OLM

March 30, 2021

Holy Week Schedule

Hello Everyone,

Everyone is working very hard at church getting ready for the great Easter Triduum! Here are the details:

1) Holy Thursday begins at 6:00 PM. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be bilingual. Fr. Ron will preside and all priests will concelebrate. The music will be a combined effort of OLM cantors and San Dámaso cantors. It will be live streamed. There will be no washing of the feet but there will be a small procession of the Blessed Sacrament after the Mass. There will also be a Holy Hour with live music after the Mass. The Altar of repose will be in the big church so as to allow for maximum social distancing. William and Antonio, the seminarians from Verbum Dei will be decorating the altar this year.

2) Good Friday will have Stations of the Cross in Spanish at 12:00. Also, the Passion of our Lord will begin at 6:00 PM. It will also be somewhat bilingual. Fr. Micheal, our Jesuit colleague will preach in English. Fr. Javier will be presiding. All priests will join him. This service will also be streamed.

3) The Easter Vigil will be 100% Spanish. It will not be live streamed. Fr. Ron will preside at this concelebrated Mass at 7:30 PM. Because of COVID19 restrictions there will be no shared candles and the service will be much shorter.

4) On Easter Sunday, we will celebrate at 11:00 AM 100% in English. The service will be streamed.

A note about COVID safety: The weather will be pleasant (according to predictions), so once again, we will be able to open wide windows and doors. There will be more than ample ventilation. Our disinfection team will rub down the pews with bleach between Masses. There are no police controls but you wish, you can use the same letter I sent out for permission to go to church.

It has been a touch year but all the bad will pass and all the good will last! Hang in there and pray for the end of this crisis!

God bless you and keep you safe,

Fr. Ron

Bush and Moses

George Bush was traveling through an airport just recently when he saw a man that looked just like Moses. He had longer, white hair, had a shepherd’s staff, he was wearing a cloak and holding onto two stone tablets. George goes up to him and says, “Pardon me, but are you Moses?” The man doesn’t even acknowledge him. He doesn’t look and him or say anything.

Again, George says, “Excuse me, you look just like Moses… are you?” The man still does not respond in any way.

By now, George is starting to get irritated. He’s not getting any answers! About this time a secret service agent approaches and asks if there is a problem. George tells him, “I’ve asked this guy if he is Moses two times and he hasn’t even responded to me!” The secret service agent looks at Moses and asks, “So, are you Moses? Why won’t you talk to us?”

Moses finally looks at the secret service guy and says, “The last time I talked to a bush I spent 40 years wandering in the desert.”

March 25, 2021

The end of March and the beginning of Holy Week

Are you ready for all this?

This Sunday is Palm Sunday! We begin Holy Week and are blessed with the most intense spiritual celebration of our liturgical year! Our hearts our joyful in spite of the pains and sufferings of this world.

Just to make sure it is painful, this weekend we also loose one hour of sleep as daylight savings time kicks in here in Spain. Make sure to advance your clocks one hour Saturday night before going to bed!

We will not be able to have a procession (thanks to Covid19) but will bless the palms (or olive branches) inside the church.

The church’s neighborhood has been “confined” as of this past Monday. Our Lady of Mercy is still as safe as ever, nothing has changed with our building. If you fear “a control”, (so far no San Dámaso resident has seen one) please add your name and Identity card number to the attached permission letter. Print it off or download it to your phone. It is good for Sunday travel to our church only.

The Saturday March 27 spiritual reflection day with Fr. Christopher has been postponed until Saturday April 17. Judy will keep us updated.

I think we all are more than fed up with the crisis. But God will get us through. We are not machines and need to use common sense.

For example, a business man told me how he was recently on a full international flight, and as they deplaned, the flight attendant insisted on 2 meters of social distancing. He asked: What about the 7 hours( !!) they were sitting right NEXT to the person they are now deplaning with?

I myself MARVEL when I have entered Mercadona or Carrefour. NO WINDOWS. No TRUE ventilation. Hundreds, and often thousands of people (and their germs) pass through each day, no super extra security cleaning measures (that I have seen) and I see people very peaceful and feeling secure. Some people even reach over me to get their product. Hmm. I am just saying Our Lady of Mercy is a much safer place than a supermarket, restaurant, and even most terraces. Thank you to our disinfection team!! You are superstars.

So, enough about COVID 19. How about we talk about cows instead? See below.

Be blessed,

Fr. Ron

Cow Puzzler

This is a cool puzzler. See if you can follow it – out loud is even better!

