May - June 2011 - Our Lady of Mercy

Our Lady of Mercy Parish
May/Jun 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
2/3
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
17
Ministries Calendar
Exam Time
Des Hommes et des Dieux
The Most Misunderstood of All Deaths
CCD and news
The English-speaking
Catholic Church of the
Madrid Province
Parish Priest Fr. Ron Ochylski
office • 91-350-3449
home • 91-718-5571
Calle Drácena, 23
28016 Madrid • Spain
www.ourladyofmercy.info
olm@ourladyofmercy.info
News & Reviews
Patten attacks 'intolerant' secularists
Putting on the Apron
Jokes & Humor
Directions:
Bus *52*, 150, 14, 16 or 29.
Metro line #9
stop at Pío XII exit: centro comercial
Sunday Liturgy: 11:00 AM
Office hours
Tuesday from 16:00 to 20:00
Thursday from 9:30 to 14:30
Confessions:
Sundays 13:00 after Mass
or by appointment
CCD Classes:
Sundays 12.10 - 13:00
Choir practice:
Sundays 10:15 inside the parish building.
On Easter Sunday, the Day of the Risen Lord, Our Lady of Mercy increased by
three new members in a joyous ceremony. Jessica, an American and baptized
Lutheran, was received into the Church.
Audrey, an adult Nigerian, was baptized, as was Delila a beautiful infant
Nigerian girl, the daughter of Fred and Vidal, who were baptized at OLM last
year.
Subsequently the two adults, Jessica and Audrey, were confirmed, and later
they received the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. (three first Sacraments the
same day!) Mike Schneider – RCIA catechist
Bible Study:
2nd and 4th Sunday of every month
after Mass.
Rosary:
Sunday 10.30 in the small chapel
Charismatic Prayer Group:
Saturdays 18:00-20:00
Weekday Mass:
Thursdays at 13:00
2
Ministries Calendar
May 2011
Extraordinary
Ministers of
Holy Communion
Mike Schneider
91-639-1564
Altar Servers
Louise Aulbach
91-402-9465
Readers
Louise Aulbach
91-402-9465
Fellowship
Michele Martorell
91-759-5402
Meredith Slevin
91-775-69-62
1
2nd Sunday of Easter
8
3rd Sunday of Easter
15
4th Sunday of Easter
22
5th Sunday of Easter
29
6th Sunday of Easter
Robert Freeman
Nancy Deutman
Michele Martorell
Wally Casey
Sarah/Mike Fellona
Judy Macinnes
Louise Aulbach
Michele Martorell
Judy Macinnes
Blanca de Castro
Sarah/Mike
Fellona Marcel
Adolphus John
Buckley
Michael Schneider
Nancy Deutman
Julie Hoare
Sarah/Mike Fellona
Wally Casey
Judy Macinnes
Louise Aulbach
Michele Martorell
Judy Macinnes
Blanca de Castro
Sarah/Mike
Fellona Marcel
Adolphus John
Buckley
Nancy Deutman
Marcel Adolphus
Wally Casey
David Franklin
John Buckley
Robert Freeman
Michael Schneider
Frankie
Sebastian
Francisco
Eugenio
Oby
Ainhoa
Amaya
Peter
Oscar
Dennis
Lizzie
Michaela
Julio
Karina Merino
Samuel Abel
Evarest Iheke
John Buckley
Michele Martorell
Charlie Wilson
Pastries
Mahon Family
Pastries
Wilson Family
Pastries
Guillen-Merino
Family
Coffee
Ross Family
Coffee
Melissa de Miguel
Jorge
Alba
Gus
Constanza
Eduardo
Patti Carbo
Monica Pinel
William Perales
Ben Vergara
Oscar
Dennis
Isabella Aston
Elizabeth Aston
Pastries
Prado Diez Family
Pastries
Bermúdez Bennett
Family
Coffee
Felicity Renshaw
Coffee
Alicia Espejo
Coffee
Fuen Zaballa
Ushers
Brian Douglas
669 440 156
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
Greeters
Deanna Mason
91-351-2334
Chike Ezike
Deanna Mason
Barbara LaHuerta
Alberto Santandreu
Julie Hoare
º
Schedule
May 1
No CCD
Congratulate newly baptized
with Cava in patio after Mass
May 7
First Confessions at 16:30
May 8
Children’s Mass
Name Tag Sunday
Marion Homage
Bible Study
Food collection
May 20
ISM Confirmation mass with
Bishop Camino
May 13
ISM First Confessions
May 29
Blessing of FHC children
May 22
Bible Study with Fr. Jim
(last one until October)
May 19
ISM Confirmation Practice
The Holy Father's General Intention of the Apostleship of Prayer for the month is:
“That those who work in the media may always respect truth,
solidarity and the dignity of each person.”
The Holy Father's Missionary Intention for the month is:
“That the Lord may grant the Church in China the capacity to
persevere in fidelity to the Gospel and to grow in unity.”
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
3
Ministries Calendar
Ju n e 2 0 1 1
5
The Ascension
of the Lord
12
Pentecost Sunday
19
The Most
Holy Trinity
26
The Most Holy Body
and Blood of Christ
3 July
14th Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Robert Freeman
Nancy Deutman
Michele Martorell
Wally Casey
Sarah/Mike Fellona
Judy Macinnes
Louise Aulbach
Michele Martorell
Judy Macinnes
Blanca de Castro
Nancy Deutman
Michael Schneider
Marcel Adolphus
John Buckley
Nancy Deutman
Louise Aulbach
Marcel Adolphus
David Franklin
Wally Casey
Robert Freeman
Michael Schneider
Robert Freeman
Nancy Deutman
Michele Martorell
María José García
Wally Casey
Sarah/Mike Fellona
Louise Aulbach
Michele Martorell
Judy Macinnes
Blanca de Castro
Wally Casey
Michael Schneider
Marcel Adolphus
John Buckley
Eugenio
Olimpia
Constanza
Oscar
Julio
Frankie
Lizzie
Michaela
Jorge
Diego
José
Dennis
Gus
Sebastian
Oscar
Ainhoa
Amaya
Lizzie
Michaela
Sarah Beseler
Isabella Aston
Janet Walls
Felicity Renshaw
Felicity Renshaw
Elizabeth Aston
María José García
Louise Aulbach
Pastries
Bejerano Family
Pastries
FHC Families
Pastries
Ross Cortez Family
Pastries
Meacham Family
Pastries
Volunteer needed
Coffee
Asón Family
Coffee
FHC Families
Coffee
Michele Weldon
Coffee
Cristina Tilve
Coffee
Volunteer needed
Ushers
Brian Douglas
669 440 156
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
Greeters
Deanna Mason
91-351-2334
Chike Ezike
Deanna Mason
Michelle Martorell
Alberto Santandreu
Barbara LaHuerta
Extraordinary
Ministers of
Holy Communion
Mike Schneider
91-639-1564
Altar Servers
Louise Aulbach
91-402-9465
Readers
Louise Aulbach
91-402-9465
Fellowship
Michele Martorell
91-759-5402
Meredith Slevin
91-775-69-62
José
Oby
Eduardo
Peter
Alba
Susanna
Swistunowicz
Brian Douglas
º
Schedule
June 4
FHC rehearsal at 16:30 in main
chapel
June 5
First Holy Communion at 10:45
June 11
ISM First Holy Communion
June 12
FHC children process into Mass
with Fr. Ron
FHC reception in patio after
Mass
June 19
CCD graduation
CCD Teacher’s Lunch
The Holy Father's General Intention of the Apostleship of Prayer for the month is:
“That priests, united to the Heart of Christ, may always be true
witnesses of the caring and merciful love of God.”
The Holy Father's Missionary Intention for the month is:
“That the Holy Spirit may bring forth from our communities numerous missionary
vocations, willing to fully consecrate themselves to spreading the Kingdom of
God.”
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
4
Exam Tim e
Fr. Ronald Ochylski | olm@ourladyofmercy.info
Dear Parishioners,
As we approach the end of the school year,
we pray for the many students who are
preparing for their exams. No one really
enjoys taking exams except for those who
know they will get a good grade.
