May 8, 2021 | Weekly Update
“No Greater Love than This” says Jesus….oh and it’s the 6th Week of Easter Weekly Update
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
In preparing our hearts to be ready for the Mass this weekend where Father Don is preaching and will be blessing all our wonderful Mothers, we hear of perhaps one of the most direct and summative lines of all Scripture. The command to love one another (family, friend, enemy, and stranger alike) is tasked to all of us who dare call ourselves Christian, and here’s the thing, it ain’t optional. “This I command you: love one another.” (John 15:17).
“Laying down” our lives might mean embracing the inconvenience of bearing a coworker’s burdens, dealing with an annoying stranger, or losing sleep because of a crying child. But these moments are little “schools” of love where our hearts are stretched so as to increase our capacity for love.
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.” (John 15:16). It should be oddly comforting that God believes us to be worthy to participate in the spread of the Gospel message, through our words and actions. Because if God calls us to the task, it means He will equip us for the job.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Mass this weekend in-person (or join us at the live stream), sign in ahead of time here. Check out the video on the Flocknote email that can help get our hearts ready for the Mass this weekend.
THIS COMING WEEK
CRHP Christ Renews His Parish Renewal Weekends sign up by 5/10
- The weekends are just around the corner, come and be uplifted and strengthened at the Renewal Weekends: Women’s Renewal Weekend is on 5/15 thru 5/16, Men’s Renewal Weekend is on 5/22 thru 5/23.
- Proceed to this link for details and sign-up. We pray you sign-up soon as spots are filling up fast. COVID safety notes: we follow the Diocesan Covid guidelines.
- Connect with Kevin Nemetz @ 630.301.2312 Kevin@tix4cause.com or Vicki Petersen @ 708.250.7634 crhpolm@gmail.com
St. Peregrine and St. Dymphna Prayer Service on 5/11
- On Tuesday, May 11 following the 6:30pm Mass, there will be a St. Peregrine and St. Dymphna Prayer Service in-person with Deacon Tony Leazzo and Jolene LeRoy RN Director of Pastoral Care. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of the sick, especially suffering from cancer, serious illness or chronic illness whose Feast Day is May 11. St. Dymphna is the patron saint of mental health, stress and anxiety whose Feast Day is May 15. The prayer service is for the intention of those with cancer, serious or chronic illnesses, mental health illness or concerns and their caregivers.
Bible Study | Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come starts 5/12
- How exciting to have a Bible Study on the book of Revelation! Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm starting on 5/12th for 11 weeks until 7/21st.
- Discover what the mysterious figures and images of Revelation mean and see how Revelation is more than an apocalyptic vision of the “end times.” Explore the Church’s teaching on the second coming of Christ and the Last Judgment. Connect with Joe Wiacek at joewiacek@gmail.com for details.
- Purchase the workbook and sign-up at https://bit.ly/2QcDTu9
Mobile Food Pantry on Weds 5/12
- Thank you for spreading the word, last month the awesome Mobile Food Pantry volunteers served 140 families! Let’s continue to spread the word on the Mobile Food Pantry this month. Share the attached link. If you have a Facebook account, share the Facebook post from our page, this is an easy way to help someone in your network of friends that you may be unaware that is in need of food.
LOOKING AHEAD
An Easter MAGNIFY 5/19
- As one of our rockstar saints, Pope Saint John Paull II has said “We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song” so let us praise the King of Kings at Magnify. Sign in ahead of time at this link or at the door
- Hear Father James speak—worship lead by Josh—time of prayer for it’s what makes our relationship with Jesus stronger—and opportunity for Confession to be freed from what’s burdening us—family time with the kids and Jesus; so many cool reasons to go to an Easter Magnify.
AMA (Ask Me Anything) with Father James on Facebook & YouTube Live
- Why do we exist? Why can’t women be priests in Catholicism? What do Catholic priests do on vacation?
Join Father James and Zara to discuss whatever questions you may have about Catholicism, prayer, the Bible, Church happenings, and your very own local priest! We’ll vet the questions for you, so you can feel free to truly ask father anything! - Submit your question(s) at the link and we will try and answer them on an upcoming AMA Evening on Facebook & YouTube Live. https://bit.ly/3xEUfwU
Save the Date for the Corpus Christi Procession on 6/6
- The procession will begin after 12pm Mass. More details to follow! Connect with Shirley Staples for any questions 630-815-5799 or shirleystaples@yahoo.com
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive 6/19
- Schedule to donate blood at this link on Saturday 6/19 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.
