Dear Brothers in Christ,
 
This mid-March is unlike any other. It is a strange time. Its markers are disruption, inconvenience, isolation, discouragement, fear, anxiety, and sadness. The virus has upended all of our routines. And, while we sense that the virus has put us in a dangerous place, we also know that we have entered unknown territory, a foreign land. 
 
This is not the first time people of faith have experienced alienation and dislocation and we can learn from the past. In fact, the story of Israel gives us hope, for it is in their moment of exile, of entering into unknown territory, that God reveals the full breadth of His fidelity, His presence and action in the world.  In a word, the exile, while bringing great suffering, was even more so a moment of grace, for the People of God came to know the God who is close to them.  How can Israel’s experience of exile and alienation inspire us to see this crisis as a time of grace? How could God be moving in all of this?
 
Let me suggest some graces of this moment that you may want to share with your people. These are hidden blessings that we might easily overlook precisely because we are distracted and even absorbed by so much that is negative. Consider these graces:
 
The grace of knowing our fragility. You hear it said that young people take risks, sometimes really awful risks because they feel invulnerable. Well, it’s not just young people who feel invulnerable.  Even those of us who can count many years in our lives march into each day feeling in control and ready to master whatever we will face. Our sense of mastery over life is an illusion. We are fragile and vulnerable and not in control, even if we are not conscious of that. The grace of knowing our fragility in the time of the virus puts us in touch with a necessary trust and surrender into the hands of the God who made us, who has faithfully walked with us and who one day will call us home.
 
The grace of true freedom. With the virus, our movements are restricted and so are our options for doing things. The usual choices and freedom of movement are just not available.  If we define our freedom in terms of the choices available to us, then the virus has made us much less free than we would like. On the other hand, the restrictions we experience can open an opportunity for us to reflect on the true meaning of freedom. In our religious tradition, genuine freedom is not about the number of choices we have, but about the possibility of giving ourselves over to God and others in love. Jesus says of himself, “No one takes my life from me. I lay it down to pick it up again. For this the Father loves me.” (See John 10) That is true freedom.
 
The grace of time. The pace of life has slowed with the virus. Less commuting, less opportunity to work, more empty spaces—this amounts to a very altered rhythm of life. We have more time on our hands, but without entertainments and sports and social gatherings, we don’t have ways to fill it up. This unusual, even odd situation, may force us to reconfigure our sense of time. It has been observed that for most Americans, life is lived in a pendular rhythm of work and escape. We work hard and earn our escape time. Then we escape until we have to go back to work. But time is more than what is filled by work and escape. In our faith tradition, Sabbath time puts us in touch with another dimension of time. It is neither work nor escape but resting in God, an alert attentiveness to what is deep and sometimes mysterious in our lives. It is a gift to re-imagine time.
 
The grace of each other. Social distancing is, of course, the new normal for the time of the virus. Still, there are other ways, especially in our families, in which we have been pushed closer together. We are facing each other in our homes and across generations in new ways. That contact brings its own share of tension, no doubt. Still, it nudges us to rediscover each other and to value each other anew. It can teach us the value of “wasting time” with each other. Think, for example, of helping young people to realize the vulnerability of older members of their family and our need overall to protect and nurture each other. All this can awaken a new sense of urgency about “loving one another, as I have loved you,” in the words of Jesus.
 
The grace of wisdom. So much of our ordinary, “non-virus” life, is dominated by the pursuit of short-term results, such as financial, business and human-human transactions. The opposite of a short-term mindset is wisdom. Only wisdom cracks open the bigger picture of our faith tradition, in fact, the biggest picture imaginable. Wisdom gives us the capacity to look at all things in terms of God’s plan and destiny, of their ultimate goal. It is in moments of loss and upheaval that we are forced to take a fresh look at our lives and value the things that really matter. This time of the virus, upended as it is, pushes to take in the big picture. Then we can begin to name and embrace what really matters, what really counts.
 
There is so much that is sad and serious about the coronavirus and its impact on our lives and the lives of those we serve. All that is real enough. But, so too are the hidden graces that God has given His people in times of loss and exile into unfamiliar territory. All we need to do in response is open our eyes to the reality of God’s faithful presence in our life and remember He walks with us now as he walked in fidelity with people in former times. We surely do not want to suggest to people that all the pain and struggle we face in moments like these will magically evaporate. But, we can encourage them to trust in God’s promise, revealed in the suffering Christ, that He will share our suffering and in the end will bring us into a greater share in His life.
 