Did you ever wonder how well you know your parish?
Would you dare take a little exam to see if you are a
truly informed parishioner? Well, here it is. I will make
it true or false to make it easier. I hope you do well, I
really do. Good luck and God bless you, Fr. Ron ▪
1. Our Lady of Mercy has been at our current location
for 10 years now. ___
2. Our Lady of Mercy has parishioners from over 25
different countries. ___
3. Before Fr. Ron there was only one other pastor at
OLM. ___
4. OLM is one of the biggest European Englishspeaking parishes. ___
5. More than 20 people make use of the Bible Study
that OLM offers. ___
6. There are over 130 children registered in our
Religious Education program. ___
7. OLM got its name from the school where we used to
meet. ___
8. OLM has been a personal parish since 1975. ___
9. OLM has more than enough volunteers right now.
___
10.The fastest growing number of parishioners are
from the USA. ___
11. OLM’s past charity event was called St. Patrick’s
Charity Ball. ___
12. Every parishioner is supposed to take a turn at
serving pastries. ___
13. The OLM web site has much of the information
needed to pass this exam. ___
14. OLM is a rich parish and more than 50% of
parishioners use envelopes/bank transfers. ___
15. OLM has a Mass during the week. ___
16. There are other Catholic Masses in English in
Madrid. ___
17. There is a special breakfast deal just for OLM
parishioners at the restaurant across the street
called Kocina2. ___
18. OLM has a food collection every third Sunday of the
month. ___
19. OLM has an outstanding choir. ___
20. OLM is special because many parishioners are
extremely generous and committed. ___
Answers are on page 11
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
Volunteer URGEN TLY N eed ed!
Every once in a while a parishioner asks
me if they could use the "vast" resources
of OLM to help a charitable cause.
At those moments, I feel that I have failed
as your parish priest because we, as a
parish family, are directly in charge of a very important
charity, namely, the Immigrant Fund of OLM.
This charity is being neglected. How can we help those
far away when the person we are sitting next to may be
in great need? We have eyes but do not see.
Don't get me wrong. Our parish has been incredibly
generous in donating food during Lent. We also have a
great response when we have a second collection.
Barbara Lahuerta is wonderful is setting up and
organizing our book sales. ISM has also been of great
assistance, especially by donating their First Holy
Communion collection to the Immigrant fund.
However, a bus pass is very expensive and sometimes
families are almost tossed out on the street. The monies
go quickly. The vast majority of the "needy" are
parishioners we know, many of whom had employment
before the crisis and supported the parish. They are no
longer able to do so. Every once in a while, a
parishioner makes a contribution to the Immigrant
Fund, but those monies are spent the same month they
are deposited into the account. Lately, we have been
relying on outside foundations to cover our most
pressing needs. Our parish, in and of itself, is no longer
the main entity that helps our own brothers and sisters
in need.
David Franklin has been the main person in making
sure the funds are distributed fairly and that everyone
is helped. He also weeds out the occasional insincere
request. However, OLM needs a new volunteer to step
up, This person will be the one to make sure our
Immigrant Fund is, well, funded. They could ask for
volunteers to hold bake sales, marathons, clothes
drives, whatever. They would be the person to make the
announcement informing the parish when we need to
take up a second collection. They could have their own
ideas, always keeping in mind, we don't have our own
church building, so we need to clear special activities
with the Spanish church.
A while back, I begged for someone to coordinate a
"bolsa de trabajo" and the response was quite frankly,
dismal. A great deal of people tick off on their new
parishioner registration "charity work" but 90 % of
those have not come forward (at least to me or to the
parish council). Something that we should all reflect
upon.
The bible says an act of charity covers a multitude of
sins (see 1 Peter 4). Maybe God is calling you? I am
sure God is calling at least 10 people of OLM to step up.
Do you have the generosity to respond? I cannot do this
alone any longer. Please don't do it to help me but
instead your brothers and sisters in need. We shall
share heaven together. Let me know if you really want
to help. Don't tell me what you can't do but what you
can do, OK? ▪
5
D es Homm es et d es D ieux
By Michael Schneider
When we think of France, of
things French, what often comes
to mind?
Paris, the Louvre
Museum, haute couture, the jetset,
Nicolas/Carla,
well
recognized brand names of
fashion and cosmetics, Rolland
Garros tennis, fine wines and champagnes, and French
cuisine. All true and correct.
Every mainstream current is at least partially offset by
powerful latent countertrends. This is nature, this
coincides with Newton´s three basic laws of physics.
The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, also
called Trappists, characterized by the simple life of
poverty, living in harmony with God and nature, ora et
labora, prayer and work, had its origins in France in the
12th Century. It is also a totally French phenomenon,
intrinsically French to the marrow. And it coexists in
complete contrast to everything mentioned as typical
French in the first paragraph.
The idea of their founder Bernard of Clairvaux was to
get back to basics: the Benedictines had become too
soft and flabby- we have to be stricter, more serious.
So they modified and tightened the Rule.
The
Cistercian monastic movement spread like wildfire.
Within 25 years more than 300 Cistercian monasteries
were founded in Christian Europe. This French
phenomenon was also transferred to French Algeria
seventy years ago with the founding of Our Lady of the
Atlas Monastery in Tibhirine, in the foothills of the
Atlas mountains.
The movie ―Of Gods and Men‖, directed by Xavier
Beauvois, was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2010
Cannes Film Festival. It´s protagonist was earlier a
darkhorse Oscar candidate for the role of leading actor,
but was crowded out by others of more recent films.
The title comes from Psalm 82: 6-7, ―I have said, you
are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.
But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the
princes‖. And, in a nutshell, that´s pretty much how it
went.
The action takes place during the times of troubles of
Algeria in the 1990s, when different Islamic radical
groups vied for control of the rural areas, terrorizing
the local populace.
Despite their cultural and religious differences, the
monks lived in solidarity and total harmony with their
Muslim neighbors. As is customary of the Cistercian
tradition, they lived by the sweat of their brow planting, sowing, weeding, watering, reaping,
harvesting, threshing, canning, chopping and storing
firewood, cooking and baking, dedicating their lives to
agriculture, and also to the praise and glory of God, in
community prayer, psalms and song, five times a day,
at the toll of the bell.
One monk was a medical doctor. They had a free
health clinic, treating up to 150 patients per day. Basic
medicines
were
supplied
from
France.
The monks are friends of the local Muslim religious
leaders, the imams, and the local poor.
The terrorists come to the monastery to demand
medicines and the help of the doctor to treat their
wounded. Fr. Christian, the abbot, valiantly refuses,
says no, and again no, our doctor is too old and sick,
and cannot travel, and that we have no medicine. The
last part is a white lie – he meant that the medicines in
the dispensary did not belong to the monks, who freely
live and poverty, owning nothing, and that this
medicine was not to be used to heal wounded terrorists,
but rather to cure the sick/poor of the local village.
When the violence escalates, the local government
authorities suggest to the monks that they leave asap,
go back to France or elsewhere, because they cannot
guarantee for their safety, the dangerous situation is
beyond their control.
As the plot thickens we see plainly the interaction of the
human and the divine. Each monk has complex
emotions and feelings, a mixture of bravery and
reticence. In the daily chapter meetings the increasing
dangers are discussed openly. Each monk humanly
fears for his physical well being, knowing that torture
and possible assassination are in store if they remain.
Father Christian continues as true leader in the
individual discernment processes, reminding his
brothers that each monk can choose on his own, is free
to leave, or to stay. In the end, after many meetings,
discussions, and contemplation, all eight decide not to
leave, that their mission is to remain here, they must
not abandon their local adopted friends and culture.
When questioned individually, every monk gives a
reply that resonates with Peter´s response to Jesus´
question ―Do you also want to leave?‖ (John 6:67)
―Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life.‖
The rebels come again, and all monks except one, are
taken prisoner and subsequently beheaded.
