Mundelein Seminary (where Fr. Michael and Fr. James attended) Explore the Priesthood Weekend 3/17 through 3/19
St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck 3/18 & 3/19
- 𝗔 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀! The St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) truck will be in our parking lot on 3/18 and 3/19 for our clothing drive. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁. 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹. Your donated items are sold at reasonable prices at thrift shops so that 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.
Second collection for Catholic Relief Services on 3/19
- Dear Friends,
Our diocese will take up the annual second collection for Catholic Relief Services on March 19, and it could not come at a more fortunate time.
As the arm of the Catholic Church that helps the poor and vulnerable overseas, Catholic Relief Services plays a vital role during emergencies such as the earthquakes that occurred last month in Turkey and Syria. Catholic Relief Services immediately contacted its partners in those countries to provide safe shelter for individuals and families, and access to food, clean water and hygiene supplies.
Your support of Catholic Relief Services funds organizations dedicated to aiding people affected by war and natural disasters, migrants and refugees in need of material and legal assistance, and people worldwide whose livelihoods are impacted by changing political and environmental conditions.
This is life-saving work. Thank you for your support of our neighbors overseas with your donation to the humanitarian mission of Catholic Relief Services.
Paz y bien,
Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, Bishop of Joliet
Parish Mission on 3/20 and 3/21
- Did you save the date for our powerful Parish Mission held from 7pm to 8:30pm on Monday, 3/20th, and Tuesday, 3/21st.
- Mission Night 1 Your True Identity and Mission Night 2 What is this thing we call the heart?
- Hosted by Fr. Matthew Alexander, formation and spiritual director at St. John Vianney Seminary since 2019. Fr. Alexander previously served as the associate pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Mundelein and as a formator at St. Joseph College Seminary in Chicago. In 2010, Fr. Alexander received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, and, in 2017, he completed his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Mundelein Seminary.Fr Matthew is from the Chicagoland area and has greatly impacted Fr. Michael in his own use of the one wheel. Fr. Matthew has strong opinions of deep-dish pizza and loves to play Ultimate Frisbee, among other sports, reading, listening to music, and camping. Fr. Matthew has been trained in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and continues to teach classes at the seminary on how to pray and pay attention to movements of the heart.
Donuts & Coffee Sunday 3/28
- Stop by the PLC after the 8am and 10am Masses on 3/28th for yummy Donuts, good Coffee & wonderful Fellowship.
Confessions on 3/27 through 3/31
- You can find the Lenten Confession schedule on our Lent Resource page. Please note that in addition to the regular Confession times we have, additional opportunities for Confessions are from Monday 3/27 through Friday 3/31, from 7pm to 8:30pm.
Palm Weaving Workshop to Help Decorate our Church 3/27 through 3/30
- Come out and weave palms to help us decorate our church for Palm Sunday and Holy Week on any of the following days. The Arts and Environment team will give easy-to-follow instructions on how to weave the palms.
- Monday 3/27 from 7pm to 9pm in Room 114.
- Wednesday 3/29 from 10am to 12pm in Room 114.
- Thursday 3/30 from 7pm to 9pm in Room 114.
Divine Mercy Seminar on 3/28 and 3/29
- Discover “The Extraordinary Graces and Gifts of the Divine Mercy devotion” by attending our special Divine Mercy seminars held in room 208 on Tuesday, 3/28, at 9am or Wednesday, 3/29, at 7pm.
- A closing highlight of the seminar will be a group recitation of the Chaplet. Pamphlets with the Chaplet and Novena will be available. No registration needed, but be sure to bring your Rosary!
- For more information, connect with Bill Troller at (630) 585-1865 or trollerw@live.com.
Lenten Themed MAGNIFY 3/29
- There will be additional priests to hear Confessions at the Lenten-themed MAGNIFY! Please be sure to save 3/29th on your lenten spiritual calendar because, indeed, it is because of God's infinite love for us that we are encouraged to make use of the sacrament of Penance; it is in this sacrament that we release the past to God's mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.
- In addition to Confessions, there is Prayer Ministry, Adoration Praise and Worship, and Scriptural Reflection.
Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt on 4/1
- The Knights of Columbus are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for kids age 0-10 on Saturday, 4/1st at 10am with the Egg Hunt starting at 10:30am it will be held in the PLC. Please bring your Easter basket or a bag to hold all the eggs you find. Maybe even the Easter Bunny will stop in for some fun. Hope to see everyone there!
Sign Up for World Youth Day by 4/1
- Sign up below by 4/1st for the World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal, it will be an experience of a lifetime for youth 18 and older!
- 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.
