May 22 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Today we joyfully congratulate Thomas Logue, III our transitional deacon intern the past two years. Yesterday at St. Raymond Nonnutus Cathedral in Joliet, Bishop Ronald Hicks ordained Tom and two other men priests. I was glad to see many parishioners from Our Lady of Mercy in attendance. Please pray for God’s blessings on our new priests! Fr. Tom will be celebrating a special Mass at Our Lady of Mercy on Saturday, June 4 at 6:00pm for the Vigil of Pentecost. All are welcome to attend the Mass and reception following. Fr. Tom will celebrate the 10:00am Mass at OLM on Sunday, June 5th and will be at all the Masses for you to greet and extend your best wishes to him.
Here is an update on my retirement plans! As you know, June 30, 2022 will be my last day as pastor of Our Lady of Mercy. My retirement comes after serving 40 years and 8 months as a parish priest at eight different parishes in our Diocese. While I am retiring from parish ministry, I am not retiring from priestly ministry. I accepted the opportunity to serve as part-time Catholic Priest Chaplain at Marianjoy Rehab Hospital in Wheaton. I will celebrate Mass there on the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of the month in addition to 10 hours weekly of pastoral presence/ministry at the Rehab Hospital. Additionally, I will celebrate Masses and hear confessions at area parishes requesting help.
Many of you know that I was considering retiring permanently to California. I have decided against that since I have too many friends and connections here in Chicagoland. Considering my health issues, I also wanted to be near my doctors. I will however spend several of the winter months in Sonoma County California. This Thursday I will be moving to my retirement condominium in downtown Glen Ellyn. I had hoped to find a place in Wheaton since I had been pastor of St. Michael’s for 11 years, but found none available during my search. Glen Ellyn is the town just east of Wheaton. You might be wondering why I am moving this week when my retirement isn’t until June 30. I’m moving now because I will be gone June 5 – 15 escorting the Oberammergau Germany Passion that was supposed to happen two years ago but was postponed until this year.
Moving now gives me 11 days to get settled in my new place and prepare for the trip. I will commute to OLM those 11 days. When I get back on June 15, I have several medical tests and doctor appointments the following week and I wouldn’t have time to do a move. Then the following week is my last 4 days here. Moving this early also allows adequate time for the OLM rectory rooms to be cleaned, rugs cleaned, painting done in preparation for the arrival of your new pastor! I will put my new address and email in the bulletin starting in June.
Have a blessed Easter Season!
Father Don