Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church and School Fort Worth’s Only African American/Diverse Catholic Parish 1001-1007 East Terrell Avenue Fort Worth Texas 76104 817.335.1695-C’;817.923.0058-S [email protected] www.omomftworth.org CLERGY:

REV. JEROME G. LEDOUX, SVD Pastoral Administrator 817.335.1695 [email protected] MASS SCHEDULE:

Saturday Vigil: 5PM Sunday: 8AM ,10AM, &1PM (Misa en español) School Mass: 8:30AM (September thru May) Holy Days of Obligation—(Consult the bulletin.) RECONCILIATION:

Before Mass & by appointment

April 26, 2015/26 de abril de 2015 Fourth Sunday of Easter Cuarto Domingo de Pascua

———————————————————————————PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Declaración Parroquial de Misión Our Mother of Mercy is a predominately African American Catholic Church Community whose members, guided by the Holy Spirit, strive to deepen their own faith and to share the “Good News” through their faith, gifts, and culture with others. Our Mother of Mercy es una Iglesia católica de una comunidad predominante africano americano cuyos miembros, guiados por el Espíritu Santo, intentan a profundizar su propia fe y a compartir la Buena Nueva por su fe, sus dones, y su cultura con los demás. _______________________________________________ MOTTO LEMA All for the greater Glory of God. Todo para la Gloría más grande de Dios

St. Ignatius Loyola

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Our hearts are restless Oh God and they will never find rest until they rest in you. Nuestros corazones son insatisfechos, oh Dios, hasta que descanse en ti. St. Augustine

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE IN GOD AND JESUS “Why me?” is the oft-repeated query when dark, painful times descend upon us hapless human beings. “What have I done to deserve this?” is another familiar way of asking the same question. One can say that there are three stages of belief in God, of which the third is often the most difficult for perhaps most people. Blaise Pascal’s wager tackles the first stage of belief in God. In summary of a lengthy philosophical dissertation, the wager states: 1. If you believe in God and God does exist, you will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven: thus an infinite gain. 2. If you do not believe in God and God does exist, you will be condemned to live in hell forever: thus an infinite loss. 3. If you believe in God and God does not exist, you will not be rewarded: thus a finite loss. 4. If you do not believe in God and God does not exist, you will not be rewarded, but you have lived your own life: thus a finite gain. Criticisms of the wager strike me as being pedantic and cerebral instead of simple and down-to-earth. Critics object that the wager presupposes many things such as an immortal soul and a Judaeo/ Christian-based notion of God that affirms the faith of believers rather than converts nonbelievers, since it posits one God to believe in, thereby excluding another god or gods that people may believe in. But Pascal was not militating for Christian belief, but rather for the raw belief in God that one living in the totally isolated world

of an undiscovered jungle might have. Therefore, even though Pascal speaks of God in the singular, it seems that he does not want his wager to exclude polytheists, those who believe in multiple gods. In fact, the Church includes polytheists and everyone else in its statement on the will of God that all people be saved, “Facienti quod in se est, Deus non denegat gratiam.” Translated roughly in the plural, “God does not deny grace to those who do what they are capable of doing.” That means, “those who follow the light of reason.” Thus, aborigenes in the deepest jungles, who have had no contact with any people, the Bible or any knowledge beyond the stone age, will be saved – given the grace of God – if they believe and do what is in their understanding to believe and do, even if that understanding is deficient as to the true nature of God. The other way of saying it is that God does not condemn us because of invincible ignorance; that is, ignorance for which we are not responsible and cannot do anything about. The stipulation is that those aborigenes are willing to accept whatever God wants. “Whatever God wants” makes everything implicit in the generic belief in God that knows no details about God or religion. An aborigine or anyone who knows nothing about all the knowledge, science, writings and other media and marvels of the modern world may have a somewhat fuzzy idea of a Supreme Being or may find deities in the sun, moon, oceans, mountains or universe. Nonetheless, if such a person submits herself/himself to the will of the Creator, everything falls into place.