Why is this film such a box office hit in our current
European environment which is so hostile, so caustic to
anything Catholic? (In France alone 4 million movie
patrons saw this flick.) All meritorious classical works
of literature, stage and silver screen, have as their basic
theme an evolution of the disposition of the
protagonist(s), a noticeable change and improvement
of character. We appreciate the monks´ dilemma, their
progression from uncertainty, doubt and fear, to total
conviction, they did what they had to do, what was
right. We feel it, we sympathize with them, we respond
emphatically ―YES‖.
Thanks to the Cistercians, to all their members who
helped spread Christianity thru the last 8 centuries.
Their true and tried monastic tradition of service to our
Church, has so often kept the Faith flourishing in dark
times, and is still very much alive today.
Chapeau also to the filmmaker Xavier Beauvois and his
staff who remind us of all this.
The Cistercian monastic tradition is only one more of
the many reasons we can righteously be proud to be
Catholic. ▪
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
6
Suicid e - T he Most
Mis und ers tood of All D eath s
By Fr. Ron Rolheiser
Death is always painful, but its pains are
compounded considerably if its cause is
suicide. When a suicide occurs, we
aren't just left with the loss of a person,
we're also left with a legacy of anger,
second-guessing, and fearful anxiety.
So each year I write a column on suicide, hoping that it
might help produce more understanding around the
issue and, in a small way perhaps, offer some
consolation to those who have lost a loved one to this
dreadful disease. Essentially, I say the same things each
year because they need to be said. As Margaret Atwood
once put it, some things need to be said and said and
said again, until they don't need to be said any more.
That's true of suicide.
What needs to be said, and said again, about it?
First of all that it's a disease and perhaps the most
misunderstood of all diseases.
We tend to think that if a death is self-inflicted it is
voluntary in a way that death through physical illness
or accident is not. For most suicides, this isn't true. A
person who falls victim to suicide dies, as the does the
victim of a terminal illness or fatal accident, not by his
or her own choice. When people die from heart attacks,
strokes, cancer, AIDS, and accidents, they die against
their will. The same is true of suicide, except that in the
case of suicide the breakdown is emotional rather than
physical - an emotional stroke, an emotional cancer, a
breakdown of the emotional immune-system, an
emotional fatality.
This is not an analogy. The two kinds of heart attacks,
strokes, cancers, breakdowns of the immune-system,
and fatal accidents, are identical in that, in neither
case, is the person leaving this world on the basis of a
voluntary decision of his or her own will. In both cases,
he or she is taken out of life against his or her own will.
That's why we speak of someone as a "victim" of
suicide.
Given this fact, we should not worry unduly about the
eternal salvation of a suicide victim, believing (as we
used to) that suicide is always an act of ultimate
despair. God is infinitely more understanding than we
are and God's hands are infinitely safer and more
gentle than our own. Imagine a loving mother having
just given birth, welcoming her child onto her breast
for the first time. That, I believe, is the best image we
have available to understand how a suicide victim
(most often an overly sensitive soul) is received into the
next life.
Again, this isn't an analogy. God is infinitely more
understanding, loving, and motherly than any mother
on earth. We need not worry about the fate of anyone,
no matter the cause of death, who exits this world
honest, over-sensitive, gentle, over-wrought, and
emotionally- crushed. God's understanding and
compassion exceed our own.
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
Knowing all of this however, doesn't necessarily take
away our pain (and anger) at losing someone to suicide.
Faith and understanding aren't meant to take our pain
away but to give us hope, vision, and support as we
walk within it.
Finally, we should not unduly second-guess when we
lose a loved one to suicide: "What might I have done?
Where did I let this person down? If only I had been
there? What if ...?" It can be too easy to be haunted
with the thought: "If only I'd been there at the right
time." Rarely would this have made a difference.
Indeed, most of the time, we weren't there for the exact
reason that the person who fell victim to this disease
did not want us to be there. He or she picked the
moment, the spot, and the means precisely so that we
wouldn't be there. Perhaps it's more accurate to say
that suicide is a disease that picks its victim precisely in
such a way so as to exclude others and their
attentiveness. This should not be an excuse for
insensitivity; especially towards those suffering from
dangerous depression, but it should be a healthy check
against false guilt and fruitless second-guessing.
We're human beings, not God. People die of illness and
accidents all the time and all the love and attentiveness
in the world often cannot prevent a loved one from
dying. Suicide is an sickness there are some sicknesses
that all the care and love in the world cannot cure.
A proper human and faith response to suicide should
not be horror, fear for the victim's eternal salvation, or
guilty second-guessing about how we failed this person.
Suicide is indeed a horrible way to die, but we must
understand it (at least in most cases) as a sickness, a
disease, an illness, a tragic breakdown within the
emotional immune-system. And then we must trust, in
God's goodness, God's understanding, God's power to
descend into hell, and God's power to redeem all
things, even death, even death by suicide. ▪
Ronald Rolheiser, OMI a Roman Catholic priest
and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculate, is president of the Oblate School of
Theology in San Antonio, Texas.
He is a
community-builder, lecturer and writer. His books
are popular throughout the English-speaking world
and his weekly column is carried by more than
seventy newspapers worldwide.
Q uiet Pleas e!
Please do not linger
around
the
church
vestibule as there is a
Spanish Mass at 12:30 and
the Spanish parishioners
need easier access to enter
the church.
Some people come to church early to pray so please
try to keep your voices down. Better yet, let us all to
be in the patio by 12:15 and not linger in the
vestibule. THANK YOU! ▪
7
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Rem em ber in your Prayers
For Liam O'Dea, Catharine Freeman’s brother, who is still battling cancer. Catharine is very grateful for your prayers.
For all those suffering because of the economic crisis, especially for the homeless, the jobless and the immigrant.
For Jessica Mattis, Sarah Fellona’s sister who died tragically in April. And for the family she left behind.
For Josephine MacInnes, the mother of Judy MacInnes and all the elderly.
For Joseph, an English-speaking seminarian studying in the diocese of Ávila.
For the continued recovery of Mercedes Fernandez’s good friend Engracia.
For Rafael Mazón who was seriously ill at the time of press.
For Ifeyani’s father Frederick who died in Nigeria.
For María José Garcia's mother.
For Juan Cuenca and José Angel, and all who have cancer.
For Maureen O’Kane, the mother of ISM teacher Nial O’Kane
For Mary Gardner who was remembered in a hymnal dedication by Delories Dunn.
For Teodora, the mother of our guitarist Carlos, who died suddenly of a heart attack.
For Paquita, the mother of Paco and mother-in-law of Cindy Javoroski who was very ill at the time of press.
In thanksgiving for the new Catholics welcomed at Easter: Jessica, Audrey, Delia, Desmond, Derick, Jesse Obinna, and Sofia
Chidera.
And in thanksgiving for the beatification of John Paul II.
Sund ay Food Collection
Sund ay Prog ram s
Michele Martorell | 91 759-5402
Michele Martorell | 91 759-5402
The official Sunday for food collection is
the 2nd Sunday of every month. This is the
Sunday when parishioners can bring their
donations of food to the altar at the
Offertory or to the parish kitchen area.
Our parish is very international with
parishioners having varying needs.
Our Sunday programs try to reach
parishioners who need something in
addition to spiritual well being.
The economic crisis continues and all families are
feeling it whether they are donating to the Food
Collection or receiving food. During the past 12
months, unemployment has risen another 297,000 to a
total of 4.9 million unemployed. This is 21.29% of the
active Spanish population.
As is the tradition in our parish, during this past
Lenten season, we collected food every Sunday.
Donations of food were brought to the altar during the
Offertory or dropped off in the kitchen area before or
after Mass. During this past Lenten season, the Boy
Scouts provided very generous donations of food. This
is another example of our young people becoming
involved in the life of our parish.
David Franklin oversees the distribution of food and
witnesses the joy on the faces of our parishioners; those
who give and those who receive. This activity does
make a difference to the lives of our parishioners.
Those who donate food are blessed with the
gratification of knowing that they have helped
someone. And those who receive are encouraged to
pursue their dream of a better life in Spain.
