A Mother’s Heart Grow Group August Gatherings
- A Mother’s Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Please register for events ahead of time with Lydia at lydiaschmitt@gmail.com
Undone Freedom for the Feminine Heart 9/22 thru 9/24
- Sign up for the Women's Conference from John Paull II Healing Center - Undone - Freedom for the Feminine Heart taking place here at Our Lady of Mercy from Thursday 9/22 through Saturday 9/24. Registration is OPEN, join 120 women and counting, for a powerful refreshing time! Click on the graphic or registration button below!
- Do you desire to dive deeper into the freedom that you were created for? Do you feel restricted and bound by the knots of sin and shame that conceal the profound beauty of your feminine heart?
Ladies, immerse yourself in a three-day conference of truth and transformation as the knots of Eve, in us, are undone by Mary’s example of radical receptivity. Through a series of talks, teachings, and prayer experiences, you will be invited to become Undone in God’s presence while deeply receiving the truth of your authentic identity. Let your friends know to save these dates as well, you won't want to miss this conference.
Are you curious about becoming Catholic? Are you Catholic but haven’t yet received all your sacraments?
- 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.com
Mary's Squad In-Person Workouts continue on 8/6, 8/13, 8/20 & 8/27
- 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.
Summer Girl’s Night Out - Undone Book Study Continues 8/10
- It's not too late to join the "Summer Girl's Night Out Undone Book Study" gathering once a month during the summer. With good food and good discussions with good friends on a summer weeknight @ 6:30pm at unique local establishments; we hope you are able to make it. The next GNO dates are Weds 8/10 @ Altiro Latin Fusion in downtown Aurora and Weds 9/14 @ Minghin Chinese Dim Sum in Naperville.
- Registration and further details are found HERE.
- Undone: Freeing your Feminine Heart from the Knots of Fear and Shame by Carrie Schuchts Daunt is a book with a collection of raw and redemptive testimonies from Catholic women such as Lisa Brenninkmeyer and Jen Settle which offers an opportunity to discover what is true and what is healing in areas where we may have struggled in our identities as a daughter, sister, bride, and mother.
Purchase the book now and read one chapter (part) before each gathering. Here are links to the book at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or at the JPII Healing Center site
Diocese of Joliet Wedding Anniversary Mass 8/28
- Join the celebration on Sunday, August 28th at 2:00 pm at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet
- If you are celebrating either your 25th or 50th anniversary this year, please email your names, address, and how many years you have been married to the Diocese for a formal invitation to: familyministry@dioceseofjoliet.org
- Those celebrating over 50-year anniversaries do not receive a formal invitation but will be able to register to attend at a later date.
Waterleaf Run/Walk for Life 5K on 9/10
OLM Bowling League August 2022-May 2023
- 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!
World Youth Day 2023
- 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.
Bishop Hick’s Monthly Column
- In his July column, Bishop Hicks writes "A life centered on Christ promotes unity." Read it HERE
An Update from Father Don!
- Pope Francis offered advice on about how to live in retirement fruitfully by leaving “a legacy of good, rather than just goods.”
Speaking during his general audience on May 11, the pope said that retirement can be a “time to leave a good legacy of wisdom, tenderness, and gifts for the family and the community.” “When we think of an inheritance, at times we think of goods, and not of the goodness that is done in old age, and that has been sown. That goodness is the best legacy we can leave,” he said in St. Peter’s Square. Now that I am retired, I’ve been pondering those words and wondered if I’ve left a legacy of goodness. Reading all your notes in the cards and emails I received, I take great comfort in knowing I have left some goodness. I sit on the balcony of my condo and treasure re-reading them. Again, thank you for your kindness and generosity as I retired.
Regarding my health….the CT Scan I had on June 20 showed no significant change to the cancer in my lungs. However, the bloodwork showed I am very anemic, which explains my constant fatigue and shortness of breath that I’ve experienced the past nine months.
At my oncologists’ direction, I am now taking an iron supplement 3x daily, and a _ _ _ _ load (pun intended) of laxatives to counter the effect of so much iron! It isn’t a pleasant experience! This routine goes until September 13. Then bloodwork at and CT scan again.
