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

May 3, 2015/3 de mayo de 2015 Fifth Sunday of Easter Quinto 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

______________________________________________

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 WHY CHURCH ATTENDANCE FLUCTUATES SO MUCH While celebrating Gospel/Jazz Masses at the Ascona Jazzfest in Switzerland 2007 through 2010, I was buoyed to see the spirited near 800 folks jamming the Chiesa Collegio Papio aisles, the area behind the altar, in the courtyard and outside in front. By contrast, I was startled to learn from the pastor of the local Catholic church that Sunday attendance through most of Europe hovered at ca 8-10 percent. Many of the attendees at the Gospel/Jazz Masses were not churchgoers at all, but were drawn together by their love for jazz and Gospel music. Yet, they came not as bystanders but as fervent, vocal, joyful participants. Though English was not their native tongue, they joined in with big smiles and gusto as I did call and response. In short, they wanted to be there and were thrilled to be an active part of everything. Perhaps most were German, Swiss, Dutch and French with a smattering of many other countries as well. They were present and active because they wanted to be there and a part of all the action. Many of the whispers were, “Why can’t we do this in the congregations of churches all over Europe and the world?” Frankly, there is no reason that we cannot, but only excuses that we have not and won’t. However, there are complexities when we break worship down to individual communities. Similar questions have arisen in our Faith Community. “Church attendance is down.

What are the causes for it? What can we do to revive interest in our worship services?” Ironically, just as these questions have become more persistent, we have experienced a slight uptick – not quite a spike – in our weekend attendance. Various parishioners are voicing some familiar, practical reasons for erratic attendance. Being a commuter church member presents an everySunday driving challenge that becomes a major problem when it rains and an even greater problem when it snows and/or ices up due to freezing rain. This is significant because so many of our church members are commuters driving as much as an hour to be with our Faith Community. On any given Sunday, weather or fatigue may prove daunting, discouraging them from making the long commute, tempting them to attend Mass at a nearer church. These are two factors in the problem of uneven church attendance. Another factor is personality conflicts that cause frictions between church

church member. This is seriously ugly and totally unchristian, belying the most fundamental reasons why we are attending church, rejecting John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Quite needless to say, there is no deadlier killer of the spirit of members of a Faith Community, of a family, of an extended family or of any community than the brazen, inyour-face display of dislike and disdain bordering on hatred. So why are people wondering about a drop in church attendance where folks don’t get along? More mundane problems are those like the length of church service, for some folks want a fastfood-style Mass that does not exceed one hour – less, if possible. Of our four Masses now, only the 10:00 a.m. – equivalent of the old High Mass –runs about an hour and 50 minutes, and even that one with some compromises. Megachurches and nondenominational churches have their own unique appeal with no Mass, some with casual dress even on the greatest holydays and feasts, an outstanding choir and a conspicuous lack of starchy rules and protocol. Very many of the devotees of those churches have fled such regulations, dogmas, cultural rituals of longstanding traditions and a sacred connection with the members or between pastor past. and church members. If anything, such churches are Unfortunately, some of such closest to Flip Wilson’s Rev. Leroy friction is avoidable or simply in the Church Of What’s Happening tolerable, yet pressed insistently Now. This is said with a smile, not with any intention of disparaging or because of personal jealousy, envy, vitriol and intolerance. It is being negative toward such churches, for they are obviously a sad story where those who cause such frictions either flee serving the needs of their members who cherish the ministry they are to another church or remain and given. We pressure others to leave. are definitely living in the age of Symptoms of such personal cafeteria churches with endless frictions are sometimes evident smorgasbords, at moments like the sharing of perhaps imaging the drive-through confessional: “Toot’n Tell Or Go To peace after the Our Father Hell!” during the Mass when some

individuals do not like sharing the peace of Christ, even studiously avoiding an encounter with one or the other

“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, 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

Fifth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2015 Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. — 1 John 3:18

May 3, Fifth Sunday of Easter—A Vocation View: What love God has bestowed on us in

callin us his children! Pray that you may be faithfl to your vocational call.

DIVINE WORD MISSSIONARIES AND SISTER SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 800-553-3321 3 de mayo de Quinto Domingo de Pascua -A Vocación Vista: Lo aman a Dios nos ha dado

en nosotros callin sus hijos ! Oren para que seáis faithfl su llamada vocacional. PALABRA DIVINA MISSSIONARIES y hermana FUNCIONARIOS DEL ESPÍRITU SANTO 800-553-3321 Happy Birthday To: David Malcolm, Mary Battle, Michael Barks, and to anyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary between May 3 to May 9. Feliz cumpleaños a : David Malcolm , María Batalla , Michael Barks , y para cualquier persona que celebra un cumpleaños o un aniversario entre 3 mayo-9 mayo

Quinto Domingo de Pascua 3 de mayo de 2015 No amemos solamente de palabra; amemos de verdad y con las obras.— 1 Juan 3:18 BEARING FRUIT “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” John’s words come to us on this day when the Gospel passage presents us with the great image of the vine and the branches. Jesus uses the image as a warning to those who have begun to distance themselves from the way of the Lord. One of the ways this happens is when we love God and others “in word or speech” instead of “in deed and truth.” What does it mean for us to “remain in Christ”? In an extension of the metaphor, the Lord gives us an example. If we remain in him, we will bear much fruit. As the branches, we draw strength from Christ who is the vine. This strength enables us to bear fruit—to do the work of true discipleship. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

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 10pm 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 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-4, 15-16; Jn 14:21-26 Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13ab, 21; Jn 14:27-31a Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8 Thursday: Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11 Friday: Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10, 12; Jn 15:12-17 Saturday: Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1b-3, 5; Jn 15:18-21 LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

Lunes: Hch 14:5-18; Sal 115 (114):1-4, 1516; Jn 14:21-26 Martes: Hch 14:19-28; Sal 145 (144):1013ab, 21; Jn 14:27-31a Miércoles: Hch 15:1-6; Sal 122 (121):1-5; Jn 15:1-8 Jueves: Hch 15:7-21; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11 Viernes: Hch 15:22-31; Sal 57 (56):8-10, 12; Jn 15:12-17 Sábado: Hch 16:1-10; Sal 100 (99):1b-3, 5; Jn 15:1821

April 26, 2015 Regular Collection—————–————–—–—–————-—$2,643.00 Seminarian Formation Fund—————————-———-368.00 Children’s Collection—————————————–—————114.00 Attendance—264 REMEMBER YOUR MOTHER LIVING OR DECEASED 1.

PRINT ALL IINFORMATION

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

FedEx shipping address: Tracking e-mail: