on the listening process, go to https://olmercy.com/synod/
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Men’s and Women’s Weekends 2/19 – 2/20 & 2/26 – 2/27
The weekends are just around the corner, come and be uplifted and strengthened at the Renewal Weekends: Men’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/19 thru 2/20. Women’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/26 thru 2/27,
Connect with Kevin Nemetz @ 630.301.2312 Kevin@tix4cause.com, Brian Cancio @ 847.571.6358 or Lauren Baier @ 630.267.6868 crhpolm@gmail.com for any questiions.
Open HEARTS Ministry 2/21
Open HEARTS Ministry is the mental and emotional health and wellness ministry of the parish. If you are a mental health professional or are a champion for mental health and wellness, please consider joining the ministry. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental and emotional health concerns, there is support and resources available at Our Lady of Mercy and in the community. The next scheduled in-person gathering for the Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, February 21 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218.
Invitation to Seniors to Defer Property Taxes apply by 3/1
Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the applicant’s household income cannot exceed $55,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes. The application period closes on March 1, 2022. For more information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 630-407-5900 or www.dupageco.org/treasurer. Gwen Henry, Treasurer.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Grants apply by 3/1
The Diocese of Joliet is accepting applications for 2022-2023 for Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grant. Please mail in your application by 3/1st.
The Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through the promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. The grants and education for justice program of the Campaign, implemented in collaboration with local dioceses, is supported by the annual collection received each November.
Alpha in-person new start date 3/3
Who will you bring with you to in-person Alpha on 3/3rd? Experience the Alpha culture if you have not had a chance already. Alpha isn’t just a program. It’s a tool for evangelization. We all know people who are far away from the Lord, who may be asking questions about whether or not God even exists.
Online Alpha has started and is still welcoming participants, join the online adventure with 30 other participants!
Be loved & be fed; come and experience family, hospitality, and intentional community at Salt and Light Grow Group.
We weren’t meant to do life alone. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
To follow Jesus is to commit to lifelong learning and growth. Like Jesus’ disciples, our walk with the Lord today is not one lived in isolation but rather one immersed in community and enriched by authentic friendship with others. At OLM and in the company of friends, Grow Groups provide a place of deep transformation where people can be known, loved, and cared for as they strive to deepen their friendship with Jesus and one another.
For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com
For January is now posted, it’s entitled “A New Year’s resolution: Re-educating ourselves on the Eucharist” read it here.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Father Don speaks about his upcoming retirement! Read all about it in his insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Check out the January AMA with Father James
Checking-in, A Near-Death Experience, Is cohabitation sinful? – these are just some of the items we covered at the January AMA with Father James.
If you click on the YouTube description, it itemizes all the questions and talking points with the time stamp so you can jump ahead if you wish.
We will be hosting Father Don at a future AMA, do you have a question for him or both of them? Submit your question here!
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times. Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUP Mission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to grow daily as His disciples. Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners grow continually in discipleship.
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
This Sunday we celebrate the first miracle of Jesus at the Wedding Feast of Cana.
Remember that Jesus was fully human—He ate, He slept, He wept, He laughed, and He went to weddings. When the bride and the groom ran out of wine at Cana, Mary prompts Jesus to act: “They have no wine.”
But Jesus knows that with this first miracle His public ministry begins, a ministry that will ultimately lead to the Cross. Mary, aware of her son’s mission at hand, detaches herself and says to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
The symbolic nature of the water to wine foreshadows both the blood that Christ will pour out for us from the Cross and the “new wine” of the Eucharist that will nourish His Church and never run dry!
Consider watching the video on the Flocknote email of Rachel Bulman on how the Eucharistic meal echoes Jesus’ first miracle at Cana to help us prepare our hearts to go to Mass.
We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where the Deacons are preaching. Or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“At Cana, Jesus’ disciples become his family and at Cana, the faith of the Church is born.”
THIS COMING WEEK
Be a Part of the Synodal Church fill out forms on 1/15 – 1/16
In October 2021, Pope Francis has called the Church – you, me, Bishop Hicks, in other words, all the baptized into Synod, with the theme “For a Synodal Church –Communion/Participation/Mission” into a global “listening tour.” He also invites the world – believers, non-believers, the marginalized, the poor, the disenfranchised – to participate and talk about how the Church is living out its communion, participation, and mission. The aim of the Synod is to discern how we are “living the faith” and how, we as a Church, are achieving this together.
We look forward to your participation; come and help build up the body of Christ by taking part in one of the following 4 ways.
1. Fill out this online questionnaireby Jan 30 or
2. Fill out a paper questionnaire at the Mass times on Jan 15-16 (these forms will be available through March 3).
3. Participate in one of the following in-person listening sessions. Please register ahead of time at this link https://bit.ly/RegisterforListeningSession
Saturday, February 5th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm or
Monday, February 7th from 9:00am to 11:00am or
Tuesday, February 8th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm (this Tuesday listening session has an online Zoom counterpart for those that can’t take part in person)
4. Please don’t forget to invite others, a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, someone you know who is from a different faith.
All are invited to attend the in-person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday, January 18 in the church after the 6:30pm Mass (at 7pm) with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care.
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 OLM 1/19
The Mobile Food Pantry is back this week Weds Jan 19th with a time change of 4:30pm to 6:00pm.
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 snow or shine!
Respect Life Ministry January Schedule
January 16 Mass for Life 10:30 AM at St. Raymond’s Cathedral
Join us for the Joliet Diocese Mass for Life at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. January 21, March for Life Rally
The March for Life Rally will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Please support with prayers and sacrifice. EWTN does a wonderful live coverage, as do other national prolife organizations. Please check out link below for more details https://marchforlife.org/
January 19 – 27, Respect Life Novena
Respect Life Novena will once again be said before all masses at our parish from Jan 19 -27. Come early before the daily Mass start times and let us be in prayer together.January 22, Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn
Take part in these additional offerings on this pivotal day.
In addition to the Respect Life Novena, we will also have a Rosary for Life before the 8:30 AM Holy Mass.
Following the 8:30am Holy Mass, is a showing of Roe v Wade the Movie at Room 114 at the PLC. The movie is 111 minutes long. There will be an open discussion facilitated by Father James after the movie. The event is estimated to end approximately at about 12:30 PM.
Please help spread the word. Educating ourselves and having a respectful, candid conversation about this with our fellow parishioners, family, and friends is important in changing hearts and minds about abortion and promoting a culture of life in our society. Check out The official trailer below.
AMA with Father James 1/21
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Submit any questions you may have at this link! Hope to see you on Friday 1/21 @ 2pm.
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship 1/22
On Saturday 1/22 at 9am is the Robert H. Weaver Knights of Columbus #12005 Free Throw Championship in the gym at the Parish Life Center. Registration begins at 8:45am
All boys and girls aged 9 to 14, as of 1/1/2022, are invited to participate, please present proof of age during registration with written parental consent. Participants will compete in their respective age divisions, with the winners advancing to the district, region, and state competitions. All contestants at this local event will be recognized for their participation. The District competition will take place in February at a to be determined location. For additional information call (630) 957-7559
Bring Your Bibles to be Blessed at Mass the weekend of 1/22 & 1/23
Next weekend is Word of God Sunday! Bring your Bibles to Mass so it can be blessed. The Sunday of the Word of God in the Roman Catholic Church takes place on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, during January. According to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, it “is to be devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has created many resources to help celebrate the observance.
LOOKING AHEAD
Bishop Hicks’ Monthly Column
For January is now posted, it’s entitled “A New Year’s resolution: Re-educating ourselves on the Eucharist” read it here
MAGNIFY 1/26
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46-49)
What a beautiful hymn of praise to God. Mary recognizes she is lowly. So are we! And yet, through her perfect co-operation with God’s grace she will become loved and lauded until the end of time. There is the lesson for us.
In praising God, we reflect, we magnify, we radiate, we share in God’s great plan for His universe and all creation – you and I included. There lies the path to happiness as well as to Heaven.
Come, let us praise Him at Magnify! Starts at 7pm through 8:30pm with Scriptural Reflection from Father James, Confessions, Adoration, and Praise.
Collection for Church in Latin America 1/28 – 1/30
Soon our diocese will take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America. This national collection supports many pastoral projects that benefit the faithful in Latin America and the Caribbean. An important fact that you must know is that 25% of this diocesan collection goes to support our own diocesan mission work. Since 1994 our diocese has sent missioners to Sucre, Bolivia to not only offer our support with concrete actions, but to build relationships with the people who are so grateful for our presence and work there. We are blessed to have our Bolivian friends. Let us all become missionaries by strengthening the Church in Latin America with a donation to the second collection on the weekend of January 22-23.
Exploring the Priesthood Weekend at Mundelein Seminary 1/28 – 1/30
The Exploring the Priesthood Weekend at Mundelein Seminary is an “open house” to give men Junior in College and older an opportunity to learn about Mundelein Seminary and to hear about the priesthood. Private room and meals included. There is no cost for the weekend.
Recall Father Steve’s homily in late August (found here) where he gives us reason to stop and consider asking those we know who would make wonderful fathers and mothers if they have ever given serious consideration to the joy of being with Jesus as a spiritual father or spiritual mother through the priesthood and religious life? Know of men Junior in college and older that would make a wonderful father, please let them know of the weekend.
Understanding Your Grief 1/31 and onwards
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one and would like companionship, prayerful support, and caring presence during this time, consider attending the in-person grief support sessions that will be guided by “Understanding Your Grief Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones” by Alan Wolfelt, PH.D.
If you would like to attend sessions during the day, sessions will be on Mondays from 1pm to 2:30pm in the Ministry Room on January 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21 28 and April 4, 11, 18. If you would like to attend sessions in the evening, sessions will be on Mondays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Ministry Room on January 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11, 18.
Come Alive starts 2/2
Come Alive is back, it is a Christ led small group program that makes the connection between our spiritual and physical well-being. In our time together, we will discover spiritual practices to strengthen our relationship with God and gain new joy-filled perspectives as we weave healthy activities into the rhythm of our day. The focus is on HOW to change behaviors in the rhythm of our life for the long-term, to encourage each other, and to give grace when we stumble. The group meets for 90 minutes in eight sessions. The meetings are scheduled on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30pm in Room 218 on February 2, 9, 16, and 23 and March 9, 16, 23, and 30.
The guidebook for the program is $15 (scholarships are available) that contains recipes, spiritual practices, scripture, and nutrition information. If you have questions or would like to register please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care at 331-707-5380 or at jolenel@olmercy.com.
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Men’s and Women’s Weekends 2/19 – 2/20 & 2/26 – 2/27
The weekends are just around the corner, come and be uplifted and strengthened at the Renewal Weekends: Men’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/19 thru 2/20. Women’s Renewal Weekend is on 2/26 thru 2/27,
Connect with Kevin Nemetz @ 630.301.2312 Kevin@tix4cause.com, Brian Cancio @ 847.571.6358 or Lauren Baier @ 630.267.6868 crhpolm@gmail.com for any questiions.
Open HEARTS Ministry 2/21
Open HEARTS Ministry is the mental and emotional health and wellness ministry of the parish. If you are a mental health professional or are a champion for mental health and wellness, please consider joining the ministry. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental and emotional health concerns, there is support and resources available at Our Lady of Mercy and in the community. The next scheduled in-person gathering for the Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, February 21 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218.
Alpha in-person new start date 3/3
More time, prudence, and listening well. What makes the Alpha experience wonderful is knowing that one is being heard. With a handful of our 40+ guests getting sick and some of the team, we’ve decided to move the start date to Thursday 3/3rd. This gives us time to heal, and time to invite and/or plan out what you would like to do for Lent this year (Ash Weds is on 3/2), perhaps this is your Alpha season to participate for yourself or bring a friend.
Online Alpha will start this Weds 1/19 as scheduled.
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times. Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family. Website. Proceed here for details.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit Connect. Reach out to Lydia Schmitt lydiadschmitt@gmail.com for any questions.
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
From Father Don, Father James, the permanent Deacons, and staff at Our Lady of Mercy, Merry Christmas!
May you and your loved ones, far and close, know the joy of being loved and the joy of loving.
And let us rejoice, for we have been rescued – our Savior has come!
You are what makes Our Lady of Mercy special and we are so grateful you continue to worship with us, serve with us, be in community with us and support us. Thank you and have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… for the Word became flesh…and made His dwelling among us. -John 1
This is a day for falling in love. This is the day when Mary and Joseph look up from the baby in the manger and invite us to gather around. Even as they savor the moment, they are eager to share it with us as well, this “good news of great joy
. . . for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
And so Joseph and Mary invite us to join them on their journey of discovery. Here, says Mary, as she lifts her newborn from the hay.
He is yours too—He came for you.
Take Him. Hold Him close. Share in the love that Joseph and I have for this little one.
Like the angels’ birth announcement, the invitation is for everyone. No one is left out—however unworthy, unspiritual, or unprepared we may feel. So whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your state today, receive this gift of Jesus. Take the child in your arms. Like Father Don says in his Christmas homily about a newborn baby. Gaze on His face, and see how much He loves you. Let Him lock eyes with you, as babies will, so that He can search your heart and reveal you to yourself. Let down your defenses, and fall in love with this Christ child—with God-made flesh for you.
As a wise spiritual director has shared, falling in love with God in this “absolute, final way” is the most practical and far-reaching thing you could ever do:
“What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.”
Jesus has come. The Word has become flesh. Fall in love with Him. Stay in love with Him. It will decide everything.
“Mary and Joseph, thank you for bringing Jesus to me! Pray that I might love Him as you did—more and more each day.”
