MercySong is a 501(3)c not-for-profit apostolate established in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call to bring people to a “regenerating experience of God’s mercy.” Faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, MercySong is an outreach of the Flynn family, with a special focus on ministries of healing.
Our Story – Founder, Vinny Flynn
Born on December 8th, the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception, baptized at Mother of Mercy Catholic church, and raised close to the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (who would later become the official promulgators of the Message of Divine Mercy), it is no wonder that Vinny Flynn felt a strong connection from childhood to Our Lady and the message of God’s great Mercy.
As an adult, he became a teacher and counselor for fourteen years, and experienced first-hand how much mercy and healing is needed in the world. Feeling called to respond to this need, he began using his gifts in full-time religious ministry. He initially provided music and spoke at conferences and prayer gatherings, and published articles in various Catholic periodicals.
As Executive Editor at the Marian Helpers Center for many years and then General Manager of Divine Mercy International, Vinny was actively involved in spreading the message of Divine Mercy, presenting workshops to train religious and lay leaders, and writing or editing various Divine Mercy publications (including helping with the final edit of the official English edition of The Diary of St. Faustina. He is co-author of the famous little book, The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion, and contributed to many of the other Divine Mercy materials still in print today. In 2006 his first book 7 Secrets of the Eucharist was published and became an instant best-seller. Since then he has released 4 more books, including the recent 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy.
Still Waters – The original music
Vinny’s family music ministry, Still Waters, features himself and his daughters Colleen, Erin, and Mary, with support vocals from Vinny’s wife Donna and their four sons, John, Tim, Brian, and Kevin. The music is gentle and prayerful, with haunting guitar and violin interludes.
Seen frequently at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA at various events, and on Mother Angelica’s EWTN cable network (singing The original English version of The Chaplet of Divine Mercy), Still Waters takes its name from the 23rd Psalm. As Vinny explains, “It is our prayer that through our music you will be led beside the still waters into the healing presence of Jesus the Good Shepherd, who alone can restore your soul.”
Spirit Song Ministries – The first company
In 1993, under the spiritual direction of Fr. George Kosicki, CSB, Vinny and Donna established a recording/publishing company, Spirit Song Ministries, to produce and distribute their family music albums, talks on tape, and religious publications. In 1999 it became a full-time family apostolate, which they ran from their home.
MercySong, Inc. – The non-profit umbrella corporation
In 2003, the family ministries had multiplied and and were incorporated under the name MercySong, Inc. as a 501c(3) Catholic not-for-profit organization, which eventually grew to what it is today. MercySong now carries 8 books (and has granted licenses for many foreign language translations), and 18 CDs, including traditional and contemporary Catholic music, rosaries, chaplets, and talks. We have a very special relationship with Ignatius Press, whom we often partner with on publishing projects, and many of our team members have been involved in active merciful outreach.
Now adults, all 7 children have continued to be involved in various forms of Catholic ministry, both with MercySong and on their own. To read about them all, visit our FAMILY PAGE. And our supporters, benefactors, prayer partners, and everyone involved in our extended MercySong family are so important to us. If you’d like to join us in ministry, check out all the ways you can be involved HERE.