From Father James . . .
Our need for the humility of Jesus—found firstly in the manger—is a great place to begin our Advent. Allow me to share with you a little excerpt from one of my favorite novelists, Michael O’Brien, in his book Plague Journal:
“There are ways of dealing with trouble in an affluent age. If you have enough money or influence, health, and power, you can stave off trouble for a long time. You can pad and buffer and distract yourself until the illusion of mastery is complete. The only weakness in this seemingly perfect method is that your life must then be preoccupied with padding, buffering, and distracting. Most of us do it to some degree. We can’t help it really. Pain just isn’t fun; helplessness is scary. But suffering finds us all sooner or later. There is no hiding place, and, when raising a family, you are especially exposed to the dangers of human existence.
I didn’t know it then, but the cost of a happy family is the death of selfishness. The father must die if he is to give life to his spouse and children. Not a pleasant thought but a true one. An entire lifetime can be spent avoiding it. It’s simply not enough to provide and protect. In themselves, of course, providing and protecting are good and necessary things. That is our responsibility.
But a father can provide a mountain of material goods for his family and defend it against all kinds of inconveniences, thinking he can rest easy, having done his part, and still have missed the essential point: he is called to be an image of love and truth. The house he provides, be it a cabin, a mansion, or a barge painted Christmas colors, must have at its core a heart that is willing to look at its poverty. As long as we’re convinced of our own strengths, our cleverness, and our cagey ability to endure, we still think we’re in charge. We construct a lifestyle of eliminating difficulties at any cost. It takes a lot of padding if you’re to avoid the unexplainable, unjust blows of suffering. There will come a time, however, when this elaborate defense system crumbles.”
If we don’t see our need for Jesus, our own poverties, then Advent isn’t very exciting. If, on the other hand, we know that we are nothing without Jesus, and if Jesus becomes the deepest desire of our hearts, then we won’t be able to help but echo the ancient, eager cry of Advent, “Maranatha!” Come, Lord Jesus! … into my heart, into my life, into my family, into my sufferings, into my joys, and into my poverty! You alone give perfect peace. You alone give perfect joy.
Father James
We look forward to seeing you at Our Lady of Mercy taking part in many of the offerings we have, or maybe when you stop by and visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, at daily Mass during the week, or during Eucharistic Adoration.
Advent Resources & Schedule
- If you have not done so please stop by the Narthex and lobby area to pick up Advent booklets, you can also` check out our website and the myParish app for online Advent resources and reflections.
Grief Support on 11/28
- The monthly grief support session is on Monday, November 28 from 11am to 12:30pm in the Ministry Room. There is no registration. Any questions, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Director of Pastoral Care at 331-707-5380.
Giving Tuesday on 11/29
- 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀. It’s celebrated annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving which is on 11/29th of this year.
As you prepare to open your hearts in support of worthy causes on Giving Tuesday, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Our Lady of Mercy.
Currently, we are not meeting our weekly Sunday goal. As of 10/31, we are below budget by approximately $37,000.
We wouldn't be able to accomplish everything we do without your continued support. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 so as to enable us to live out our vision of offering every person a life-changing encounter with Jesus, grow disciples, and send them on mission.
If you’ve been impacted by Our Lady of Mercy, please consider supporting us on Giving Tuesday, please select “Sunday Contributions” on the online OSV give link https://www.osvhub.com/olmercy/giving/funds
We pray you are able to help us by joining in this effort; 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗢𝗟𝗠 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼 “𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆” so we can send one to you or stop by the parish office to pick up your car magnet.
𝙒𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮!
St. Peregrine Prayer Service on 11/29
- The monthly prayer service will be on Tuesday, November 29 at 7pm (after the 6:30pm Mass) in the church led by Deacon Tony Leazzo. Come together to support one another in prayer and presence.
- St. Peregrine is the patron saint of the sick, especially those experiencing cancer, serious illness, or chronic illness. Anyone experiencing physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual health concerns would benefit from attending the prayer service. There will be time after the service to venerate the relic of St. Peregrine and pray for your personal needs or intentions.
MAGNIFY on 11/30
- It's an Advent-themed MAGNIFY! There will be an additional priest for Confessions.