The liturgical color for this week is rose (or pink) as a reminder of the expectant joy we can experience in celebrating the nearness of our Savior. It’s an invitation to pause in the midst of all the activity and breathe deeply because the last-minute shopping, baking, cleaning, and wrapping may even start to weigh down upon us.
Embrace this Gaudete “Rejoice” Sunday as a call to pause from our busyness to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord, to prepare ourselves with JOY! “Cry out with joy!” we hear in Isaiah 12, for “the Lord is in our midst,” writes Zephaniah.
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! Joy goes beyond mere moments of happiness that come and go. Hear more about it in the less than 2-minute video on the Flocknote email.
In our Sunday Gospel we hear that John the Baptist brought good, joyful news to his followers:
“…one mightier than I is coming! I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!”
Have an expectant joy-filled third week of Advent. If you missed any of the Advent homilies of the Fathers, you can find them all on our Advent Resource page. We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father James is preaching and this coming week at any of the gatherings. Or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
Questions for Additional Reflection:
How is Joy different than Happiness?
Have you ever experienced real joy? Even in a time of suffering or trial?
What’s one thing you can do to live joyfully this week?
Dear Jesus, fill me with a sense of Your nearness during this Advent season. May the joy of Your imminent arrival infuse every preparation, event, and celebration in these coming days.
Amen.
THIS COMING WEEK
Second Collection for Retired Religious on 12/11 and 12/12
Help aging religious. Elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have offered their lives in service to others— educating the young, comforting the sick, and ministering to the less fortunate. Today, many are frail and need assistance. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps furnish medications, nursing care, and more.
Please join the Hispanic Ministry at the bilingual Mass celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 2pm on Sunday 12/12 in Spanish. We hope to see you in person at the Mass (or at the livestream) which commemorates this wonderful feast day of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG), the patron saint of the Americas who appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531. For more on OLG watch Bishop Barron’s visit to the OLG shrine in Mexico here.
St. Peregrine Prayer Service 12/14
For those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, and their caregivers. As well as anyone experiencing physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and health concerns. Come to the In-Person St. Peregrine Prayer Service this Tuesday following the 6:30pm Mass.
Filling a Stocking for a Family In Need due 12/14
Visit the Ministry Room after all the Masses to grab a stocking to fill for a family in need! Stockings will benefit families receiving assistance through the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House. Each stocking will come with a list of suggested items to purchase and stuff your stocking with!
Once you have filled your stocking with suggested “stocking stuffers,” please return it to our table in the Ministry Room after any of the Sunday masses OR return it to the main office during office hours by no later than Tuesday, 12/14. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377, with additional questions.
Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers 12/15
We hope to see you on Wednesday 12/15th at 6:30pm to watch this Christmas movie that is on limited release in the theaters here at Our Lady of Mercy!
This is the perfect opportunity to bring friends and family, including those who haven’t seen The Chosen, those who have not been to Church in a while, and those who don’t know Jesus, for a unique Christmas story experience.
The Simbang Gabi Filipino tradition of celebrating devotional Mass in preparation for the coming of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ will be held on Saturday 12/18 at 6pm with fellowship and light refreshment after Mass.
Come and join the Filipino community at the Simbang Gabi Mass which invites all of us to nurture the spirit of Advent not only as individual preparation but to prepare as a community, a family of God united in worship and in prayer. We bring our families and friends to the Eucharist, joining the entire community in waiting, and being strengthened by God’s Spirit in preparing for the birth of Jesus.
Thank you so much for your support of the 2021 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA) helping us surpass our goal of $154,400 with $162,242 in commitments to which our parish rebate is $5,490! Please proceed here to view the closing report and letter from Bishop Hicks.
Christmas Flower Memorials
This Christmas we will decorate the church with poinsettias around the altar. Flowers can also be memorialized by using one of the flower envelopes found in the narthex. The recommended donation is $10.00. Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make our church beautiful during the holiday season.
Angel Giving: Be an Angel to a Family In Need
This year for Christmas we are partnering with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry Hesed House and St. Vincent de Paul to assist families in need throughout the holidays. Donations will benefit those individuals who are currently receiving aide through SVDP in order to assist the families with rent and utility payments. Donations will also assist the purchase of Christmas meals through the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House to benefit those families whom they currently assist.
Elise Flagg Academy of Dance Presents: The Naperville Nutcracker 12/17 – 12/19
(Our very own parishioner) Elise Flagg, her Academy of Dance is presenting The Nutcracker at North Central College Pfeiffer Hall.
Celebrate this holiday season with the magic of The Naperville Nutcracker! Set to the beloved score by Tchaikovsky, with its beautiful costumes, gorgeous sets and impressive dancing. This production is guaranteed to fill the audience with cheer and delight! Tickets and information are found here.
Feel free to ask Elise any questions, she is a daily Mass attendee.Parishioners may make donations via our online giving portal under “Angel Giving” or checks can also be made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo and placed inside of the bin in the Narthex after mass. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377.
Blue Christmas In-person Prayer Service 12/19
May those experiencing grief and loss at Christmas, find hope and peace in this prayer service and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. It is a time to listen, pray and feel the love of God.
The Blue Christmas Prayer Service will be in the church on Sunday, 12/19 from 3pm to 4pm. Please connect with Jolene LeRoy at 331-707-5380 or jolenel@olmercy.com for more details.
Christmas Collection & End of Year Giving 12/25 and 12/31
As we prepare for the Solemnity of Christmas, the Scripture readings inspire all faith-filled stewards to stop and ponder in great awe God’s ultimate gift: the gift of His only begotten Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Out of heartfelt gratitude, what of our prayer, service, and generosity can we present to Him?
It is a great blessing that all of the funds donated as part of the Christmas Collection stay with Our Lady of Mercy and will help us meet our Weekly Sunday Collection which we are falling short of its weekly goal. If you wish to donate to the Christmas Collection, please use one of the following three methods:
1. Give online at www.olmercy.com/give look for the online giving portal and be sure to select “Christmas” (use the drop-down arrow)
2. Give during Mass using your Christmas envelope.
3. Give during Mass using a blank envelope labeled “Christmas Collection,” also include “Christmas Collection” on the memo line of your check
PLEASE NOTE: only donations received (or postmarked) on or before December 31 will appear on your 2021 giving statement that will be sent out by the end of January, 2022
Informational Meeting on Diocesan Mission 1/4/2022 and 1/12/2022
Join the diocesan mission trip to the Navajo Nation in June 2022!
The Diocese of Joliet will resume its U.S. mission program in June with a two-week trip to the Navajo Nation located near Chinle, Arizona.
The June 4-17 trip will focus on construction projects for residents of the reservation, with volunteers helping with such jobs as framing a house, tearing down dilapidated buildings, repairing fencing, etc. “It’s not just going to work for the people, but to be with them and experience their life and culture,” said diocesan missions coordinator Bruce Carlson. The diocese has organized mission trips to the reservation since 2002, but paused the annual expeditions during the past two years because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Informational meetings on the trip will be held on Jan. 4 and 12 at the Blanchette Catholic Center, 16555 Weber Road, Crest Hill, Illinois. For more information, email bcarslon@dioceseofjoliet.org or call 815-221-6256.
Free Throw Championship 1/22/2022
On Saturday 1/22/2022 at 9am is the Robert H. Weaver Knights of Columbus #12005 Free Throw Championship in the gym at the Parish Life Center. Registration begins at 8:45am
All boys and girls aged 9 to 14, as of 1/1/2022, are invited to participate, please present proof of age during registration with written parental consent. Participants will compete in their respective age divisions, with the winners advancing to the district, region, and state competitions. All contestants at this local event will be recognized for their participation. The District competition will take place in February at a to be determined location. For additional information call (630) 957-7559
Exploring the Priesthood Weekend at Mundelein Seminary 1/28 – 1/30/2022
The Exploring the Priesthood Weekend at Mundelein Seminary is an “open house” to give men Junior in College and older an opportunity to learn about Mundelein Seminary and to hear about the priesthood. Private room and meals included. There is no cost for the weekend.
Recall Father Steve’s homily in late August (found here) where he gives us reason to stop and consider asking those we know who would make wonderful fathers and mothers if they have ever given serious consideration to the joy of being with Jesus as a spiritual father or spiritual mother through the priesthood and religious life? Know of men Junior in college and older that would make a wonderful father, please let them know of the weekend.
Synod on Synodality
The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October and will conclude in 2023.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times. Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
Mission. A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her “little way” of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, “Mom’s Night Out”, community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer. Please join them and register ahead of time for this month’s gatherings with Lydia Schmit.
-|- Advent Crafts & Storytime on Thursday 12/16 @ 9:30am at Our Lady of Mercy
-|- Zoom Discussions on Thursday 12/9 & 12/21 @ 7:30pm to discuss episodes from the Abiding Together Podcast
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
AMA WITH FATHER JAMES
We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked! Thank you for submitting them. Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions. Watch them here or submit any questions you may have!
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
There will not be a gathering in December for the Open HEARTS Ministry. If you are in need of emotional or mental health support or resources, please contact Janice Hurtado Aeppli at 321-217- 7872 or at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
While the world likes to rush to Christmas, we Catholics are invited to take an entire season, called Advent, to slow down and prepare ourselves for the great mystery before us.
The message of Advent for us is simple: “Wake up!”
Advent is a time to be reawakened to the great mystery of the Incarnation: God became man, in time and space and in documented history over 2,000 years ago. If this is indeed true, then Jesus Christ has changed everything.
The people of Israel often grew tired in their exile and in their seemingly endless wait on the Lord. But in His time, not ours, God showed up. And He still does today. For our sake, God indeed became man.
Consider watching this short less than 2-minute video on the Flocknote email that speaks to the invitation of Advent to help us amidst our noisy, frenetic world of endless commercials and pings; What is our response? How will this season be different? What can I do differently? How can I put Christ at the center of my life again, or perhaps for the very first time? Let’s wake up this Advent season!
Have a wonderful first week of Advent. If you were traveling, keep an eye out for the posting of Father James’ weekend homily on our social media platforms. Don’t forget to check out the Advent Resource and Schedule page and to stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
Questions for Additional Reflection:
Where do you feel that you are living “on autopilot”?
What’s one practical thing you can do to make this Advent different?
Donating while shopping dating WHILE SHOPPING! In this season of shopping please keep Our Lady of Mercy in mind. Do you shop on Amazon? Please go to SMILE.AMAZON.COM and select Our Lady of Mercy Aurora, IL as your charitable organization of choice, it is the same Amazon with the difference of shopping through Amazon Smiles allows for the donation of a percentage of the price of the item to be donated to Our Lady of Mercy. This is an easy and quick way to support us. We are grateful for any support.
Giving Tuesday 11/30
On Nov 30th is Giving Tuesday, it is a day when people all over the world financially support their favorite nonprofit causes. It’s celebrated annually the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. As you prepare to open your hearts in support of worthy causes on Giving Tuesday, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Our Lady of Mercy.
Currently we are not meeting our weekly Sunday goal.
Pray and Fast to end Abortion Tues and Weds 11/30 & 12/1
There will be an hour of Eucharistic Adoration during confessions on Tuesday evening 11/30th from 7pm-8pm to pray for the Supreme Court hearing taking place the next day on the landmark case over the right of states to protect mothers and unborn life. Be encouraged to observe a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday 12/1 as the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which could please God, hasten the end of Roe v. Wade, and legalized abortion in the United States.
[Jesus] said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer and fasting.” – Mark 9:29
Please pray for the Supreme Court Justices, that the Holy Spirit will guide the proceedings and that the Court will find that there is no fundamental right to abortion found in the US Constitution. Also, for the unborn to be recognized as Constitutional Persons and for peace and healing.
First Friday and First Saturday Devotions 12/3 and 12/4
Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 12/3
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 12/4 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.
Charismatic Healing Mass 12/4
On Saturday, 12/6 at 6pm is the Charismatic Healing Mass. A healing Mass is a normal Mass, but it has a special focus on God’s healing power; this will be reflected in the songs, prayers, and scripture readings. If you’re in need of God’s healing grace, come to the Charismatic Healing Mass.
Bring PADS food items to Masses on 12/4 and 12/5
PADS will be on Tuesday 12/7 to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board in the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed. We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”. 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
Saint Nicholas visiting after the 10am Mass 12/5
Who is Saint Nicholas? Calling all children, come to the church after the 10am Mass and hear from Saint Nicholas speak about his life and who really is the real Santa Claus.
Christmas Flower Memorials
This Christmas we will decorate the church with poinsettias around the altar. Flowers can also be memorialized by using one of the flower envelopes found in the narthex. The recommended donation is $10.00. Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make our church beautiful during the holiday season.
Angel Giving: Be an Angel to a Family In Need
This year for Christmas we are partnering with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry Hesed House and St. Vincent de Paul to assist families in need throughout the holidays. Donations will benefit those individuals who are currently receiving aide through SVDP in order to assist the families with rent and utility payments. Donations will also assist the purchase of Christmas meals through the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House to benefit those families whom they currently assist.
Parishioners may make donations via our online giving portal under “Angel Giving” or checks can also be made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo and placed inside of the bin in the Narthex after mass. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377.
Filling a Stocking for a Family In Need
Visit the Ministry Room after all the Masses to grab a stocking to fill for a family in need! Stockings will benefit families receiving assistance through the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House. Each stocking will come with a list of suggested items to purchase and stuff your stocking with!
Once you have filled your stocking with suggested “stocking stuffers,” please return it to our table in the Ministry Room after any of the Sunday masses OR return it to the main office during office hours by no later than Tuesday, 12/14. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377, with additional questions.
