Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

A Thought for the Feast of the Epiphany - Year B

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day.  Here in the United States the Church celebrates this solemnity on the first Sunday of the New Year.  In some other parts of the world, it is celebrated on January 6^th, the 12^th day of Christmas.

The word, Epiphany, means manifestation.  The Three Kings also known as the Magi represent people from the East.  Our celebration today thus reminds us that Jesus was born and came for all people.

Christmas tradition gives us the names of the Magi.

Gaspar was a king who made the long journey from India across Persia and Arabia to reach Bethlehem.

Melchior was a Persian king and Balthasar was an Arabian king.

The story is so familiar, thus, so easily we might think of the Epiphany account as a fairytale conclusion to the Christmas season.

Christmas is not a fairytale.  Neither is Epiphany.

Again, Epiphany reminds us that Jesus was born and came for all people.  In addition, it challenges us to examine our attitudes and actions.  The beginning of a New Year is a good time to examine our attitudes.  Is prejudice a part of our lives?

God loves all people without distinction.

Happy Three Kings’ Day!
God Bless, Fr. Ray
 

• All members of the congregation need to wear masks, with a few exceptions:

• No congregational singing at all since singing has been shown to spread the virus easily
• No passing of offertory baskets.  A collection box will be available at the church entrance
• Congregants who are not coming forward to receive Holy Communion or a blessing should get out ot their pews at the beginning so that no none will have to climb over anyone else
• All Communion lines shoud be single file with people wearing masks, approaching row by row and keeping 6 feet apart, except for family members
• Communicants will receive the consecrated host on their hand, step to the side, consme the Host, replace their mask and return to their pew
• People who insist to receive Holy Communion on the tongue should be given Communion only after everyone else has received
• Following Mass the congregants should file out pew by pew.  Gatherings should not take place in church or in the parking lot

 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, as of October 29, 2020, Archbishop Blair has extended the dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass through Tuesday, February 16, 2021.  We continue to  encourage you to watch the Mass on EWTN.  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 celebration of Epiphany, Jan. 3rd.  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 at 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 postponed for now.

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