March 12, 2022 | Weekly Update


March 12, 2022 | Weekly Update

The Transfigured Body of Jesus


On this second Sunday of Lent we hear from God the Father Himself proclaiming to the terrified disciples on the top of the mountain:

“This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.”

Pretty big deal, right?  The Gospels are not myth or legend, but eye-witness accounts written by the disciples that knew and walked with Jesus during His time on earth. From Luke’s Gospel, we hear about the experience where Jesus’ body is illuminated by light (Transfigured) as He transcends space and time in conversing with Moses and Elijah.Our very bodies are something good, as declared by the Catholic faith. We can degrade the body or we can obsessively worship the body—by the truly Catholic stance is honoring the body because we are our bodies; we are a body and soul composite, destined to follow Christ in the illumination of heavenly life.

The question of who Jesus is, His very identity, is so important. If we miss this piece—and the goodness of His earthly body—we miss the point of Christianity.

We hope to see you at the weekend Mass times where Father Don is preaching or stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or at daily Mass during the week.


To prepare our hearts to come to Holy Mass this weekend, consider watching the short clip on the Flocknote email from Bishop Barron’s newest series 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥: 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴?

“The flesh is the very condition on which salvation hinges.”

—Tertullian, Church Father


Did you miss Father James’ homily last week on “satan and Identity Deceptions”?  See it below.



