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.

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