September 16, 2018 – Twenty-Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time
Last weekend I shared with you the annual financial report for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2017 and ended on June 30, 2018. If you weren’t here and didn’t get a copy, you can review the report on our website or stop by the office for a copy. Also, if you do have any questions about the financial report, please feel free to contact our business manager, Bob Gancarz either by phone (630.851.3444 x 223) or by email robertg@olmercy.com.
Today is our annual “Commitment Sunday” for your weekly/monthly financial gift to the parish through the Sunday collection. Your support of the vision for our parish that I shared with you last weekend in my homily will be deeply appreciated. If you didn’t hear my homily last weekend you can hear it on our parish APP. Thanks for your support! Also, I encourage you to consider secure electronic giving. We always see a drop in the Sunday collection during the summer when many are away on vacation. Through electronic giving you can keep your financial support of the parish consistent during the year. If you aren’t currently giving electronically, sign up between now and October 31st and your name will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gas card. For information contact our business manager.
Another reason to consider an increase in your financial support of OLM is that our parish has been asked to receive another seminarian from our Diocese to assist in his formation to become a priest. So we now have two seminarians assigned to Our Lady of Mercy for their teaching parish assignment. You all know Senovio Sarabia. He has begun 3rd theology at Mundelein and will be with us again on most weekend this fall, winter, and spring. Our new seminarian is Luis Miguel Garcia who is in 1st theology at Mundelein. He will be with us most weekends as well. Both Senovio and Luis will start their assignment here beginning the weekend of September 22/23. We look forward to seeing Senovio again, and welcoming Luis.
MercyFest is now 3 weeks away! Over 700 volunteers are needed in various capacities. Please off your help by signing up online or after Masses in the lobby of the PLC. This year the Sunday 10:45AM Mass will be celebrated outdoors under the big tent and Fr. Hugh Fullmer will be coming to celebrate that Mass. Your support of MercyFest will be deeply appreciated, as I have designated the profit this year to go towards a new sound system in church. I don’t know about you, but I have trouble hearing in the back of church, and when I sit in the presider’s chair I often can’t hear the readings being proclaimed or if someone is giving words of remembrance at a funeral. We had an analysis of the sound system done, and several of the in ceiling speakers don’t work anymore, and there is so many technological advances in sound systems since ours was first installed 20 some years ago. Last year’s profit went to the re-padding of the kneelers in church. So please support MercyFest and bring your family, friends and neighbors.
Have a Blessed Week!
Father Don