Thus, baptism, a condition sine qua non of salvation, is included in the will of the Creator embraced by the generic believer. Such baptism is known as baptism of desire. Ditto for the implicit acceptance of Jesus Christ, without whom there is no salvation. Implicit in accepting what God wants is, “If I but knew Jesus, I would embrace him and all his teachings.” The same goes for acceptance of God’s Church. So, unconditional belief in God and the acceptance of God’s will cover all our spiritual needs, no matter how little we have heard or read about them. Still, it is not enough to believe in God, Jesus and their Holy Spirit. James 2:19 warns us, “You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.” It is the third part of faith that is so difficult, because it challenges us and our petty agendas, faults, sins, doubts, pains, grief, deprivations, disappointments and failures. Enter Thomas, Didymus, the one of little faith, who had to see and touch the nail prints in the hands of Jesus and the lance scar in his side. He was not unlike Peter, who denied Jesus thrice, and all the other apostles who fled before the ferocity of the Roman soldiers on Good Friday. (John managed to sneak back later.) Together with the other apostles – and everyone else except the three steadfast Marys – Thomas was numb when confronted with the reality that Jesus had risen from the dead. It had to be a ghost, not flesh and blood! Actually, they were in a tailspin, cowering for fear of the Jews until the rending event of Pentecost. Resurrection through Jesus – that final prerequisite of faith and salvation – will carry us through all doubt, fear, anxiety, pain, grief, depression and failure.

“God is love, and all who abide in love abide in God and God in them.” (1 John 4:16) Rev. Jerome G. LeDoux, SVD

COMMUNITY PRAYER

Vanessa Ussin, Josephine Smith, Jeanette Asare, John Malachi, Giselle Robinson, Earline Robinson, Richard Lee, Sr., Olga & Larry Martinez, & all the sick and shut in.

Alberee Haynes, Johnnie McBride, Mildred Gardner, Don Snow, Debra Hillary, Arnold Brown, Wilbert Youman, J. D. Brown, Pearl Gordon, Rosalind Reynolds Wilhelmina Harkey, Mary Jean Lily, Oscar Haswell, Renee Gordon, Jocelyn Thomas, Thelma Wentzel, Richard Menefield, Rena Brown, Michael Charles, Wilbert Hawes, Jr., Jonathan Hawes

Happy Birthday To: Jacinda McCree, David Payton, Judy Bell, Michael Ussin, Telissa Townsend, Sam McCloud, and to anyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary between April 26 to May 2.. April 25-26, 2015 Jesus is the good shepherd and laid down his life for us that we may have new life. Give your marriage new life by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are June 12-14 and Aug. 14-16, 2015. Dates fill fast. To apply, visit our website at: http://www.dfwme.org/apply . For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 469-444-0904. Para mas informacion de Encuentro Matrimonial en Espanol, escriba a [email protected] o visite http:// www.seccion15.org/

Fourth Sunday of Easter April 26, 2015 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3:1

Cuarto Domingo de Pascua 26 de abril de 2015 Miren cuánto amor nos ha tenido el Padre, pues no sólo nos llamamos hijos de Dios, sino que lo somos.— 1 Juan 3:1

Julia Smith request that the 5pm Mass be offered for her family. Thank you for remembering Julia’s family in your prayers.

NOW SOLICITING NOMINATIONS for PARTICIPANTS 2015 BLACK CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULT LISTENING SESSION The USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church – African American Affairs is seeking 25 Black Catholic Young Adults to help us begin to develop viable approaches and resources to effectively evangelize and cultivate leadership from this group within the Catholic Church. You are invited to nominate a participant who will assist the USCCB and local Church achieve this objective. Please feel free to solicit interested young adults from your diocese/organization to help you determine the appropriate nominee (s). This is a competitive process. An ideal nominee is an active Catholic of African descent, between 25 – 35 years of age who is endorsed by a leader from a national Catholic organization, arch/diocese, educational institution or parish. This convening will take place May 29 – 31, 2015 (i.e., weekend after Memorial Day holiday) at Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville MD, in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Participants must commit to participating for the full gathering, which will begin on Friday at 6pm and end on Sunday at noon. (SEE DELORES NEWTON IF

