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 (Spanish Mass) School Mass: 8:30AM (September thru May) Holy Days of Obligation—(Consult the bulletin.) RECONCILIATION:

Before Mass & by appointment

February 1, 2015 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario _____________________________________________________ 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

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

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE OUR LIFE IS PRECARIOUS, DELICATE, PRECIOUS Exactly 20 years after Siberian Express # 1, Siberian Express # 2 had hit the United States on January 9, 1982. As 20 years before, a bit of ice was detected on the water where the bay licked the shores of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The mercury plunged to 12 degrees, rose to 20 the following day and to 32 the next day. With quite a bit of interest, there was no freeze thereafter until the following winter. Christmas 1983 did not sink to those depths, but it was savage in it own right, starting a wicked freeze that went unbroken for eight consecutive days, even as far down as New Orleans. Though the following winter was mild by comparison, it had its own brand of freeze that left traces of snow and ice here and there. Serving the faithful of St. Martin de Porres Church in Prairie View, Texas at that time, I decided to visit the Dukes family, my maternal cousins in Austin. With two passengers in the church station wagon, we began our journey to Austin just after dark. I wondered why the traffic on distant oncoming highway 290 East was crawling along. Unfortunately, I had a rude awakening when the station wagon that was set on cruising 55 mph suddenly spun counterclockwise and slid off the road. Our good fortune and blessing was that the ravine was not too steep, even though one of our tires did blow. Astonished, we looked around and saw a dozen or so other cars that had suffered the same

fate as ours. In no time flat, two young men who were doing both a hustle and a favor approached us, offering to change our tire at a very modest cost. Considering the weather, we happily consented. Pulling back up the gradual slope was surprisingly easy, but , understanding that we were dealing with black ice in moderately hilly country, we ducked into the first hotel we encountered. To be sure, because of the shared lot of many, there was no room at the inn. However, the manager was kind enough to allow us to sleep in the hallway with scores of other adventurers. And slept we did until the sun was high enough the next morning to melt some of the ice and allow us to proceed. Such was my introduction to black ice that is at its worst when one is not aware that it is on the road. Yesterday brought it all back to me when I read the chilling report about a mediumsized prison bus that was traveling on I-20 West from Abilene to El Paso, Texas. In an atmosphere that belied peril, the temperature was flirting with freezing in the area, especially at the early hour of 7:30 a.m., when the bus approached road FM 866 near Penwell, Texas, a bit west of Odessa. There had been some moisture that froze on the highway bridges. Unbeknown to the driver, he was approaching black ice at a potentially deadly speed. Nullifying all traction of the tires, black ice on an overpass incapacitated the steering mechanism, slinging the bus off the road toward a passing freight train. At a speed apparently too high for icy conditions, the bus struck the middle of the train, ripped open an onboard 18-wheeler and was

dragged a bit till the train stopped. Of the 15 occupants of the bus, 10 were killed, 3 of the others are in critical condition and 2 are in serious condition. At 29, Tyler Townsend, the son of Karl and Petra Townsend, was the youngest of those killed by the collision. “He did not suffer at all,” an official told Petra. “He and the man next to him were struck in the head and were killed instantly.” Tyler’s parents had at least that degree of consolation. But on the night before the scheduled transfer by bus, the Townsends had a much higher degree of peace and assurance from a telephone call by Tyler to his mother in Benbrook, a suburb of Fort Worth. The rather short conversation featured prayer for a safe journey and a series of backand-forth committed “I love you.” Prior to that conversation, Tyler had assured his mother that he had given his life over to Christ. Although baptism is an indelible sacrament that cannot be validly repeated, he nevertheless received God’s grace when he was rebaptized in prison, for one’s disposition for God’s grace is the most important thing of all. With a strong show of faith, Petra Townsend told a TV Channels 8 and 11 interviewer, “What I know is that God received him into heaven, because when Tyler was in the Sanchez unit, he asked to be baptized again. He went to church there in the evenings.” She read from a recent card sent by Tyler who was battling back from drugs and other crimes, “The bond between mother and son lasts a lifetime.” “I always believed he was going to change that path,” Petra added. “Tyler believed it too. He kept trying. He always wanted to please me.” "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 Ruby Robinson, Giselle Robinson, Earline Robinson, Mildred Gardner, Richard Lee, Sr., Olga & Larry Martinez, Martha Byrd, & all the sick and shut in.

Joi Bernard, Don Snow, Thang Nguyen, Arnold Brown, Wilbert Youman, J. D. Brown, Frank Staton, Pearl Gordon, Rosalind Reynolds, Eunice Wilson, Wilhelmina Harkey, Mary Jean Lily, Oscar Haswell, Renee Gordon, Jocelyn Thomas, Kevin Thornton, Debra Hillary, Bernard Washington, Thelma Wentzel, Richard Menefield, Rena Brown, Michael Charles

February 1 — Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time — A Vocation View: God chooses ordinary people

to speak his message. Try to perceive the voice of God in those around you. If you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 1, 2015 Come, let us bow down in worship;let us kneel before the LORD who made us.— Psalm 95:6 Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 1o de febrero de 2015 Vengan, y puestos de rodillas, adoremos y bendigamos al Señor, que nos hizo. — Salmo 95 (94):6

God’s mercy is greater than your abortion. He wants to heal you… Will you let Him?

DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES AND SISTER SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 800.553.3321

01 de febrero - Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario - Vocación Vista: Dios elige a la gente

común para hablar de su mensaje. Trate de percibir la voz de Dios en los que te rodean . Si escuchas la voz de Dios , no endurezcáis vuestro corazón MISIONEROS DEL VERBO DIVINO Y SIERVAS de EL ESPIRITU SANTO 800.553.3321

Happy Birthday To: Mark Porter, Matthew LaCour, Vickie Jackson, John McCloud, Amado Martinez, Jose Garcia, and to anyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary between February 1 to February 7.