These are some of the thoughts that have come during my prayer that God guide me in ways that can be of help to you in your ministry. I hope they are of some encouragement.
 
Let us continue to pray for one another.
In Christ,
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich

• Download the Cardinal's Message here
  

Livestream and Church Hours Update:  In an effort to provide our parishioners with more access to our two Churches and livestreamed Masses, we wanted to share the following information with you. Please click the link below to view.

• Divine Mercy–Church Hours and LiveStream Masses March 16 2020 (PDF)
  

When you hear, read, or watch news about the coronavirus, you may feel anxious and show signs of stress—even when the outbreak affects people far from where you live and you are at low or no risk of getting sick. These signs of stress are normal, and may be more likely or pronounced in people with loved ones in parts of the world affected by the outbreak. In the wake of an infectious disease outbreak, monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress, and know when to get help.

Please review the attached PDF for helpful information in recognizing and dealing with stress during these challenging times.

• Coping with Stress During an Infectious Disease Outbreak for Adults (PDF)
  

Although our Tri-Parish Reconciliation Service has been cancelled, you can still receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Lenten season on Saturday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. at both Sacred Heart Church and St. Philip the Apostle Church.  

You can always call the Parish Office at 847-446-0856 to make an appointment with a priest.   

Please know that Coronavirus protocols will be honored by the Priest with whom you meet.  

As many of you may have heard, the Archdiocese of Chicago has cancelled all Holy Week Services, including Masses on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, throughout the Archdiocese.   

We know how disappointing this is for all of our parishioners.  We, too, are very disappointed. But, we are very aware of how important it is for all of us to shelter at home, so that our loved ones remain safe and healthy.   

We ask that you  take this opportunity to pray for each other, especially those impacted by the Coronavirus/COVID-19, the healthcare workers, the first responders and our government officials.  May God bless them and keep them safe.   

Finally, let’s remember to Be the Church! We are living in extraordinary times. As we continue to listen to the news from around the world, it’s easy to feel anxious and discouraged — but we believe Jesus is Lord and is among us during this time. This is a time for us to return to the roots of our Church; a Church of small communities and gatherings.

Please watch our homepage for Livestream Mass opportunities so that you can virtually participate in these important liturgies.  Thank you!

Due to the current situation, the annual Divine Mercy Mint Julep & Roses Women's Luncheon has been postponed for now. We will inform you when the luncheon has been rescheduled.

CAN YOU HELP WITH THE URGENT NEEDS OF OUR FRIENDS AT A JUST HARVEST ?

Our friends at the Just Harvest Community Kitchen have served meals to 150+ Rogers Park neighbors every night for 30+ years. (See their amazing work at www.ajustharvest.org.)  They have seen a steady increase in their number of clients in the last week due to the Coronavirus, and have reached out for our help with the CURRENT URGENT NEEDS items listed below.

For your information, they have changed  their protocol to pick-up meals. Meals will be packed and distributed. This way they avoid people congregating and will keep guests, volunteers and staff safe.  
They are in urgent need of the following items, which can be dropped-off at A Just Harvest, or Drop-Shipped to them at the following address:  

A Just Harvest
7649 N. Paulina
Chicago IL. 60626
Donation Drop off times:  10am-7pm
PLEASE CALL FIRST
773 262-1766 KITCHEN
773 262-2297 OFFICE

It is our understanding that most of the items are available on Amazon and can be sent directly to AJH to the attention of the Community Kitchen Manager:   

Mark L. Williams  
Community Kitchen Manager
7649 N. Paulina
Chicago IL. 60626
773 262-2297  office
312 771-1314  cell

CURRENT URGENT NEEDS:

• Clamshell Food containers 9x9x3 3 interior segments Disposable Cutlery
• 8oz. bottled water
• Juice boxes
• Powdered Milk
• Plastic bags (If these items are used please make sure not soiled)
• Dry Goods
• Can Goods
• Frozen Vegetables
• Donations and or Gift cards

Per Mark Williams at A Just Harvest, “Things are changing rapidly, so we truly thank you and your organization for your patience and commitment to helping AJH serve our community in this time of need.”