DIOCESAN AND PARISH NEWS

OUR MOTHER OF MERCY CHURCH CALENDAR/UPCOMING EVENT PRAYER GROUPS—EACH MONDAY AT 7PM AND SATURDAY AT 12:30PM KPC Ladies Auxiliary's Florida Johnson Scholarship 2015 for up to $1,000.00 is open to graduating seniors. Application and criteria forms are available at the rear of the Church. Deadline for returning the required information is May 10, 2015 Florida Johnson Becas de KPC Damas Auxiliares 2015 hasta por $1,000.00 está abierto a estudiantes de último año. Los formularios de solicitud y los criterios están disponibles en la parte trasera de la Iglesia. Fecha límite para devolver la información requerida es 10 de mayo 2015 Usher Meeting Saturday May 16th 10 am. For all Ushers. And all who would like to be Ushers. Young, Old ,Old who are young and young who are old. Usher President Tom Byrd

Daniel Ali to speak May 6 – Mary Immaculate Catholic Church 2800 Valwood Pkwy., Farmers Branch, Tx. Come to the Parish Hall Wednesday, May 6th beginning at 7:00 p.m. to hear internationallyacclaimed Kurdish-American Evangelist and Author Daniel Ali. Daniel is an Iraqi Kurd who grew up as a Muslim under Saddam Hussein’s campaigns against the Kurds, experiencing gassings and chemical weapons attacks on thousands of his native villages. From his earliest days in Iraq, the Lord placed silent, but loving, Christian witnesses around him, since it has always been illegal in Muslim countries for a Christian to speak to a Muslim of Christianity or Christ. Daniel began the non-profit Christian-Islamic forum in August, 2001, just weeks before terrorists struck on 911. He has appeared on The Journey Home twice and will be taping his third appearance soon. Daniel has authored two books Inside Islam: A Guide for Catholics, in 2003 and Out of Islam, Free at Last, which was published in 2007. He coproduced with Fr. Mitch Pacwa a Video Series for EWTN called “Islam in Christianity” in 2002. This appearance will be free and open to the public. Please plan to attend this inspiring and informative

talk!

FIRST COMMUNION MAY 31, 2015 SEE MRS. MANNING FOR INFORMATION PRIMERA COMUNIÓN 31 de mayo 2015 VEA LA SRA . Manning DE INFORMACIÓN If your child is 15 or over or will be 15 before June 17, please contact Arlene Manning or Carolyn Yusuf to register for confirmation. Confirmation will be conferred by Bishop Olson on June 17, 2015 at 6pm. Please plan to attend and support our children. Si su hijo tiene 15 años o más, o sea 15 antes del 17 de junio por favor póngase en contacto con Arlene Manning o Carolyn Yusuf registrar para su confirmación. La confirmación será conferido por el obispo Olson el 17 de junio de 2015 a las 6 pm. Por favor haga planes para asistir y apoyar a nuestros hijos.