1. Say COW before each word:

> Cows
> About
> Talking
> You
> Got
> I
> Long
> How
> Look

2. Say COW after each word:

Cows <
About <
Talking <
You <
Got <
I <
Long <
How <
Look <

3. Say COW before and after each word:

> Cows <
> About <
> Talking <
> You <
> Got <
> I <
> Long <
> How <
> Look <

4. Start at the bottom and read the words upwards:

Cows
About
Talking
You
Got
I
Long
How
Look

March 17, 2021

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Hello again!

This Sunday is seminary Sunday. Jose Ignacio will be speaking at all the Masses, including ours in English! It is comforting to know that many newly ordained priests are also learning English! He studied at Kent State in Ohio. We look forward to his visit! The collection will be sent to support local vocations, so please be generous.

Friday, our seminarians William and Antonio will once again lead the Stations of the Cross at 8:00 PM. They prepare them with much care. If you would like to do something “extra” for Lent, this would be a great prayer to choose!

Friday is the feast day of St. Joseph, it is a holy day of obligation in Spain. I will be celebrating the Thursday anticipatory Mass at 7:30 and the Friday early morning Mass at 10:00 AM, BOTH in Spanish. We will not have a Mass in English because the last time we tried it only 40 people came and only 2 of them understood English! That was fun! There are many Masses at the churches next door to your home. There will be no streaming on Friday.

This Thursday at 6:30 PM, there will be exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The prayers are in Spanish, but you are welcome to come join us. We take care to do it very respectfully and prayerfully. Also another Lenten practice possibility.

Yes, I know Mass in attendance is going way up! (Both in English and in Spanish!) People are hungering for the Eucharist in their lives. Luckily, the weather is also improving, so we will just open the windows and doors and have enough ventilation to keep the environment safe. Every time I go to the supermarket, I think, wow! if they can allow this large number of people gather, why can’t they open up the churches a bit more? We also have a great disinfection team who clean all pews with bleach between Masses. So, please know the church is a safe space.

By the way, I thought you might like to see a group photo of the Confirmation candidates and their catechist Cristina. They spent a Saturday morning sorting clothes with Teresa from caritas. By the way,you may bring your donations of clothes or food any Sunday, especially these Sundays in Lent!

Sports Jokes (to tell your children)

What do you get if you cross a karate expert with a pig? A pork chop.

FOOTBALL PLAYER: Coach, my doctor says I can’t play football anymore.
COACH: You didn’t need to go to a doctor I could have told you that.

What should a runner eat before a race?
Ketchup

REPORTER: How long have you been running for?
TRACK STAR: Since I was eight years old.
REPORTER: Gee, you must be tired.

What do you get if you cross a karate expert with a tree?
Spruce Lee

GAME WARDEN: Didn’t you see the sign? “It says no fishing.”
BOY: I’m not fishing I’m teaching my worms how to swim.

FIRST BOY: Wow it’s a run-home.
SECOND BOY: You mean a home-run.
FIRST BOY: No I mean a run-home. You just hit a ball through the neighbor’s window.

By the way, if you want to unsubscribe from our mailing list, just send me an email to unsubscibe@ourladyofmercy.info and you will immediately be removed from the list.

March 12, 2021

This Sunday at your church

The weather is getting warmer and things are looking brighter! More people are returning to church and we pray that the worst is behind us.

This Sunday:

Fr. Ron preaches and presides

Collection of foodfor the struggling families of the parish (Always appreciated parboiled rice, oil, canned tuna, juices, milk, vegetables)

Streaming of the Mass: OLM Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfDlpUgYKjpyJ9ZQVrJYUcQ And if you want to brighten your day, you can watch previously recorded Masses. The music alone is worth it!

This Friday: Our seminarians William and Antonio will prayerfully lead us in the Stations of the Cross at 8:00 PM.

We have a date forConfirmation: Saturday April 10 at 18:00. The presiding celebrant will be Bishop Jesús Vidal.This Saturday, from 11:30 until 4:00 there will be a retreatfor the candidates, led by the wonderful and dedicated catechist Cristina. Please say a prayer for them.

We also ask you to keepparishioner Bruno in your prayersas he recovers from cancer.

If all goes well,Fr. Sebastian will return this weekendfrom India and that should take off some stress off of Fr. Ron

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March 27th Jesuit priest,Fr. Chris will be leading an in-person lenten retreat at OLM. More information coming soon.

