ST. PATRICK’SSt. Patrick’sCHURCH ANDand Shrine SHRINE Merlin MERLIN 57735773 Tenth Tenth Line Line Merlin,Merlin, Ontario ON N0P N0P 1W0 1W0

CHURCH OFFICE: PASTORAL TEAM: Phone: 519-689-7760 | E-mail: Fr Antony & Fr. Sebastin: Phone: 519-689-7760 [email protected] | Fax: 519-689-4788 [email protected] Website: olrshrine.ca | Facebook: Board President: Andrew Van Zelst facebook.com/stpatrick Finance Committee Chair: Mike Buis

Cemetery Committee Chair: Randy Moynahan

CHURCH SERVICES All church services have been suspended

until further notice. THE OFFICE AND STORE ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19.

Messages can be left on the office phone (519-689-7760) or e-mailed at [email protected] Someone will get in touch with you.

In this issue: May is the Month of Mary Mass Intentions …………………………………. 2 - Pray the DAILY - Financial Report .………………………………… 2 Prayers of the Faithful ………………………… 2 Fr. Antony and Fr. Sebastin are inviting anyone who May 2021 Calendar …………………………….. 3 wishes to pray the Rosary each day to join them on Zoom Month of Mary …………………………………... 3 between 7:00-7:30 pm daily, during the month of May. St. Augustine……………………………………….. 4 TO JOIN ZOOM Readings for the Week ..……………………… 4 ZOOM APP USERS: Intentions of Francis ………………….. 4 The Samaritan Woman ……………………….. 4 Meeting ID: 812-903-3695 Holy Humour …..……………………………….…. 5 Pass Code: 1234 St. Vincent de Paul ….………………………….. 5

Thank you to our Sponsors …………………. 5 TELPHONE USERS: How to Honour Our Blessed Mother …… 6 Please dial 1-647-558-0588 and follow the instructions. How to Pray the Rosary ………………………. 6 Meeting ID: 812-903-3695 Pass Code: 1234

Refer to page 6 for an outline on How to pray the Rosary.

Pray a Rosary Daily – The rosary is important because our Blessed Mother came from heaven and asked us to unite ourselves with her Son through this prayer each day.

Pope Francis has asked each of us to pray the Rosary every day until the end of the pandemic.

St. Patrick’s Church & Shrine News

MASS INTENTIONS Financial Report

th May 3-8, 2021 April 25

$ 380.00 Monday Linda Burke by Maurice & Elaine Devlaminck Regular May 3 Special Intention for Justin George to keep him Cemetery 200.00 safe from Satan by Anna

Special Intention for the health of Drew TOTAL OFFERATORY $ 580.00

Tuesday Angie Rupert by Eva Tourangeau Envelopes can be mailed to the office, or May 4 Antonin Joch by Ken & Eveleen Taylor put in the mailbox in front of the church

Carl Tourangeau by Eva Tourangeau Thanks to everyone who makes up for Special Intention for Denise by Eva Tourangeau missed Sundays. We deeply appreciate

Special Intention for Doreen Martin your financial support, especially during this difficult time. by Eva Tournageau

Wednesday All Souls in Purgatory Especially Deceased May 5 Members of F.O.S.S. Special Intention for the Wedding Anniversary of

Gerry & Manna Burchat

by John & Catherine Sawchuk 1. That the unity which comes from Christ the Special Intention for the Johnson Family true vine may draw all Christians to his by Patti Johnson Church, let us pray to the Lord. Richard Fortier by the Quirions Lord, hear our prayer. 2. That the peace which God gives us may Thursday Rose Mary Harwood by spread through nations involved in war, May 6 Maurice & Elaine Devlaminck terrorism or inner turmoil, let us pray to the Lord. All Souls in Purgatory Especially Deceased Members of F.O.S.S. by Marie & Gerald Alexandre Lord, hear our prayer.