- Advent often comes and goes in a blur. The rush of preparing for Christmas, for bringing the calendar year to an end as a new liturgical year starts, can often eclipse the reason we set aside 4 weeks to prep our hearts and our homes.
No matter what the past year has looked like for you, Advent is an awesome opportunity to regain your footing. It's an invitation to take a step back and recognize what is most important. Let us start our first week of Advent of stepping back and prepping our hearts at MAGNIFY on 11/30th @ 7pm. Don't forget to bring all the children, no matter how young or old they are. It's a great way to spend family together and with Jesus no less! - #confessions #scripturalreflection #JESUS #realpresence #adorationpraiseandworship #prayerministry
First Friday and First Saturday Devotions 12/2 and 12/3
- Respect Life 1st Friday Devotion on 12/2
- We hope you can come out anytime from 8am to 4pm, to pray for the helpless, innocent unborn who can’t speak for themselves. Pray in front of Planned Parenthood, at the public right of way access. Connect with Lisa SanDiego for any questions (630) 258-0122 or sandiego_family@msn.com. https://bit.ly/3yGSzmU
- Confessions immediately following the 8am Mass
- Every 1st Friday (in addition to the 8am Mass), we will have a 12pm Mass. We hope you join us.
- 1st Saturday 12/4 after the 8:30 am Mass is the First Saturday Devotion
- This devotion is one of the principal points of the Fatima message. It consists of the following, on 5 consecutive first Saturdays: Going to Confession, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, praying five decades of the Rosary, and Meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary.
Find out the reasons why the five Saturdays from our Lord Jesus to Sister Lucia as well as additional details here. We hope you incorporate this powerful devotion into your life. Please connect with Bonnie Ramirez 630-723-4289 for any questions.
- This devotion is one of the principal points of the Fatima message. It consists of the following, on 5 consecutive first Saturdays: Going to Confession, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, praying five decades of the Rosary, and Meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary.
Bring PADS food items to Masses on 12/3 and 12/4
- PADS will be on Tuesday 12/7 to help our brothers and sisters in need. Check out the PADS board in the Atrium (the entrance to our building) for the food items needed. We are also thankful for any funds donated via the Give page or checks payable to Our Lady of Mercy and note on the memo “Hesed House-PADS”. Thank you so much for your generosity.
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’— Matthew 25:40
Charismatic Healing Mass 12/4
- On Saturday, 12/6 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.
Saint Nicholas visiting after the 10am Mass 12/5
- Who is Saint Nicholas? Calling all children, come to the church after the 10am Mass and hear from Saint Nicholas speak about his life and who really is the real Santa Claus.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 12/7
- The Mass times for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception are Vigil Mass at 7pm on 12/6th and Mass times of 6:30am, 8am, 12pm and 7pm on 12/7th. We pray to see you at any of the Mass times; let us rejoice with the Immaculate Mother of God, for it is through her intercession that God has bestowed every spiritual blessing upon us.
- God chose Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to be our “model of holiness” by preserving her entirely from original sin, making her all-pure and all-holy. In doing this God also shows us what is possible for us, too, wounded by sin—the healing and restoration of our whole humanity. The intercession and maternal love of the Immaculate One, given to us as our Mother, is the special way God has chosen to bestow upon us the grace of such a healing. As the Mother of our Savior, Mary shares uniquely in His redemptive sacrifice. We turn to her with confidence, for she is “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” Immaculate Mary, pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass 12/12
- The Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be at 6:30pm on Monday 12/12 in Spanish. We hope to see you at the Mass which commemorates this wonderful feast day of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas who appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531.
Unbound on 12/9 & 12/10
- Because of the fruitfulness of the last conference and repeated requests, there will be an Unbound Freedom in Christ Conference on 12/9 from 6:30pm to 9:15pm through 12/10 from 9am to 9pm with catered lunch & dinner included.
- Recommended reading prior to the conference is the “Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance.” The book is available in the parish office for $15, purchase a copy today and prepare your heart to be overwhelmed by the love of Jesus.
- Unsure about Unbound? Check out the short videos below of the recent conference and a snippet of what Unbound is. Experience what over 200 people experienced at the last conference; sign up now.