Golf Funny

The Pope met with his cardinals to discuss a proposal from Benjamin Netanyahu, the former leader of Israel. “Your Holiness,” said one of the Cardinals, “Mr. Netanyahu wants to challenge you to a game of golf to show the friendship and ecumenical spirit shared by the Jewish and Catholic faiths.”

The Pope thought it was a good idea, but he had never held a golf club in his hand.

“Have we not,” he asked, “a cardinal who can represent me against the leader of Israel?”

“None that plays golf very well,” a cardinal said. “But there is a man named Jack Nicklaus, an American golfer who is a devout Catholic. We can offer to make him a cardinal, then ask him to play Benjamin Netanyahu as your personal representative. In addition to showing our spirit of cooperation, we’ll also win the match!” Everyone agreed it was a good idea. The call was made. Of course, Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play.

The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the Pope of the match. “I have some good news and some bad news, Your Holiness,” said the golfer.

“Tell me the good news first, Cardinal Nicklaus,” said the Pope.

“Well, Your Holiness, I don’t like to brag, but though I’ve played some pretty terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was the best I’ve ever played, by far. I must have been inspired from above. My drives were long and true, my irons were accurate and purposeful and my putting was perfect. With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous.”

“What’s the bad news?” the Pope asked.

Nicklaus sighed. “I lost to Rabbi Tiger Woods by three strokes.”

By the way,if you want to unsubscribe from our mailing list, just send me an email tounsubscibe@ourladyofmercy.infoand you will immediately be removed from the list.

…

March 3, 2021

Upcoming Sunday, Lenten news and Brexit help

Hello again, hope your week is going well. I wanted to thank those of you who made offerings of food last Sunday for the struggling families of our parish. We would be appreciative of your offerings all Sundays in Lent. It is a great way to do alms-giving.

Fr. Sebastian has gotten in touch with me and has some challenges in India (Some of his family members have the Coronavirus) and will be staying an additional 10 days. We keep him and his family in our prayers. Please be patient with Fr. Ron as he has been doing double duty during this busy period.

For our British parishioners, and if you know someone who has been affected by Brexit, I have attached an official guide that was sent to me from he British Consulate in Madrid. I hope it helps, and sorry if it doesn’t apply to you.

Fr. Ron will preach and preside this Sunday. Thanks again to Alex for upgrading our Internet, we should have higher quality streaming! Gracias Alex!

Just to remind you, we have Stations of the cross every Friday at 8:00 PM in English led by our seminarian William.

Also, here is the information about our Lenten online prayer group:

The OLM Prayer Group is a monthly online event, on the last Tuesday of each month, from 8-9 pm. Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, we would hope to eventually move the group to the Church, but for the time being we will stick to online. The first one will take place on Tuesday 9th March. If you would like to join and/or have some questions please get in touch with Judy MacInnes at this email address: olm.public.events at gmail dot com

And if you are still here: An oldie but a goodie:

The Preacher

A preacher was riding his bicycle down the street when he noticed a little boy standing in a yard next to the curb with a lawn mower. He asked the little fellow what he was doing, to which the little fellow replied, “I want to sell this mower so I can buy a bicycle.”

The preacher said, “Well son I need a lawn mower and I have this bicycle. Maybe we can work out a trade. Why don’t you ride my bicycle around the block and see what you think about it?”

The little boy went around the block and when he returned the preacher was sitting on the curb red faced and out of breath. The preacher said, “I have pulled on this rope since you left and I can’t get this thing to start.”

The little boy softly said, “You have to cuss.”

The preacher replied, “I haven’t cussed in so long I have forgotten how.”

The little boy replied, “if you pull on that rope long enough you will remember.”

February 25, 2021

upcoming events

Finally, the numbers of COVID cases are going down! Let’s pray the trend continues. We continue to be stringent with our disinfection process at OLM and we thank the great team of people who wipe down the pews after every Mass. The weather is getting better, so ventilation is easy and plentiful!

This Sunday, Fr. Michael, our Jesuit friend will preside and preach. Fr. Ron will be around but has a busy weekend (Spanish Masses, 2 baptisms, a funeral……). Sounds like a movie title almost! 🙂

The Mass will be offered for departed parishioner Alexandra Lovrics on the anniversary of her passing into new life. If you have been in the parish more than 8 years, you would certainly remember this tiny girl in a wheel chair who had the biggest smile! May she be running joyfully through the fields of heaven!

Also, we thank God for Judy’s successful surgery, she is home on the mend.

Friday we have Stations of the Cross in Spanish at 6:30 PM and in English, (led by our seminarian William) at 8:00 PM.

