From Father Michael . . .

• Please consider donating nonperishable items to the food pantry. The collection is the first weekend of the month. Our next collection is July 2nd and 3rd. The collection bin will be located in the Atrium (Door B Entrance). This collection is separate from the collection for PADS that supports Hesed House Homeless Shelter. Thank you!

• Start your July 4th Celebration by coming to Mass, come and pray for our country; we hope to see you @ 9am on 7/4th
• Please note that the Parish Offices will be closed, and there is no Eucharistic Adoration or evening Spanish Mass.

• The monthly PADS Hesed House Homeless Shelter will not be accepting food donations in the month of July, rather please consider donating monetarily. This is because our monthly commitment falls on the 4th of July holiday weekend. We will use the monetary donations towards buying a fried chicken feast with all the fixings for Hesed House.

• All young adults are invited to join the Consuming Fire Young Adult Community. This group meets every Tuesday from 7pm to 8:30pm in Room 211. We gather to eat, pray, and ‘do life together’!
• From the weekly Tuesday gatherings to additional social gatherings (hiking, dinner at someone’s home or at a restaurant, Friday evening volleyball, and Sunday softball), there are so many good reasons to join this fun awesome group! Want more information? Sign up HERE

• They are continuing a series called “Sharing Christ” details and registration are found here.  See you on Wednesdays at 7pm. The group also gathers socially once a month and also has volunteer gatherings at Feed My Starving Children.
• Connect with Bob Maxwell our Salt and Light Grow Group Leader at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464.

• Do you know anyone or are you seeking answers about the Catholic annulment process after having gone through the pain of divorce? Come to the book study at Vines & Branches Grow Group where you will go through “Mending the Heart: a Catholic Annulment Companion” by Lisa Duffy.   Meets on Wednesdays at 7pm, please register here

• Mary’s Squad workouts are on Saturday mornings at 8:30am are now in-person.
• Workout details are: stretch and strengthening mat workout while we pray the rosary. Concludes with 10 minutes of meditative silent prayer followed by group prayer intentions.
• Please reach out to Juanita Pacheco juanitapacheco@yahoo.com, one of the leads, and let them know you will be joining them; they are looking forward to welcoming you.

• On Saturday, 7/9 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.

• Following all the Mass times will be an open house and hospitality family gatherings for the Family Faith Formation.  Come, meet other families on a similar journey as you, and bring any questions you may have about the offerings we have for the parents and the children that start in the fall.
• Check out the Family Faith Formation website for further details.

• O.C.I A., the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, is the amazing journey of entering into the fullness of the Catholic faith. We will help you to learn, grow, find community, and prepare for the fullness of life that God desires for us all!
• Even if you’re unsure with where you’re at regarding becoming Catholic or receiving all your sacraments, please fill out this form so that we can know how best to help! You are also welcome to reach out to Fr. James at frjames@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org

• The St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck will be in our parking lot on 7/26 and 7/24 for the clothing drive.  Pick up one of the SVDP bags to place your donated items.
• Clear out your closets for a good cause and repurpose the following items by donating them to St. Vincent De Paul.  Your donated 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.

• Eat pancake for a good cause! Please join the Knights of Columbus for a delicious pancake breakfast on Sunday July 24 from 8am to noon.  All proceeds will be used to buy new coats for the “Coats for Kids” program and donated to Catholic Charities.

• If you are experiencing grief and would like to join others for a time of sharing stories, tears and laughter, prayer, and moving forward in hope – please come on Monday, July 25 from 11am to 1pm in the Ministry Room located in the church. There is no registration. This is an opportunity to receive support and understanding during your grief journey. If you have questions, please call Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care at 331-707-5380.

• Come Play Baseball with Father Burke Masters! Join the Catholic Sports Summer Camp from 7/25-7/26 at Montini High School. Open to boys and girls ages 8—12. This camp includes baseball skills & training, daily Mass, rosary, adoration, and confession.
• Cost is $150, but scholarships are available. Register now at catholicsportscamps.org

• Do not spend another fall, winter, and spring cooped up in your home!!! Come out and join the OLM Mixed Bowling League. You need not be a good bowler. You only need to come out and enjoy some safe time out with fellow parishioners for one Friday a month. If you have thought about joining a league, now is the time to give it a try. There are 4 players to a team, but we will build a team for <4 players who wish to join. Fees are $17/person per month.
• The league will be one Friday/month from August through May, skipping December. If you have questions and/or would like to join the league, please give Dan Panozzo a call at 815- 302-4111 or email at tanddpanozzo@comcast.net. Come on out and join the fun!

• The Consuming Fire Young Adult Grow Group is looking to join the Joliet Diocese on a Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day 2023 from July 29 to August 7. Come and join them!  This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29.  Proceed here for further details.

• In his June column, Bishop Hicks writes about the three-year National Eucharistic Revival, which begins Sunday, June 19, when we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi. Read it HERE

• In the Eucharist, Jesus wants to remind you that you are never alone, that He is with you. In your brokenness, sorrows, and frustrations, He is with you. In everything you face—when you’re tired, ready to give up, hanging on by a thread, Jesus says to you, “I AM HERE.”
• If you have experienced the above with Jesus, we invite you to share your story so as to inspire others to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist, and to go to Holy Mass.  Allow your story to be the vessel that can reach that person who Jesus is drawing to Himself more closely, especially those who are going through a tough time right now.  Let us take part in the National Eucharistic Revival in a tangible way; come and share your story of your encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.  Connect with zara@olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org to share your encounter.

• The High School Teens attending this summer’s Mission Trip to Ohio want to thank everyone for their support of our past Rummage Sale. Your donations, support, and prayers helped us raise over $6700 for the trip.
  Praise God and thanks so much!