Ministerially, I have started celebrating Mass at Marianjoy on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 2pm. I will begin my 10-hour-a-week volunteer chaplaincy at Marianjoy sometime in August. I have celebrated Sunday Mass at various parishes and have done some funeral service outside of Mass at local funeral homes. In August I will start a regular schedule of celebrating Sunday Mass at St. John the Baptist in Winfield. They have four weekend Masses and only one priest. Please keep my health issues in your prayers.
Thank you!
Fr Don
Fr Don practicing retirement in 1986!
Do you have a story to share of your time with Jesus in the Eucharist?
- 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.com to share your encounter.
Family Faith Formation Office is Hiring
- Coordinator of Family & Youth Evangelization & Catechesis for Grades 6-12 Youth Ministry – LIGHT & EDGE
We are seeking a part-time Coordinator for Family and Youth Catechesis and Evangelization for Grades 6-12. The Coordinator will work with a ministry team to develop and grow disciples for Christ and send them on mission. The primary focus will be spent working with high school and middle school teens and their families in a variety of ministry settings. An applicant must have experience in youth or family ministry, have a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, or Pastoral Ministry or a related field and must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing, and must know, profess and act consistently in accordance with the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church, and with the mission, philosophy, objectives, and policies of the Diocese of Joliet. The position is 28 hours a week with no benefits.
Please submit a resume to Dave Miserendino via email at DaveM@olmercy.com.
Building a Community Garden on Parish Grounds
- Do you have a green thumb? Or perhaps you like gardening and are good at caring for plants? Connect with the Justice & Peace Ministry, who has carved out a Community Garden at Our Lady of Mercy parish grounds. Produce from the Community Garden will be given to local organizations such as Hesed House and local food pantries. Please contact Ida at 630-605-6038 or idamphillips@gmail.com or Chris at 631-561-9722 or chrisharveyny@gmail.com.
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 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 schedule a personalized tour. Or peruse their website to explore your interest.
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 of 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
Supporting OLM through the CMAA
- Thank you so much to those who have pledged! Once we have reached our goal in paid pledges, 70% of the additional funds received will be returned to our parish.
- Father Don and Bishop Hicks are asking us to join them in pledging to the CMAA to help the poor and vulnerable, form our future shepherds, and spread the faith through our Catholic schools, faith formation programs in parishes, and programs for young adults.
- Donations can be made here Check out how your gifts to the CMAA help at this link. Thank you for your consideration.
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 on 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.
OSV Giving Link Update
- Our online giving link has been updated by our provider (OSV), please be sure to update your bookmark, below is the link.
- The myParish App "Giving" button has been updated. Don't have the myParish App yet? Text APP to 88202 to download! Receive this update, instant news, and get access to the parish calendar, daily readings, and Confession guide.
- https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/giving/funds
Grow Groups | We continue to launch Grow Groups, one group at a time. Connect with
zara@olmercy.com for any questions.
Mission. A Mother's Heart is a group for Catholic mothers with children ages 0-11 who are seeking to journey with other like-minded women of faith. Following the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we strive to imitate her "little way" of growing in holiness through the lenses of motherhood and family.
Meets. Thursdays twice a month. For any of the following: book chats, podcast discussions, "Mom's Night Out", community service projects, fellowship, playgroups, prayer.
Mission. This group exists to grow a community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints.
Meets. Tuesdays @ 7pm and twice a month for social gatherings.
Connect. Reach out to Matt Kubanda and Mary Rysavy
rysavyme@gmail.comWorld Youth Day 2023. 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. This includes an optional pre-tour to Madrid from July 25 to 29.
Proceed here for further details.
SALT AND LIGHT GROW GROUPMission. “Encounter/Grow/Witness” is the threefold dimension of the Christian life. Once we encounter Jesus, we are then called to
grow daily as His disciples.
Grow Groups are one way Our Lady of Mercy is responding to
our missionary identity where we are called to help parishioners
grow continually in discipleship.
Meets. Wednesdays 7pm to 8:30pm
Connect. For more information, connect with Bob Maxwell at bmaxwell@deltadentalil.com or 630-962-8464
Mission. Vine & Branches is a group at Our Lady of Mercy that offers support and belonging to individuals of any age or faith who are divorced or separated on the way to divorce.
Meets. Wednesdays @ 7pm with social gatherings.