October 16, 2021 | Weekly Update
October 16, 2021 | Weekly Update
To Serve & Give His Life
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
- 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.
- What is a synod you may wonder? Here is an article that explains it. Check this article out as well, which has a four-point consideration to help us better understand what begins this Sunday.
- 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!
- Check out all these delicious pies you can purchase at this link.
- Please stop by to place your order. We will accept cash or check made payable to Our Lady of Mercy.
- In addition, you can mail or drop off your order to us. Here is the link for the order form.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Donations can be made here https://bit.ly/2MOQHVY Check out how your gifts to the CMAA helps at this link https://bit.ly/3dd154X. Thank you for your consideration.
LOOKING AHEAD
- 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.
- Should you have any further questions, please connect with Joe Wiacek joewiacek@gmail.com or Joe Glasgow with any questions joe.glasgow@packagingprice.com.
- 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.
- 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, 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.
- 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 (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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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!
Dear Fr. Don, Parish Staff, and Parishioners,
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!
Ertha
Bulletin
- Don’t forget to check out Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
CONSUMING FIRE YOUNG ADULT GROW GROUP
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.
- Visit http://signup.formed.org/
- Enter our parish zip or name
- Enter your name and email
EUCHARIST RESOURCES
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.
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.
Get it all—for FREE – at HeroicMen.com
AQUINAS 101 FREE COURSES
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.