July 25 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The first Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is today.  Established by Pope Francis this past January, the celebration takes place close to the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the grandparents of Jesus.  The Holy Father said he instituted the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly because “grandparents are often forgotten, and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on what the elderly have received.”  He emphasized the importance of grandparents and grandchildren getting to know one another, because “as the prophet Joel says, grandparents seeing their grandchildren dream,” while “young people, drawing strength from their grandparents, will go forward and prophesy.”

We have started a grandparent ministry at Our Lady of Mercy and have joined the Catholic Grandparents Association.  For further information and to become involved in our grandparent ministry, please contact Deacon Tony Martini and his wife Allyson who initiated this ministry at OLM.  Deacon Tony: tonym@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org

Anything on your mind about living in Aurora or the Fox Valley?  Any concerns or issues you would like to see addressed?  I have met a couple of times with representatives from the Fox Valley River Initiative.  This is a relatively new organization to the Fox River Valley area, similar to DuPage United that was formed many years ago to address issues in DuPage County.  One of the best known issues that DuPage United addressed was homelessness in DuPage County, making the public and political leaders aware that homelessness did indeed exist in wealthy DuPage County.  As a result, PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) was established.

Fox Valley River Initiative is seeking input from residents of the area about the issues you feel are important and need to be addressed.  If you are interested in speaking by phone with a representative from the organization, please e-mail me, and I will put you in contact with one of the representatives.

Have a Blessed Week

Father Don