Because we know directly where the food goes, here are
some suggestions of what we need the most. Vegetable
oil, BRILLANTE RICE (most preferred brand), pasta,
canned tuna, canned beans and stews, cookies, juices,
canned meats, instant coffee. Easy open containers are
most welcome. Our younger parishioners need single
serving boxed juices which they can take to school
during the week for their merienda/snack. An item of
particular importance is FRESH OR CANNED FRUIT.
Fresh fruit will be distributed and eaten immediately.
Fresh fruit can be dropped off in the kitchen area any
Sunday. ▪
In the morning before Mass, the volunteers who set up
the patio for Fellowship tend to be from our Immigrant
community. We make their work even more rewarding
by providing an informal breakfast of bananas with hot
drinks and/or galletas as needed.
After Fellowship, our clean-up crew puts back the
tables and chairs in the shed, stores additional tables in
the garage, and cleans the patio. For those who could
benefit from a meal before returning home after their
volunteer work, we provide microwave meals that can
be prepared in our kitchen area.
Here is where we need help from our parishioners. We
need volunteers to provide us with microwave meals.
The microwave meals that are needed are those
requiring no refrigeration. If you have wanted to
volunteer to help, now is your chance. Drop off a few
microwave meals in the kitchen area any Sunday!
We greatly appreciate and thank Marianna for her
coordination with the Eroski grocery store in her
neighborhood. On Saturday evenings she collects food
that Eroski can’t sell but that still has a good freshness
date. Marianna delivers it to us on Sunday morning
with the help of Mike Schneider. A very sincere thanks
to Eroski for donating the yogurts, meat, cheese, milk,
fruit, bread products, etc. Marianna also receives
donations of meat from Campofrio for our food
collection. She personally collects the meat and
delivers it to OLM. When Eroski does not donate
yogurts; Marianna and Maria Emma Duran provide
them. Thank you Marianna and Maria Emma for your
personal attention to those who need it. Thank you also
to Charles who helps out in the kitchen each week. ▪
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
8
Relig ious Ed ucation (CCD )
Nancy Deutman | nd.olm.ccd@live.com | 630 453 355
The May Children’s Mass will
include our annual Marian
Homage,
with
the
PostConfirmation students doing the
Readings and the students of
Pre-FHC 1 and Pre-FHC 2 bringing up the Gifts
and singing various parts of the Mass with the
Choir. Thank you to their teachers, Julia IbuchiNjoku and Tiffany & Roland Brenninkmeijer.
The June Children’s Mass will be the First Holy
Communion ceremony. Thank you to Julie Hoare
and her son, Manuel, for preparing the students
again this year.
On Saturday, the 7th of May at 5 pm, our FHC
candidates will make their First Confessions in the
main chapel with Fr. Ron.
FOOD DRIVE – Remember to bring your food
items on the Second Sundays (May 8th and June
12th).
On the 8th of May, we will start pre-registration of
returning students for the 2010-2011 CCD course
beginning in September. We again offer the
possibility of registration by e-mail to
nancy@ourladyofmercy.info (ONLY FOR
CCD REGISTRATION).
Otherwise, Nancy,
Louise and Barbara will be on the patio after Mass
on the 8th and 15th of May (and someone TBA after
June 20th until August 1st) for pre-registration.
We will ask you to verify your data, especially cell
phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Then you
will be given copies of the Religious Education
agreement to be returned to Nancy with your
payment. REBATE: The registration fee per
family will be 30 Euros if you pay before June 27th;
after that date and until classes start in
September, the fee will be 35 Euros. Books can be
paid now or in September (NO price increase!),
and will be distributed in September before classes
start. We will have a limited selection of used
books available for the needy members of the
parish – see Nancy privately for more information.
New student registration will take place by
appointment only in September – see our
website for updated information in August.
Tentative dates for office hours to make
appointments are Sept. 6th, 8th, and 14th from 6 to
8 pm. You may contact Fr. Ron or me by phone
from August 28th to schedule your appointment.
Preparations are underway for First Holy
Communion, which will be celebrated in our
Parish on the 5th of June.
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
Dates to mark in your calendar are: First
Confession May 7 th (4:30pm), FHC Rehearsal
June 4th (5 pm) and FHC June 5th (photos 9,3010,30; Mass promptly at 10,45).
Congratulations to: Paloma Cavanillas Benavente,
Jeremiah and Peter Daskut, Cristina del Rio
Karlsson, Presley Andrea Figueroa, Sofía García
Gahan,
Priska Lamiquiz
Pratt-McKiernan,
Kahtleen Louise Felicity Langan, Marina Lorenzo
Rodriguez, Jessica Michelle Merino, Lavinia Helen
Montgomery,Peter O’Byrne, Danny Pinkney,
Gerardo Polanco Molina, Lily Lyons Pubilones,
Isabel Riseño Slevin and Patrick Wilson .
After all that, we end the CCD year with our
―graduation‖ ceremony on June 19th, followed by
the teachers’ luncheon sponsored by Fr. Ron,
Nancy and Louise.
Have a happy and safe summer.
September! ▪
See you in
D id You Know?
Fr. Ron has only ONE DAY off
day a week. It is Monday.
Please know that if you try and
call Fr. Ron on Mondays, he
will probably not be available. ▪
9
A Stand- Out Tes timony
of John Paul II
VATICAN CITY. Many are recalling
the
words,
actions
and
achievements of Pope John Paul II
but the testimony of Benedict XVI is
one that stands out among the rest,
says a Vatican spokesman.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi noted in his
Vatican Television program "Octava Dies" that the
current Pontiff "is the first Pope in modern times to
proclaim his predecessor blessed, and who was,
during more than two decades, one of his closest
collaborators."
He recalled the interview Benedict XVI gave to the
public television station in Poland in October 2005,
and broadcast on the recently established Pope John
Paul II Day. At that time, Benedict XVI said that
John Paul II "created a new sensitivity for moral
values, for the importance of religion in the world."
"Despite the differences and despite their nonrecognition of the Successor of Peter, all Christians
have recognized that he is the spokesman of
Christianity," he added. "He was the spokesman of
the great values of humanity for non Christians and
other religions too."
The German Pontiff noted that John Paul II "knew
how to infuse enthusiasm for Christ in young
people," as well as for the "Church and for difficult
values." "It was his personality and charisma that
helped mobilize the youth of the world for the cause
of God and for the love of Christ," he added.
Moreover, Benedict XVI spoke of his mission as one
of continuing the legacy of John Paul II: "My
personal mission is not to issue many new
documents, but to ensure that his documents are
assimilated, because they are a rich treasure, they
are the authentic interpretation of Vatican II. "We
know that the Pope was a man of the Council, that he
internalized the spirit and the word of the Council.
Through these writings he helps us understand what
the Council wanted and what it didn't. This helps us
to be the Church of our times and of the future."
Father Lombardi stated that Benedict XVI has
followed through on the "inheritance" left to him by
John Paul II: "God, Jesus Christ, the unity of
Christians, interreligious dialogue for the good of the
person and for all of humanity: these have been since
the first day of his pontificate the priorities for
Benedict XVI." The spokesman added that this
"inheritance" has been not simply a list of
"indications" to follow, but it has also been a
"powerful spiritual inspiration, that arises from his
testimony, his life, and his continual spiritual
presence in the path of the People of God." ▪
For World Youth Day news visit:
www.madridwyd2011.com
1m Pilg rims m ake for m ost
crowd ed Beatification ever!
A huge round of applause rose
up from St. Peter’s Square,
passing along the Via della
Conciliazione and side streets
to the Circus Maximus -- where
thousands of people followed the celebration on
video screens -- when Benedict XVI read the formula
of beatification. "We grant that the venerable
Servant of God John Paul II, Pope, henceforth be
called Blessed and that his feast may be celebrated in
the places and according to the regulations
established by law, every year on Oct. 22,‖ he read in
Latin.
A smiling portrait of Karol Wojtyla, from a 1995
photograph, was uncovered at that moment on a
large banner that hung from the main loggia of St.
