Dear Parishioners:
Last week we celebrated Catechetical Sunday with the theme of "Living as Missionary Disciples." It is important for all of us to reflect on the role that each Catholic plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.
At last week’s 10:30am Mass we commissioned our Parish Religious Education Teachers. These volunteer teachers give generously of their time and talent to teach the children of our parish the Catholic Faith. We are grateful for all that they do and thank them for their commitment and dedication. Please pray for them and for all those in our OLM RE Program.
This Sunday we celebrate our Parish Patronal Feast and ask the continued intercession and guidance of Our Lady of Mercy for our parish. We celebrate the feast with deep faith, great joy and solemnity at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday.
The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, September 24, commemorates the foundation of the Mercedarian Order and the apparition of Our Lady of Ransom. In this appearance the Blessed Mother carried two bags of coins for use in ransoming Christians imprisoned by Moors. In 1218, the Mercedarian Order was legally constituted at Barcelona, Spain by King James of Aragon, and was approved by Pope Gregory IX in 1235.
The Mercedarians celebrated their institution on the Sunday nearest to August 1st because it was onAugust 1, 1218 that the Blessed Virgin showed their founder, Saint Peter Nolasco, the white habit of the Order. This custom was approved by the Congregation of Rites in 1615 and in 1696 it was extended to the entire Latin Church, and the date changed to September 24th.
Let us all pray this Sunday for the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy for our own intentions and those of our entire parish family. The Prayer To Our Holy Mother of Mercy:
“O Mary, our Mother of Mercy, the fullness of God's own Mercy dwells in you. With the eyes of a mother look upon your children. Intercede for everyone who suffers in body or soul, and for all who are enslaved in mind or spirit. We give ourselves to you totally – mind, heart, and senses. Keep them and help us always to be a sign of God's love. Reveal to us what it means to be yours, and teach us to live in that same generosity with which you responded to the grace of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.”
The Feast Day Mass kicks off our celebration of Mercy continues on Sunday with the Our Lady of Mercy Picnic from Noon until 4:00pm. The Picnic is a great event for us to gather as a parish family and celebrate our faith and our friendship. There is great food and great fun for all. So stop by for a burger or dog, to root on the Patriots, maybe play some games, socialize with friends old and new, and celebrate Mercy!
This week we continue our celebration of Mercy on Monday night at 7:00pm with a Holy Hour of Mercy at which one of our newly ordained priests, Fr. Joseph Brice, preaches about Mercy. There are Confessions for two hours with two priests in honor of the Feast of Mercy beginningat 5:00pm on Monday. A great way to celebrate and receive God’s Mercy!
On Tuesday night at 7:00pm, we gather to sing the praises of Our Lady of Mercy with a concert of sacred music. Both our OLM Adult Choir and Children’s Choir are performing. Also our very talented parish musicians, Deirdre Donovan and Henri St. Louis, performsome beautiful hymns in honor of Mary. It is truly a wonderful way to celebrate our faith as a parish family.
On Wednesday all OLM parishioners and families are invitedto join us for a Work of Mercy. God has blessed us and our parish and we so in a special way we share our blessings as we together prepare meals for the hungry and homeless. Come to the OLM School Cafeteria at 6pm on Wednesday and join us in this corporal work of mercy for the poor. What better way to celebrate our faith than performing a Work of Mercy. Bring your children or bring a friend, all are welcome!
Fr. Barrow leaves for Rome this week to attend the Ordination of Providence Seminarian Philip DuFour as a Transitional Deacon. Please pray for the new Deacons who arebeing ordained his week at St. Peter’sBasilica.
Do good. Be well. God Bless! Go Sox! Go Pats!!! Celebrate Mercy!