Issue 1.2 - APRIL 28, 2025
Thank you for your enthusiastic response to the Mercy Challenge! We're seeing acts of mercy being logged across the diocese. We've reached over 194,000 acts of mercy so far. Wow, what a blessing! Keep up the great work!
PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis:
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS
O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter
and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
(From USCCB Liturgical Notes and Musical Resources for Use Upon the Death of Pope Francis, Collect, Option A)
Novena Following Pope Francis’ Death
The nine days of mourning, or Novendiales, start on Saturday in Memory of Pope Francis. Below are resources in English and Spanish, which can also be found on the USCCB's webpage https://www.usccb.org/novena-memory-pope-francis
Divine Mercy
Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet is a powerful way to intercede for the souls of those who have passed, seeking God's mercy and eternal rest. It is a devotion that emphasizes the importance of trust in God's mercy https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet.
Other Opportunities for Prayer
- Liturgy of the Hours
- Eucharistic Adoration
- other devotional prayers
- lectures on the teaching and legacy of the Pope
- activities for the relief of the poor offered for the intention of his soul
Visit our webpage for Pope Francis resources like local Masses, links to live coverage, and links to news from the Vatican.
UPDATES
- We've added new, fun printables for you to print or share with your community:
- Mercy Passport
- Mercy Bingo cards
- Additional Spanish materials have been added
- New social media graphics
Contact us at communicate@dosp.org if you need a specific graphic or size, we may be able to accommodate your request.
MERCY TIP OF THE WEEK
Start small. Remember that acts of mercy don't need to be extraordinary. Simple actions like calling a lonely relative or helping a neighbor with groceries count. No act is too small. And remember to log your acts toward our goal of one million.
REMINDERS
- Place a link to the Challenge form on your homepage www.Mercy2025.org Also, print the Challenge forms and have them available for participants to track completed works
- Share the challenge video from Bishop Parkes with your community
- Bookmark the archive page to refer back to, we will share updates, resources, and helpful tips https://www.dosp.org/courageouslyliving/calltoconversion-resources/news-and-updates/
BOOST PARTICIPATION
Start Small & Build Momentum
Looking for ways to engage your parish or school in the Mercy Challenge? Here are some simple starting points:
- Create Mercy Stations in your gathering spaces with information about both Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
- Distribute flyers and Mercy Passports after weekend Masses or in school newsletters
- Form a Mercy Challenge Committee with representatives from different ministries or classrooms
- Add a "Mercy Minute" to your existing meetings where someone shares a simple act of mercy they performed or take a moment to pray
- Set up a registration table after Masses to help parishioners sign up for the challenge or for mercy events
- Introduce classroom competitions for schools with weekly tracking and small rewards
- Create a visual display in a prominent location showing your progress toward your mercy goal
Remember, the journey of 1,000,000 acts begins with a single act of kindness!
Unsure about how to participate in the challenge? Need help getting started? Contact, Samantha Frey, planning and research project manager, sfrey@dosp.org.
Have You Scheduled a Mercy Event?
Yes!
- View Details
Planning on it, but don't have a date yet.
- View Details
What's a Mercy Event?
- View Details
ENGAGING DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
Engaging all age groups is key to reaching our 1,000,000 acts goal. Here are targeted ideas:
For Children:
- Create "Mercy Bingo" cards with age-appropriate acts they can complete (see sample cards added to the resources page)
- Organize classroom "Kindness Chains" where each link represents an act of mercy
- Host a coloring contest featuring the Works of Mercy
For Teens:
- Challenge youth groups to complete "Mercy Missions" around the community
- Create social media challenges and use our hashtags #MillionActsofMercy #CourageouslyLiving
- Organize service projects that count as multiple acts of mercy
For Adults:
- Form small "Mercy Teams" through existing ministries
- Create ministry-specific mercy suggestions (e.g., lectors could pray for those who hear the readings)
- Designate a "Mercy Mentor" to help others find meaningful ways to participate
For Seniors:
- Highlight spiritual works of mercy that can be done from home
- Create prayer teams focused on specific community needs
- Organize phone/letter writing campaigns to the homebound or imprisoned
Remember to provide clear instructions for recording these acts at www.Mercy2025.org or provide printed paper forms (available on the resources page).
RESOURCES
The following challenge forms can be printed and included in parish bulletins or student folders. They can be kept at a welcome table before and after Mass, or in a central location like a school or parish office. Remember to also provide a box or basket for collection of completed forms.
Need help entering bulk submissions? Contact sfrey@dosp.org to discuss how to enter large quantities of submissions.
OTHER PASTORAL PLAN NEWS & UPDATES
A Call to Conversion 2025 - 2029
www.CallToConversion.org
PASTORAL PLAN GOAL #8.2.1
“Promote and encourage the John XXIII Residence to the faithful.”
We have created an updated brochure for the residence. It is full of beautiful photos and highlights the facilities as well as the senior care services at the residence.