Peter’s Basilica. The pilgrims, many from Poland,
were unable to hold back their tears. The French nun
Marie Simon-Pierre, whose inexplicable healing
from Parkinson’s disease made it possible to
conclude the beatification process, along with Sister
Tobiana, the Polish nun who assisted John Paul II’s
physician, carried in procession a relic of Karol
Wojtyla, a cruet of his blood.
Security opened St. Peter’s Square at 2 a.m., a few
hours before the scheduled time of 5:30, in
anticipation of the overwhelming numbers. The
―powerful‖ of the world were also present: 62
delegations led by heads of state and government as
well as royal families, besides the other countries
officially represented.
Representing Italy were President Giorgio
Napolitano and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi;
representing Poland was President Bronislaw
Komorowski; José Manuel Durão represented the
European Commission. Representing Israel was
Yossi Peled, a member of the Knesset, who was saved
during the Holocaust by a Belgian Catholic family.
Prior to the celebration Peled remarked that the
event was ―especially significant.‖ John Paul II, he
said, ―was born in a period in which one breathed an
atmosphere of publicly approved anti-Semitism‖ but
―he rebelled and challenged those who wanted to
enslave the human race.‖
Mexico was represented by President Felipe
Calderón and Honduras by Porfirio Lobo. Five royal
houses were present: those of Spain, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Lichtenstein and the United Kingdom.
The United States was represented by its
ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Díaz; Cuba by
Caridad Diego Bello, head of the Office for Religious
Questions of the Central Committee of the Party; and
France by Prime Minister François Fillon. Some
2,300 journalists were present and 1,300 televisions
stations. ▪
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
10
Lord Patten attacks
' intolerant' s ecularists
By Jonathan Wynne-Jones
The new chairman of the BBC has waded into
the growing row over secularism by warning
that atheists are "intolerant" of religion.
Lord Patten of Barnes, the former
Cabinet minister and a practicing
Catholic, said that he felt he was
regarded as "peculiar" over his faith.
His comments come amid a deepening battle over the
freedom of religious belief, which last week saw a
Christian electrician threatened with the sack for
displaying a cross in his van.
Lord Patten, a Conservative peer who will take control
of the BBC Trust next month, is the highest-profile
political figure to enter the debate over what is seen as
a creeping attempt to remove Christianity from public
life. But his comments angered secularists, who last
night expressed concern that his faith could affect his
ability to remain objective in making decisions.
In a lecture delivered last week at Our Lady of Grace
and St Edward in Chiswick, called 'Personal Faith and
Public Service: Christian witness in the wider world',
Lord Patten said he was dismayed by the attitude of
secularists to the Pope's visit last year. Richard
Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, the atheist
campaigners, called for Pope Benedict XVI to be
arrested when he came to Britain last year over the
Catholic Church's record on child abuse, and
demonstrations were held in London to protest at state
funding for the papal visit.
"Some of the arguments put forward by secularists
against the Pope's visit were lacking in intellectualism
and were extraordinarily mean-spirited," said Lord
Patten, who oversaw the Government's preparations
for the papal trip. "I'm surprised the atheists didn't
have better arguments [against the Pope's visit]." He
claimed those who reject religious belief were
hypocritical to portray religious people as being
narrow-minded given the level of aggression they have
displayed to Christians.
"It is curious that atheists have proved to be so
intolerant of those who have a faith," he said. "Their
books would be a lot shorter if they couldn't refer to the
Spanish Inquisition, but it is them who tend to have a
level of Castillian intolerance about them."
The former governor of Hong Kong and current
chancellor of Oxford University, who described himself
as a cradle Catholic, said his own experience was that
people looked down on him intellectually for having
religious belief. He said: "It makes people think I'm
peculiar and lack intellectual fibres because I don't
have any doubts about my faith, but I'd be terrified to
have doubts." This admission echoes the claim made
by Tony Blair in 2007 that people in political life who
speak about their faith tend to be viewed by society as
"nutters".
A report earlier this year, endorsed by Dr Rowan
Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, warned that
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
the Church faces a battle to prevent faith being seen as
"a social problem" and says the next five years are set to
be a period of "exceptional challenge".
Fears have been growing that Christians are suffering
from an increasing level of discrimination following a
series of cases in which they have been punished for
sharing their beliefs. Last week, Colin Atkinson, an
electrician, was summoned to a disciplinary hearing by
his employers for displaying a small palm cross on the
dashboard of his company van - but eventually allowed
to keep the symbol of his religion.
However, Terry Sanderson, president of the National
Secular Society, said he was alarmed by Lord Patten's
criticism of secularists and questioned whether he
could remain impartial in his role as chairman of the
BBC Trust, which is designed to represent the concerns
of licence-fee payers.
"Lord Patten's comments don't bode well for his
position as chairman of the BBC Trust," he said. "He is
supposed to represent all viewers, not just Catholics or
religious people and I am quite concerned that he will
not be able to be objective when religion comes into
conflict with free expression in programme-making."
Mr Sanderson suggested the Conservative peer's faith
could also influence his response to debates over the
amount of time the BBC devotes to religion, which has
been a recurring source of tension between the
corporation and the Church of England.
Over recent years, the BBC has upset Christians by
broadcasting the controversial Jerry Springer the
Opera, which depicted Jesus in a nappy, and
commissioning a cartoon featuring an infantile Pope
bouncing on a pogo stick. Fears have been raised
amongst Church leaders that the BBC has become
increasingly hostile to Christianity, but last year the
corporation rejected calls from secularists for atheists
to be included on Radio 4's Thought for the Day. ▪
11
Putting on the apron
By Thomas P. Sweetser, S.J.
It was the first weekend of Masses for
the new pastor, the Rev. Tony Zimmer.
The priest had just arrived at St.
Anthony on the Lake in Pewaukee, Wis.,
a suburb 20 miles from the heart of
Milwaukee.
I knew Father Zimmer from his previous parish, had
always enjoyed his humor and style of presiding and
attended one of the Masses that day. I suspected his
first homily at St. Anthony parish would not
disappoint.
At the start of the homily, Father Zimmer thanked
everyone for granting him the privilege of being the
new pastor. He mentioned that the parishioners of his
previous parish, St. Charles Borromeo, had given him a
wonderful send-off. ―They gave me a present,‖ he
added. ―Do you want to see it?‖ The congregation
responded with a resounding yes. He stepped away
from the ambo and picked up a bright red apron.
―Kind of like Christmas all over again,‖ Father Zimmer
remarked as he put the red apron over his green
vestments and walked around in front of the large
gathering. His name was written at the top of the
apron, and in the middle were the initials of St. Charles
Borromeo parish. What was difficult for many in the
congregation to see from afar was that the rest of the
space was filled with parishioners’ names and parting
messages.
―How many here have put on an apron recently?‖ asked
Father Zimmer. Many, both women and men, raised
their hands. ―Putting on an apron is serious business,‖
he continued. ―It means that you are about to do
something important. An apron is like a uniform—a
uniform denoting service, doing something special for
others. That is why I value this gift so much. The people
from my last parish were telling me that I had been
their servant leader for the last 10 years. And that is
what I want to be for you as well.‖
He continued: ―But I can’t do this alone. We all have to
put on our aprons and roll up our sleeves to prepare the
meals and liturgies and lessons and visits and what-all
for others. I need you. We are all servant leaders here
together—servants of our God and servants to others.
This is the same God who, on the night before he died,
put on a kind of apron—that’s how I read the towel
around his waist—and got down on his knees to serve
his friends and followers. Imagine that! That’s the kind
of God we have. And we must do the same.
―There is a song that sums this up well. I’ll sing the first
verse and you pick up on the second,‖ he instructed,
referring the congregation to their missalettes. Then he
began to sing Richard Gillard’s ―The Servant Song‖:
―Will you let me be your servant,/ Let me be as Christ
to you;/ Pray that I may have the grace to/ Let you be
my servant, too.‖
The congregation took his lead and sang all the verses.