On Sunday we will also have a prayer petition for persecuted Christians. One of our new parishioners is from Pakistan and asked us to pray for his country. Did you know that on the average, about 8 Christians are killed every day only for practicing their faith? There is persecution in North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, Iran and India and other countries.

Compare that statistic with the fact that less than 15% of baptized Spaniards choose to practice their faith.

We don’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone.

Lost Turnabout

Driving to a new restaurant, a woman took several wrong turns. When she finally found the right road, she asked her husband, “Why didn’t you tell me I was lost?”
“I thought you knew where you were going,” he replied. “You always know where you’re going when I’m driving.”

By the way, if you want to unsubscribe from our mailing list, just send me an email to unsubscibe@ourladyofmercy.info and you will immediately be removed from the list.

February 17, 2021

LENT BEGINS TODAY

Today is Ash Wednesday and we begin the season of Lent today.

Today we should refrain from meat and reduce our food intake to a combined maximum of only 2 full meals.

There are 2 Masses for Ash Wednesday. 12:00 – Fr. Ron presiding alone – all in Spanish – ashed distributed after the homily.

7:30 PM _ Mass with Fr. Javier and Fr. Ron – pretty much all in Spanish but Fr. Ron will also preach in English and we will project the readings in English on the big screen. OLM choir members will also help with the music ministry. We had some problems with the Internet, so I am unsure of the streaming status. Last Sunday we had to upload the Mass after it was over, and this may be the case for today too.

Remember, Fr. Sebastian is away for 5 weeks enjoying his delayed holiday with his family in India. We pray that he is doing well. I am picking up his duties, so I am stretched a bit thin. By the way, I have a great office assistant, her name is Esmeralda. Please direct your office requests to her (Baptismal certificates, problems with streaming, phone numbers, questions about donating clothes, etc). Her email is: esmeralda@ourladyofmercy.info and her phone is 91-733-94-09

She is bilingual. Thanks!

Also,we have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:30 PM. Benediction is about 7:20 PM:

William, our seminarian will lead the Stations of the Cross on Friday at 8:00 PM in the big church (I do it in Spanish on all Fridays at 6:30 PM).

We will follow the Vatican’s COVID safety guidelines and sprinkle the ashes instead of making a sign of the Cross on your forehead. Just to be sure, we will use gloves.

I pray we find new strength during this season of grace.

Be blessed in abundance,

Fr. Ron

Incapacitated

I was recovering from surgery when a charity representative phoned asking me to take part in a door-to-door fund-raising effort. “Sorry,” I replied, “but I’ve been incapacitated.”

Undaunted, the caller kept trying to convince me to change my mind and volunteer.

I interrupted and said, “I’m incapacitated. Do you know what that means?”

She hesitated. “It means your head was cut off?”

February 11, 2021

This Sunday is also Valentines Day

This Sunday is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time. We want to add some joy to these difficult days. How?

1) We will have a baptism at Mass.

2) We will celebrate that Jesus Christ defeated death and rose from the dead!

3) We have a great cantors, and our disinfection team to keep us safe, and Fr. Ron will preside and preach!

The Mass should be live streamed, see: www.ourladyofmercy.info for the link (you can even see the Masses you missed!)

If you want to bring a donation of food for the struggling families, it would be very welcome. Just bring it up at offertory time.

Today is also the World Day of the Sick.

The World Day of the Sick is an awareness day, or observance, in the Catholic Church intended for “prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ”.

I offered anointing of the sick to those attending the 12:00 Mass today and will also so it after the 7:30 PM Mass tonight, if you are interested.

Another great new initiative is a NEW PRAYER GROUP, created by Parish Council member Judy. Here are the details:

“Now more than ever we all are feeling a great need to pray and ask God for his help. So it seems a good time to start up the OLM Prayer Group! This will be a monthly online event, on the last Tuesday of each month, from 8-9 pm. Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, we would hope to eventually move the group to the Church, but for the time being we will stick to online.

The first one will take place on Tuesday 23rd February. If you would like to join and/or have some questions please get in touch with Judy MacInnes at this email address: olm.public.events@gmail.com. She will provide you with the link to the event and any information you might require. If you cannot make the monthly prayers, we would be happy to receive prayer requests to be read out – anonymously if specified.”

Be safe and blessed,

Fr. Ron

Playing Doctor

The seven-year old told her mom that a little boy in her class asked her to play doctor.

“Oh, dear,” the mother nervously sighed. “What happened, honey?”

“Nothing, he just made me wait 45 minutes in the waiting room, so I left”