PARISH COMMUNITY AND MINISTRIES Bulletin Editor —Delores Newton 817.946.6296 LITURGICAL—Joyce B. Thomas 817.483.9838 Altar Servers—John Malachi 817. 293.8897 Choir — Zenobia Collins 682.365.4156 Eucharistic Ministers—John Malachi 817.293.8897 Lectors—Malinda Walker 817.534.4772 Ushers — Tom Byrd 817.240.1224 EDUCATION & FORMATION Baptism (Children) Joyce B. Thomas 817.437.8394 RCIA/Baptism Adults—Carolyn Yusuf 817.726.6726 RCIA Children, 1st Communion, CCE Arlene Manning — 817.483.9324 PARISH MINISTERIES Hospitality —Kay Norvel, Cynthia Sanford 817.229.4750 Bereavement —Betty Harris 817.429.9492 Sick Ministry — Rev. Jerome LeDoux 817.335.7695 Bldg. & Facilities — Frank Norvel Ray Egana 817.253.0806 Youth Ministry — Sandra Domingue 661.478.5338 St. Anne’s Altar Society –Joyce B. Thomas 817.483.9838 Knights of St. Peter Claver — Tom Byrd 817.240.1224 KPC Ladies Auxiliary — Carolyn Yusuf 817.726.6726 St. Vincent De Paul —Ruby Robinson 817.939.8747 St. Vincent De Paul Emergency Line 817.768.1950 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION 817.923.0058 Colonel (Ret.) Michael Barks—President Amy Malinowski—Principal School Board Advisory Council: Linda Campbell, Bob Hazen, Frank Norvel, Ruby Robinson Ron Russell, Art Sanford, Jodi Newton Pastoral Council Representative Leadership: Tom Byrd 817.240.1224 Keeping Children Safe — Janae T. Page 817.825.0879 RETROUVAILLE PROGRAM Laura & John Elkins 817.939.6034 OMM MINISTERS OF MARRIAGE Lana & Reginald Alexander, Sr. 504.460.9677 FINANCE COMMITTEE Kay Norvel, Carolyn Smith, Lorenzo Wilborn OMM School Alumni Ass. —Marie Barks 817.846.0332 If you would like to become more active with your church family, the names listed above are ministry leaders who are available to assist you. Please feel free to contact them to inquire about the group. Si quieren hacerse más involucrado con su familia de la iglesia, los nombres en la lista de arriba son los de los líderes de los ministerios que pueden ayudarles. Favor de llamarles en cualquier momento para más información acerca del grupo BULLETIN DEADLINE. The bulletin deadline is Sunday by 6pm.Announcements are to be received by the editor by 6pm the Sunday before your announcement is to appear in the bulletin. Please email your announcements to [email protected] or mail to the rectory 1005 East Terrell Avenue. The secretary/ bulletin editor is in the office from 10am to 2pm on Fridays. El Vencimiento del Boletín. El vencimiento del boletín es el domingo antes de las 6 pm. La editora del boletín necesita recibir su anuncio antes de las 6pm el domingo antes de que su anuncio aparecerá en el boletín. Favor de mandar los anuncios por email a [email protected] o mandarlos por correo a la rectoría 1005 East Terrell Avenue. La secretaria/editora del boletín está en la oficina de las 10am hasta las 2pm los viernes

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24 — 13:5a; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25: Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:16 or (for the memorial) Gn 1:26 — 2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Ps 90:2-4, 12-14, 16; Mt 13:54-58 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7 -14 LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

Lunes: Hch 11:1-18; Sal 42 (41):2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10 Martes: Hch 11:19-26; Sal 87 (86):1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Miércoles: Hch 12:24 — 13:5a; Sal 67 (66):23, 5, 6, 8; Jn 12:44-50 Jueves: Hch 13:13-25: Sal 89 (88):2-3, 2122, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Viernes: Hch 13:26-33; Sal 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 (por la memoria) Gn 1:26 — 2:3 o Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Sal 90 (89):2-4, 12-14, 16; Mt 13:54-58 Sábado: Hch 13:44-52; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Jn 14:7-14

April 19, 2015 Regular Collection—————–————–—–——-—-$2,029.00 OMM School Support—————————————-——–300.00 St. Vincent de Paul———————————————-——414.00 Children’s Collection—————————————————34.00 Attendance—149 REMEMBER YOUR MOTHER LIVING OR DECEASED 1.

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2. INSERT IN THE COLLECTION BASKET BY MAY 3 RECUERDE SU MADRE VIVA O FALLECIDO 1. IMPRIMIR TODAS IINFORMATION 2. INSERT EN LA CESTA COLECCIÓN 03 de mayo

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS Our Mother of Mercy #727500 1001 E. Terrell Avenue Fort Worth TX 76104 PHONE 817-335-1695 CONTACT PERSON Delores Newton 817-946-6296 (C) [email protected] SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher® 2007 Adobe Acrobat 9.0® Windows XP Professional® PRINTER ??? NUMBER OF PAGES SENT Cover + 4 text pages + this page = 6 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION ??? TRANSMISSION TIME ??? = to be determined SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

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