Please mark your calendars and spread the word that Our Lady of Mercy will be hosting two Dominican preachers for a special retreat experience just before Holy Week.

Sr. Patricia Bruno, O.P., and Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P., will be leading us through a beautiful experience of prayer, faith-sharing, ritual and fellowship as we prepare for the High Holy Days of our liturgical year.

The retreat will begin with the team preaching at all the Masses the weekend of April 5-6, encouraging young and old alike to participate in the retreat.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Fr. Jude will preside at the 9:00 a.m. Retreat Mass each day, after which all present will be invited downstairs to the Church Hall for Scripture discussion, refreshments, and faith-sharing.

Each evening of the retreat, Sr. Patricia and Fr. Jude will also lead us in a special Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. in our church, with each night focussing on a different theme: bread, oil, water, light, etc. Members of O.L.M. parish will be part of the rituals: some will be asked to prepare testimonials about their faith experience, others will have liturgical roles (song, Scripture, incense, cross, etc.), and the Word of God will be a central part of each ceremony.

Everyone is welcome to attend this prayerful Retreat Week at OLM, so please do share the news with your neighbors!

There is, of course, no fee for the retreat, but those wishing to make a donation may do so by using the special collection box that will be placed in the church.