Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

A Thought for the 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Our Gospel reading today comes from John 6: 1-15.  In it we read an account of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish.  In the multiplication of the loaves and fish, Jesus was not just sharing bread or a picnic lunch for the crowd.  He was giving His very self to them.  The crowds may not have yet understood this.

In society at the time of Jesus, many people lived on a subsistence level.  If the head of the family did not work that day, there would be no supper on the table that evening.  
Can you imagine the joy the crowds experienced with the multiplication of the loaves and fish?

For us, bread is optional.  We may enjoy it, especially the variety of breads we can purchase in our supermarket or bakery, white bread, whole wheat bread, multigrain bread, corn bread, cinnamon bread, rye bread, sourdough bread, etc…. the list goes on forever.

But in Palestine, bread was not looked upon as an add-on to a meal.  Bread was the essential staple.  You might have nothing else to eat, but as long as you had bread, you could survive.  Jesus was not just sharing bread or a picnic lunch for the crowd.  He was giving His very self to them.

In the Eucharist for which we gather every Sunday, Jesus gives us His very self.  In giving us His body and blood in Holy Communion, Jesus in effect is saying to us, “I am the one who provides life abundant and everlasting.  I am not an option, if you really want life.  I am essential.  I am necessary.”

God Bless, Fr. Ray

Here is the Kids' Bulletin for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus multiplies the bread and fish to feed 5000 people.  He feeds us through the Eucharist.  He IS the Eucharist! 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!         

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.                  
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