LOOKING AHEAD
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 12/8
The Mass times for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception are 6:30am, 8am, 12pm and 7pm. We pray to see you at any of the Mass times; let us rejoice with the Immaculate Mother of God, for it is through her intercession that God has bestowed every spiritual blessing upon us.
God chose Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to be our “model of holiness” by preserving her entirely from original sin, making her all-pure and all-holy. In doing this God also shows us what is possible for us, too, wounded by sin—the healing and restoration of our whole humanity. The intercession and maternal love of the Immaculate One, given to us as our Mother, is the special way God has chosen to bestow upon us the grace of such a healing. As the Mother of our Savior, Mary shares uniquely in His redemptive sacrifice. We turn to her with confidence, for she is “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” Immaculate Mary, pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass 12/12
The Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be at 2pm on Sunday 12/12 in Spanish. We hope to see you at the Mass which commemorates this wonderful feast day of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas who appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531.
St. Peregrine Prayer Service 12/14
For those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, and their caregivers. As well as anyone experiencing physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and health concerns. Come to the In-Person St. Peregrine Prayer Service this Tuesday following the 6:30pm Mass.
Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers 12/15
Save the date on Wednesday 12/15th at 6:30pm because we will be showing the movie that is on limited release in the theaters here at Our Lady of Mercy!
This is the perfect opportunity to bring friends and family, including those who haven’t seen The Chosen, those who have not been to Church in a while, and those who don’t know Jesus, for a unique Christmas story experience.
The Simbang Gabi Filipino tradition of celebrating devotional Mass in preparation for the coming of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ will be held on Saturday 12/18 at 6pm with fellowship and light refreshment after Mass.
Come and join the Filipino community at the Simbang Gabi Mass which invites all of us to nurture the spirit of Advent not only as individual preparation but to prepare as a community, a family of God united in worship and in prayer. We bring our families and friends to the Eucharist, joining the entire community in waiting, and being strengthened by God’s Spirit in preparing for the birth of Jesus.
May those experiencing grief and loss at Christmas, find hope and peace in this prayer service and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. It is a time to listen, pray and feel the love of God.
The Blue Christmas Prayer Service will be in the church on Sunday, 12/19 from 3pm to 4pm. Please connect with Jolene LeRoy at 331-707-5380 or jolenel@olmercy.com for more details.
Free Throw Championship 1/22/2022
On Saturday 1/22/2022 at 9am is the Robert H. Weaver Knights of Columbus #12005 Free Throw Championship in the gym at the Parish Life Center. Registration begins at 8:45am
All boys and girls aged 9 to 14, as of 1/1/2022, are invited to participate, please present proof of age during registration with written parental consent. Participants will compete in their respective age divisions, with the winners advancing to the district, region, and state competitions. All contestants at this local event will be recognized for their participation. The District competition will take place in February at a to be determined location. For additional information call (630) 957-7559
The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October and will conclude in 2023.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times. Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, November 8 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who is interested in emotional and mental health and wellness. The ministry has an interest in decreasing the stigma of mental illness and increasing the awareness of support and resources. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
After honoring our dead and hearing this month of the apocalypse (“unveiling”) and end times, this November Sunday closes the Church’s liturgical year with the great feast of “Christ the King.”
Pontius Pilate, and all the political rulers throughout history, have limited power. But we profess faith and loyalty to a King who is truly just, merciful, fatherly, and loving to the point of death. The ancestor of King David, Jesus, fulfilled every prophecy of the Old Testament and desires for us to spread this Good News until His Kingdom might finally be established here on earth.
Jesus declares in our Gospel reading:
“For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
(John 18)
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend, hear Bishop Barron’s thoughts on the divine kingship of Jesus in the video in the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend where Father Don will be preaching. Don’t forget to stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“He who prays for the coming of God’s kingdom prays rightly to have it first within himself.” -Origen, priest and Church Father
THIS COMING WEEK
Holiday Poinsettia Sale 11/20 & 11/21
Our high school teens attending our summer mission trip will be offering beautiful plants for sale after all Masses this weekend and 12/4 & 12/5 in the PLC lobby.
Would you like to brighten up the residents at Alden Nursing home? You can purchase a plant for them at the Poinsettia sale.
If you have any questions, please contact Dave at DaveM@olmercy.com or 331-707-5371. Thank you for supporting our Teen Mission Trip program!
Thanksgiving Mass 11/25
Start Thanksgiving day by joining us in giving thanks to the Lord our God and rejoicing in the gift of His love. We pray to see you at the Thanksgiving Mass at 9am. Invite the college student in your family that is home for Thanksgiving break, it would be great to see them at the Mass as well!
Thanksgiving Holiday Parish Office Hours 11/24
The Parish Offices will close at Noon on Wednesday, 11/24 and re-open on Monday, 11/29. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Ladies Advent Tea 11/28
Please register soon for the annual Ladies’ Advent Tea which will be in-person on Sunday, 11/28 from 2pm to 4:30pm. Email jolenel@omercy.com by 11/22nd.
Please invite your family and friends to be together for an opportunity to prepare our hearts and souls for Christmas
Saying “Yes” to God, inspiration during Advent will be the presentation this year and take place in the church. Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care will facilitate reflections by Catherine Wiecher Brunell, a pastoral minister of the everyday. Those who feel comfortable being around tables will be invited into the multi-purpose room of the Parish Life Center after the presentation for fellowship, reflection, and refreshments. Please bring your favorite teacup or mug for your beverage.
This year refreshments will be provided at the table. Instead of bringing a favorite dessert, bring a copy of your favorite holiday dessert recipe that you may have brought to past Advent teas or a new recipe. The recipes will be put together in a book and shared with those who would like them. Since we were not able to be in person last year, we are looking forward to being together for this special Our Lady of Mercy tradition!
Adopt a Family in Need for Thanksgiving Dinner!
This year for Thanksgiving we are partnering with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House to provide families that are currently being assisted by these two organizations with a Thanksgiving dinner!
We are now accepting donations to benefit those families in need of a meal. Parishioners may make donations via our online giving portal under “Angel Giving” or checks can also be made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo and placed inside of the bin in the Narthex after mass. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377.
LOOKING AHEAD
Pray and Fast to end Abortion 11/30 & 12/1
There will be an hour of Eucharistic Adoration during confessions on Tuesday evening 11/30th from 7-8pm to pray for the Supreme Court hearing taking place the next day on the landmark case over the right of states to protect mothers and unborn life. Be encouraged to observe a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday 12/1 as the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which could please God, hasten the end of Roe v. Wade, and legalized abortion in the United States.
[Jesus] said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer and fasting.” – Mark 9:29
Please pray for the Supreme Court Justices, that the Holy Spirit will guide the proceedings and that the Court will find that there is no fundamental right to abortion found in the US Constitution. Also, for the unborn to be recognized as Constitutional Persons and for peace and healing.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 12/8
The Mass times for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception are 6:30am, 8am, 12pm and 7pm. We pray to see you at any of the Mass times; let us rejoice with the Immaculate Mother of God, for it is through her intercession that God has bestowed every spiritual blessing upon us.
God chose Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to be our “model of holiness” by preserving her entirely from original sin, making her all-pure and all-holy. In doing this God also shows us what is possible for us, too, wounded by sin—the healing and restoration of our whole humanity. The intercession and maternal love of the Immaculate One, given to us as our Mother, is the special way God has chosen to bestow upon us the grace of such a healing. As the Mother of our Savior, Mary shares uniquely in His redemptive sacrifice. We turn to her with confidence, for she is “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” Immaculate Mary, pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass 12/12
The Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be at 2pm on Sunday 12/12 in Spanish. We hope to see you at the Mass which commemorates this wonderful feast day of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas who appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531.
Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers 12/15
Save the date on Wednesday 12/15th at 6:30pm because we will be showing the movie that is on limited release in the theaters here at Our Lady of Mercy!
This is the perfect opportunity to bring friends and family, including those who haven’t seen The Chosen, those who have not been to Church in a while, and those who don’t know Jesus, for a unique Christmas story experience.
The Simbang Gabi Filipino tradition of celebrating devotional Mass in preparation for the coming of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ will be held on Saturday 12/18 at 6pm with fellowship and light refreshment after Mass.
Come and join the Filipino community at the Simbang Gabi Mass which invites all of us to nurture the spirit of Advent not only as individual preparation but to prepare as a community, a family of God united in worship and in prayer. We bring our families and friends to the Eucharist, joining the entire community in waiting, and being strengthened by God’s Spirit in preparing for the birth of Jesus.
May those experiencing grief and loss at Christmas, find hope and peace in this prayer service and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. It is a time to listen, pray and feel the love of God.
The Blue Christmas Prayer Service will be in the church on Sunday, 12/19 from 3pm to 4pm. Please connect with Jolene LeRoy at 331-707-5380 or jolenel@olmercy.com for more details.
Free Throw Championship 1/22/2022
On Saturday 1/22/2022 at 9am is the Robert H. Weaver Knights of Columbus #12005 Free Throw Championship in the gym at the Parish Life Center. Registration begins at 8:45am
All boys and girls aged 9 to 14, as of 1/1/2022, are invited to participate, please present proof of age during registration with written parental consent. Participants will compete in their respective age divisions, with the winners advancing to the district, region, and state competitions. All contestants at this local event will be recognized for their participation. The District competition will take place in February at a to be determined location. For additional information call (630) 957-7559
Advent Christmas Schedule
The full details for the Advent Christmas and Reconciliation schedule will be posted in the next weekly update.
The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October and will conclude in 2023.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
Plenary Indulgence any day in the month of November
Did you know that you can get a plenary indulgence any day this November? It’s true. The Vatican has decided to grant Catholics who visit a cemetery to pray for the faithful departed on any day in the month of November a plenary indulgence.
Usually, the Catholic Church only grants this plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory to those who pray in a cemetery on November 1-8, which is the week of the Solemnity of All Souls’ Day.
The specific November 2 plenary indulgence one can obtain for the souls in Purgatory by visiting a church or an oratory and reciting an Our Father and the Creed, can now also be done on any day in November.
Every Sunday at the 10am Mass is the beautiful ministry of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Do you love children and caring for them while they listen to the Gospel? Please connect with Mary Jo Trapani maryjot@olmercy.com or Jean Palasz jeanp@olmercy.com to volunteer.
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 2020 over 120 people/families were provided assistance.
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 at olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
Thank you so much to those who have pledged! Once we have reached our goal in paid pledges, 70% of the additional funds received will be returned to our parish.
Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times. Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE
BE EQUIPPED TO DEFEND THE FAITH!
There are no shortages of assaults on the Church today. In a world of increasing challengers to the Faith, we need to know, now more than ever, why we believe what we believe.
This conference is about answering your tough questions on the Catholic Faith and equipping you with the knowledge to withstand the challenges that are sure to come. Details and registration for this FREE virtual conference are found here.
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, November 8 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who is interested in emotional and mental health and wellness. The ministry has an interest in decreasing the stigma of mental illness and increasing the awareness of support and resources. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
We have a strange fascination with the apocalypse.
Whether it’s movies based on natural disasters, post-nuclear landscapes, or zombie outbreaks, there’s something strange and unnerving about “the End Times.”
The truest biblical understanding of “Apocalypse” though is “Unveiling,” as a bride is unveiled on her wedding day, a moment of revealing (and thus, “Revelation”). “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard,” tells us what our new reality will be, a time when we are reunited with our bodies, and God’s kingdom is finally established without any trace of evil or sin.
In our Gospel this weekend Jesus affirms:
“Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
(Mark 13)
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend and to break open that we are dealing with a great mystery here and this is why we are fascinated with the end times, hear Bishop Barron’s thoughts on the reality of Heaven in the video in the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend where we will hear from visiting priest from Malawi, Africa Reverend Father Kamia Tambala, who will be preaching this weekend. Don’t forget to stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
“There, goodwill shall be so ordered in us that we shall have no other desire than to remain there eternally.” –St. Augustine
THIS COMING WEEK
This Weekend at all masses, Reverend Father Francis Kamia Tambala
Father Francis will be at OLM throughout the weekend to help celebrate Mass and offer a brief homily message followed by a short presentation on the Transformation Through Education Initiative (TTE).
The TTE seeks to provide quality education to boys and girls in Namulenga Parish, Archdiocese of Blantyre, Malawi. The project strives to contribute to the improvement of the poor standards of high school education prevalent in the community day high schools in the remote areas of the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
The mission, therefore, appeals to all people of goodwill to give towards the realization of an education facility at Namulenga Parish which can contribute to the good learning environment of the boys and girls who can later contribute to their own development and the development of their country, Malawi.
Please consider this opportunity to make a sacrificial gift in support of this effort via the second collection or using the envelope that will be provided. Or https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds
For those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, and their caregivers. As well as anyone experiencing physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and health concerns. Come to the In-Person St. Peregrine Prayer Service this Tuesday following the 6:30pm Mass
AMA with Father James on 11/16
The next AMA with Father James is taking place with the Consuming Fire Young Adult Group so tune in on Tuesday 11/16th @ 7pm and see what questions they have and see if your questions are the ones he will answer.
The last MAGNIFY of the year will be this Weds 11/17th @ 7pm. Bring your family and friends for a scriptural reflection, Confessions, Prayer Ministry, adoration, and praise. Come and dwell in Jesus’ very presence and let us “sing psalms, and hymns and songs from the spirit, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:16
LOOKING AHEAD
Young Men Ages 14 through 18 hang out with the Seminarians at “Quo Vadis” on 11/20
To all young men in high school, 14 through 18 years old, come out on Saturday 11/20th from 10am to 1:30pm
Join Father Steven Borello and the Diocese of Joliet Seminarians for prayer & adoration, bowling & pizza social at St Ambrose in Crest Hill. Proceed to this link for more information, parent permission forms, and registration.
