As you know, our family grew at the Easter Vigil when Medina and Daniel were baptized. They have a few things that they wanted to share with you:
Dear to my OLR Family,
I want to thank you a lot for welcoming Daniel and I and I am so happy to be here. I feel that even though I had encountered Jesus many years ago, I didn't know who he was and now I know who He really is in my life. God showed me the way and I finally found my family -- you!
I am so happy to have you guys. I feel happy and safe and great trust. Jesus is everything to me.
When I pray after I receive Jesus in holy communion, it feels natural. I know I am with Him and He is with me. I feel warm waves and my heart is full, like a heart from God. It is hard to explain -- but it's like when my son was born. I know God feels about me -- and everyone -- the way I feel about my son. We belong to each other.
I'm excited to tell others about Jesus -- and I have already started!
I love you guys. You are my home. Pray for me!
-Medina (and Daniel)
I want to thank you a lot for welcoming Daniel and I and I am so happy to be here. I feel that even though I had encountered Jesus many years ago, I didn't know who he was and now I know who He really is in my life. God showed me the way and I finally found my family -- you!
I am so happy to have you guys. I feel happy and safe and great trust. Jesus is everything to me.
When I pray after I receive Jesus in holy communion, it feels natural. I know I am with Him and He is with me. I feel warm waves and my heart is full, like a heart from God. It is hard to explain -- but it's like when my son was born. I know God feels about me -- and everyone -- the way I feel about my son. We belong to each other.
I'm excited to tell others about Jesus -- and I have already started!
I love you guys. You are my home. Pray for me!
-Medina (and Daniel)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has invited us to dedicate today, March 13th, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, as a Day of Fasting & Prayer for all the issues surrounding the news of the potential overturning of Roe vs Wade. Please consider joining other Catholics in our nation for the protection of the unborn and expectant mothers (and fathers). As a people of God, we cherish the lives of all those impacted by the tragedy of abortion. More information can be found by clicking here.
Specific intentions include:
- For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death.
- For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme Court’s final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson.
- For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion.
- For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and cared for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a healthy and flourishing society.
- For Our Blessed Mother’s intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life.
From Colleen O'Dowd, one of our Parish Missionaries:
The new signups to cook a meal for our clergy's Saturday Night Dinner together are open! Please consider cooking a meal for 4 and dropping it off at the Ministry Center during the week before 4pm Saturday. Contact Colleen with any questions at colleen@olransom.org or 847-823-2550. There is 1 shellfish allergy. Everything else is awesome and welcome! We'll send a reminder the week you are cooking. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Simply click here to sign-up.
Remember, now is the time to switch your giving from Give Central to PushPay. PushPay is more secure, easier to use, and costs the parish less in fees. It only takes 5 minutes to switch.
If you are currently giving through Give Central, I'd ask you to take the following steps by May 20:
We can assist you with part of this process. For help or questions, please contact our Operations Director, Deacon Franco, at (847) 823-2550 or deaconfranco@olransom.org.
From one of our Parish Missionaries, Kevin O'Connell:
A big word of thanks to all those who have been generously supporting our parish becoming a community of fruitful disciples proclaiming freedom in Christ by preparing the meals for our ALPHA experience. This includes: Greeter Ministry, Men's Ministry, Alpha Alum and Filipino Catholic Community. We have also had wonderful kitchen help from Susie Oshana, Jean Cawley, and Mary Miller. Thanks to all!
I am pleased to say that Fr. John is starting our altar server program. At the beginning, we are looking for young people in 4th-7th grades to serve our community in this important way. If your child is interested, please pick up an application at the Welcome Desk before or after Mass.
A couple of months ago, I told you that we have a significant problem involving a lack of parishioner involvement in our ministries. That situation hasn't changed. We are in considerable need of individuals to assist as: Wedding coordinators, ministers of care, bereavement ministers, Eucharistic ministers, greeters, and much more.
One of the ways that we discern what the Lord is asking us to set aside is if we do not have the resources needed to maintain a ministry. The two most important resources are people and finances. To prevent us from having to make drastic changes to what we can do for our community, the staff has done their best to step in and cover areas that are normally served by parishioners. But that is not sustainable and we are quickly reaching a point where difficult decisions will need to be made.
If you are interested in learning more about or assisting in one of the above areas - or somewhere else - please reach out to me directly at frmatt@olransom.org.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the gifts that you give, those we recognize and those we fail to recognize. We are especially grateful for ...
- the work of our new Financial Stewardship Council and their dedication to care for the financial resources of our community;
- the Divine Renovation Network and their work with us as one of their Partner Parishes in the United States;
- all those who have helped provide meals for our ALPHA experience;
- all those who have provided meals for our clergy;
Jesus, for those graces spoken and unspoken, we give you thanks; and we ask that you multiply their fruits in our lives and the lives of those around us.
- Amen
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING COUPLES WHO ARE GETTING MARRIED?
The Our Lady of Ransom wedding ministry is an excellent opportunity to assist couples on their big day. You will work closely with the priest and the couple during the rehearsal and wedding ceremony, making sure that all the "behind-the-scenes" details are attended to. We don't have a high volume of weddings, so you would only need to serve a couple of times per year. Interested in helping or learning more? Please contact Fr. John at frjohn@olransom.org or by calling (847) 823-2550.