January 10 – The Baptism of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.  In doing so, we end the Christmas Season and move from the manger to the river Jordan.  The baptism Jesus received was not the Christian baptism that we received, most of us as infants.  Unlike us, Jesus did not need to be freed from the stain of original sin.  He was like us in all things, but sin.  The baptism of Jesus inaugurated his public ministry.  In Jesus’ baptism, he was revealed and affirmed as the beloved Son of God.  In our baptism, we were affirmed as adopted sons and daughters of God.  In Jesus’ baptism, God spoke the words “Listen to him.”  And in our baptism, we are called to grow as disciples of Jesus and listen to him.  Our baptism was not only for the removal of the stain or original sin, but also a commissioning to become a disciple of Jesus, and to make disciples of Jesus.  Our parish mission is to give each and every person a life changing encounter with Jesus, to make disciples, and send them on mission.  And that mission is not in foreign lands.  We are called to bring to good news of Jesus to our family, our homes, our schools, our places of work, our neighbors, our local community.  So, as we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, let us remember our own and what it calls us to do!

Today I would like to recognize one group who have responded to their baptismal call of discipleship.  That group is our permanent deacons who have served us at Our Lady of Mercy Parish. I thank our deacons and their wives for their selfless service to our parish community and beyond.  Deacon Tim Kueper (Gail); Deacon Tony Leazzo (Jennifer); Deacon Tony Martini (Allyson); Deacon Mike Plese (Laurie); Deacon Phil Rehmer (Jean); Deacon Art Tiongson (Babes).  We appreciate you and your ministry!

As you know, Deacon Mike and his wife have recently moved to Tennessee.  But God has provided!  In early December, I met with Deacon Guadalupe (Lupe) Villarreal who recently moved with his wife Carmen to Aurora.  Deacon “Lupe” as he is known, asked to transfer his assignment from St. Dennis in Lockport to OLM.  I have agreed, and he starts next weekend.  He was ordained a permanent deacon in 2007. Prior to serving at St. Dominic in Lockport, has served the parishes of St. Isidore in Bloomingdale, Divine Savior in Downers Grove, St. Dominic in Bolingbrook (where Fr. James was a deacon).   He has been Catholic Chaplain at the DuPage County Jail for 10 years and conducts a weekly communion service there.  He is Hispanic and bi-lingual and will be a great help as we minister to our bi-lingual parishioners.  He and his wife have five adult sons.  We welcome Deacon Lupe and his wife Carmen to Our Lady of Mercy!

Also on the Permanent Deacon front…We congratulate parishioners Michael Raiz (Mass Coordinator at Sunday 8:00am Mass) and Carlos Briceno (Fit Shepherds and editor of the Diocesan Magazine) who have been accepted into the Aspirancy program to be ordained permanent deacons.  They join parishioners Doug McIlvaine and Buggsy Sindac who are in their second year of studies for the permanent diaconate.

Have a blessed week!

Father Don

January 3 – The Epiphany of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord!  The tradition in some cultures is to exchange gifts with family and friends today.  There perhaps is not a story from Sacred Scripture that does not evoke the Christian imagination more lively than this one. No Christmas crèche is complete without the figures of the three kings bringing three gifts to present to the baby Jesus. As important as these gifts may seem, what is more important is the gift that God gives to us through the Epiphany.  The word Epiphany means “manifestation.”  Today let us consider the gift of the Epiphany.  The Jewish people had longed for a savior, one who would set them free from political oppression and reestablish the kingdom of Israel.  But in the Epiphany, God reveals that through his son Jesus, God and his gift of salvation is not only for the chosen people of the original covenant with God, but that the God of Israel is God for ALL people and ALL nations.  The gift of salvation is not limited – it is for everyone!  With this revelation, perhaps it is a good idea to practice seeing beyond our stables to focus on the faces of those we would exclude from the gift of salvation.  To love and accept those we think do not deserve God’s love, let alone ours.  To rid ourselves of our racist attitudes lest we cooperate in Herod’s schemes just so that we might keep our comfortable-but confining stable walls around us.  Let this gift change our hearts so that ALL people may see the salvation of our God!

In some cultures today is celebrated as “Little Christmas” with one last big family meal, one last present to the children, one last day to sing the carols and light the tree.  So on this day of gifts, I join Fr. James in thanking all of you for your prayers, cards and joyful Christmas greetings.  We also thank all who gifted us, and the staff with homemade or store bought goodies.  We also are deeply grateful to all who gifted each of us personally.  Your thoughtfulness and generosity is much appreciated!

In this one last week of celebrating the Christmas season – the Christmas season ends next Sunday with the Baptism of the Lord – may we all pray for God’s blessings on the new year 2021 and to bring the COVID pandemic to an end so that we can all be TOGETHER again when celebrating Christmas 2021!

Enjoy this final week of the Christmas Season!

