Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

   Our scripture readings today present images of hope, promise and new life. In our first reading from Ezekiel 37:12-14 we have an image, a vision, of new life in what seemed to be a hopeless situation. In our Gospel reading from John 11:1-45, we read about Lazarus being literally raised from the dead.
   These passages of scripture remind us that no matter what situation we may find ourselves in, no matter however seemingly hopeless, God provides us the grace, the strength, we need. He knows our needs better than we know them ourselves. We are called to put our trust in Him.
   In the Gospel reading Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
                                                                  
                                                                    God Bless,
                                                                           Father Ray

Here is the Kids' Bulletin for the celebration of the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Please print it and share with your children and grandchildren.  
 

Find out how much Jesus loves us when we go to Mass and receive the Eucharist in this inspiring video!         

We, the people of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Plainville, Connecticut are committed to journey together as a community of faith, hope, and love within the Catholic tradition.  We are called to witness to the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives through sharing and celebration of faith and a life of Christian Service.

Dear Padre,

My neighbor is a fundamentalist Christian. He said I won't be "saved" unless I accept Jesus as my personal savior.  Didn't Jesus become my savior when I was baptized?

Your neighbor is probably referring to John 3:7, when Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born anew."  Jesus is talking about a spiritual rebirth; we must have a spiritual birth in order to be saved.

As you have correctly noted, Catholics believe this happens at baptism. In John 3:5, Jesus says, "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit."

We are saved by the waters of baptism. But for Catholics, it's not merely a one-time event.  We continue to accept or reject the salvation offered us by the decisions we make every day.

Your neighbor used the words "personal savior."  Catholic Christians go even deeper through the sacraments.  We develop and nurture a very personal relationship with Jesus by regularly receiving the Eucharist.  In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we admit we have sinned and ask Jesus to forgive us.  And in the Sacrament of Confirmation, our relationship is "sealed" with the gifts of the Spirit.  

Many Catholics also celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. The couple's personal relationship with Jesus is deepened through the love the couple shares.

So tell your neighbor you are indeed saved by Jesus.  And because you are saved, you deepen that relationship with Jesus by living a sacramental life.

Fr. Patrick Keyes, CSSR

Weekend Masses                                    Saturday Vigil - 4:00 p.m. 
Sunday -  8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m., Liturgy of the Word for Children is celebrated at the 10:30am Mass.

Weekday Masses                                  Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m.
No Mass Celebrated on Wednesdays
The Rosary is prayed at 7:30 a.m. before Mass.
                 
Confession is celebrated at Noon on Saturdays.
During Lent: Friday at 5:15 p.m.
For an Examination of Conscience go here.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Friday morning 8:30 a.m. with Benediction at 9:25 a.m.

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The Office is Located at:
19 South Canal Street,
Plainville, CT 06062
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.,                    Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Friday, afternoon by appointments only
Phone:  860-747-6825
Fax:  860-747-5407
Email: olmct@sbcglobal.net