It was difficult for me to do much singing, however,
because of the emotion of the moment. As I looked
around, I could see others smiling, also moved by the
experience.
Such a simple gesture all this ―putting on the apron‖
was, but a profound expression of what it means to be a
pastor. And the priest extended Christ’s genuine
invitation to all present in that church.
At the conclusion of the homily Father Zimmer took off
the bright red apron, put it back on the stand and told
the congregation, ―We have a baptism today.‖ He
gestured toward the child who had been brought
forward. ―Hopefully young Lucas will grow up with this
same attitude of service.‖ As the baptismal rite
continued, I thought of the white garment to be placed
on the child: It could well be an apron. It might take a
lifetime to grow into, but this is a beginning. And this
child has a strong, willing faith community to show him
how. ▪
Thomas P. Sweetser, S.J. is director of the
Parish Evaluation Project, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Answers to exam:
1. False, it has been here for 6 years this May.
2. True: We don’t know the actual number but it is more
than 25.
3. True: Fr. Raymond Sullivant, SJ (RIP)
4. False: It is one of the smaller ones. Why? Maybe the
economy or the relatively little knowledge of English.
5. False: Actually, about 10 or so meet twice a month with
Fr. Jim.
6. True: And we have hit our limit because we need more
room.
7. True: From Ntra. Sra. De La Merced on Avd. de
Alfonso XIII.
8. True: We a personal parish and that means our parish
boundaries are made up by a common language as
opposed to geographical boundaries.
9. False: OLM could really do with more volunteers so
don’t feel shy and please see Fr. Ron or a PC member
to discuss where/how your skills may best be applied.
10. False: It would be Nigeria
11. True: And it was ―the social event‖ in the high days of
the ex-pat community.
12. True: So if you haven’t taken your turn in the last 12
months, make an effort to see Michele to put your
name on the sign-up list.
13. True: Hope you went there to cheat and hope you
continue to visit at least once a month.
14. False: Only around 20% of parishioners make that true
commitment. There are tax benefits for you, so see
Elke if you are interested.
15. True: On Thursdays at 13:00 with the ISM school in
the small chapel. It is a joyful Mass opened to everyone
(N.B. Only during school year).
16. True: Fr. Jim has one at the St. Louis University
American campus.
17. True: Eggs and toast, etc. Give it a try.
18. False: Trick question, it is on the 2nd Sunday of the
month.
19. True: If you get this wrong, you may be tone deaf?
20. True: So very true, thank you very much!!
Score Card is on page 15
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
12
Ros ar y G roup
Young Ad ult G roup
Marcel Adolphus |
Paul Martinovich | 615 110 925 | pmartinovich@hotmail.com
The Young Adult Group (YAG) is a group of
committed, generous and respectful Catholic young
adults who desire to impact each other, OLM, Madrid
and El Mundo!
The original intent of the YAG was to meet weekly for
approximately one hour with people from their mid
twenties to mid forties. However, with the coming
summer break and hectic schedules, the YAG is no
longer meeting on a regular basis. However, we will be
holding some social events over the coming months
where friendships can be shared. These could include
picnics in the Retiro, barbcues at my place or other
places people are willing to volunteer or suggest - I am
open to ideas incuding meeting at a bar on an irregular
basis after work. If you would like to participate and
even suggest a meeting point, I am generally in the
patio after mass.
Did you know that the Rosary Group meets every
Sunday at 10:30 AM in the small chapel? If you would
like to honor God through Marian devotion, please join
the group any Sunday. For more information, please
speak to Marcel at 10:15 AM on Sunday by the small
chapel. ▪
Bible Stud y
The Bible Study Group meets with Fr. Jim after Mass
on certain Sundays of the month. Please check the
schedule on Pages 2 & 3. We now receive the ―Word
Among Us‖ Bible Study Guides for those who would
like one. ▪
Choir
The YAG is for you and requires your support - my
email, phone and door is always open to ideas. I hope
to see you at our next meeting or activity. ▪
Elke Wilson | 91-277-0454 | one.elke@gmail.com
Can you sing a tune without your dog
hiding under the sofa or the
neighbours calling the police? Then
join our international OLM choir. All
are welcome: the more voices we
have the more powerful will be our
singing!!! Previous experience or
ability to read music is NOT
Charism atic Prayer G roup
David Franklin | 627 046 056
If you want to experience the power and the gift of the
Holy Spirit we encourage you to come to fellowship
with us every Saturday at 6:00 PM in the parish
rooms. ▪
necessary.
We rehearse before Mass every Sunday in the parish
building. Please arrive NO LATER THAN 10:15AM so
we can start promptly. If you are interested, please
contact our choir director or simply turn up! ▪
Our Lady of Mercy depends entirely on your donations! Please consider using a bank transfer for your regular contribution!
Thank you for your support!
Our Lady of Mercy Parish
Please fill in below and take to your bank in order to support us.
THE STANDING ORDER OPTION | Transferencia Bancaria
A: _____________________________________________ (1)
Estimados Señores:
Con esta carta pido que se efectúe una transferencia mensualmente, el día ____ (2) del mes, empezando
el mes de _______________ (3), 2009 por un importe de ___________ (4) Euros, con concepto de
________________ (5), desde mi cuenta con número ________________________________ (6),
a favor de:
0506473807
PARROQUIA HABLA INGLESA, NTRA. SRA. DE LA MERCED
Fibanc: IBAN ES43 Entidad 0186 Oficina 5001 D.C. 62 Número de cuenta
Atentamente,
____________________________________
_________________
Firmado (7)
Fecha (8)
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
(1) Name of your Bank / (2) Day of month to begin / (3) Month to begin / (4) Amount of monthly transfer / (5) Print your name /
13
Fellows hip on Sundays
Michele Martorell | 91-759-5402
Fellowship after Mass is an integral
part of life at Our Lady of Mercy. We
get together after Mass every
Sunday.
We serve a great cup of coffee for 50
centimos and Starbucks for 1 Euro. In addition, we
have hot/cold chocolate and a variety of teas. Our
Madrid bakery delivers fresh pastries and donuts so we
are well fed.
Fellowship is also our time to celebrate. On March 6
we had our Mardi Gras Pot Luck. Check out the review
in this bulletin! To celebrate the Easter baptisms, on
May 1 we served complimentary Spanish champagne
and Mimosas (orange juice and champagne). As spring
and summer arrive, we look forward to our First Holy
Communion party on June 12 and the CCD teacher’s
luncheon on June 19. Any CCD classes who are looking
for an activity, we still haven’t had a bake sale this year!
Part of participating in the CCD program involves
volunteering at least once to serve coffee or donuts
during the fellowship. Thank you to all volunteers!
Even if you don't have children in the CCD program,
volunteering is a great way to get to meet our
parishioners!" Fellowship at Our Lady of Mercy is an
ongoing ministry since we are active every Sunday.
Therefore we need volunteers on a weekly basis
throughout the year. Please call Michele or Meredith if
you'd like to volunteer. With our large group of
volunteers your help will be needed about once a
quarter.
Any would-be volunteer who might be shy to come
forward should not be concerned that this ministry is
"difficult." Every Sunday at least one member of the
Fellowship team is serving, David Franklin, Meredith
Slevin, or Michele Martorell. Please approach us!
There is nothing difficult in volunteering; only
rewarding.
Mard i G ras Sund ay
It has become a tradition at OLM to
celebrate Mardi Gras (originating from
the French for ―Fat Tuesday‖) on the
Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
On March 6 we celebrated Mardi Gras
with a Parish Pot Luck of breakfast and luncheon foods as
well as sweets. Not only did we share a meal but we also
provided a meal for those in our parish who might need it.
After Mass, the children bought their pastries and went to
their CCD classes. Thank you to Shawn Tremper and
Julie Eckroth who stepped in to sell the pastries. Then
with the help of some wonderful volunteers, 2 large tables
of food served as our buffet. We successfully got 2 lines of
people serving themselves simultaneously. We also had a
single table for sweets/deserts.