Father Don

December 27 – The Holy Family

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, and the majority of us probably think that our family is nothing like the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – especially when it comes to holiness!  We say to ourselves that we could never be like “them.”  But why not?  Being a holy family does not mean everyone is perfect.  Being a holy family does not mean no one ever sins or loses their temper. Holiness does not mean there will never be disagreements or discord.  To think none of this happened with the Holy Family would be absurd.  So what is holiness?  Speaking from the experience of hearing confessions and counseling individuals for the past 38 years, I would say that the desire and effort to reconcile divisions within families is how a family becomes holy.  Unfortunately, I have seen too many times where funerals or weddings bring out the worst in family relationships.  How sad it is when family members refuse to attend a funeral or wedding due to an un-forgiven, un-reconciled grudge.  I have seen it many times, and it breaks my heart!

Another way families become holy is by exercising kindness and patience.  Again, speaking from my own experience and that of hearing confessions, I know how frustrating and at times embarrassing it is to care for a parent or family member suffering with Alzheimer’s or dementia.  My father had it for seven years before he died.  The repetition, the confusion, the repeating over and over, the hurt if there is lashing out is all very difficult to be patient with.  Then the embarrassing inappropriate outbursts in public! Yikes! It’s like role reversal…we become the parent and our parent becomes the little child! One of the options for the First Reading of today’s celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family gives us great encouragement!  It is from the Book of Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14.  It reads:  “My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives.  Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins…”

Knowing that God will not forget the kindness you show to your aging father or mother, even if their mind fails, and that God will account for that kindness toward the forgiveness of your own sins should make it all the easier to be patient, even when it is difficult!

I pray that all our parish families become holier through reconciliation and kindness!

Enjoy this blessed Christmas Season!

Father Don

December 20 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

During the Advent/Christmas season, the company that publishes our Sunday bulletin has earlier than usual deadlines for getting each weeks bulletin to them for printing.  As such, I am writing today’s December 20 article on December 8 – one full week ahead of the normal deadline.  I am writing too as I am recovering from my unexpected surgery on December 3 to remove gallstones and my gallbladder.  A little concerning during the middle of a pandemic!

And so, on this 4^th Sunday of Advent, we are 5 days away from the celebration of Christmas!  And what a different celebration it will be for all of us this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This was brought home for me today as I received an e-mail from friends in Wheaton where I have spent Christmas the last 19 years informing me they decided not to hold the annual dinner gathering with me and three other families that have traditionally come to their home on Christmas.  What a bummer!  I’ve sure many of you are experiencing the same thing in various ways.  For some, it doesn’t even feel like Christmas.  But you know what?  I’m OK with it, and even look forward to this Christmas alone (with the dog)!  Please, no pity parties! I know that many of you would invite me to your house for dinner, and I appreciate that.  But this Christmas IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT – maybe even a great one!  Why?  The answer lies in a YouTube video I ran across the day before I wrote this article.  So, if you are feeling down about Christmas this year, I wish you would watch this 8 minute 30 second video.

Go to YouTube and search “This Could Actually be a Great Christmas” by Fr. Casey Cole OFM.  This young priest gives an insightful reflection that lifted me from this Christmas possibly being a depressing one to one that could be great!

So, I’ll be just fine!  After all the Christmas Masses, and still recovering from surgery, I know that I will be exhausted and I look forward to settling down for a long winter nap in the recliner next to the gas log fireplace with Chardonnay (the dog) in my lap and perhaps in a glass too.  And my friends from Wheaton are bringing me dinner too!  Life and Christmas, despite the pandemic, are grand!

Fr. James, our Deacons and wives, and all our parish staff wish you a most blessed Christmas.  In the midst of the challenges of our times, the truth still isn’t changed – God is with us!

Merry Christmas!

Father Don

December 13 – Third Sunday of Advent

It was previously announced that December 20 would be the last weekend that Deacon Mike Please would deacon Mass before moving to Tennessee.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, it has been moved to this weekend.  So, on behalf of the parish family of OLM I extend to Deacon Mike our love, support, and thanks for his diaconal ministry at Our Lady of Mercy, and we wish him well in his new position with FedEx in Tennessee.  God Bless you Deacon Mike and your wife Laurie and family! Deacon Mike shares his farewell message…..

Dear OLM Family,
It is with mixed emotions that I tell you I am leaving the only parish I have known for the past almost 30 years. I’m grateful for friendships made and for service to our parish as a deacon these last 4 years. I have talked about moving out of state for quite some time, but never had I envisioned this was going to take place so quickly. I guess I should have expected the unexpected this year, as 2020 was loaded with surprises. To cap off what has been a crazy year, I found out I’ll need to go under the knife for the first time on 12/21, nothing major though. What a way to end this year! Since we just had an offer accepted on a house in Tennessee, my thoughts turn to ministry at a new parish. While I will stay connected to many of you through my phone (call, text, social media), I understand we will have to make new friends and adjust to parish life in Tennessee. Wherever I end up, the parishioners might say the new deacon talks with a Chicago accent! I’ll do my best to try to bring a taste of Chicago to Murfreesboro (Portillo’s, Giordanos). As we all navigate the many changes that take place throughout our lives, just know you will always be in my thoughts and prayers, and this is just the next chapter in my life for which I am excited to begin. Turn the page!

In Christ,
Deacon Mike