Thanksgiving Mass 11/25
Consider beginning your day of giving thanks by going to the Thanksgiving Mass at 9am.
Ladies Advent Tea 11/28
Please save the date for the annual Ladies’ Advent Tea which will be in-person on Sunday,11/28 from 2pm to 4:30pm.
Please invite your family and friends to be together for an opportunity to prepare our hearts and souls for Christmas
Saying “Yes” to God, inspiration during Advent will be the presentation this year and take place in the church. Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care will facilitate reflections by Catherine Wiecher Brunell, a pastoral minister of the everyday. Those who feel comfortable being around tables will be invited into the multi-purpose room of the Parish Life Center after the presentation for fellowship, reflection, and refreshments. Please bring your favorite teacup or mug for your beverage.
This year refreshments will be provided at the table. Instead of bringing a favorite dessert, bring a copy of your favorite holiday dessert recipe that you may have brought to past Advent teas or a new recipe. The recipes will be put together in a book and shared with those who would like them. Since we were not able to be in person last year, we are looking forward to being together for this special Our Lady of Mercy tradition!
Adopt a Family in Need for Thanksgiving Dinner!
This year for Thanksgiving we are partnering with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House to provide families that are currently being assisted by these two organizations with a Thanksgiving dinner!
We are now accepting donations to benefit those families in need of a meal. Parishioners may make donations via our online giving portal under “Angel Giving” or checks can also be made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo and placed inside of the bin in the Narthex after mass. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377.
Blue Christmas In-person Prayer Service 12/19
May those experiencing grief and loss at Christmas, find hope and peace in this prayer service and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. It is a time to listen, pray and feel the love of God.
The Blue Christmas Prayer Service will be in the church on Sunday, 12/19 from 3pm to 4pm. Please connect with Jolene LeRoy at 331-707-5380 or jolenel@olmercy.com for more details.
The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October and will conclude in 2023.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
Plenary Indulgence any day in the month of November
Did you know that you can get a plenary indulgence any day this November? It’s true. The Vatican has decided to grant Catholics who visit a cemetery to pray for the faithful departed on any day in the month of November a plenary indulgence.
Usually, the Catholic Church only grants this plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory to those who pray in a cemetery on November 1-8, which is the week of the Solemnity of All Souls’ Day.
The specific November 2 plenary indulgence one can obtain for the souls in Purgatory by visiting a church or an oratory and reciting an Our Father and the Creed, can now also be done on any day in November.
Thank you so much to those who have pledged! Once we have reached our goal in paid pledges, 70% of the additional funds received will be returned to our parish.
Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME Connect withzara@olmercy.comfor any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE
BE EQUIPPED TO DEFEND THE FAITH!
There are no shortages of assaults on the Church today. In a world of increasing challengers to the Faith, we need to know, now more than ever, why we believe what we believe.
This conference is about answering your tough questions on the Catholic Faith and equipping you with the knowledge to withstand the challenges that are sure to come. Details and registration for this FREE virtual conference are found here.
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, November 8 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who is interested in emotional and mental health and wellness. The ministry has an interest in decreasing the stigma of mental illness and increasing the awareness of support and resources. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
Sometimes it’s easy to give. Our finances are steady, our time is abundant, and we have the energy to spare.
Sometimes it hurts to give. Times are tight, we feel stressed and burdened, and life seems to be against us.
Do we still give, even when it hurts? It’s easy to give out of surplus, but it becomes a true act of trust in God when we give out of our poverty, even the poverty of our being.
In our Gospel this weekend Jesus states it clearly:
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:38-44)
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend and to lean in on the saints who are the “friends of God” who have gone before us and who we can imitate in their utter generosity, hear Bishop Barron’s description of the love of the saints on the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend where Deacon Tom will be preaching, or stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
THIS COMING WEEK
Open HEARTS Ministry 11/8
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS is Monday, 11/8 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who has an interest in increasing the awareness of mental health and mental illness and sharing resources and experiences with others. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
This Tuesday 11/9 is the start of the next Bible Study, a Biblical Walk through the Mass
Is the Catholic Mass biblical? Or ever wonder what the words, gestures, and rituals in the Catholic Mass mean? Do you have a Protestant or a Christian friend from another denomination that has questioned if the Catholic Mass is biblical? Invite them to come with you or go to this Bible Study to find out.
Meet Jesus in Scripture Bible Study @ OLM presents A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS by Edward Sri. Register at this link for this awesome study
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass explores the extraordinary biblical roots of the Liturgy and reveals what it all means and why it all matters. This fascinating tour of the Mass will renew your faith and deepen your love for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
This 6 weeks Bible Study will take place every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm starting 11/9th through 12/14th in the PLC. At the last class, Dr. Edward Sri will be hosting the class and a Q&A session from all who sign up for this 6-week study.
Check out the trailer below. Looking forward to discovering the beauty and the riches of the Mass with you soon!
Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season Gatherings starts 11/9
Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season will take place in Room 124 on Tuesday, 11/9 from 7pm to 8:30pm; Saturday, 11/20 from 9:30am to 11:00am; Wednesday, 12/15 from 7pm to 8:30pm. You can attend any or all sessions.
For some, holidays are a time to celebrate and get together with family and friends. For others, holidays are difficult and not a time to celebrate as they are dealing with feelings of sadness, loss, and emptiness. If you are looking for support to help you cope with grief during the holiday season, please consider attending. And if you know of someone that would be helped by these gatherings, please let them know.
Catholic Man Night on Wednesday 11/10
To all the men, Father Burke and Father Don are inviting you to come out this Wednesday at 5:30pm here at Our Lady of Mercy for the Catholic Man Night.
The theme of the evening is “Claiming Greatness”
Starts with Adoration and Confession 5:30pm to 6:50pm
followed by Mass with an inspirational homily at 7pm.
Schedule to donate blood at this link on Saturday 11/13 from 8am to 12pm. Every donor will save up to 3 lives!
While appointments are appreciated, walk-ins are welcome!
You DO NOT NEED the Covid-19 vaccine in order to donate.
Please make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Thank you!
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
Thank you so much to those who have pledged! Once we have reached our goal in paid pledges, 70% of the additional funds received will be returned to our parish.
Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
The next AMA with Father James is taking place with the Consuming Fire Young Adult Group so tune in on Tuesday 11/16th @ 7pm and see what questions they have and see if your questions are the ones he will answer.
Please save the date for the annual Ladies’ Advent Tea on Sunday, 11/28 from 2pm to 4:30pm. Plans are for an in-person event in the church and the PLC. Details to follow.
Adopt a Family in Need for Thanksgiving Dinner!
This year for Thanksgiving we are partnering with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House to provide families that are currently being assisted by these two organizations with a Thanksgiving dinner!
We are now accepting donations to benefit those families in need of a meal. Parishioners may make donations via our online giving portal under “Angel Giving” or checks can also be made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo and placed inside of the bin in the Narthex after mass. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions at lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377.
Plenary Indulgence any day in the month of November
Did you know that you can get a plenary indulgence any day this November? It’s true. The Vatican has decided to grant Catholics who visit a cemetery to pray for the faithful departed on any day in the month of November a plenary indulgence.
Usually, the Catholic Church only grants this plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory to those who pray in a cemetery on November 1-8, which is the week of the Solemnity of All Souls’ Day.
The specific November 2 plenary indulgence one can obtain for the souls in Purgatory by visiting a church or an oratory and reciting an Our Father and the Creed, can now also be done on any day in November.
Young Men Ages 7th Grade and Older, Save the Date for Thursday 1/4/2022
Think of the image of empty black shoes at the center aisle of a church.
Who Will Fill These Shoes? The image of empty shoes, a priest’s shoes, laying there by the altar. It is a sharp reminder to all of us that without priests, there will be no Eucharist.
To all young men ages 7th Grade and older, please come to a day about the priesthood at the Blanchette Catholic Center from 9am to 3pm. There is no cost to attend. Please register through vocations@dioceseofjoliet.org or call 815-221.6141
Synod on Synodality
The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October and will conclude in 2023.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this NEW & FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
PASTORAL CARE If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
OPEN HEARTS MINISTRY
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS Ministry is Monday, November 8 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who is interested in emotional and mental health and wellness. The ministry has an interest in decreasing the stigma of mental illness and increasing the awareness of support and resources. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas as to how to strengthen our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to Restore your life email us at Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet.
What do we love the most? Our health? Our career? Our reputation or status online?
Where is our love directed? Christian writer and former atheist C.S. Lewis wrote that we need to, “Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first & we lose both first and second things.”
The message of our Gospel echoes this message as well as the words of Moses from our First Reading this weekend:
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6)
What’s more, Jesus challenges His followers to also, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12). When we love rightly, all other activities fall into place and we must prepare ourselves for the eternal life to come.
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend and to get a glimpse of how Catholics understand “The Last Things” watch the short video from poet, actor, and friend of Word on Fire Jonathan Roumie who plays Jesus in ‘The Chosen’ series on the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend where the presider of each Mass will be preaching, or stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
And praise God, Father Don is safely back from his cross-country road trip with Chardonnay!
THIS COMING WEEK
Sunday Mass Times and the Solemnity of All Saints
Please note the (4pm on Saturday), 8am, 10am and 12:30pm is for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The 5:30pm Mass time is for the Solemnity of All Saints.
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical or emotional need or thankful praise.
Thank you for your generosity that helps support the life-saving work of Waterleaf advocating for the innocent unborn who can’t speak for themselves.
The Day of the Dead Altar will be at the Narthex through 11/2
The Day of the Dead Altar to pray and remember our dearly departed loved ones will be in the Narthex from 10/30 through 11/2. If you haven’t done so already, please bring and drop off the photo of your loved ones who have passed in the basket in front of the Our Lady of Guadalupe portrait.
Place the picture in a zip lock bag with your name and phone number on the back of the photo and on the zip lock bag for easy return on 11/3. https://bit.ly/DayoftheDead2021
All Soul’s Day Mass of Remembrance 11/2
Join us at 7pm in-person or at the live stream, in praying for those who have died and for all souls in purgatory. Members of our parish and loved ones of our parishioners will be remembered in a special way at this All Souls Day Mass. Grief Support materials will be available. As part of the tradition at Our Lady of Mercy, there will be candles to take home to remember your loved one in a special way. https://youtu.be/ouNiX-N9kQo
PADS 11/2
PADS will be on Tuesday 11/2 to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board in the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed. We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”. 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
Surviving Divorce Program starts 11/3
Is anyone in your family divorced? Or do you know someone that could be helped by this program? Please share this information with them.
Vine & Branches is hosting the program “Surviving Divorce” that features twelve video presentations that cover topics such as shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. Check out this video for detailed information on topics and presenters.
Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 11/5 from 8am to 4pm
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 11/6 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.
Charismatic Healing Mass 11/6
On Saturday, 11/6 at 6pm is the Charismatic Healing Mass. A healing Mass is a normal Mass, but it has a special focus on God’s healing power; this will be reflected in the songs, prayers, and scripture readings. If you’re in need of God’s healing grace, come to the Charismatic Healing Mass.
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
Thank you so much to those who have pledged! Once we have reached our goal in paid pledges, 70% of the additional funds received will be returned to our parish.
Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
Register now for the next Bible Study, a Biblical Walk through the Mass
Is the Catholic Mass biblical? Or ever wonder what the words, gestures, and rituals in the Catholic Mass mean? Do you have a Protestant or a Christian friend from another denomination that has questioned if the Catholic Mass is biblical? Invite them to come with you or go to this Bible Study to find out.
Meet Jesus in Scripture Bible Study @ OLM presents A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS by Edward Sri. Register at this link for this awesome study
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass explores the extraordinary biblical roots of the Liturgy and reveals what it all means and why it all matters. This fascinating tour of the Mass will renew your faith and deepen your love for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
This 6 weeks Bible Study will take place every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm starting 11/9th through 12/14th in the PLC. At the last class, Dr. Edward will be hosting the class and a Q&A session from all who sign up for this 6-week study.
Check out the trailer below. Looking forward to discovering the beauty and the riches of the Mass with you soon!
Open HEARTS Ministry 11/8
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS is Monday, 11/8 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who has an interest in increasing the awareness of mental health and mental illness and sharing resources and experiences with others. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season Gatherings starts 11/9
Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season will take place in Room 124 on Tuesday, 11/9 from 7pm to 8:30pm; Saturday, 11/20 from 9:30am to 11:00am; Wednesday, 12/15 from 7pm to 8:30pm. You can attend any or all sessions.
For some, holidays are a time to celebrate and get together with family and friends. For others, holidays are difficult and not a time to celebrate as they are dealing with feelings of sadness, loss, and emptiness. If you are looking for support to help you cope with grief during the holiday season, please consider attending. And if you know of someone that would be helped by these gatherings, please let them know.
St. Vincent DePaul Truck at OLM 11/6 and 11/7
The St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck will be in our parking lot 11/6 and 11/7 for the clothing drive. Pick up one of the SVDP bags to place your donated items. Clear out your closets for a good cause; the items are sold at reasonable prices at thrift shops so 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.
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive 11/13
Schedule to donate blood at this link on Saturday 11/13 from 8am to 12pm. Every donor will save up to 3 lives!
While appointments are appreciated, walk-ins are welcome!
