This is MercyFest weekend! A time to gather family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy the company of each other and thank God for the gift of our parish, friendship and camaraderie while enjoying food, fun, games and rides provided by Alpine Amusement of Naperville. In the early years of MercyFest, the goal was to raise money for paying down the debt on the church and PLC. We still owe slightly under one million on the PLC, but now the primary goal of MercyFest is building community and bringing parishioners and neighbors together – and just having fun! We even see MercyFest as an evangelization tool! Saturday evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm is “Light the Night” in church with Eucharistic Adoration and prayer teams. We are out on the grounds with an ALPHA booth and invites!
If we do make some money, that is great! We will donate half to Hesed House and use the rest for purchasing energy efficient lighting for the gym. With profits from the last two years, we were able to purchase new sound equipment for the church and new padding for the kneelers in church.
If you have not been to MercyFest yet, it is not too late. Saturday MercyFest is open from Noon to 10:00pm. Sunday, MercyFest opens following the 10:45am Mass celebrated by our former and retired pastor, Fr. Hugh Fullmer, and closes around 8:00/8:30pm. Do not miss the “All U Can Eat Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner” on Sunday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm!
We extend our special thanks to all our sponsors this year. Event Sponsor: Napleton’s Valley Hyundai; Platinum Sponsor: Builders Commercial Asphalt Plants; Premiere Sponsors: Klein Construction, Valley View Dental, and Lisa Byrne of Baird & Warner. Your support is deeply appreciated!
I will recognize the MercyFest chair and committee chairs in a future article when I give a report on our success of this year’s MercyFest. In the meantime, come out if you have not, and thanks to all our parishioners and guests who have supported this year’s MercyFest by your presence, volunteering and donations.
Have a blessed week!
Fr Don