These events where nearly 100 people are served are not
possible without the help of volunteers. A great big thank
you to those who brought food. It was delicious and there
were no leftovers. Thanks go to those who helped set up
and in particular Magnus C. and Louise Aulbach. Thank
you to Melissa de Miguel and another mother for
coordinating the Boy Scouts who acted as ―go fors.‖ Neil
de la Cruz and his friend Benjamin were amazing as they
helped coordinate tables of food, movement of people and
the general flow of the event.
It is impossible to thank everyone who helped but here’s a
try: Anabelle Pratt-McKiernan, Belen Antón, Meredith
Slevin, Michele Weldon, Nancy Deutman, Maria Emma
Duran, and Mercedes Fernandez. Our devoted clean-up
crew was there after the event and they worked storing
tables and leaving the patio clean! Their picture was a
feature in last month’s bulletin. They are Charles,
Calistus, Obinna, Emeka, Ifeyani, Richard, and Demian. ▪
PASTRIES VOLUNTEERS: There should be at least 2
of you serving/selling the donuts. Selling is hectic since
the children have about 15 minutes to buy and eat their
donuts before CCD classes begin. Remember to leave
Mass before the congregation sings the exit hymn. Pick
up the donuts in the kitchen area and bring them to the
patio. The donuts sell for 1 euro each. Altar servers get
a free donut! The collected money should be given to
Michele, Meredith, David or Father Ron.
COFFEE VOLUNTEER: The coffee volunteer will help
with selling/serving coffee, tea and Nesquik. As with
the donuts, leave Mass before the congregation sings
the exit hymn early so that you can help bring up the
drinks from the kitchen area to the patio. David
Franklin coordinates the preparation of the coffee and
setting up the tables and chairs on the patio. Magnus
Chukwuemezueudeh oversees soft drink and juice
sales. A special thank you to Inmaculada for serving
while Magnus was in Nigeria. At the end of fellowship,
the collected money should be given to Michele,
Meredith, David or Father Ron. ▪
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
14
Paris h Council
Welcom e to OLM!
Blanca de Castro, 91-570-8248
Spanish Liaison
Newly Registered Parishioners
Nancy Deutman, 91-731-9714
Director of Religious Education, Secretary
Barbara Lahuerta, 91- 715-2550
Book Sale Coordinator
David Franklin, 627-046-056
Charismatic Prayer Group
Michele Martorell, 91-759-5402
Hospitality Coordinator
Fr. Ron Ochylski, 91-718-5571
President
Mike Schneider, 91-639-1564
Facilitator, Vocations, RCIA
Alex Esclamado, 607 095 777
IT and Liturgy
* Francis Muamba (recently registered)
* Ana Mejía (helps with language program)
* Ibenyi Jones (Who wishes to become Catholic!)
* Denny Tjahjanto from Indonesia!
* Kristen and Brandon Armitage and their children
Kyle and Lindsey
* Diana Downing and her daughter Isabel who will
be joining us in July.
Are you missing from this list?
Please fill out a new parishioner registration form
and get it ASAP to Fr. Ron. ▪
Financial Council
Norman Kurtis
Elke Wilson
Mike Schneider
Philip Kwaku Mante
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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traditional church music, gospels and spirituals. Good
quality musical accompaniment for weddings, baptisms,
or other social events. For further information, contact
Alex, Carlos or Delories or call Elke on 91-277-0454 or
Daniel on 660-912-554.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
To do general volunteer work with Madrid’s official
Spanish Volunteer organization: call 900-777- 888.
GET RID OF THAT SPARE TYRE
DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL?
We can help! AA Info line 91-309-1947
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women
who share their experience, strength and hope with each
other that they may solve their common problem and help
others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop
drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership;
we are self supporting through our own contributions.
Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other
alcoholics to achieve sobriety. To access our WEBSITE
MEETING DIRECTORY please go to www.aaspain.org
BEAUTY CORNER
Interested in skin care products, makeup, accessories,
perfumes, jewellery, clothes, or wrist watches? Then
contact parishioner and choir member Stella Okekeze on
91-848-6440 or 659-237-153. These are reliable products
from Mary Kay Cosmetics and Cristian Lay brands.
For men and women that want to reshape their body, we
have some products that will help you reduce the fat
around your waist and also help you achieve your desired
shape. For more information about Body Magic and Body
Reshaper, see Queen Oge Mgbokwere on the patio after
Mass. Tel: 660 704 871
Web: www.ardysslife.com/queeneth
E-mail: queeny4chris@yahoo.com
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
NEED A NEW CAR?
If you need a new car and are thinking about an Opel,
please ask Fr. Ron or Louise Aulbach for the phone
number of Juan Cruz Calleja. He is the manager of an
Opel dealership and a very sincere Catholic.
15
Imm ig rant Fund
Have you registered?
David Franklin | 627 046 056
Who could ever imagine this
economic crisis would last so long?
No one wants to live off of charity
but everyone needs to eat and pay
for a room.
Did you know that our neediest parishioners depend
upon begging for people’s kindness as they help
them move a cart of groceries or offer them a
package of Kleenex? We do our best at OLM to help
with food and bus passes but the expenses are very
high.
All OLM parishioners should be registered. This is
an expectation for every Catholic parish throughout
the world. If you have not yet registered, please pick
up a New Parishioner Registration Form from the
table in the vestibule or request it ―online‖ by
sending an email to: olm@ourladyofmercy.info
Please complete the form and return it to Fr. Ron
personally. Also, if you know of a parishioner who is
in need or you think may enjoy a call from Fr. Ron,
please let him know. ▪
Free Inter net
The Immigrant Fund very seldom receives
parishioner donations (maybe one donation a month
now) and we have had to beg outside organizations
for assistance. The parishioner supported immigrant
fund is now officially at zero Euros.
Our Lady of Mercy provides Internet, email and
computer facilities, free of charge, to parishioners who
are in need. Ask David Franklin if you need to use it.
However, one foundation responded to our
DESPERATE plea and we have been able to help our
neediest brothers and sisters for a little while longer.
A big thank you to those parishioners who did what
they could. In June, ISM will have a collection at
their First Holy Communion Mass that will benefit
this fund.
Mas s G uid e
The Account details continue to be:
Parroquia Habla Inglesa – Ntra. Sra. De La Merced
2100 2434 48 0200241016
LaCaixa, Calle Drácena 15, 28016 Madrid
Score Card for exam:
0-2 wrong:
You are Fr. Ron or a Parish Council
Member
3-5 wrong:
You are a great parishioner, you seem to
take an interest in your parish.
5-9 wrong:
You might
involved
consider
getting
more
10-14 wrong: You are new, or you really need to
become more involved
15 -19 wrong: You may not have your heart/soul in
OLM. Tell us why, OK?
20 wrong:
You don’t speak English well, do you?
Privacy Please!
If you ever see a photo on the OLM
website that has you or your child in
it and you want it removed, please
inform Fr. Ron and it will be done
immediately. We respect the privacy
concerns of our parishioners. ▪
Note: Access is not available during Mass periods,
CCD classes, Charismatic Prayer Group meetings or
during other special parish activities.
Maybe English is NOT your first
language? Would you like a guide to
help you follow the Mass in English?
We are able to offer you a booklet
allowing you to participate as best as
possible in our Sunday Eucharist. Pick
up a copy at the church entrance, or if
it is not available please do not hesitate
to ask Fr. Ron or his office assistant.
Please know that we appreciate you joining us and we
hope that you feel at home at Our Lady of Mercy.
Spons or a H ym n
Do you have a favourite hymn that you would like the
choir to sing? If it is appropriate and something that
we can learn, we now offer you the possibility of
sponsoring that hymn. You can choose the singer as
well!
What’s the catch?
We ask you to make a special
donation to the church.
If you are interested, see Elke, the
choir director.
C lot h ing Co l l e c tio n
Please do NOT leave food or clothes
donations near the CARITAS office
inside the church as it belongs to
the Spanish church. OLM donations
should be taken to the CCD rooms
and placed underneath the stairs as
you walk in! Thank you!