The Lenten Resource Page has the Holy Week Schedule 4/2 thru 4/9 - Proceed to the Lenten Resource Page for the Holy Week Schedule.
- Are you hosting Easter this year? If so, don't forget to share the Easter Vigil (the most beautiful liturgy in our faith) and the Easter Mass times with your family and friends you will have over.
- We will also post the rest of the schedule at the next parish update.
Jeremiah Day at Mundelein Seminary 4/15 - For young men in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Grade is your answer "Yes" to any of the following questions? If so, then Jeremiah Day is for you!
- Do you often feel close to God?
- Do you try to do the right thing?
- Do you like helping other people?
- Are you a good leader?
- Do you like to learn new things?
- For further details and registration, proceed to this link!
Feast of Divine Mercy 4/16
- Save the date for the celebration of the Divine Mercy Feast Day on Sunday, 4/16 at 2pm! More details to follow.
Knights of Columbus Robert H. Weaver Scholarship Application Submit by 6/17- Calling all High School Seniors at Our Lady of Mercy, applications for the 2023 Robert H Weaver Knights of Columbus College Scholarship program are now being accepted. A total of $2,000 will be awarded to students graduating from High School in 2023 and attending a 2 or 4-year University program starting in the fall of 2023. Awards will be made in July. Good luck to all applicants.
- All applications must be submitted no later than Saturday, 6/17th @ 4pm.
- Proceed to this link for application details, and requirements. For any questions please reach out to Jeff LeRoy, Grand Knight jleroy53@hotmail.com.
Go on a Pilgrimage with Father James 6/5 thru 6/17
- Father James will be leading a Great Shrines of France Pilgrimage June 5-17, 2023 with Father James Join him as he leads pilgrims and explores France's beautiful Catholic Shrines on this cross-country Pilgrimage. From small villages in the South of France to Paris, one of the greatest cities in the world, France is sure to take your breath away. On this Pilgrimage, you will see magnificent Shrines and Churches and learn of the lives of; St. Bernadette, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Veronica and Zaccheus, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine Labourne. Don't miss this incredible tour highlighting the Best Shrines in France.
- Father James is looking forward to answering any questions you may have email him at frjames@olmercy.com or you can also check out details of the pilgrimage at this link.
Teen Mission Trip 7/19 thru 7/15
Health Updates on Father Don
- Please continue to keep Father Don in your prayers. To keep updated on how he is doing, please check the following CaringBridge website.
Bishop Hick’s Monthly Column
- Bishop Hicks' monthly column for February is titled "Feeding the hungry through our ministries." Read his insightful column HERE.
Scam Emails
- From time to time, there are phishing (SCAM) emails going out to members of the parish and staff claiming to be Father Michael.
Please note that Father Michael and Father James DO NOT send texts or emails asking for money or gift cards. If you receive a message appearing to be from Father Michael or Father James, please discard it, (any email that does not have "olmercy.com" is a fake email) and DO NOT SEND ANY ELECTRONIC MONETARY AID. No one on the staff will personally ask for money in whatever form (gift cards etc). If someone sends you a private message, asking for a donation of sorts, it's undoubtedly a fake account. Please keep praying for us, and God bless you!
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.
Our Lady of Mercy Garden of Hope, Love & Mercy- The Justice & Peace Ministry, which has constructed a Community Garden on Our Lady of Mercy parish grounds and provided fresh produce over the past few months has had a fruitful season and looks forward to expanding in 2023. Produce from the garden has been donated to local organizations such as the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry and Hesed House. Late-season plantings are still producing vegetables and herbs. The faithful volunteers have been pleased with the success of this very worthy cause. If you have a green thumb or wish to participate in the preparation and planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting in early spring and throughout the 2023 growing season, please contact Chris at 631-561-9722 or chrisharveyny@gmail.com or Ida at 630-605-6038 or idamphillips122@gmail.com.
Your Gift to the CMAA makes a difference
- If you have already pledged your support to the CMAA, thank you! If we all participate, we can meet our parish's CMAA goal of $141,900. The diocese will return 70 percent of any amount we raise over this goal to us. Each and every gift, large or small makes a difference.
- If you still need to make your gift, please prayerfully reflect on how you can best support the CMAA this year and ensure all in our diocese know that we belong toGod. There are many options for giving, from pledging to month recurring giftsl Pledge now at this link.
- Thank you to the many people who have demonstrated to those in need that we all belong to God through their gifts to the 2023 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA).
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 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 2022, we provided assistance to 72 households, helping 185 men, women and children to remain in their homes or apartments in time of financial need.
- 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
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 pray 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.
GROW YOUR FAITH
FREE ONLINE RESOURCES In this section, you will find free conferences, webinars, and studies that you can freely take part in that can grow your faith.