Friday 3. That the hope which comes from the risen Paul Bondy by Ken & Eveleen Taylor May 7 Lord may strengthen those who are pruned by suffering of body or mind, let us pray to Saturday the Lord. Angie Sedge May 8 Lord, hear our prayer. 4. That the forgiving love of the Spirit within us may free us from fear and guilt, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer. Please note that Mass intentions will still be offered at 5. For peace in our world, let us pray to the private masses being held daily by Fr. Antony and Fr. Sebastin . Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Mass Intentions can be mailed to the office, phoned in, or put in the mailbox located in front of the church. 6. That the faithful departed may remain in Christ forever, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. 2

St. Patrick’s Church & Shrine News

May 2021 - – Month of Mary *Prayer of the Day. Refer to the second attachment for the prayers.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 5th Sunday of *Prayer Before *The Universal *Padre Nuestro – *Nurse’s Prayer *Blessing of a *St. Augustine’s Easter Starting on a Prayer Lord’s Prayer New House Prayer to the Holy *The Our Father Journey Spirit 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

May is the month when Catholics traditionally focus on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The practice dates back at least 700 years and is still observed around the world today. May is seen as the beginning of new life and the start of summer, which makes this a logical time for the celebrations of Mary, who brought life into the world.

The May Crowning Marian Shrines

Perhaps the most well-known of the Marian shrines also receive a May is the particular attention during this special crowning of a statue of Mary with month, and, again, are decorated with flowers. This became particularly flowers. Pilgrims sometimes undertake May Devotions popular in the nineteenth and a journey to reach a particular shrine, This month of devotions in the church twentieth centuries, with a praying the rosary along the way. The calendar is characterized by special procession of school-age boys and lady of a church or is hymns and the use of flowers, which girls dress in their finery, following often also decorated with flowers bring nature into the church. There the statue in a procession. during May. are several in May, In this ceremony, the statue is Marian devotions have sometimes including Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady decorated at its base with flowers been criticized by people who of the most Blessed Sacrament and and one of the girls would be chosen misunderstand Catholic devotion to Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. to crown Mary with flowers. The Mary the Mother of God. Mary is not The celebration of May as a holy nineteenth century hymn “Bring worshipped in the way that Catholics month for Mary has been ratified by Flowers of the Rarest” is a traditional worship God. She is honored as the several through the ages. Pope accompaniment to this ceremony. Its mother of Jesus and as a woman free Benedict XV ordered a prayer for lyrics, “O Mary, we crown thee with from sin. Devotions to Mary are an peace in 1915 during World War I and blossoms today, Queen of the Angels integral part of Catholic life. Pope Pius XII called for May devotions and Queen of the May.” Sum up what in 1939, at the start of World War II. the celebrations are all about. This practice is echoed on a smaller scale throughout the Catholic world with families decorating a statue or picture of the Virgin Mary in their own homes.

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St. Patrick’s Church & Shrine News

Readings for the week

St. Augustine of Hippo is the May 2 - 8, 2021 patron of brewers because of conversion from a former life of Sunday, May 2 loose worldly ambitions. His • 1st Reading – Acts 9:26-31 complete turnaround and • Responsorial Psalm – Lord, from you comes my praise in the great conversion has been an congregation. inspiration to many who struggle with a particular nd • 2 Reading – 1 John 3:18-24 vice or habit they long to break. • Gospel – John 15:1-8 This famous son of St. Monica was born in Africa and Monday, May 3 spent many years of his life in wicked living and in • 1st Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 false beliefs. Though he was one of the most • Responsorial Psalm – Their message goes out through all the earth. intelligent men who ever lived and though he had • Gospel – John 14:6-14 been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and his pride darkened his mind so much, that he could Tuesday, May 4 not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore. • 1st Reading – Acts 14:19-28 Through the prayers of his holy mother and the • Responsorial Psalm – Your friends tell the glory of your kingship, Lord. marvelous preaching of St. Ambrose, Augustine Gospel – John 14:27-31a finally became convinced that Christianity was the one true religion. Yet he did not become a Christian Wednesday, May 5 then, because he thought he could never live a pure • 1st Reading – Acts 15:1-6 life. One day, however, he heard about two men who • Responsorial Psalm – Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. had suddenly been converted on reading the life of Gospel – John 15:1-8 St. Antony, and he felt terribly ashamed of himself. "What are we doing?" he cried to his friend Alipius. Thursday, May 6 "Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while • 1st Reading – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we • Responsorial Psalm – Proclaim God’s marvellous deeds to all the keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!" nations. Full of bitter sorrow, Augustine flung himself out into Gospel – John 10:11-16 the garden and cried out to God, "How long more, O Friday, May 7 Lord? Why does not this hour put an end to my sins?" • 1st Reading – Acts 15:22-31 Just then he heard a child singing, "Take up and • Responsorial Psalm – I will praise you among the nations, O Lord. read!" Thinking that God intended him to hear those Gospel – John 15:12-17 words, he picked up the book of the Letters of St. Paul, and read the first passage his gaze fell on. It Saturday, May 8 was just what Augustine needed, for in it, St. Paul • 1st Reading – Acts 16:1-10 says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation • Responsorial Psalm – Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. of Jesus. That did it! From then on, Augustine began Gospel – John 15:18-21 a new life.