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
16
W ho m t o s e e f o r wh at at O L M
If you need a parishioner’s phone number, or email for
private purposes, or have a question but are not sure who
the right contact person might be, please contact a parish
council member or the parish assistant (91-350-3449)
before asking Fr. Ron.
Please get in touch with…
▪ Fr. Ron Ochylski
91-350-3449 | 91-718-5571 | olm@ourladyofmercy.info
» to register as a parishioner at OLM (the norm for
our parish). Please fill out the form on the cabinet
outside the chapel and give it personally to Fr. Ron. All
data is confidential and not shared with third parts.
» to be on the church group email list. Fr. Ron uses
this list to inform the parish of news items, such as
special events or other news that is of importance to the
entire parish. All mails are kept confidential.
» if you are leaving Madrid and would like to donate
your furniture, kitchen items or appliances that
are in perfect working order and good condition. We
have parishioners who could use such items.
» if you would like to have an announcement made
at church. Please notify Fr. Ron one week BEFORE
the Sunday you wish the announcement to be made.
» if you want your child baptized.
» if you are interested in becoming Catholic.
» if you want to be married. Please see Fr. Ron at least 6
months before your proposed wedding date.
» if there is a need for Anointing of the Sick (the
elderly or before major surgery).
» if you would like to celebrate the sacrament of
Reconciliation..
» if you would like to help with parish social activities.
» if you would like to help with charitable causes.
» if you would like marriage preparation.
» if you would like a Mass Intention / Mass Card.
» if you want to place an ad in the bulletin.
» if you would like to join the Youth Group.
» if you have a question and are not sure who the right
contact person might be.
» if you have a prayer request.
» if you need a baptismal certificate.
»
▪ Elke Wilson
91-277-0454 | one.elke@gmail.com
» if you want to learn more about how to help your
parish financially (bank transfers, standing orders,
envelopes).
» if you would like to sing in the choir or if you can play
a musical instrument.
» if you have a hymnal suggestion or request for
the choir.
▪ Louise Aul bach
91-402-9465
» if you would like to become a reader or your child
would like to be an altar server.
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
▪ Michael Schneider
91-639-1564
» if you would like to become an Extraordinary
Minister of Holy Communion.
» if someone needs the Eucharist brought to them at
home (sick or shut in)
▪ Michele Martorell
91-759-5402
» if you want to sign up for your turn at helping with
Sunday Fellowship (Coffee and Donuts).
» if you want to help with the Sunday Program.
▪ Nancy Deutman
91-731-9714 | nd.olm.ccd@live.com
» if you have any question about CCD.
» if you would like to be a CCD teacher or substitute.
▪ Brian Douglas
669-440-156 | bj_douglas@hotmail.com
» if you would like to be an usher, speak to one of the
ushers at Mass or contact Brian.
▪ Barbara Lahuerta
91-715-2550 | barbara.lahuerta@gmail.com
» if you are interested in the Boy Scouts.
» if you have books for the Book Sale.
▪ Deanna Mason
91-351-2334 | masondeanna@hotmail.com
» if you would like to meet more people at OLM.
» if you want to become a greeter, speak to one of our
greeters at the door or contact Deanna.
▪ David Franklin
627-046-056
» if you want to join the Charismatic Prayer Group.
▪ Blanca de Castro
91-570-8248
» if you would like an issue brought up at one of the
regular parish council meetings.
» if you are interested in Bible Study.
» for lost and found items.
▪ Paul Martinovich
615-110-925 | pmartinovich@hotmail.com
» if you want to join the Young Adult Group (YAG).
▪ Marcel Adolphus
» if you are interested in joining our Rosary Group.
17
Jokes & Humor
K i d s a n d C l i ch é s !
I teach fourth grade in Ventura
County, California. As a fun
assignment, I gave the students
the beginning of a list of
famous sayings and asked them
to provide original endings for
each one. Here are some
examples of what my students
submitted.
 The grass is always greener when you leave the
sprinkler on.
 A rolling stone plays the guitar.
 The grass is always greener when you remember to
water it.
 A bird in the hand is a real mess.
 No news is no newspaper.
 It's better to light one candle than to waste electricity.
 It's always darkest just before I open my eyes.
 Never put off 'til tomorrow what you should have done
yesterday.
 The squeaking wheel gets annoying.
 Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry, and
someone yells, "Shut up!"
 It's always darkest before 9:30 p.m.
 Early to bed and early to rise is first in the bathroom.
 There is nothing new under the bed.
 Don't count your chickens -- it takes too long.
W h a t i f G o d h a d Vo i c e M a i l ?
We have all learned to live with "voice mail"
as a necessary part of modern life. But have
you wondered what would happen if God
decided to install voice mail? Imagine
praying and hearing this:
Thank you for calling My Father's House. Please select
one of the following options:
Press 1 for Requests
Press 2 for Thanksgiving
Press 3 for Complaints
Press 4 for All Other Inquiries.
I'm sorry, all of our angels are busy helping other sinners
right now. However, your prayer is important to us and
will be answered in the order it was received, so please
stay on the line.
If you would like to speak to:
God, Press 1
Jesus, Press 2
The Holy Spirit, Press 3.
If you would like to hear King David sing a psalm while
you are holding, please press 4.
To find out if a loved one has been assigned to Heaven,
press 5, enter his or her social security number, and then
press the pound key. (If you get a negative response, try
area code 666.)
For reservations at "My Father's House," please enter J-OH-N followed by 3-1-6. For answers to nagging questions
about dinosaurs, the age of the earth, and where Noah's
ark is, please wait until you arrive here.
Our computers show that you have already prayed once
today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow. This office
is closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.
Please pray again Monday after 9:30 AM. If you need
emergency assistance when this office is closed, contact
your local pastor.
Thank God He doesn't have voice mail and that He listens
when we pray!
Wise Quotations
Remember 'manure' was originally a French word. Heard on the Radio
Bradley's Bromide: If computers get too powerful,
organize them into a committee. That will do them in!
If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have
time to do it over? - Old Photocopy Wisdom
Lewis's Law of Travel: The first piece of luggage out of
the chute doesn't belong to anyone, ever.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is
adequately explained by stupidity.
We should be thankful for the good things we have and
also for the bad things we don't have.
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
18
MM19, the restaurant opposite the church,
at C/. Santa Maria Magdalena 19 is now;
KOCINA2
and has the pleasure of offering
OLM SPECIALS
Please try our new sponsors!!
Desayuno/Breakfast 10:00 – 13:00hrs
Huevos revueltos ó fritos con patatas fritas y café/te
€3,90
(Scrambled or fried eggs with fried potatoes and coffee/tea)
Suplementos (additional ítems):
Tomate, beicon, jamón, ó zumo
(Tomato, bacon, ham, or juice)
€1,00
Comida/Lunch 13:00 – 15:00hrs
Pollo asado, patatas fritas, pimiento ó tomate
€6,00
(Roast chicken, fried potatoes, roasted green peppers or tomatoes)
Hamburgesa y patatas fritas con guarnición
(Hamburger and fried potatoes with garnish)
Refrescos (soda pop)
Cerveza (beer)
Copa de vino (glass of wine)
Copa de Sangria (glass of Sangria)
€6,00
€1,80
€1,20
€1,50
€3,00
Postre (Dessert):
Tarta Manzana (apple tart), Tarta de chocolate (chocolate cake),
Tiramisú (Tiramisu), ó Tarta de Queso (cheesecake)
€3,00
- con helado (with ice cream)
€4,00
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
CH COMPANY
LARGE AND SMALL COACHES.
19
10 % Discount for OLM parishioners!
FREE ADVICE!
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
20
A y e ar in t he l i fe o f O u r L ad y o f M e r cy
A joyful Children’s Mass
U.S. Ambassador & the Embassy’s clothes donation
Saint Nick
and helper
visit OLM
Liam O’Dea
remains in our
prayers
Pastoral Visit of Bishop Camino
May/June 2011 | Volume 13, Issue 3
Ander wins the
battle against
Cancer
Cub Scout Food drive last March