EUCHARIST: THE WORK OF OUR REDEMPTION 2/23 - 3/23
Hosted by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, this weekly free Lenten Webinar will be held live on Thursdays from 2/23rd through 3/23rd at 12pm. This 5-part Lenten series explore the Mass presented by the nation's most respected theologians and liturgists. They will offer not merely an exploration of the elements of the Mass but will reflect on its rich theology and identify implications for pastoral practice.
Details and registration are found here.
FORMED.ORG
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet-connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies... there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
- Visit http://signup.formed.org/
- Enter our parish zip or name
- Enter your name and email
EUCHARIST RESOURCES
Check out our
"Eucharist Resources" page to help us understand deeply the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives.
On the myParish App, scroll to the second page (swipe right from the home screen) and you will find the following helpful buttons "Eucharistic Revival" and "Eucharistic Miracles"
AMEN - CATHOLIC MEDITATION APP
From Augustine Institute comes this NEW AND FREE Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. There is also Family Content: Enjoy and share family-favorite audio from the series Brother Francis and the Jesus Stories. Please enjoy this latest offering from the Augustine Institute.
HALLOW - A CATHOLIC PRAYER & MEDITATION APP
Hallow is a Catholic prayer & meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and strengthen one's mental health in the process. Easy-to-use, audio-guided sessions anywhere from 1 to 60 minutes long. Pray your own way with a personalized prayer plan pulling from 3,000+ unique sessions including the Lectio Divina on the Daily Gospel, Rosary, Examen, Night Prayer, Calm & Humility “Praylists” and much more. Hallow Light is free. Hallow Plus is $5 per month ($60 per year).
Sign up for either one here.
WORD ON FIRE
Explore the goodness, truth, and beauty of the faith!
Did you know that you have complete access to Bishop Barron's Word on Fire ENGAGE video library!
Check out this link to watch any of the videos whenever you want without ever having to login.
Not sure where to start? How about checking out the
short 5 episode series on
The Eucharist This fresh look at the Eucharist brings to light its reality as sacred meal, the sacrifice necessary for communion with God, and the real presence of Christ.
BLESSED IS SHE
Blessed is She is a sisterhood of women who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through their Catholic faith. They create beautiful and accessible resources, products, and experiences to deepen prayer and foster community,
both online and in person.
THE CATHOLIC GENTLEMAN
Founded in 2013,
The Catholic Gentleman has become one of the most recognizable online men’s apostolate. Each week hundreds of thousands of men around the world visit our site for the insightful articles and the highest-quality products designed to encourage a life of authentic manhood. Their mission: To inspire men to holiness
HEROIC MEN
Looking for authentically Catholic content for men? Look no further than HeroicMen.com—the all-new, 100% FREE Catholic streaming platform for men.
Learn about your faith from today's best Catholic speakers—and do it all from the convenience of home. Stream-on-demand from your phone or tablet, too, for quality Catholic content on the go. Get it all—for FREE - at
HeroicMen.com
AQUINAS 101 FREE COURSES
Have you wanted to get to know St. Thomas Aquinas and his writings more so as to grow closer to Jesus?
Thomistic Institute seeks to promote understanding of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the eminent 13th-century philosopher, and theologian.
Aquinas is a masterful interpreter of reality. His writings assist us in answering perennial questions on topics like God, man, the natural world, law, and morality, and questions of special relevance to our time like the relationship between modern science and faith or pursuing happiness in the digital era.
PINTS WITH AQUINAS
PASTORAL CARE
If you have physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health concerns or questions about end-of-life issues, funeral planning, journeying through grief, caregiving for a loved one or are homebound, please contact Jolene LeRoy RN Parish Nurse and Director of Pastoral Care for support and resources at jolenel@olmercy.com or 331-707-5380.
RESTORE
Do you find yourself struggling in overcoming your battle with pornography? Restore is a weekly (anonymous) meeting where men lean on each other for support and accountability and share ideas about strengthening our resolve to stay on God’s path of chastity. All men are welcome, whether you have been free of pornography addiction for many years or struggle with it every single day.
If you are ready to start breaking free from the grips of pornography and want to
Restore your life, email us at
Restore.olm@gmail.com to find out more information on when and where we meet or call 331-684-7415. Check out the
website for FAQs and further details.
GRIEF SUPPORT MINISTRY
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, June 27 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.
MOMS WALKING WITH MOMS IN NEED
Pregnant and parenting moms in need are in our parishes and our neighborhoods. As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need. Please see this infographic to be informed on how we are walking with Moms in need. Connect with Lydia Schmitt for further questions at
lydias@olmercy.com