-
Welcome to Our Lady of MercyBackForwardPauseCaption
-
A Note From The Pastor and other great information
2026
Lenten & Easter ScheduleAsh Wednesday Mass: Feb. 18th
8:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Confessions: Feb. 23rd—Apr. 1stEvery Monday During Lent: 6:30 p.m.
Every Friday during Lent:
Stations of the Cross
Feb. 20th—Apr. 3rd at 7 p.m.Divine Mercy Chaplet:
Sun., Apr. 12th at 3:00 p.m.
Confessions After Chaplet is Finished
The Passion of the LORD
Easter Mass Schedules:Mar. 28th: Vigil for Palm Sunday at 4 p.m.
Mar. 29th: Palm Sunday: 8:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.Apr. 2nd: Holy Thursday:
The Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m.Apr. 3rd: Good Friday Service at 3 p.m.
The Resurrection of the LORD!
Apr. 4th: Easter Vigil at 8 p.m.
Apr. 5th: Easter Sunday:
at 8:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++2026 Archbishop’s Annual - “WE ARE ONE”
This week we officially launch our efforts for the 2026 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
“We Are One.”
Pope Leo XIV’s motto, In Illo uno unum - "In the one Christ we are one" echoes Saint Augustine’s reminder that in Christ, the many become one. This is the foundation of this year’s Appeal theme,
We Are One. Our unity in Christ calls us to express that oneness through acts of love and service, especially toward those in need.
By supporting the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, we live out the very meaning of the Pope’s motto.
Together, as one family of faith, we extend Christ’s charity to our brothers and sisters and allow His grace to work through us.If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a letter from Archbishop Coyne seeking your support.
As Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford, we can have a profound impact on our local communities not only spiritually, but intimately connected to it, the realm of social services and many charities and outreach services performed by, or with help from, our Church.
If you would like to make a gift, please mail in your pledge card. You may also visit the Archdiocesan website at https://archdioceseofhartford.org/appeal/ or call the Appeal Office at (800)781-2550.
Keep in mind that an early pledge will allow you to best use the monthly payment plan.
All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found at https://archdioceseofhartford.org/appeal/.
No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.
Volunteers Needed
Our parish community is blessed in so many ways, and one of our greatest blessings is the generosity of our people. As we continue to grow and serve one another, we are in need of additional volunteers to help support several important ministries and parish activities.
There are many ways to become involved, whether you are able to serve weekly, monthly, or occasionally for special events. Opportunities include:
· Liturgical Ministries: Lectors, altar servers, greeters, and ushers. Training is provided for all new volunteers.
· Faith Formation Support: Catechists, classroom aides, substitutes, and hospitality helpers for our religious education programs.
· Hospitality & Fellowship: Coffee and fellowship hosts, event set-up and clean-up teams, and welcome committee members to help greet new parishioners.
· Outreach & Service: Volunteers to assist with food drives, community outreach efforts, visiting the homebound, and supporting parish service projects.
· Administrative & Behind-the-Scenes Help: Office assistance: folding music sheets, and/or stuffing the bulletin with fliers, stuffing envelopes for seasonal mailings and seasonal decorating. Our buildings and grounds maintenance department also needs volunteers. Seasonal help with garden planters and vegetable garden also needed (you do not need a green thumb to help).
Volunteering is not only a way to help the parish—it is also an opportunity to grow in faith, build friendships, and become more deeply connected to our parish family. Many hands truly do make light work, and even a small commitment of time can make a meaningful difference.
If you have been thinking about getting more involved, this may be the perfect time to take that step. We welcome individuals of all ages and talents. Whether you feel called to serve at the altar, assist in the classroom, lend a helping hand at events, support our outreach efforts, or help around the church, there is a place for you here. To learn more or to sign up, please contact the parish office during regular business hours or speak with Rev. M. David Dawson or Deacon Mike after Mass.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Together, through generous service, we continue to build a vibrant and welcoming parish community.