- You are also eligible to donate if you received a COVID-19 vaccine on or before 6/16.
- Please make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Thank you!
Virtual Baby Bottles for Life Mother’s Day to Father’s Day 6/20
- Our Lady of Mercy Respect Life Ministry is hosting our annual Baby Bottle For Life Fundraising for Waterleaf Women’s Center from Mother’s Day (May 9, 2021) to Father’s Day (June 20, 2021). Please support their life-affirming work of meeting the needs of men and women facing unplanned pregnancies. http://www.fundeasy.com/m/5133322/
Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
- Scam alert: 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.
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
- The Diocesan Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA) allows us, together, to do our part in building God’s kingdom here on earth. Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in supporting 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.
- Our parish’s goal for the 2021 CMAA is $154,400, with 70 percent of any amount we raise over this goal returned to us for our use.
- If you wish to donate now, please click here https://bit.ly/2MOQHVY Read the following report at this link https://bit.ly/3dd154X on how your gifts to the CMAA helps. For further details, please click here https://bit.ly/3jQxf7i Thank you for prayerfully considering supporting the 30 ministries and shining Jesus’ light brightly in our diocese.
Regarding OSV Online Giving
- Our Online Giving is getting an upgrade to a newer, easier-to-use platform! If you currently give online, you will soon be receiving an email with instructions on how to log into the new system. Best of all, your existing payment and donation information will be migrated over so you will not have to set up your gifts again! Keep an eye on your email for more information coming very soon.
For the Hispanic Community
- Please proceed here for the OLM Hispanic Ministry 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. - Serie: María en el Nuevo Testamento
- Si quieres recibir los materiales de esta clase, y participar de la rifa de algunos libros, regístrate en el siguiente formulario: https://forms.office.com/r/impuxaABSZ
- Mayo es el mes dedicado a María, para ayudarnos a conocer mas sobre la Madre de Dios, durante 4 lunes de Mayo, William Becerra enseñará como los cuatro evangelios canónicos presentan a María en sus narrativas y su significado teológico.Participa en estas clases de Biblia totalmente gratis, por el canal YouTube o la página de Facebook de la Oficina de Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Joliet, los lunes 10, 17, 24, y 31 de Mayo de 8:00 a 9:00 PM, Hora del Centro.
La serie estará disponible en:
Joining the Stream Team
- As we continue to welcome more Mass attendees, we started livestreaming the 4pm, and 12pm Mass times (in addition to the 10am Mass). This is so that when we’ve reached the social distancing capacity inside the Church, we proceed to invite people to watch the Mass inside the gym where the livestream is being shown.
- We are seeking creative individuals who are interested in joining our “Stream Team” to help. It is fun, easy, and fulfilling to take part in and you’ll have the love, support, and thankfulness of the Livestream Community.
- If you are interested or know someone who would enjoy volunteering in this role, please connect with zara@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org
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
We’re looking for volunteers to join “The Messengers”
- The overall goal of this team is to bring to life through communications our parish vision: to offer every person a life-changing encounter with Jesus, grow disciples and send them on mission.
- Volunteers that will be part of “The Messengers” team will be tasked with implementing the Communications, Social Media, and Online Engagement Strategy of Our Lady of Mercy.
- They will be trained and empowered to manage engaging communications pieces of our parish such as our emails (like this Weekly Update), and postings on all our Communications platforms (website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter).
They can also assist in creating social media content that builds relationships and community as well as other projects at the direction of the Communications Director.- Must either be a committed disciple of Jesus or open to being one
- Needed skill sets
- Must enjoy working with others towards common/shared goals and communicate well in a spiritually paced, engaging environment.
- Some knowledge of Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and other emerging platforms.
- Strong content writing/editing background.
- Takes initiative and responsibility, a self-starter.
- Desirable skill sets (but not necessary)
- Some skills in graphic design. Photography, audio/video editing are assets.
- Familiarity with best practices and analyzing analytics of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and other emerging platforms.
- Interested? Have questions? Know of someone that can be a “Messenger”? Connect with zara@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org, she would love to chat about the volunteer position over coffee, zoom, or phone call.
To All Moms, Happy Mother’s Day!
— know of our love, prayers, and support for you and all that you do, from the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Family