You DO NOT NEED the Covid-19 vaccine in order to donate.
Please make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Thank you!
Ladies Advent Tea 11/28
Please save the date for the annual Ladies’ Advent Tea on Sunday, 11/28 from 2pm to 4:30pm. Plans are for an in-person event in the church and the PLC. Details to follow.
Adopt a Family in Need for Thanksgiving Dinner!
This year for Thanksgiving we are partnering with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House to provide families that are currently being assisted by these two organizations with a Thanksgiving dinner!
We are now accepting donations to benefit those families in need of a meal. Parishioners may make donations via our online giving portal under “Angel Giving” or checks can also be made payable to Our Lady of Mercy with “Angel Giving” in the memo and placed inside of the bin in the Narthex after mass. Please contact Lydia Schmitt, in the main office, with additional questions lydias@olmercy.com or 331-707-5377.
Young Men Ages 7th Grade and Older, Save the Date for Thursday 1/4/2022
Think of the image of empty black shoes at the center aisle of a church.
Who Will Fill These Shoes? The image of empty shoes, a priest’s shoes, laying there by the altar. It is a sharp reminder to all of us that without priests, there will be no Eucharist.
To all young men ages 7th Grade and older, please come to a day about the priesthood at the Blanchette Catholic Center from 9am to 3pm. There is no cost to attend. Please register through vocations@dioceseofjoliet.org or call 815-221.6141
Synod on Synodality
The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome in October and will conclude in 2023.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here. This week our guest writer is Father James whose article is titled “Ghostbusters.”
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institutecomes this FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
October 16, 2021 | Weekly Update
To Serve & Give His Life
What’s the point of power and authority?
Is power meant for its own sake? Is authority solely to boss others around?
For the Christian, power is meant to be used to serve others and any authority we receive is meant to bring about good for the least around us.
“For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many,” Jesus tells His disciples who are vying for the VIP seats in His heavenly kingdom. Jesus’ mission was to die a lonely, humiliating death, a mission that would, through His sufferings, warrant for us new life.
As St. Paul tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help!” (Hebrews 4).
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend and to get a glimpse of how Catholics understand the story of salvation, watch this short video from Matt Nelson from the Word on Fire Institute on the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend where the presider of each Mass will be preaching, or stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
THIS COMING WEEK
Bishop Hicks celebrating Mass at 2pm 10/17
In preparation for the work of the upcoming Synod of Bishops scheduled for 2023, Bishop Hicks (and every Diocese in the world) will gather on Sunday, 10/17th to celebrate a Mass to begin praying for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod and upon the Diocesan consultation that will take place in each Diocese.
Let us be in prayer for Bishop Hicks and all the Bishops, for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod of Bishops, and that the dialogue of those participating in the pre-synod process will bear great fruit for the salvation of souls.
PIE ordering time weekends of 10/16 & 10/17 and 10/23 & 24
It’s Pie Ordering time to help support the Teen Mission Trip to Ohio. At the next two weekends, teens will be taking pie orders after all the Mass times. Order your pies in time for your Thanksgiving celebration, pick up will be on Saturday 11/20th.
You may also buy a pie for the Hesed House residents that we’ll deliver there for you!
For those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, and their caregivers. Come to the In-Person St. Peregrine Prayer Service on Tuesday 10/19th following the 6:30pm Mass.
The In-Person St. Peregrine Prayer Service is hosted by Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Director of Pastoral Care. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of the sick, especially those suffering from cancer, serious illness, or chronic illness. The prayer service is for the intention of those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, and their caregivers.
Altar Server and Senior Servers “Refresher” Training 10/23rd
There will be “refresher” training for all Altar Servers and Senior Servers on Saturday, 10/23, following the 4pm Mass. Please come if you have questions about the new procedures and would like to review them.
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
Thank you to those who have pledged! We are so close to our parish goal, we are almost there! Help us meet our goal; please support Our Lady of Mercy by supporting the Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA).
Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
Register now for the next Bible Study, a Biblical Walk through the Mass
Is the Catholic Mass biblical? Or ever wonder what the words, gestures, and rituals in the Catholic Mass mean? Do you have a Protestant or a Christian friend from another denomination that has questioned if the Catholic Mass is biblical? Invite them to come with you or go to this Bible Study to find out.
Meet Jesus in Scripture Bible Study @ OLM presents A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS by Edward Sri. Register at this link for this awesome study
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass explores the extraordinary biblical roots of the Liturgy and reveals what it all means and why it all matters. This fascinating tour of the Mass will renew your faith and deepen your love for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
This 6 weeks Bible Study will take place every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm starting 11/9th through 12/14th in the PLC.
Purchase the $14 study guide https://bit.ly/BiblicalMassStudyGuide (However, if the study guide is a financial hardship, please connect with zara@olmercy.com)
Check out the trailer below. Looking forward to discovering the beauty and the riches of the Mass with you soon!
Brogan Family Coat Drive 10/24
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. They would literally pack up their car with donations to the point that they could barely see out of their car windows.
Once again this year the Brogan 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.
The collection will be on Sunday, October 24 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. A trailer will be in the OLM parking lot accepting the donations.
Knights of Columbus Sunday Pancake Breakfast 10/24
Support the Knights of Columbus “Coats for Kids” Charity Campaign by joining them for a delicious pancake breakfast on Sunday 10/24 from 8am to 12pm in the gym.
Dine-in or take out, have some pancakes, eggs, sausage with coffee, tea or juice. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children 10 years old and under, free for children younger than 3 years old!
World Mission Sunday 10/24
World Mission Sunday, our annual celebration of the Church’s global missions, will take place on October 24 this year. This is an opportunity for us to become missionaries by strengthening the Church abroad putting our faith into action by supporting World Mission Sunday. The second collection taken up will serve to strengthen more than 1,000 local churches in Asia, Africa the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Through the work of these churches and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s Love, mercy, and peace.
Sing your heart out to Jesus at MAGNIFY 10/27
Amen, we can now sing to Jesus through our masks! Scripture reflection by Father James, adoration praise, and worship by Josh Goodman and his full worship band, confessions, and prayer ministry. Save the date, bring the children, bring a friend and see you then.
Aurora Central Catholic High School Open House 10/28
Aurora Central Catholic High School (ACC) is happy to welcome parents and prospective students to an Open House, on Thursday 10/28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Families come out and find out why you should consider the immeasurable value of a Catholic primary and secondary education. Come to the Open House where you have an opportunity to tour their state-of-the-art campus and meet with ACC’s faculty and staff, representatives from various clubs and athletic teams.
ACC is a college-preparatory high school since 1926 with an enrollment of about 500 students, offering students a spiritual and educational foundation for life-long learning.
Trunk or Treating 10/30
TRUNK or TREATING w/the SAINTS is on Saturday 10/30 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Parents and children, come out and get to know the heroes of our church, see which saint is representing!
Social distancing protocols in place.
Volunteers are still needed, please consider helping out bringing joy to the children at this fun ‘Saint-filled’ gathering. Connect with maryjot@olmercy.com.
Day of the Dead Altar Picture Drop Off 10/30 to 11/2
Join us to pray and remember our loved ones who have passed away. Please drop off the photo of your loved ones who have passed away in a ziplock bag, placing them in a basket located on the front desk of the hallway. Please don’t forget to include your name and contact information in both the photo and the bag.
Waterleaf Baby Bottles for Life return by 10/31
Please return all donations in baby bottles or envelopes in the collection basket by the narthex. Donations will be collected in the narthex until October 31. Thank you for your generosity.
Charismatic Healing Mass 11/6
On Saturday, November 6th at 6pm is the Charismatic Healing Mass. A healing Mass is a normal Mass, but it has a special focus on God’s healing power; this will be reflected in the songs, prayers, and scripture readings. If you’re in need of God’s healing grace, come to the Charismatic Healing Mass.
Open HEARTS Ministry 11/8
The next scheduled in-person gathering for Open HEARTS is Monday, November 8 from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 218 in the Parish Life Center. The ministry is for anyone who has an interest in increasing the awareness of mental health and mental illness and sharing resources and experiences with others. The topic of discussion will be on MERCY – God’s mercy and how we are called to live a life of mercy in relationship to our faith and mental health and wellness. If you would like to learn more about the ministry, please send an email to Janice Hurtado Aeppli at olmopenhearts@yahoo.com
St. Vincent DePaul Truck at OLM – 11/6 and 11/7
The St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck will be in our parking lot 11/6 and 11/7 for the clothing drive. Pick up one of the SVDP bags to place your donated items. Clear out your closets for a good cause; the items are sold at reasonable prices at thrift shops so 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.
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive 11/13
Schedule to donate blood at this link on Saturday 11/13 from 8am to 12pm. Every donor will save up to 3 lives!
While appointments are appreciated, walk-ins are welcome!
You DO NOT NEED the Covid-19 vaccine in order to donate.
Please make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Thank you!
The weekend of September 11-12, Ertha Papillon, the founder, and director of an orphanage and school for the poorest of the poor in Duchity, Haiti, spoke at all the Masses. She sent the following thank you to the Our Lady of Mercy Community.
Dear Fr. Don, Parish Staff, and Parishioners,
Thank you, my brothers and sisters, from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and generosity that you showed to me during my visit to your parish. You truly have a wonderful, welcoming community of faith!
I am now back in my beloved country of Haiti and I carry you in my heart. Thank you for your warmth, kindness, prayers, and financial assistance at this very difficult time in the life of Haitians. The Earthquake hit our area of Haiti very hard, and there is much work to be done, but you have given us hope! With your assistance, we can now begin to repair the school roofs, and care for the many needs of the children in the orphanage. God’s grace was showered upon us by your wonderful parish community! God is always faithful!
Please continue to pray for us. The road ahead is difficult, but we know if we pray for
each other, God will bless Our Lady of Mercy Parish and Our Lady of Perpetual Help
School and Orphanage in Haiti. We will continue to pray for Fr. Don and your entire faith community. I say thank you in Haitian Creole. Mesi anpil!
God bless you,
Ertha
___
As a sidenote, the parish collection for Ertha’s mission in Haiti totaled $38,333
There was also a $5,000 donation (not included in above total) from a former parishioner who lives out of state and was watching our livestream Mass the weekend Ertha spoke.
“Mesi anpil!”
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry at MAGNIFY 10/27 and after all Mass times 10/30 &10/31
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
AMEN – CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
October 7, 2021 | October is Respect Life Month
We believe that all life is sacred, and that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. We must share the good news that every person is loved by God and that we are called to defend the dignity of life from conception until natural death.
Be encouraged to engage in one or several of the following ways to be an advocate for the innocent unborn who can’t speak for themselves, pray for the sanctity of life. Please also share this message with anyone you know who is able to help or would like to participate.
Waterleaf
3055 E. New York Street
Aurora, IL 60504
630.701.6270
HELP FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES RECOVER AFTER AN ABORTION
You may feel alone. Maybe your abortion was some time ago, and you never told anyone.
At the time, you may have felt like abortion was your only choice. Some of us felt that way too. Many of us thought we were the only ones struggling afterwards.
But now we realize that other women regret their choice too. We’re now learning that abortion didn’t solve our problems, it just created different ones that it has a deep ripple effect. You may have chosen abortion personally, lost a child to abortion, or your life has been profoundly affected by abortion. SaveOne can help you through the healing process. Click here to start your journey today.
September 24, 2021 | Weekly Update
You Belong to Jesus
“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off!”
Many of us know well this teaching from Christ in our Gospel this weekend. How many of us though take Him seriously?
It’s easy to note the problematic areas of our life and our habitual sin, but it takes work, (both from submitting to God and our own efforts), to identify and ROOT out our sources of sin. The trappings of this earth will pass away; do we take seriously the health of our souls?
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend and to learn more about how God calls us to be fully alive in our relationship with Christ watch this short video from Father Stephen Gadberry (a veteran of the US Air Force, Cross-Fit coach, and pastor of St. Mary’s) on the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend wherein the Deacons will be preaching, or stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
THIS COMING WEEK
Prayer Ministry after all Mass times 9/25 & 9/26
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical, or emotional need or thankful praise.
Pray for Father Don through 9/30
Please keep Father Don in your prayers for the success of the radioactive iodine ablation treatment for his thyroid cancer. He began his isolation on Weds 9/22 through Thurs 9/30 https://bit.ly/PrayForFrDon
Pray for the Joliet Diocese Priests 9/27 through 9/30
Please also pray for the priests of our Joliet Diocese who will be on a convocation with Bishop HIcks from September 27 – 30. The Joliet priest convocation is held every other year, and this will be the first time with our new bishop.
Last week to join Alpha this Weds or Thurs 9/29 or 9/30
It’s not too late to join Online Alpha on Wednesdays at 7pm or In-Person Alpha on Thursdays @ 6:30pm
Join almost 100 people this Alpha season as they meet Jesus, renew their faith, or explore the questions that have been on their hearts.
Just show up to the in-person Alpha on Thursday at 6:30pm or register ahead of time.
Don’t underestimate what a massive impact a simple invitation can achieve, recall Joe’s story below of the invitation he received to Alpha. Who will you invite to Alpha this season? Share the invite graphic or pick up an invitation to hand out.
Bishop Hicks Column & One Year Anniversary 9/29
It’s Bishop Hicks’ 1 year anniversary, please check out his new monthly column where he reflects upon his one-year anniversary on Sept. 29 of being installed as the bishop of Joliet.
Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 10/1 from 8am to 4pm
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 10/2 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.
Blessing of Animals 10/2
We are paws-itively excited about our annual Pet Blessing this weekend! Join us on Saturday, October 2nd at 1pm in the circle drive to have your pet blessed, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi!
St. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, gained special recognition for his love of nature and animals, and many stories tell of him “preaching to the birds” when a group of noisy swallows was disturbing his preaching. The birds immediately fell silent and stood all around him, listening intently as he spoke of God’s majesty.
OLM PRAYER VIGIL OCT 1 (7 AM – 7 PM) We will be distributing Prayer Commitment Cards at all masses this weekend and next weekend.
ANNUAL OCTOBER WHITE CROSS MEMORIAL FOR ABORTION VICTIMS SET UP ON 9/25 AFTERNOON All help in setting up the crosses, banners and lighting for the White Cross Memorial for the Victims of Abortion is much appreciated. We usually start about 1pm and try to finish before the 4pm Mass. The more helping hands, the faster we are done! This would be a great way to help fulfill service hours for teens.
Flu Shot Clinic at Our Lady of Mercy Church 10/3
Sunday October 3 2021 from 8:30am to 11:30am
Located in the Ministry Room of the Narthex of Church
Provided by AMITA Health Mercy Medical Center Health Institute
Cost: $25 (cash, check or Medicare Part B – please bring your Medicare card)
Walk-ins are welcome. If you would like to register for the clinic or have questions, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN atjolenel@olmercy.comor call 331-707-5380.
EDGE Night 10/4
Families with students in grades 6, 7, or 8 are invited to EDGE NIGHTS the next is on Monday, October 4h! EDGE meets twice a month on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Parish Life Center. We will have large group activities, games, prayer time, small group faith lessons, and a chance to grow in our Catholic faith with other teens your own age! Check out our EDGE webpage for details and session dates:https://olmercy.com/formation/edge/. Please register online as a family here:https://olmercy.com/family-registration-2021-2022/
EDGE Nights are also in need of adults and high school teens to help with various small groups and activities throughout the year. Please consider this awesome ministry to get involved with and contact Dave in the Youth & Family Office at 331-707-5371 or DaveM@olmercy.com
Speaker at Vines & Branches on 10/6
Is there life after divorce?
Vines and Branches are hosting a speaker who will share his story of isolation, loss of relationship with his children, loss of finances, of friendships, faith, feeling different about being at church, and living through what the new normal is.
Come and hear from Mike Maude as he shares his story and answers the question “Is there life after divorce?” with a resounding Yes there absolutely is!
Come to OLM on Wednesday 10/6th @ 7:15pm, please share this invitation with anyone you know who is going through a difficult time right now in their divorce.
Happy 40th Anniversary of Father Don’s Priesthood 10/10
Come and celebrate Father Don’s 40 years of the gift of his priestly ministry!
Father Don will be offering a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday at 2pm with hors d’oeuvre reception immediately after. He hopes to see you there.
To prepare adequately for the reception, please RSVP by 9/30 to frdon@olmercy.com
Also at all the Mass times on 10/9 and 10/10
Father Don will be preaching
And there will be a coffee and donuts reception in the PLC; please stop by after Mass to greet Father Don.
In addition, if you would like to greet Father Don with a Happy Anniversary video shout-out and well wishes, please submit with the following guidance
10 – 15 seconds video (longer videos are harder to email and upload)
Landscape / horizontal orientation
Virtual Faith, Family and Financial Security 10/13
The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a virtual Faith, Family, and Financial Security event on 10/13 available to all in the Parish. Register for this free event at this link.
The topic is “Financial Success Under Any Circumstance” which will cover compelling questions that will help you clarify how to have financial and retirement success such as
How can you maximize your social security?
Do you prefer to build a legacy for your family and business or the Internal Revenue Service?
If there was a way to reduce or eliminate the income tax liability on your IRA or 401K, when would you want to know about it. Before or after they charge the tax?
Can you build a wonderful retirement income if interest rates remain at zero and the stock market offers zero return for a decade?
Eucharistic Procession for Life 10/16th
1pm start at Benet Academy | Welcome, Speakers and Prayer
2pm Eucharistic Procession through Lisle & Naperville with Rosary
3:30pm Closing Benediction at Sts. Peter and Paul Church
Guests include
Redwing for Life Leaders
Featuring Benet’s Redwings for Life Leaders as the pro life generation who will speak on the many aspects of forming pro life thought, winning the hearts and minds of individuals in order to build families and communities which respect life in all ages and stages! St. Joseph pray for us!
Students for Life of America
The nation’s largest youth pro-life organization
Undy Sunday 10/16 – 10/17
Did you know that NEW underwear and socks are the most-requested, but least-donated items at Catholic Charities? These basic items (new underwear, warm socks, a fresh diaper) are truly treasures to those who are living in poverty.
Collection Boxes will be placed in the Narthex for NEW underwear, undershirts, socks, and diapers for children and adults living in low-income householdswith the following special request
If you’d prefer to send a monetary donation, please mail it to:
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet/Undy Sunday
16555 Weber Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403
Bishop Hicks Celebrating Mass on 10/17
In preparation for the work of the Synod of Bishops 2023, every Diocese in the world has been asked to gather on Sunday 10/17 to celebrate a Mass to begin praying for blessings upon the preparation for the Synod and upon the Diocesan consultation that will take place in each Diocese.
Two parishioners are invited to join Bishop Hicks as he celebrates this Mass on 10/17 at 2pm at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus to inaugurate the Diocesan consultation for the Synod of Bishops 2023. If you are interested in attending please reach out to zara@olmercy.com
World Mission Sunday 10/24
World Mission Sunday, our annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world, will be celebrated on 10/24 this year. This collection on the next-to-last Sunday in October is a unique, global effort for the entire Church to provide for the building up of over one thousand local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Through the work of these churches, and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, His hope, and peace.
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
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.
GROW GROUPS | WE CONTINUE TO LAUNCH GROW GROUPS, ONE GROUP AT A TIME
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and every two weeks for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FREE HEALING AND FORGIVENESS VIRTUAL CATHOLIC CONFERENCE 10/8 through 10/10
There is hope in finding and giving forgiveness, and you don’t have to go it alone.
Discover how to encounter the forgiving love of Christ in the areas where you feel most broken, most ashamed, most unloved, and most forgotten, and see for yourself what God has planned for those who love Him.
The Worldwide Healing Event is a global gathering of men and women who are ready to stop postponing their healing with unforgiveness and take the first step in living their redemption story!
Releasing unforgiveness
Healing from addiction
Healing from generational wounds
The healing power of worship!
Encountering healing through all Persons of the Trinity
And more!
Some of the Conference speakers are
Matt Lozano
Neal Lozano
Dr. Bob Schuchts
Dr. Mary Healy
Fr. Chris Alar
Fr. Donald Calloway
Sr. Briege McKenna
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
Not sure where to start? How about the episode of the Pivotal Players series of St. Ignatius of Loyola which covers Ignatius’ journey from a courageous and celebrated warrior to a passionate servant of Christ, and the influence he effected through the establishment of the Jesuit order and through his masterpiece, “The Spiritual Exercises.”
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
This Wednesday and Thursday is the last week to invite people to Alpha for this fall session. Extend the invitation, it can be life-changing like it was for Joe Glasgow.
September 4, 2021 | Weekly Update
The Deaf Hear and the Mute Speak
Have you ever witnessed miraculous healing? Was it a friend, teammate, family member, or even yourself?
God wants us healed! He wants all of His creation whole again! Signs of healing and wonders would accompany the Messiah, the Old Testament prophets affirmed: the blind would see, the deaf would hear, and the lame would leap! When Jesus began His miraculous healings, many believed that this was indeed the evidence that He was the chosen one, the Son of God.
To prepare our hearts before we go to Holy Mass this weekend and to learn more about how God is offering the gift of healing to us all watch this short video on the Flocknote email.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend wherein Father James will be preaching, or stop by to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
From the Diocese of Joliet Communications Office
Updated COVID-19 Guidance Per Governor’s Statewide Mask Mandate
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued Executive Order 2021-20, which calls for all Illinois residents age two or older to wear a mask while in an indoor public space, effective Monday, August 30.Attendees at Mass and other indoor liturgical celebrations and events will be required to wear a mask, beginning Monday, August 30. All parish and Blanchette Catholic Center employees also must wear a mask in the office when in contact with others. When employees are in their separate workspaces that allow for a distance of at least six feet from others, the mask may be removed.The executive order also contains directives requiring all public and nonpublic school teachers, staff, and volunteers to receive at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within 10 days of the order and to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of the first dose. Those individuals not fully vaccinated within that time frame will be required to undergo at least weekly COVID-19 testing.We are studying the vaccination order regarding school personnel and will provide clarity as soon as possible, along with other COVID-19 guidance updates in response to your questions.
We appreciate and thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.
A note on Reception of Holy Communion
Communion on the hand is still the preferable option.
Communion on the tongue is allowed at the pastor’s discretion. At our parish, only the priests/deacons will distribute communion on the tongue. The extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will not distribute communion on the tongue. To receive communion on the tongue, you must go to one of the lines where a priest or deacon is distributing.
For those concerned about receiving communion on the hand following someone who just received communion on the tongue, please note that the priest/deacon has a cloth in their hand treated with hand sanitizer. After a person receives communion on the tongue, the priest/deacon wipes their fingers on this cloth, reducing the possibility of transmission of viruses. If one is still uncomfortable, please receive communion from one of the extraordinary communion ministers instead of the priest/deacon
THIS COMING WEEK
Labor Day Schedule on Monday 9/6
On this weekend, when we rest from our usual labors, loving Father, we pray for all who shoulder the tasks of human labor—in the marketplace, in factories and offices, in the professions, and in family living. Allow us to find rest and comfort from the daily demands, and provide guidance for all the unemployed and underemployed. Amen.
Ways to make prayer part of your Labor Day weekend
Take a few minutes, morning and evening, to give thanks to God for a restful night’s sleep. Seek his blessings throughout the day and thank God in the evening for all that’s taken place that day. Make an examination of conscience and look for areas where you can improve.
Pray at meals, or while driving in the car
Pray the rosary as a family, spend time with Jesus visit Him at the Blessed Sacrament chapel, or pray another type of devotion.
PADS will be on Tuesday 9/7 to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board in the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed. We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”. 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
Celebrating Our Lady on her Birthday 9/8
Attend the 12pm Mass for the Nativity of our most wonderful mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary
To continue the work of addressing the sin of racism, Father Don encourages you to participate in a bi-lingual prayer service “Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism” which will be held on the memorial of St. Peter Claver, Thursday, September 9 at 6:30pm. The service will be held at our outdoor Stations of the Cross on the west side of church. In the event of rain, it will be indoors.
People in our day suffer unjustly simply because of the color of their skin or their national origin. Let us acknowledge the sin of racism and work to combat it in our social structures, our institutions, and our hearts!
Check out Father Don’s bulletin article on who and why we are having this prayer service on the memorial of St. Peter Claver.
EDGE Middle School Ministry Help
The EDGE Middle School Ministry is looking for adults to help with the EDGE Night program this year for our 6th, 7th and 8th graders. EDGE meets twice a month on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm in the PLC and has large and small group activities planned. If you are a parent, college student, single person, or a senior citizen; then you may be the right person to help with this vital ministry in the parish! Please contact Dave in the Family & Youth Office with questions or if you would like to help.
LOOKING AHEAD
Meet and Support Father Don’s Friend Ertha Papilion from Haiti at the Masses on 9/11 and 9/12
In the summer of 2014, Father Don traveled to the small village of Duchity in the mountains of southwest Haiti. It was there that he met Ertha Papillon, a leader in her faith community of Ste. Marie-Madeleine. Ertha is the founder and director of an orphanage and an elementary school. She has dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in the countryside near Duchity.
Ertha will return Father Don’s visit and will speak at all the Masses. She will share her story and the story of the people she serves.
This Mission Appeal is going to be on September 11/12th.
A collection will be taken to benefit the orphanage and the school.
Checks can be made out to “Our Lady of Mercy” with “Haiti-Ertha” in the memo.
A promise from Ertha: “I am happy to visit you. We are all God’s children. Please pray for me and the children of Haiti and I will pray for you.”
Youth Alpha begins 9/12
High School teens (Grades 9-12) at OLM are asked to attend Youth Alpha as they think about their decision to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith. Run over 10 weeks, each session looks at a different question that teens can have about faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is a safe, non-judgmental, friendly, and welcoming space to explore life’s big questions together. Join us for an engaging video talk and small group conversation. Sign-up and get more information on Youth Alpha here:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094facab2aaa8-youth.
Youth Alpha needs Teens or Adults who have experienced Alpha in the past to serve as hosts or helpers at our nights. Please prayerfully consider this ministry and contact Dave 331-707-5371 or DaveM@olmercy.com) to volunteer or get more information.
Who Will You Invite or Go With to Alpha that starts 9/16
Alpha is for everyone! Alpha is for the curious – people from different spiritual backgrounds who are searching for God and asking questions about life. Alpha is also for practicing Christians and Catholics – it is an intense experience that can deepen one’s love for God, the Church, and others. Everyone walks away from Alpha more equipped to have deep conversations with others, no matter what their spiritual background may be.
Starts with an awesome free meal, live music, video, and small groups. #Food #fellowship #faith #friendships, and a babysitting option if you need it.
Don’t underestimate what a massive impact a simple invitation can achieve, listen to Max’s story below who didn’t know who Jesus is. On how he went from a despondent young man, lifting at the YMCA and saying yes to a simple invitation…. turned into encountering the life-shaping good news of Jesus that speaks into the deep questions around identity, belonging, and purpose.