Weekly Lenten Collection For Plainville Community Food Pantry
During Lent, the collection of non-perishable food items, paper goods, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items for the food pantry will occur weekly from Feb. 21st through Easter Sunday, April 5th. Items may be placed in the designated area in the Gathering space of the Church.
Thank you so much for your support and generosity.
Book Discussion
Tuesday, March 3rd to 31st at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center. The name of the book is “The Love of the Sacred Heart” written
by St. Mechtilde. Cost of the book is $20.00 and are available at the Parish Ofc.
Please call the office at 860-747-6825
if you would like to join us for the
Book Discussion.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2026 Knights of Columbus
“HOME MADE” St. Patrick’s Day DinnerMarch 14th at 5:00 p.m. at OLM Parish Hall. Dinner: Corned beef & cabbage, potatoes, vegetable, salad, soda, coffee and dessert. Bring your own beverage. Other options for Kids: Hot Dog and chips for only $2.00.
Only $16.00 for an evening of great food, fellowship and fun. Please join us!Tickets available to purchase in the gathering space before and after Masses on
February 21st & February 22nd, February 28th & March 1st and March 7th & March 8th
Tickets will also be available at the church office .Basket Raffles 50/50
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Let’s take a deep dive into Lent!
What are you supposed to do to do Lent well? Using it to get sin out of your life is a nice start. Our faith is not merely “fire insurance” (to stay out of hell.) Yes, we need to cooperate with God to squash sin in our lives. ABSOLUTELY! But that is but one facet of our faith life.
If you were enormously in love with someone and wanted to begin working toward a lifelong godly marriage, how would you need to approach it? If you were inviting them over for a beautiful dinner you were working your rear end off to make, what would need to happen first? You would need to clean your home. You would have to make sure that everything to be used in the meal was in its finest order. You would want any music and lighting to be just right. You would go to great lengths to prepare.
You begin focusing on what they want. How do you help them to perceive joy, peace, love, and acceptance by you in their interactions with you? The place is clean for the moment, praise God. However, how do you enable them to know they are loved! You spend time together; YOU LISTEN more than you speak; plans are made in context of what your beloved would most appreciate.
Eventually you will need to clean again, but you will do it with more joy and less aggravation because it brought you and your beloved closer together and you want more of that.
It is remarkably similar in our faith life. We try to clean things up by way of confession, getting rid of sinful habits and temptations, and prioritizing things of God over our wants. A different kind of progress happens after that, when you go from beyond letting the other talk to truly listening to what they are saying and discerning what it means to them. You look for the opportunities that draw you closer together. I warn you whether in spiritual life or in a human relationship, the closer you get to the one you desire, the more you are going to see that your life needs to do a deep cleaning in areas you thought were fine. That is not a bad thing, it is growth. You look forward to time together. You communicate daily. You read the notes or letters from the other.
Lent helps us clean out the spiritual septic tank of sin. Yet, it also is to be a time of diving into one another's heart, mind, and our very being at its core. Do not have an easy lent, make it a time of progress in the greatest journey you will ever be encountering.
Praise be Jesus Christ now and foreverRev. M. David Dawson
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lent is upon us. A few things to know as it is coming up Wednesday.
· Ash Wednesday is *NOT* a holy day of obligation, but it is a good thing to commemorate
· Abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Lenten Fridays is required of everyone
· Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is a minimum, not a maximum. *See article on
on Fasting & Abstinence.*· What will be different in your life at the end of Lent? Will you have learned about a saint, liturgy, historical aspect or something else about the Church? Will you check out something like the Basilica, The Divine Mercy Shrine, the Fr. McGivney museum?
· When you ‘give up’ something for lent, are you making sure that it will only be a burden to you, not the people around you? (Ie. If no coffee makes you unbearable, don’t do that to your family)
· Are you doing anything as a household? (Regular rosaries, perhaps reading next week’s Mass readings, etc.)
· Will you learn any prayers by making them part of your Lenten life?
· Will you seriously look into why the Church teaches anything that you wonder about or may be uncomfortable with?
Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever
Rev. M. David Dawson++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fasting & Abstinence During Lent
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
A Reflection on Lenten Fasting
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Giving up or Giving for?”
Lent implies deprivation and uncomfortable penances, but it can be more meaningful. Consider turning your offerings into gifts of gratitude for God’s gifts:Give time in prayer: God, who created the universe, wants to spend time with you. Whether it’s reading Scripture, praying the Rosary, or attending daily Mass, know that God is delighted you’re with Him, and will give you all the graces you need to stay close to Him.
Give small with great love: St, Therese of Lisieux was an expert at turning small sacrifices into powerful deeds by her love. Our Lenten sacrifices entrusted to God, do immense good that we’ll see fully in Heaven. Whoever knew that our simple Lenten offerings can be part of God’s saving work?
Give half your cloak: According to legend, St. Martin of Tours gave half of his cloak to a cold beggar. That night, Jesus appeared to St. Martin in a dream, wearing the cloak. When we serve others, it is Jesus who ultimately receives our gift.
Copyright 2022 Success Publishing & Medi, LLC++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Eucharist is Now: During the celebration of the
Eucharist, the past action of Jesus becomes present. It is a liturgical representation of His sacrifice. Not merely a commemoration, Mass makes the sacrifice truly present. When we participate in the Eucharist, the past becomes present to us and we are present at the saving event.
Live Generously: In a world that judges people based on their accumulated wealth, it is easy to notice what we don’t have and to wish for it. Lent, however, invites us to live in gratitude for what we do have. Gratitude then gives rise to generosity sharing God’s love and gifts with others. Generous people are encouraging, positive and appreciative. During Lent notice and
appreciate God’s gifts and share them with others.
Copyright 2021 Success Publishing Media, LLC++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Faith Formation Schedule: First Reconciliation:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. OLM ChurchFirst Holy
Communion: Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at
Our Lady of Mercy ChurchThe Sacrament of Confirmation: (2nd year 10th - 12th grade) Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. in Hartford, CT at
The Cathedral of St. Joseph+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Lady of Mercy Faith Formation 2025-2026 Schedule
March 2026
1 Family Mass
8 Classes
15 Classes
22 Family Gathering
29 Family Mass-Palm SundayApril 2026
5 No Classes-Happy Easter
12 No Classes-Spring Recess
19 Family Gathering
26 Last Day of ClassesMay 2026
3 Closing Family Mass
All Classes/Gatherings will be held on Sunday’s in the Parish Center
Grades Pre-K -6 (9:00 to 10:15 a.m.)
Grades 7—10 (6:00 to 7:30 p.m.)
Family Mass (Sunday 10;30 a.m.)
Family Gathering (After the 10:30 a.m. Mass
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&In Need of Sacrament or Sacraments?
Any person needing to receive their adult sacraments of baptism, first communion, confession, confirmation or any combination of the above, should contact Rev. M. David Dawson or our Religious Education Coordinator, Gina Burby. You can call the Parish office at 860-747-6825 and leave a message for them to call you. Be sure to leave your full name and best call back number.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
********* Winter ********
Whether you love it or loathe it, it is a fact. This always leads to questions like: “If there is bad weather do I still need to go to Mass?” That is a fair question. Here are some things to consider when reaching a decision. Can I confidently get to Mass and back home safely? Would I be willing to go to the Superbowl or anywhere else in this weather? Christ is more important than even Superbowl tickets! With my health is it prudent to go to Mass in these conditions? A related question: Will there still be Mass when there is bad weather? I live across the street from
the Church. By God’s holy grace; I do not have another church to get to, so its pretty easy for me to be here. If the weather were so very bad, that I cannot get there, you probably should not be considering it.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pilgrimage Trip to Portugal in July 2026
Join Fr. Ken Brighenti, Vice Rector of The Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH, on an unforgettable pilgrimage trip to Portugal in July 2026. Explore Lisbon, Fatima, Nazre, Avila, and Porto,
enjoying activities like port wine tasting. tapas bars, street food, boat trips on the Tagus and Douro
rivers, and a captivating Fado Show. Experience the spiritual ambiance of Fatima’s candlelight processions and immerse yourself in Portugal’s rich history, culture, and faith.
