The Holy Father gave a very special blessing on March 27th at the Vatican.  Learn about this unique blessing by clicking here for an article explaining the importance of the blessing.

YouTube video of the blessing here:

Patchwork Heart Ministry and Fiat Ministry Network presents: Our Fatih, Our Hope, Our Love On-line Catholic Conference on Saturday, March 28th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.  

Due to lockdowns in many states and the closing  and canceling of churches and public events, two foundations have come together to bring to the public speakers offering talks to enhance one's faith in light of the COVID-10 pandemic.   Patchwork Heart and Fiat Ministries are proud to offer this event for those who would like to enrich their faith-life during Lent in preparation for Easter.

Click here to watch a YouTube presentation about the event which will explain more about the conference.

The day will feature of the following speakers and talks:

10 a.m. Martha Fernandez-Sardina (Spanish)
Persigue To Corona/Pursue Your Crown

11 a.m. Judy Hehr
Mercy Starts with ME!

Noon Ray Haywood
Before We Intentionally Lead, We Must First Humbly Follow

1 p.m. Terry Modica
Faith Amidst Adversity

2 p.m. Kendra Von Esh
If I Have Not Love, I am Nothing

3 p.m.  Anne DeSantis
The Whisper of Hope: God's Encouragement in Life and Love

3:45 p.m. Martha Fernandez-Sardina (English)
Pursue Your Crown/Persigue Tu Corona

4:30 p.m. MASS with Fr. Matthew Phelan, O.deM., Mercedarian friar,
Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy & St. Brigid's Parishes, Leroy/Bergen, NY

This is sure to be a wonderful day, so get your ticket here. Cost is $28 and there is a promo code which is ANNE to receive $3 off.  

Please SHARE this blog post with others so they can benefit by attending this on-line Catholic conference!  

The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation is happy to help promote this event for Patchwork Heart Ministry and Fiat Ministry Network.  Please stay in touch with our foundation as we offer our prayers for you and your loved ones during the time of the Coronavirus pandemic.  Email us here to leave your prayer intention.  God bless!

During this time of crisis in the United States and in the world, the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation offers heartfelt prayers for you and your loved ones.  

Affecting the world and our Catholic Church, we are here for you in this time of physical separation from our communities, churches, work places, and from many of our extended family members and friends.  Although away from one another in physical proximity, we are close at heart and in the spirit.  

Please keep in mind that since the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation is an on-line ministry, we will be operating as normal offering our on-line support meetings helping individuals and families affected by divorce and separation.  Please see the Home Page of our website to find out about upcoming on-line events.  

Let us pray together the prayer from our Holy Father to the Blessed Mother for her intercession:

O Mary
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the crosss took part in Jesus' pain,
keeping your faith firm,
You, Salvation of the Roman People, 
know  what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Gaililee,
we may return to you and feasting 
after this time of trail.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our
sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection.  Amen.

Under you protection, we seek refuge,
Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the 
entreaties of we who are in trial, but
deliver us from every danger, O glorious 
and blessed Virgin.

-Pope Francis March 2020

Have You or Your Family Been Affected by Divorce/Separation?

The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith was formed through the Mercedarian Religious Order as a application and an expression of their fourth vow which is "the willingness to give our lives to those in danger of losing their faith".   As a foundation, we care deeply about families and individuals in crisis.  We are willing to give our time, our care, and most importantly our prayers to those who have been affected by divorce and separation.

What Makes Us Different and Sets Us Apart from Other Organizations?

There are many wonderful organizations helping families who are in crisis and affected by divorce.  What sets us apart from other non-profits is that we offer prayerful individual accompaniment to those who contact us looking for someone to talk to, to pray with, and to help to find the right resources and information for the given situation. 

We make ourselves available to those in need and will respond quickly to those who contact us.  We understand that during times of crisis, a listening ear and accompaniment is critical.  We will do our best help our clients find the kind of help they need by pointing them in the right direction. 

Although we focus our ministry on families in crisis, most of our clients are those who have been affected by divorce.

We offer a free on-line meeting the first Tuesday of each month from 8 - 9 p.m. EST for individuals and families affected by divorce and separation.  The last Thursday of each month from 8 - 9 p.m. EST we offer an on-line meeting for adult children of divorce.  (Must be 18 years of age or older to attend.)  Both groups offer: prayer, reflection, guidance by Church teachings, and attendance by a Mercedarian friar and the director.  Our goal is to help those going through challenging times and to pray together.  This is what sets us apart that our mission is simply to accompany with the guidance of the Magisterium of our faith.  We also offer many helpful resources on our website for family issues and concerns.

Please Let Us Know How We Can Help

Now that you know what we offer, please contact us if you have any questions or would like to send us a prayer request.  We also offer free individual phone meetings with a Mercedarian friar  in addition to our support meetings.  In 2020, we will be offering retreats, so contact us for more information.  Our email is [email protected].  We have a great deal of helpful resources on our website at nonnatus.org so check it out!

God bless you, and please stay in touch  with us.  We would love to hear from you.

Are you or someone you know an adult child of divorced parents?  Divorce can cause numerous wounds to all involved.  Sometimes others try minimize the damage caused by divorce by saying things like, “Children are resilient. They’ll be ok.” But the truth is, as I’ve learned from first-hand experience, is that divorce ALWAYS hurts. No one escapes unharmed.

• Free On-line Support Meetings held each month
• Spiritual Direction
• Coaching
• Prayer
• Helpful Resources
• Retreats and Events

​What We Can't Provide:

• Housing
• Financial, Legal, Medical or Psychological Counseling Services

​Come to "Family Faith Weekend" this fall on September 21/22 at Our Lady of Mercy/St. Brigid's Parish Communities held at OLM in Leroy, NY!

Saturday, September 21st will feature Keynote Speaker, Rose Sweet
who will discuss "Getting Along with Difficult People - What Jesus Did" and "The Secret to Lasting Happiness - What Jesus Said". In addition to Rose, Chas Defeo, Michael and Kate Ruszala, Denise Spadaccia, and Shawn DeSantis will be featured presenters

Learn more about this FREE event on 9/21 at www.ourladyofmercyleroy.org.
​
Sunday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. will feature a Catholic Family Concert like none other with Array of Hope Ministries. The concert will be an uplifting, multi-media event for the entire family. It surely will be filled with hope and prayer. The Sunday event will require tickets, and the cost is just $20. Buy tickets at www.arrayofhope.net/tour-schedule/.

Please let your friends know about "Family Faith Weekend"!
​
The address is: Our Lady of Mercy Church, 44 Lake Street, Leroy, NY 14482. More info: email [email protected]. or call 585-768-6543.

Mercedarian Pastor Father Matthew Phelan and Spiritual Moderator Father Kenneth Breen will be glad to see you at this event!
​
This event is sponsored in part by the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith. Learn more about us at www.nonnatus.org

In today's fast-paced tech world, we forget to slow down as a family especially since summer is the perfect time to spend with our precious family members. Vacations, day trips, time at the pool, church events are some of the ways families can cherish special time.

Most of all, as Catholics, time as a family at Sunday Mass is of utmost importance. This is the greatest way to grow closer as a family.