Jesus gave Max new life; just like Max, see what Jesus can do in your life, come to Alpha @ OLM…. who will you invite to Alpha this season?
Thinking About Becoming Catholic?
Or are you a Catholic seeking to enrich your faith by completing the sacraments of initiation?
On Saturday, September 18th at 6pm is the Charismatic Healing Mass. A healing Mass is a normal Mass, but it has a special focus on God’s healing power; this will be reflected in the songs, prayers, and scripture readings. If you’re in need of God’s healing grace, come to the Charismatic Healing Mass.
EDGE Nights begin Monday 9/20
Families with students in grades 6, 7 or 8 are invited to EDGE NIGHTS starting Monday, September 20th! We will meet twice a month on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Parish Life Center. We will have large group activities, games, prayer time, small group faith lessons, and a chance to grow in our Catholic faith with other teens your own age! Check out our EDGE webpage for details and session dates:https://olmercy.com/formation/edge/. Please register online as a family here:https://olmercy.com/family-registration-2021-2022/
EDGE Nights are also in need of adults and high school teens to help with various small groups and activities throughout the year. Please consider this awesome ministry to get involved with and contact Dave in the Youth & Family Office at 331-707-5371 or DaveM@olmercy.com
Grandparents Ministry Meeting 9/21
The ministry is planning to meet (in-person and/or via ZOOM) on September 21 in Room 114 from 7pm to 8:30pm. Save the date on your calendar if you would like to join. More details will follow on the focus of the meeting and the direction of the ministry. Ideas and suggestions are welcome. For more information, please contact Allyson and Deacon Tony Martini at tonym@olmercy.com.
Mass for Life 9/25
Our Lady of Mercy Respect Life Ministry and 40 Days for Life Aurora invite you to the Mass for Life on September 25, 2021 at 8:30 AM with Fr. James Guarascio as celebrant. Mass is to be followed by a Rosary Procession from our church parking lot to Planned Parenthood Aurora, to kick off the fall campaign of the 40 Days for Life from September 22 to October 31. Please go to 40 Days for Life Aurora website for more details. https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/local-campaigns/aurora/
We hope to see you there and join us in our efforts to end abortion and to give a prayerful public witness for life!
SAVE THE DATE for (the rained out) OLM 2nd Day of the Block Party – Food Trucks & Concert Saturday 10/2
Block your calendar for the afternoon and evening of Saturday 10/2nd!
Starts 5pm (right after the 4pm Mass)
A variety of food trucks consisting of Mexican and American food vendors.
Bring your folding chairs, lawn blankets, and bug spray. Think Ravinia style set-up/gathering.
Bring your families, invite your friends and neighbors!
If you would like to volunteer, thank you! please connect with Doug McIlvaine at da.mac94@att.net
Opening Your Heart Women’s Bible Study on Mondays
CALLING ALL WOMEN – The Opening Your Heart Women’s Bible Study is on Monday evenings @ 6:30pm. Both in-person and virtual.
Join this women’s Bible Study and journey closer to the heart of God. Bring the women in your life; your mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, a colleague, anyone – who you feel would like to explore questions, bible verses, personal testimonies to help them grow in their faith, please invite them. There is always a seat available!
Opening Your Heart is filled with truth and beauty that assists each of us in filling holes in our spiritual foundations so that we have something firm to stand on when life brings us challenges.
So it was a very interesting AMA with Father James last month; from answering questions on the vaccine to a handful of Mass related questions such as; why is a small part of the host left in the cup?
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
Helping our Seminarian Andrew Bogusz
Recall Andrew was with us during the lockdown. He is back living in the rectory. Andrew graduated from college seminary this past spring. It is not unusual for some of our seminarians to take a pastoral year before they continue with their formal education for the priesthood. Our Vocation Director and Andrew discerned that taking a pastoral year would be a benefit to Andrew.
During this pastoral year, Andrew is to find full-time employment to become more financially independent. Andrew has computer skills and is completing IT certification, so if you know anyone who would be able to provide him with a job for a year, please contact Andrew at: ht3p1g@outlook.com or 630.853.3676. While working full-time, Andrew will still be involved in a few ministries such as distributing communion or lecturing. He also plans to be part of our “Consuming Fire” group – our ministry with young adults 18 – 35. OLM has become Andrew’s home, as his parents and siblings moved to Florida over a year ago. We welcome Andrew and support him as he continues to prepare to become a priest.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
For the Hispanic Community
Please proceed herefor 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 be praying for you today?
There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry at MAGNIFY 9/22 and after all Mass times 9/25 & 9/26
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical or emotional need or thankful praise.
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.
Grow Groups | We continue to launch Grow Groups, one group at a time.
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and every two weeks for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
FREE RECLAIMING FAITH AND FAMILY VIRTUAL CATHOLIC CONFERENCE 9/17 through 9/19
Learn to overcome the challenges of evangelizing those closest to you.
The Reclaiming Faith and Family conference is about helping you to enter into relationships and dialogue with those who are away from Christ and/or the Church, without losing your own peace in the process–starting with those closest to you.
Check out the following Conference Presenters
Jackie Francois Angel
Mark Brumley
Pete Burak
Josh and Lisa Canning
Fr. Martin Connor, LC
Jared Dees
Cathy Duffy
Tim Glemkowski
Dr. Ryan Hanning
Mark Hart
Trent Horn
Dr. Coleen Kelly Mast
Dr. Peter Kreeft
Marcel LeJeune
Dr. Anthony Lilles
Curtis Martin
Ralph Martin
Hector Molina
Fr. Michael Nixon
Fr. Jorge Obregon, LC
Justin Reyes
Steve Ray
Fr. Larry Richards
Theresa Rickard
Jennifer Ristine
Steven Rummelsburg
John Sablan
Andrew Swafford
Dr. Kevin Vost
Joan Watson
Sherry Weddell
Krista Wilertz
Susan Windley-Daoust
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
Not sure where to start? How about the episode of the Pivotal Players series of St. Ignatius of Loyola which covers Ignatius’ journey from a courageous and celebrated warrior to a passionate servant of Christ, and the influence he effected through the establishment of the Jesuit order and through his masterpiece, “The Spiritual Exercises.”
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus? Sign up for any of the short and free courses at Aquinas 101 a project of the Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
September 2, 2021 | who will you invite or go with to alpha on sept 16th?
Did you know that . . .
For millennials, disagreement is now interpreted as judgment, and that this interpretation is up over 100% from older generations.
Twice as many millennials outside the church are interested in learning more about Christianity and what it could mean for their lives compared to older non-Christians.
The top qualities they would look for in a person with whom to talk about faith are:
“listens without judgment” (62%)
“does not force a conclusion” (50%)
However, only a minority would say the Christians they know personally possess these qualities:
listens without judgment (34%) does not force a conclusion (26%)
The future blueprint of our Church must create more space to listen.
This isn’t just the way forward… it’s been the way of Jesus all along.
Our current cultural moment finds many of us without connection and community and within an increasingly growing-hostile-to-Christianity secular society. Some may even wonder if God is there and if He cares. Like the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus is still seeking out those far from Him. He longs to be with them, to comfort them, and draw them near. He invites us to seek them out, too.Alpha at Our Lady of Mercy is upon us once again, it is where people have been hospitably welcomed to bring questions, disorientation, and even hostility to the table—and experience love through listening.
Who will you invite or go with to Alpha?
Or perhaps the guiding question is do any of the following resonate with you. . .
Are you tired of the negativity and divisiveness out there?Consider the fraternity that Alpha brings is a comfort, a unitive comfort in a culture that now interprets a personal disagreement on an issue as judgment. Alpha shakes us out of the divisiveness and brings us back to the unitive power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You come to realize that we are all on a journey, we are all in this together and that’s how we build up the body of Christ as one.
If you’re hungryliterally (because it’s awesome free food being served), physically, spiritually, and mentally; you’ll want to come to Alpha.
If life’s justdull, gray, boring.
If you know someoneskeptical, hostile, not sure of their purpose, identity, or where they belong.
Or maybe you got it all; the nice car, the nice house, a good family, living a good life but find you are hungry, restless… come to Alpha.
We are all restless in some way or form because we’re made for God. He’s the one who has created us and called us into friendship. And until “I know Him, I’m always going to be hungry, I’m always going to be restless.” So if you’re experiencing this right now, Alpha is for you. If you’ve got friends experiencing this right now, invite them because what they’re hungry for, even if they don’t know it, is Jesus.
So come and journey with the Holy Spirit this fall and begin sharing the life-shaping good news of Jesus that speaks into the deep questions around identity, belonging, and purpose by listening well with love, because Love Listens.
Hope to see you soon at Alpha and happy inviting!
August 14, 2021 | Weekly Update
Our Story Is Real
Whether you’ve already started coming back to Mass or not, we hope these reasons will inspire you and your friends and family.
Why should you come back to Mass? Because the story of our faith is REAL!
Jesus historically lived, died, and rose from the dead. The Biblical sites exist and can be visited today. Our story of faith isn’t a myth, legend, or something in a galaxy far, far away.
What’s more, God wants us to take an active role in passing on this reality to others. We’re in the age of evangelization where the Holy Spirit wants us to be fueled by the Word and Eucharist at Mass and then go out to bring this real Jesus to others. And who better to aid us in doing this than our Blessed Mother, Mary. Our Mother, who intercedes for us and cheers us on that we too might participate in this life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ and sharing it with others.
This Sunday is the Solemnity of her Assumption, of when Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven — it is the culmination of her faith-filled yes to the angel’s invitation to become the Mother of God. As we celebrate Mary’s faithfulness this Sunday, let’s also think about our own yeses to the Lord, the small ones as well as the big ones.
“Lord, give me the grace to say yes to You in every moment.”
Listen to the short 2-minute message on the Flocknote email from Bobby Angel that details the reality of our Christian story.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend or stop by to visit Jesus at Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
THIS COMING WEEK
The New Religious Education program is now called Parish Family Evangelization and Catechesis
Please proceed here for registration and details for taking part in the K-5, EDGE, and LIGHT programs.
Altar Server Training and Re-training on 8/15, 8/22
Training will be offered for altar servers on Sunday, August 15 & 22 from 7pm to 8:30pm in the church. Altar servers will be reinstated in September.
Anyone wishing to return or begin as an altar server must attend one of these training sessions. If you feel called to this very important liturgical ministry, please contact Pat Heraty at pat.heraty@opcpolymers.com.
Any student entering 5th grade or above is welcome to join the ministry of altar serving. 8th graders and up who have previously been an altar servers are welcome to apply to become Senior Servers. Simply attend the above training sessions to apply.
A note on Reception of Holy Communion
Communion on the hand is still the preferable option.
Communion on the tongue is allowed at the pastor’s discretion. At our parish, only the priests/deacons will distribute communion on the tongue. The extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will not distribute communion on the tongue. To receive communion on the tongue, you must go to one of the lines where a priest or deacon is distributing.
For those concerned about receiving communion on the hand following someone who just received communion on the tongue, please note that the priest/deacon has a cloth in their hand treated with hand sanitizer. After a person receives communion on the tongue, the priest/deacon wipes their fingers on this cloth, reducing the possibility of transmission of viruses. If one is still uncomfortable, please receive communion from one of the extraordinary communion ministers instead of the priest/deacon.
AMA with Father James Thursday 8/19
So it was a very interesting AMA with Father James last month; from answering why he doesn’t practice Yoga (and doesn’t recommend it at all), to the seriousness of venial sins and how often does Father Don and he receives emergency calls.
Biblical Institute Previews on 8/19 online & 8/28 in-person
The Biblical Institute of the Diocese of Joliet (BIDJ) is for everyone who wants in-depth study of the Bible and prayerful reflection on Scripture within a Catholic faith community and with graduate-level instructors.
A brand new option is offering the class online!
There is also an on-site class here at Our Lady of Mercy this fall.
Bring your questions and check out the following previews
Refresh our community and neighborhood parish life – Come out to the OLM Block Party 8/20, 8/21, 8/22!
Who will you invite to the OLM block party held on 8/20, 8/21, and 8/22. Here is what is in the works.
Friday 8/20 Outdoor Movie Night at dusk
Parking lot opens up at 7pm. The movie starts at sunset estimated at 7:45pm
Please bring your folding chairs, lawn blankets, and dinner! Oh and bug spray! Think Ravinia style set-up/gathering.
There will be a popcorn stand and a cotton candy stands for the children.
Saturday 8/21 Food Trucks and Concert after the 4pm Mass
Please bring your folding chairs, lawn blanket, and bug spray. Think Ravinia style set-up/gathering.
Sunday 8/22 Ministry Expo with Cookies & Donuts while you check out the Ministries and Groups at Our Lady of Mercy! See how our parish can be here for you spiritually, physically, and mentally.
Opening Your Heart Women’s Bible Study begins 8/23
CALLING ALL WOMEN – The Opening Your Heart Women’s Bible Study will begin on Monday, August 23rd @ 6:30pm. There will be an in-person and virtual offering. And if you’re seeing this past 8/23rd, no worries, you can still join!
Join this women’s Bible Study and journey closer to the heart of God. Bring the women in your life; your mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, a colleague, anyone – who you feel would like to explore questions, bible verses, personal testimonies to help them grow in their faith, please invite them. There is always a seat available!
Opening Your Heart is filled with truth and beauty that assists each of us in filling holes in our spiritual foundations so that we have something firm to stand on when life brings us challenges.
Our monthly MAGNIFY praise and worship adoration is on Weds 8/25th @ 7pm. Save the date.
Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry on 8/25
Keep an eye out for the social media posting so you can share the notification on your accounts; you never know who on your network of friends is in need of food. It will be from 5pm to 6:30pm Weds 8/25th.
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!
Registration is open for Fall Alpha!
Registration has begun for Fall Alpha, beginning September 16th! The goal of Alpha is to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus, if you have not been through Alpha, or if you’d like to do it again, and most importantly if there is someone in your life that you could invite to Alpha, we encourage you to invite them, and come to Alpha! Starts with an awesome free meal, video, and small groups. #Food #fellowship #faith #friendships, and a babysitting option if you need it.
Be encouraged and hear about reasons for coming to Alpha, hear from Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Doctor Mary Healy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Father Mike Schmitz, and Father James Mallon.
Thinking About Becoming Catholic?
Or are you a Catholic seeking to enrich your faith by completing the sacraments of initiation?
Coming Soon is a full line-up of our Fall Offerings!
You can also check it out at the MINISTRY EXPO that is part of the three-day OLM Block Party Event on Sunday 8/22nd after all the Mass Times.
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here. He talks about how to help our seminarian Andrew Bogusz. Recall Andrew was with us during the lockdown. He is back living in the rectory. Check out Father Don’s Bulletin article to see how you can help Andrew.
Meet and Support Father Don’s Friend Ertha Papilion from Haiti at the Masses RESCHEDULED to 9/11 and 9/12
In the summer of 2014, Father Don traveled to the small village of Duchity in the mountains of southwest Haiti. It was there that he met Ertha Papillon, a leader in her faith community of Ste. Marie-Madeleine. Ertha is the founder and director of an orphanage and an elementary school. She has dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in the countryside near Duchity.
Ertha will return Father Don’s visit and will speak at all the Masses. She will share her story and the story of the people she serves.
A collection will be taken to benefit the orphanage and the school.
Checks can be made out to “Our Lady of Mercy” with “Haiti-Ertha” in the memo.
A promise from Ertha: “I am happy to visit you. We are all God’s children. Please pray for me and the children of Haiti and I will pray for you.”
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
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 be praying for you today? There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry after all Mass times 8/28 & 8/29
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical or emotional need or thankful praise.
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 smart phones. 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.
Grow Groups | We continue to launch Grow Groups, one group at a time.
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and every two weeks for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
MARRIAGE TUNE-UP – EPIC Intimacy Challenge
Getting the marriage you want from the marriage you have is possible!
Sign up for the EPIC Intimacy Challenge. Hosted by Damon and Melanie Owens, the Intimacy Challenge brings together the most effective Catholic marital experts, including:
Dr. Greg & Lisa Popcak [Eight Marriage Friendly Habits]
Dr. Greg Bottaro [The Art of Making Love]
Dr. Monique Ruberu [The Science of Making Love]
Dr. Edward & Beth Sri[How Well Do You Know Your Spouse?]
Dr. Christopher & Wendy West [The Gift of Making Love]
Dr. Bob Schuchts[Opening Up Pathways to Emotional Intimacy]
Dr. Mario Sacasa[The 3 Styles of Attachment]
Fr. Tim Gallagher [Discernment of Spirits in Marriage]
Chris Stefanick[The Joy of Making Love]
Matt & Jenn Lozano[Prayer is the Foundation of Everything]
Byron & Francine Pirola[Teamwork: We’re in this Together!]
Nathan & Dr. Sarah Bartel[Dream Together Again!]
This FREE 4-day challenge is crafted to help you reignite the fire, increase satisfaction, avoid drift, and divorce-proof your marriage by introducing you to the four levels of Intimacy (Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, and Communicative).
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Check out our “Eucharist Resources” page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the great Feast of Corpus Christi.
WORD ON FIRE
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ENGAGE video library! Check out this linkto watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
Not sure where to start? How about the episode of the Pivotal Players series of St. Ignatius of Loyola which covers Ignatius’ journey from a courageous and celebrated warrior to a passionate servant of Christ, and the influence he effected through the establishment of the Jesuit order and through his masterpiece, “The Spiritual Exercises.”
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today’s best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
Each Aquinas 101 video walks viewers through a different theme in just a few minutes. On Aquinas101.com, you’ll also find short readings and podcast lectures accompanying each video. We encourage you to enroll in a course to receive full lessons in your email inbox or browse the lessons at your own pace. Please help them spread the light of truth by sharing these videos with your friends and family — because it matters what you think!
August 6, 2021 | Weekly Update
God Loves You
Whether you’ve already started coming back to Mass or not, we hope these reasons will inspire you and your friends and family.
Why should you come back to Mass? Because the God of the universe loves YOU!
Just as lovers can’t stand to be apart from one another and we rejoice when families are reunited after travel or military deployments, God physically longs to be close to us and for us to be embraced by Him.
We don’t believe in an impersonal or indifferent God. The Mass is a physical encounter with Christ who gave us Himself as bread to eat—His physical presence—because He wants to be ONE with us.
Listen to this short 3-minute message on the Flocknote email from Jackie Angel on why the Mass is so important because God wants to see you face-to-face. (Jackie Angel is a musician, wife and mother, and Fellow at the Word on Fire Institute.)
“Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love.” —Pope John Paul II
God’s longing for you to come home! Rediscover the love of God at Mass this weekend.
We look forward to seeing you at any of the Holy Mass times this weekend where Father Don is preaching or stop by to visit Jesus at Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.
THIS COMING WEEK
Townhall Meeting for the new Religious Education program which is now called Parish Family Evangelization and Catechesis on Sunday 8/8
Please proceed here for registration and details for taking part in the K-5, EDGE, and LIGHT programs.
Do you have questions or would like to find out more about the exciting new offerings for the parents and children? Come out to the town hall meeting on Sunday 8/8 at 11am.
Altar Server Training and Re-training on 8/8, 8/15, 8/22
Training will be offered for altar servers on Sunday, August 8, 15 or 22 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the church. OLM has not used altar servers for the last sixteen months due to Covid. Altar servers will be reinstated in September.
Anyone wishing to return or begin as an altar server must attend one of these training sessions. If you feel called to this very important liturgical ministry, please contact Pat Heraty at pat.heraty@opcpolymers.com.
Any student entering 5th grade or above is welcome to join the ministry of altar serving.
8th graders and up who have previously been an altar servers are welcome to apply to become Senior Servers. Simply attend the above training sessions to apply.
Don’t Miss this Awesome Opportunity on Tuesday 8/10th
Come out on Tuesday 8/10th @ 7pm in the PLC, especially if any of the following is something you’ve been wrestling with: BATTLING UNWORTHINESS, DISCERNING GOD’S WILL, WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE?
Father Steven Borello will expound these further and how a vocation is more than just figuring out whether we’re called to married life or religious life, how it’s about more than just finding out what we like to do.
Don’t forget to bring your friend, co-worker, neighbor, family, or young adult in your life that could benefit from hearing from Father Steve; share this invite with them.
Communion on the hand is still the preferable option.
Communion on the tongue is allowed at the pastor’s discretion. At our parish, only the priests/deacons will distribute communion on the tongue. The extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will not distribute communion on the tongue. To receive communion on the tongue, you must go to one of the lines where a priest or deacon is distributing.
For those concerned about receiving communion on the hand following someone who just received communion on the tongue, please note that the priest/deacon has a cloth in their hand treated with hand sanitizer. After a person receives communion on the tongue, the priest/deacon wipes their fingers on this cloth, reducing the possibility of transmission of viruses. If one is still uncomfortable, please receive communion from one of the extraordinary communion ministers instead of the priest/deacon.
LOOKING AHEAD
AMA with Father James Thursday 8/19
So it was a very interesting AMA with Father James last month; from answering why he doesn’t practice Yoga (and doesn’t recommend it at all), to the seriousness of venial sins and how often does Father Don and he receives emergency calls.
Biblical Institute Previews on 8/19 online & 8/28 in-person
The Biblical Institute of the Diocese of Joliet (BIDJ) is for everyone who wants in-depth study of the Bible and prayerful reflection on Scripture within a Catholic faith community and with graduate-level instructors.
A brand new option is offering the class online!
There is also an on-site class here at Our Lady of Mercy this fall.
Bring your questions and check out the following previews
Who will you invite to the OLM block party held on 8/20, 8/21, and 8/22. Here is what is in the works.
Friday 8/20 Outdoor Movie Night at dusk
Parking lot opens up at 7pm. The movie starts at sunset estimated at 7:45pm
Please bring your folding chairs, lawn blankets, and dinner! Oh and bug spray! Think Ravinia style set-up/gathering.
There will be a popcorn stand and a cotton candy stands for the children.
Saturday 8/21 Food Trucks and Concert after the 4pm Mass
Please bring your folding chairs, lawn blanket, and bug spray. Think Ravinia style set-up/gathering.
Sunday 8/22 Ministry Expo with Cookies & Donuts while you check out the Ministries and Groups at Our Lady of Mercy! See how our parish can be here for you spiritually, physically, and mentally.
Meet and Support Father Don’s Friend Ertha Papilion from Haiti at the Masses on 8/21 & 8/22
In the summer of 2014, Father Don traveled to the small village of Duchity in the mountains of southwest Haiti. It was there that he met Ertha Papillon, a leader in her faith community of Ste. Marie-Madeleine. Ertha is the founder and director of an orphanage and an elementary school. She has dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in the countryside near Duchity.
Ertha will return Father Don’s visit and will speak at all the Masses. She will share her story and the story of the people she serves.
A collection will be taken to benefit the orphanage and the school.
Checks can be made out to “Our Lady of Mercy” with “Haiti-Ertha” in the memo.
A promise from Ertha: “I am happy to visit you. We are all God’s children. Please pray for me and the children of Haiti and I will pray for you.”
MAGNIFY is on 8/25
Our monthly MAGNIFY praise and worship adoration is on Weds 8/25th @ 7pm. Save the date.
Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry on 8/25
Keep an eye out for the social media posting so you can share the notification on your accounts; you never know who on your network of friends is in need of food. It will be from 5pm to 6:30pm Weds 8/25th.
Registration is open for Fall Alpha!
Registration has begun for Fall Alpha, beginning September 16th! The goal of Alpha is to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus, if you have not been through Alpha, or if you’d like to do it again, and most importantly if there is someone in your life that you could invite to Alpha, we encourage you to invite them, and come to Alpha! Starts with an awesome free meal, video, and small groups. #Food #fellowship #faith #friendships, and a babysitting option if you need it.
Be encouraged and hear about reasons for coming to Alpha, hear from Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Doctor Mary Healy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Father Mike Schmitz, and Father James Mallon.
Thinking About Becoming Catholic?
Or are you a Catholic seeking to enrich your faith by completing the sacraments of initiation?
A note from the Respect Life Ministry – a young mother seeking an abortion has chosen life and needs help
A mother and baby need your help! Can you help buy some essential items for a mom and baby?
A mom seeking an abortion in Downers Grove has chosen life! A sidewalk advocate has been walking with her every step of the way, but this brave mama needs your help. Please proceed to this link to see how you can help.
Cardinal DiNardo is urging all Catholics to join him in reaching out to the U.S. Congress today. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has created a petition for Catholics, asking Congress to maintain the Hyde Amendment and similar provisions for the current budget. This petition can be found here.
Coming Soon is a full line-up of our Fall Offerings!
You can also check it out at the MINISTRY EXPO that is part of the three-day OLM Block Party Event on Sunday 8/22nd after all the Mass Times.
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
Did you get an email or a text message from (a fake) Father Don this past week? Please remember, Father Don and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Don or Father James, please discard it and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID.
Bulletin
Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
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 be praying for you today? There are times when life is overwhelming when all we have is questions. In those moments, hope can feel far away. The great thing about prayer is that it shifts our perspective toward the One who stands ready to listen. No matter what you’re facing, we’d love to pray with you. Submit your prayer requests at this link
Prayer Ministry after all Mass times 8/28 & 8/29
Come forward after Mass by yourself, or with your family, friends, spouse, or in the place of someone you know who needs prayer. Prayer ministry is for all those in need of prayer, be it for spiritual, physical or emotional need or thankful praise.
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 smart phones. 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.
Grow Groups | We continue to launch Grow Groups, one group at a time.
Connect with zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints. Website. Proceed here for details. Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and every two weeks for social gatherings. Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy rysavyme@gmail.com See what they have been up to at this video.
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce. Website. Proceed here for details
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings. Connect. The group leaders are looking forward to hearing from you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Kim Harris kimharris73@yahoo.com
Mary LoGalbo logalbo.marycarol@gmail.com
John Frederick jdfredericj@icloud.com
Jim Marks jimm6351@yahoo.com
Check out the video to find out more about Vine and Branches
GROW YOUR FAITH FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
MARRIAGE TUNE-UP – EPIC Intimacy Challenge
Getting the marriage you want from the marriage you have is possible!
Sign up for the EPIC Intimacy Challenge. Hosted by Damon and Melanie Owens, the Intimacy Challenge brings together the most effective Catholic marital experts, including:
Dr. Greg & Lisa Popcak
Dr. Greg Bottaro
Dr. Monique Ruberu
Dr. Edward & Beth Sri
Dr. Christopher & Wendy West
Dr. Bob Schuchts
Dr. Mario Sacasa
Fr. Tim Gallagher
Chris Stefanick
Matt & Jenn Lozano
Byron & Francine Pirola
Nathan & Dr. Sarah Bartel
This FREE 4-day challenge is crafted to help you reignite the fire, increase satisfaction, avoid drift, and divorce-proof your marriage by introducing you to the four levels of Intimacy (Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, and Communicative).
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies… there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.