In 2005, the singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier released her fourth solo album, “Mercy Now.” The title song is a somber plea for mercy in our families, church, and nation. If you don’t know this song, you should stop reading and go find it on whichever music service you use and give it a listen. In the last line, Gauthier sings, “Every single one of us could use some mercy now.”

Although the Nicene Creed rolls off the tongue of every Catholic with ease — or at least with mumbled inclusion after the Sunday homily — many Protestant denominations reject the Nicene Creed or any creed as something unbiblical or manmade, an attempt to add something to the infallible and sufficient Word of God, the Bible. Until, possibly, now, according to the recent 2024 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting.

Our Lady of the Pines Parish will host the annual diocesan teen rally on July 13, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. All youth, including incoming 8th graders to graduating seniors, are invited. The rally will include amazing music, outdoor competitions, a eucharistic procession, Mass at 4:30 p.m., and lunch, dinner, snacks and night-time smores. Please contact Gary Niemerg at gniemerg@diocs.org, or Stacy Paris at stacy@ourladyofthepines.org for more information.

The Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held July 14, 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Bishop James Golka will celebrate Mass. Couples who are celebrating their first or other milestone anniversary — any anniversary ending in “5” or “0” — are invited to attend. A reception will follow. Those who plan to attend are asked to contact their parish office to provide their name, number of people attending and how many years they are celebrating, or visit www.diocs.org/Diocesan-Wedding-Anniversary-Mass.