Welcome to MercyHour.org
Each day, God willing, during this Holy Year of Mercy, two Secular Franciscans, Deacon Tom Bello & John Clem, are offering a minor, but daily sustenance for our common pilgrimage closer to Christ and to salvation. We will also be featuring some guest bloggers during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. This website is mobile-friendly and hope that you find and share inspirations.
- Sign-up for a daily e-mails in the side bar. Each message will be posted at the “Mercy Hour” at 3pm (ET) each day from December 8, 2015 through November 20, 2016. (your e-mails are not shared).
- Share your works of mercy in MercyCorner — please send us your stories, photos, and videos
- Submit your prayers and find a supportive community on our Prayer Wall during this Jubilee Year of Mercy
- Follow-us on Facebook & Twitter
- Links to more resources during the Jubilee Year of Mercy
MercyHour Contributors
Deacon Tom Bello, O.F.S. (1949 – 2016) – we recently lost our brother Tom to Sister Death on Easter Tuesday of 2016 after a battle with cancer. Tom will be missed by so many people, but we are blessed to have his wisdom, love, and mercy shown in his writings at MercyHour, and “etched in the memories” (Fr. Patrick Posey) of the people he served in his family, church, ministries, schools, and Franciscan Family. Tom is credited with writing the daily entries for MercyHour.org from December 8, 2015 until April 13th, 2016. There will be two more books to be published in the near future and we will be sharing the news here at MercyHour.
Tom was a deacon with the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia and a member of the St. Thomas More Fraternity. Tom served in many areas of Franciscan leadership in the local, regional and finally as the National Minister of the Secular Franciscan Order in the US from 2009-2015. Tom was a true servant of Christ and carried his Franciscan Heart wherever he went and all people he touched. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Remembering Tom Bello:
Obituary with Guestbook (The Washington Post)
Deacon Thomas M. Bello dies at 66 – 2016 (Arlington Catholic Herald)
Called To Serve – 2009 (Arlington Catholic Herald)
Video: Tom talks about the importance of peacebuilding and the National Peace Award (2009) (Secular Franciscan Order)
As an amazing act of humility: this story was passed to me just before Tom’s funeral Mass from his daughter Jackie:
The burial coordinator said never in her 17 years experience had someone requested a tombstone without a name on it, but that was my dad’s wish. He wanted just one verse on his tombstone: “Sin has increased, but grace has far surpassed it” (Romans 5:20). I think it represents his humility and his belief in God’s mercy and love.
Deacon Tom showing off his stole on Christmas Day 2015, in the Sacristy in St. James Church.
John Clem, O.F.S. – is a member of Church of the Incarnation and of the Mount La Verna Fraternity in Charlottesville, Virginia. John has a ministry called Catholic Web Services building websites for the church and is webmaster for this website. John also shares his “Top Catholic Tweets” and inspirations at his blog Call To Holiness. A new ministry is building St. Anthony Treehouse Chapels as a sacramental to bless homes and inspire prayer and evangelization. Your feedback is very much appreciated.
e-mail: support@grayorbit.com
Donna Hollis, O.F.S. – is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Region and Our Lady of Guadalupe OFS Fraternity located in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Born and raised in San Antonio Texas; parents worked for the USAF. Was baptized Methodist and searched many different Denominations and Religions.
I was Professed in 1983 as a young convert to Catholicism; I joined a Secular Franciscan Community 1981-1988.
When I moved to Las Cruces there was no English speaking Fraternity. Our Fraternity emerged from the Spanish Fraternity, Santa Isabel de Hungria and after a period of time was established as OLG Fraternity.
I was Elected Minister of Our Lady of Guadalupe for two consecutive terms, Fraternity Secretary one term and Councilor at large till present – (2004-2016)
I was elected Regional Secretary, OLG Region 2006-2012 two terms.
Elected Regional Minister, OLG Region 2012-2015, Re elected 2015-2018
I have been blessed by the Mercy Hour which John Clem and Deacon Tom Bello began. Daily meditations draw me to focus on my Spiritual growth. When our beloved Tom Bello was dying of cancer, his desire was for the Mercy Hour to continue. I have answered that call with a desire to share some short thoughts on the Scriptures and how it effects our daily lives.
