Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

A Thought for the Third Sunday of Easter  - Year B  

During the Easter season our first reading at daily Mass as well as on Sundays comes from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.  It was written by Luke.  Acts begins with an account of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven.  This is followed by the account of the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the spread of the Gospel, and the development and life of the early church.

The section we read today comes from the third chapter of Acts.  In the section which precedes today’s reading is found one of the most beautiful scenes in the scriptures.  It is the account of the healing of a man who was lame from birth, and who at the time Peter encountered him, apparently had become a beggar.

Peter said to him:
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have to give you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk…”

Then taking him by the right hand, Peter helped the man up and instantly his feet and ankles became strong.  The people who witnessed this were amazed!

When Peter saw their amazement he said to them:                                            “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you?  Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus…”

It was the power of the Holy Spirit working through Peter that led to the lame man’s healing.  In Baptism, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us.  In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul in the fifth chapter of his letter to the Galatians identifies signs that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives and actions.  Specifically, in Galatians 5:22-26 we read:
“The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.  There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have to put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires.  The Spirit has given us life; He must also control our lives.  We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.”

God Bless, Fr. Ray

 We welcome all to worship Jesus with us in the Eucharist.  A mask must be worn in the church.  If you are unable to attend due to health concerns, Archbishop Blair has extended the dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation through Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 which is Pentecost Sunday.  We continue to  encourage you to watch the Mass on EWTN or Channel 20.  Also, please download My Parish App here and have updated information sent to you.  Any questions?  Please call the Parish Office at 860.747.6825.

Our church is open from 7am - 6pm for private prayer.  You are invited to come and spend some time with the Lord in private prayer.

Here is the Kids' Bulletin for the Third Sunday of Easter.  Please print it and share with your children and grandchildren.

Welcome!

If you are new in the parish, please introduce yourself after Liturgy.  If you'd like to join our community of faith, please fill out a parish registration form and return it in the collection box at Mass, to the Parish Office or via mail to 19 South Canal St., Plainville, 06062.  Or give us a call and we will fill it out with you on the phone!

You can see our Bulletin by clicking here.

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

A mask is required to attend Mass.  No registration or appointment is necessary. 

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

Weekday Masses                                  M, T,Th, F & S - 8:00AM
The Rosary is prayed at 7:30 AM before Mass.
                 
Confession is held on Saturday, at Noon, in the church.  A mask must be worn and penitent must stay behind the screen in the Reconciliation Room. For an Examination of Conscience go here.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Friday morning after the 8am Mass.

The Office is Located at:
19 South Canal St., Plainville, CT 06062
9:00AM - 4:00PM,                    Monday - Friday
Phone:  860.747.6825
Fax:  860.747.5407
Email: olmct@sbcglobal.net

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