May 2 – Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Icon of the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman depicts the biblical story of the Christ conversing with the woman at the well. Our Lord is shown sitting beside the well, speaking with and blessing the Samaritan MAY 2021 woman. She is shown with her right hand outstretched toward Christ, indicating both her interest in what He is saying, and also, Universal Intention: – The World of Finance as a sign of her faith and her efforts to bring others to hear what Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work Christ has to say. In the background of the icon, the city is visible with governments to regulate the financial sphere together with the Mount Gerazim. and protect citizens from its dangers. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher 4 and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26. St. Patrick’s Church & Shrine News

Holy Humour

A young Nun who worked for a local home health care agency was out making her rounds when she ran out of gas. As luck would have it, there was a gas station just one block away. She walked to the station to borrow a can with enough gas to start the car and drive to the station for a fill up. The attendant regretfully told her that the only gas can he loaned had just been loaned out, but if she would care to wait he was sure it would be back shortly. Since the nun was on her way to see a patient, she decided not to wait and walked back to her car. After looking through her car for something to carry to the station to fill with gas, she spotted a bedpan she was taking to the patient.

Always resourceful, she carried it to the station, filled it with gasoline, and carried it back to her car.

As she was pouting the gas into the tank of her car, two men watched her from across the street.

One of them turned to the other and said, … “I know that the Lord turned water into wine, but if that car starts, I’m going to church every Sunday for the rest of my life!”

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul St. Francis Xavier Conference 32 Canal Street, West Tilbury, ON N0P

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St. Patrick’s Church & Shrine News

How to Pray the Rosary

1. Make the sign of the Cross and say the Apostles’ Creed In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy , the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. 2. Pray the “Our Father”. Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 3. Pray three “Hail Marys”. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

4. Pray one “Glory Be”. Ways to Honour Our Blessed Mother Glory be to the Father, And to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the during the Month of May beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

5. Announce the First Mystery then say the “Our Father”. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be 1) Pray a Rosary Daily – The rosary is important done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our because our Blessed Mother came from heaven and trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into asked us to unite ourselves with her Son through temptation, this prayer each day. but deliver us from evil. Amen. 2) Decorate Your Table – Put a blue tablecloth or 6. Pray ten “Hail Marys”. runner on your table. Blue is the color of Mary. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are you among women, and Give children a piece of blue construction paper blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners and let them decorate it to honour Our Lady and now and at the hour of our death. Amen. use it as a placemat. Display a statue or picture of

7. Pray the Glory be to the Father Mary and add a bouquet. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the 3) Make a Mary Garden – Place a statue of Mary in beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. your garden. Even a small patio, corner of a 8. Pray Fatima Prayer after each decade. balcony, or kitchen window can offer space for a O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, Mary garden. especially those in most need of Thy mercy. 4) Have a May Crowning – Children of all ages 9. Announce the Second Mystery: then say the Our Father. delight in a May Crowning. Gather around the Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be crowned statue, sing songs for Mary or say Marian done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our prayers. trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into 5) Offer Special Marian Prayers – Add a temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. after grace before meals. Say a family Rosary or Repeat 6-8 & continue with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner. the together. 10. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen and Closing Prayers on the medal after the five 6) Play Marian Music – Fill your home with the songs decades are completed. about our heavenly mother such as “On This Day O Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope, to thee do Beautiful Mother,” and “Gentle Woman.” we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and 7) Read a Marian Book – Suggestions: The Secret of weeping in this vale of tears; turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy the Rosary or True Devotion to Mary; The Little towards u, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary; The Imitation O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! of Mary; The World’s First Love; Mary, Mother of Closing Prayers – Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of God; Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the the promises of Christ. Word of God. O God, whose only-begotten Son by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for 8) Practice Acts of Charity – Do a special act of us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these charity for an elderly relative or neighbour. On mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what 6 Mother’s Day, find a special way you would like to they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. honour your Heavenly Mother.