Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

A Thought for the 11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

In our Gospel reading today from Mark 4:25-34, Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God.  He says, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like?  Or what parable shall we use to describe it?  It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.  Yet, when it is planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Some of us may have a misconception about the plant which comes forth from a mustard seed.  Some of us may be imagining a tree like an oak or a maple emanating from a tiny mustard seed.  If Jesus was teaching here in Connecticut, He might have spoken about the miracle of an acorn growing into a mighty oak.  However, He was teaching in Israel.  And so, He chose the mustard seed.

A mustard seed actually grows into a shrub.  But in that part of the world, it is the largest of shrubs.  It is large enough for birds to nestle in its branches.  The point of the parable is that from a tiny seed remarkable things can emerge.

An example of that growth is the story of the early Church.  It began with only the Master and 12 disciples and an unknown number of women.  Today, there are now more than 2.1 billion Christians in the world!

God Bless, Fr. Ray
 

Here is the Kids' Bulletin for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of Heaven and how it can grow in our hearts.  Please print it and share with your children and grandchildren.

 In light of recent developments from civil authorities regarding COVID-19 measures, Archbishop Blair recently announced two changes.
1.  As of May 19, 2021, the COVID-19 restrictions and procedures implemented on May 27, 2020 have been revoked.  Archbishop Blair made this announcement based on Governor Lamont’s declaration.  This means that our churches can reopen to 100% capacity with no need for any specific social distancing. 

            Modification of Safety Practices Regarding Covid-19 from                                                  Archbishop Leonard P. Blair as of June 9, 2021                                                                                                                                                                                           As the situation continues to develop, the time has come to modify somewhat the directives that the churches of the Archdiocese of Hartford have been operating under as concerns to Covid-19.

Effective Wednesday, June 9, 2021, for those who are vaccinated, wearing masks will now be optional while at Mass, at other liturgies, and at any indoor or outdoor events held at our churches.  Those who remain unvaccinated should continue to wear masks, with particular attention being given to the safety of young, unvaccinated children.
Also, for now, ministers who are distributing Holy Communion should continue to follow the directives that have been previously issued, including wearing a mask and sanitizing prior to distribution.

2.  The general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation will no longer be in force.  However, individuals may very legitimately decide not yet to attend church based on serious pre-existing conditions, illness, or advanced age with serious mobility challenges.
Participation in Mass is a privilege and an opportunity for a personal encounter with the Lord.  We encounter the Lord most profoundly through the reception of Holy Communion since it is the Crucified and Risen Christ Himself, we receive.

A Pastoral Letter on “the importance that full participation at Mass has for the spiritual life of all believers,” was jointly written by the Latin Bishops of Connecticut and issued on May 10th. You can read that article here:   https://archdioceseofhartford.org/letter-from-the-roman-catholic-bishops-of-connecticut-to-the-faithful-2/ 

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

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

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.

A mask is required to attend Mass if you have not been vaccinated.  

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.                  Change in Confession Time for Saturday, June 26^th                                                Due to the ordination at the Cathedral on Saturday at 11am, Confessions will not be heard at 12 Noon.  Instead, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered on:
 Friday, June 25^th – prior to the 8am Mass at 7:30am
And
Saturday, June 26^th – following the 4pm Vigil Mass
The regularly scheduled Saturday 12 Noon Confession schedule will resume on Saturday, July 3^rd.
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