For more info or a complete brochure email Father at kbrighenti@pcj.edu or
Call 908-766-8994 or email louis@fratelliandcompany.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*****************************************************************************
Volunteer Positions Available********************************************************************************************
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
A grace filled opportunity awaits you with the privilege of bringing the Body and Blood of Jesus to the faithful members of Our Lady of Mercy Parish. This is a deeply spiritual and rewarding experience as you assist in the distribution of the Eucharist with reverence. All such ministers must be living in accordance with the Church. (ie. Marriage etc.) If you are willing to go to some of the homebound, please let us know. Please contact the office if you feel a call to this ministry. Rev. M. David Dawson will provide training. EMHCs are especially needed for the 4:00 p.m. & 8:30 a.m. Masses. Ofc. 860-747-6825****************************************************************** The Traveling Statue of Mary
**************************************************************
“The Traveling Statue of Mary is available for a visit to your home. We are participating in the “100,000 Rosaries for Vocations” meditation. A perfect opportunity to pray the rosary with Mary present as you pray for vocations. You can include personal petitions. Signup with your name and phone number on the sheet by the statue of Mary next to the grand piano and we will call to arrange a visit.”The Legion of Mary
**************************************************************
“The Legion of Mary is open to men and women who would like to join us in our ministry. Do you have a couple of hours in the week to do Mary’s work? Come and see what we are all about. Call the parish office with your name and phone for more information. If you know of a homebound parishioner who would a friendly visit please contact the parish office with their name and phone number to arrange a
visit. Call 860-747-6825. -
Kids' Bulletin
Attached is the kids' bulletin. Please print it and share with your children and grandchildren. Enjoy!
Click on this link to open: Kids' Bulletin
*A printed copy will be available at all Masses.* -
Jesus Loves Us This Much Through the Eucharist!
Find out how much Jesus loves us when we go to Mass and receive the Eucharist in this inspiring video!
-
Word on Fire
-
ChurchPOP
-
"Coming to [Saint Therese's] home to entrust this new stage of our lives together to her is a gift from heaven.”
-
While sharing her Catholic faith journey, Gwen Stefani says, “The only thing that’s important in life is your relationship with God. Everything is from God. It’s a miracle!”
-
These powerful films can inspire prayer and help us encounter Jesus more deeply as we spiritually prepare for Holy Week. Would you add anything to the list?
-
-
Parish Mission
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.
-
Am I Already "Saved"?
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
-
Schedule of Masses, Confession, and Adoration
Lenten & Easter Schedule to the left of this schedule
Weekend Masses
Saturday
Mass 4:00 p.m.Sunday
8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.Liturgy of the Word for Children is celebrated at the 10:30 a.m. Mass
Weekday MassesMonday 6:00 p.m. ****************
Tuesday- Saturday
8:00 a.m.Wednesday
NO Mass%%%%%%%%%%%%
Friday: 8:30 a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Adoration & Benediction
************************* CONFESSIONS
Confessions are celebrated each week at 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays
For an Examination of Conscience go here.
-
Parish/Cemetery Office Hours & Location
The Office is Located at:
19 South Canal Street,
Plainville, CT 06062
Office Hours are
Monday - Thursday:
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., afternoons by appointment only
Phone: 860-747-6825
Fax: 860-747-5407
Email: Administration@olmct.org -
Where to findOur Lady Mercy Church
-
Where to find Parish/Cemetery Office