Michael McGlinn will present two Face of Mercy concert talks in the archdiocese during Lent. The talks will propagate the message of Divine Mercy.
by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — To propagate the message of Divine Mercy, Michael McGlinn travels the shortest route to the heart: through the ear.
Last October, McGlinn formally launched an apostolate called Face of Mercy. But the program has been his pas- sion now for some 12 years. His partners are Jerry Baumann from Scranton, Pa., and Father Brian Van Fossen, chaplain at Marywood University at Scranton. He’s the nephew of archdiocesan priest Msgr. Charles McGlinn.
“We give concert talks, an experiencedriven event,” said McGlinn, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City, Mo. “And we tell the story of Divine Mercy to move families to a place of prayerfulness, to begin to take up prayer in the home daily.”
Divine Mercy is a devotion to the merciful love of God, which was begun by St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun. Many Catholics are familiar with this devotion by way of the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Divine Mercy image of Christ. McGlinn’s materials have been approved by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, Mass.
“What we’re doing is calling families out for an evening of renewal and heal- ing, to present a very intimate look at the face of Christ, to move them to take the next step in prayer,” said McGlinn.
“That prayer is followed through by action,” he continued. “Not just any action, but a very specific action that operates through the lens of mercy, which is God’s greatest attribute.”
McGlinn’s 10 years as a recording artist in Nashville prepared him well for his self-made ministry — he plays guitar, bass and piano, and writes, arranges and produces music as well.
“We use imagery on the altar, including the exposition of the Blessed Sacra- ment,” he said. “We also narrate a portion of a book we wrote for families, of which they also have a copy…and I compose original music on the fly.”
McGlinn offers the Face of Mercy concert talks at parishes around the country; his most recent presentation was at the archdiocesan Pillars of Faith conference on Feb. 11.
McGlinn will present two Face of Mercy concert talks in the archdiocese during Lent.
The first event will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on March 24 at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The second event will be on March 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park.
There is no charge to attend these events. Every family at the event will be given two books, one about family prayer and the other about Divine Mercy.
For more information about the Face of Mercy apostolate, go to the website at: www.faceofmercy.com.