Should you have any questions, please contact Maureen Valvassori at mvalvassori@divinemercynorthshore.org.

Dear Family of Faith,

As coronavirus/COVID-19 continues to spread, we are taking the following steps to bolster preventive measures at Divine Mercy Parish in consultation with the Archdiocese of Chicago, and appropriate government agencies and health professionals, particularly the protocols set forth from the Centers for Disease Control.   

Masses at Sacred Heart Church and St. Philip the Apostle Church
Cardinal Cupich issued a statement this morning mandating the suspension, until further notice, of all liturgical services effective Saturday evening with the regularly scheduled weekend services.  He shared that this was not a decision made lightly, as the Eucharist is the sources and summit of our life as Catholics.  By exception, weddings and funerals scheduled for Saturday, March 14 may proceed observing the guidelines issued by the Governor of Illinois, limiting participation to no more than 250.

While Mass will be suspended, the Cardinal has requested that parishes designate times for private prayer in churches, and if able, offer their Masses online.  To that end, Divine Mercy Parish will offer the opportunity for private prayer on Sunday mornings beginning March 15th between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at both Sacred Heart Church and St. Philip the Apostle Church, after which the Churches will then be closed.  We are working on livestreaming our own private Mass and will let you know when that will be available via a link on our new website. You will be able to watch the Mass live at that time from any electronic device at your disposal, or view it at a time that is convenient for you and your family.   

We will launch our new website (www.divinemercynorthshore.org) within the next 24 hours.

Note:  If you are a liturgical minister and have received an email regarding upcoming assignments at Mass, please disregard those communications sent to you via Ministry Scheduler Pro.

Ministry and Event Gatherings
In addition, we have cancelled all large gatherings at the parish and strongly urge any smaller groups comprised of
“vulnerable” populations to cancel or postpone their gatherings as well.  These “vulnerable” populations are defined as:

• persons over the age of 60;
• persons of any age who are currently ill; and
• persons of any age who have an underlying health condition such as chronic lung disease, COPD, asthma, etc.

(Definitions determined by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)).

Sacred Heart School
The Archdiocese of Chicago has decided to close all Catholic Schools beginning Monday, March 16 until further notice.  This action also applies to all extra-curricular activities, social events and other school-related gatherings. The Archdiocese will make an announcement when it has determined a date to reopen.  

Sacred Heart students will be asked to complete academic work through electronic learning (“e-learning”) or alternative learning.  Families will receive further communication directly from the school.  Also during this closure period, the school facilities will be deep cleaned.  

Children’s Ministry
Given the Archdiocesan mandates, Divine Mercy Parish also has decided to cancel all scheduled Children’s Ministry sessions until further notice.  We will be in contact with the student families who are to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation once we receive further direction from the Office of the Bishop. 
 
Finally, I offer you this prayer of spiritual communion which you can pray in the coming days and weeks:

I encourage all of you to continue to pray for God’s grace throughout this time of uncertainty. Let us pray for the health and well being of our faith community and all our brothers and sisters affected by the epidemic.  We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you apprised of any and all updates.  Thank you for your understanding and patience as we move through this rapidly evolving situation.  Please know of my personal prayers for all of you.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Steven Lanza

Download this message here:

• Divine Mercy Coronavirus Protocols (PDF)
  

Divine Mercy invites you to participate in Alpha.  What is Alpha?  Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment.   Each session includes a meal, a short video and a discussion where you can share your thoughts in a small group.  There’s no pressure, no follow up and no charge!    Alpha is run around the world.  No two Alphas look the same, but generally have three key things in common:  good food, a video and good conversation. 

We believe that Alpha is a key component of what the future holds for us as we build our new reality as Divine Mercy parish.  It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know others in our faith community, whether they are from St. Philip the Apostle or Sacred Heart.  Please consider attending one of the Alpha sessions beginning in September. 

ALL ARE WELCOME!
Catholic or not…
Practicing or not…
Or simply curious…
#TryAlpha

Read the latest Renew My Church updates here.