LOOKING AHEAD

Our new pastor is here for a quick visit and will be at all the Masses on 3/19 & 3/20
  • You may not want to miss going to Holy Mass next weekend, because our new pastor Father Michael Kearney will be preaching at all the Mass times—except for the 10am.
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive 3/19 & 3/20
  • Clear out your closets for a good cause!  Pick up a St. Vincent de Paul bag and bring it back on before and after the 4pm Mass on Saturday and on Sunday until noon.
  • The Clothing Drive will accept clothing, shoes, linens, and books in good or bad condition. Unusable clothing, shoes, linens, and even books generate income for the needy because they are sold for rags or in bulk. No baby equipment such as cribs, walkers, strollers, playpens, etc. ALL BABY CLOTHES ACCEPTED! Small housewares and electronics – dishes, glassware, utensils, toasters, blenders, coffee makers, radios, cd players etc. Unfortunately, NO TELEVISIONS.
Lenten MAGNIFY 3/23
  • Walk with Jesus through the desert this Lenten season at MAGNIFY.  Scriptural reflection by Father James, Adoration, Praise & Worship, Confessions, and Prayer Ministry.  So many powerful reasons to come to Lenten MAGNIFY.
Unplanned Movie Showing 3/25
  • The Respect Life ministry is showing the movie Unplanned at 6pm.  Students for Life will be present to answer questions and lead a group discussion after the movie.
  • “Unplanned” tells the story of Abby Johnson, who rose quickly through the ranks of Planned Parenthood, becoming one of the youngest clinic directors in the organization. One fateful day, she assists with an ultrasound-guided abortion of a 13-week-old fetus. And that changed everything for her.
    Johnson quit Planned Parenthood and became a pro-life advocate herself. She eventually founded “And Then There Were None,” which claims to be the only ministry in the country that helps abortion workers leave the industry and find new jobs. Close to 500 people, including doctors, have chosen a new walk of life through Johnson’s organization.
    Catholic News Service’s review of the film calls it, a “hard-hitting, fact-based drama (that) dares its viewers to confront the reality of what happens when a baby is aborted.”
  • Do you have a teenager or young adult in your life?  Bring them to watch Unplanned.  Or if you’ve never watched Unplanned, come and see this movie that is one of those that is important to see.
Lenten Fish Dinners on 3/25 and 4/1
  • Have dinner for a good cause!  All proceeds from the Lenten Fish Dinners benefit the Teen Summer Mission Trip. Free-will offerings will be accepted on both dates.
  • Fridays 3/25th and 4/1st from 5:30pm to 8pm with the following choices Jumbo Shrimp (6 pieces) $12, Cod (choice of baked or fried) $11, or Salmon $12. All plates include coleslaw, tator-tots, dinner roll, chocolate brownie and beverage (soda or water).
  • Ticket sales for both dates will be held the weekend of March 19-20 after all masses and in the Parish Office during the weeks of March 21-25 and March 28-April 1. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Youth Alpha for High School Teens starts 4/3
  • Any high school teen who is interested in learning more about Christianity is welcome to attend! Alpha gives teens the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once a week for 9 weeks, sometimes in a church, a home, or a restaurant. Sessions begin with food, followed by a short video/talk, and time to discuss the topic.
  • Our Spring Session will begin April 3rd, so please go to our Youth Alpha page to get all the details and then sign-up if you would like to attend. Please note this session of Alpha is for High School age teens. Please contact Dave if you have questions at DaveM@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org.
An Ecumenical Chain-For-Life Event on 4/9
  • Register by 3/31st to join an ecumenical, prayerful, and silent pro-life event sponsored by St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton from 10:15am to 11:30am held at Compass Church parking lot.
  • Details and registration can be found here.
  • The media would have us believe that Pro-Life advocates are in the minority. The hope is to bring as many Pro-Life advocates as possible together in a large, visible way, to let others know who share a similar view, that they are not alone and certainly not in the minority.  We hope this will encourage them to speak out in their own way.  We also look to use this event to send a message to our Supreme Court (Dobb’s case decision is due this summer) and to our national, state, and local politicians, and to our broader communities, that we want an end to abortion.
Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/18
  • Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, the Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Council #12005 has established a scholarship program for high school seniors seeking financial assistance for continuing education (accredited trade school / junior college, college or university only). Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of merit to Our Lady of Mercy parishioners who are high school seniors.
  • All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, June 18 @ 4pm.
  • Proceed to this link for application details, requirements, and contact information.
Bishop Hicks’ Column for March
  • In his March column, Bishop Hicks writes about Pope Francis’ 2022 Lenten Message with gusto – or even with a tone of “Lenten Madness”. Read it here.
Family Faith Formation Office Administrative Assistant Grade Pre-K-12
  • We’re hiring!  Does the idea of placing your administrative skills at the service of growing the Catholic faith-life of families bring you joy?  We are seeking an individual who possesses a positive team spirit, is comfortable taking initiative, and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Being fluent in Spanish and English is desired.
    Other requirements include: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Accounting skills, Record Keeping, Coordination of Volunteers and Tracking Safe Environment Requirements, Comfortable learning technology platforms.
    The position is full time 37.5 Hours/Week, Benefited, Some Evening & Weekend Hours Expected. Interested candidates may send a cover letter and resume to Mary Jo Trapani at maryjot@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org
Support Our Teens Going on the Mission Trip
  • Every moment we walk alongside a young person as they join in the work God is doing is an opportunity to affirm their purpose and celebrate their gifts.  You have the opportunity to walk alongside our teens in a simple and good way by supporting them financially to offset the costs of the Misson Trip, any dollar amount is helpful.
  • Drop your donation in a marked envelope into the offertory baskets during Mass or donate online through Our Sunday Visitor platform here: https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/funds.
  • Please also keep our teens, parents, and volunteers in prayer, as they prepare for and go on the Mission Trip to serve at a neighborhood in need in Ohio in July.  In a special way let us pray for our teens for God to bless their quest for purpose, joining them in prayer on their journey to discover what God is doing in their lives.
Attention High School Teens – Few Spots Left on the Mission Trip
  • There are still a few spots open for the High School Mission Trip to Ohio scheduled for this July. Proceed here for the LIGHT webpage or contact Dave in the office for more details.  Take part in this life-changing experience!
Did You Know We Have a Parish School?
  • All Saints Catholic Academy (ASCA) located at 1155 Aurora Ave, Naperville is our parish school!
  • Are you a parent with preschool, elementary and middle school-aged children struggling with the antithetical to Christian values the government schools are indoctrinating the children who attend the government schools?  You’re not alone.
  • Join a growing number of OLM parents who have made the movement!  Consider connecting with some of the families who have made the move from sending their child(ren) to public school to All Saints Catholic Academy.
  • Connect with Patty Bajek at (630) 961-6125, or pbajek@ascacademy.org to express your interest and to schedule a personalized tour.  Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word CLOW Volunteers
St. Vincent de Paul Society Volunteers
  • Thank you for your support of our clothing drive. Your clothing donation, as well as your financial donations throughout the year, allows us to help our parishioners and neighbors in need. In the last quarter 2021, we provided assistance to 35 people/families.
  • The ministry is always looking for volunteers to join our St. Vincent de Paul Society in assisting our neighbors in need. If you would like to volunteer or learn more, send an email to olmsvdp@gmail.com with your name and contact information.
Bulletin
  • Read Father Don’s insightful weekly Bulletin article located here

Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Fathers!
  • 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.
For the Hispanic Community
  • 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.
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
  • Prayer Ministry takes place monthly at MAGNIFY and at the last weekend of the month Mass times.  Prayer ministry is an opportunity for those in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing or with a specific intention. Come as an individual, as a couple, or as. a family and receive prayer for yourself or request prayers for someone in need. Listen and receive the prayers while being open to the Holy Spirit’s movement. Trained prayer ministers are available.
Have you downloaded our myParish App yet?
  • 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.


HALLOW – A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP

Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one’s mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year). Sign up for either one here.