January 25, 2015 Regular Collection—————–————–—-$2,582.00 Spanish Mass—————–————–—————-——-53.00 Children’s Collection—–————-———————-51.00 Church in Latin America——————————414.00 Attendance—131

misericordia de Dios es más grande que su aborto . Él quiere sanarte ... ¿Lo dejas? Rachel Ministries 817-923-4757

Next Retreat April 10

Beginning Experience Are you, or is someone you know, struggling after the loss of a marriage partner? The Beginning Experience is a peer ministry for widowed, separated, or divorced individuals. It is a weekend program to help move from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning of hope for the future. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, this ministry is open to men and women of all faiths. The next weekend retreat will be held February 27 March 1, 2015 at the Catholic Conference and Formation Center in Dallas. To register please call or text our voicemail number at (682) "BE-DFW-GO", that is (682) 2333946, or e-mail the DFW Beginning Experience Team at [email protected]. Additional information can be found at www.beginningexperiencedfw.org. HAVE YOU HEARD OR SEEN a job opportunity/teaching/administration for Thomas McDaniel, Master's in Political Science/History? If so contact Fr. LeDoux.

DIOCESAN AND PARISH NEWS YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE The year of Consecrated Life, a call by Pope Francis to celebrate consecrated life, will be celebrated in the Diocese of Ft. Worth from November 30, 2014 through February 6, 2016. Mark your calendar to attend at a vesper service celebrating the opening of the Year of Consecrated Life on February 6, 2015 at 6:30pm at St. Patrick Cathedral. Throughout the year, all are encouraged to recite the special prayer for consecrated life issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prayers are available on the diocesan website at www.fwdioc.org. ANO DE LA VIDA CONSAGRADA El Ano de la Vida Consagrada, un llamado del Papa Francisco para celebrar la vida consagrada, se celebrara en la Diocesis de Ft. Worth desde el 30 de noviembre, 2014 hasta el 6 de febrero, 2016. Marque en su calendario para asistir al servicio de visperas donde se celebrara la inauguracion del Ano de la Vida Consagrada 6 de febrero del 2015 a las 6:30pm en la Catedral de San Patricio. Durante todo el ano, todos estan invitados a recitar la oracion especial por la vida consagrada presentada por la Conferencia Episopal de Estados Unidos, Las oraciones etan disponibles en la pagina www.fwdioc.org. Please sign the sheet on the table if you are interested in joining a Bible Study gorup here at Our Mother of Mercy. Por favor firme la hoja sobre la mesa si usted está interesado en unirse a un gorup Estudio Bíblico aquí en Nuestra Madre de la

Misericordia .

The Conley, Norvel, and Drewery families thank you for all the love, prayers, and support they received during their loss.

OUR MOTHER OF MERCY CHURCH CALENDAR UPCOMING EVENT PRAYER GROUPS—EACH MONDAY AT 7PM AND SATURDAY AT 12:30PM

Missals are on sale for the new church year $7. See a Knight to purchase. February—St. Anne’s Black History Month Speakers—10am Mass each Sunday in February Saturday, February 7—Mardi Gras Dance—Knights of Peter Claver—8pm Meadowbrook Lions Club Sunday, February 15—Casino Trip— KPC Ladies Auxiliary February 16—Mammogram Screening— at Our Mother of Mercy—See bulletin board for appointment info Wednesday, February 18—Ash Wednesday —Masses @ 8:30am & 7pm February 22—St. Anne’s Altar Society Soul Food Dinner Sale. FIRST COMMUNION —MAY 31, 2015 Primera comunión 31 de mayo 2015

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 817.726.6762 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 — VACANT 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 817.726.6762 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 Keeping Children Safe — Janae T. Page 817.825.0879 RETROUVAILLE PROGRAM Laura & John Elkins OMM MINISTERS OF MARRIAGE Lana & Reginald Alexander, Sr. 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: Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:1418; Lk 2:22-40 [22-32] Tuesday: Heb 12:1-4; Ps 22:26b-28, 30-32; Mk 5:21-43 Wednesday: Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday: Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Ps 48:2-4, 9-11; Mk 6:7-13 Friday: Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9; Mk 6:14-29 Saturday: Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34 LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Mal 3:1-4; Sal 24 (23):7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lc 2:22-40 [22-32] Martes: Heb 12:1-4; Sal 22 (21):26b-28, 3032; Mc 5:21-43 Miércoles: Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Sal 103 (102):1-2, 13-14, 17-18a; Mc 6:1-6 Jueves: Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Sal 48 (47):24, 9-11; Mc 6:7-13 Viernes: Heb 13:1-8; Sal 27 (26):1, 3, 5, 8b9; Mc 6:14-29 Sábado: Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Sal 23 (22):1 -6; Mc 6:30-34 The 2014 contribution statements are being mailed out this week - if you do not receive a letter and wish a record of your 2014 contributions, please call the Rectory. Las declaraciones de contribución 2014 están siendo enviados por correo esta semana - si usted no recibe una carta y desea un registro de 2.014 contribuciones , por favor llame a la Rectoría Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2015 In today’s second reading St Paul talks about the fact that married couples have to deal with the anxieties of the world. Sometimes those stresses can really have a negative impact on our marriages. Get away from all those worldly anxieties and take time to just focus on God and each other by making a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is Apr. 10-12, 2015. Dates fill fast. To apply, visit our website at: http://www.dfwme.org/apply . For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 469-4440904. Para mas informacion de Encuentro Matrimonial en Espanol, escriba a [email protected] o visite http:// www.seccion15.org/

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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