Question of the Week: Does God raise up ordinary people from among US to be his prophetic voice today? Who might they be?

Dear Parishioners of OLM & OLS:

Today, the local Church of OLM & OLS joins with the extended Church throughout the United States in launching our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

The theme of this year’s celebration is FAITH, ACADEMICS, SERVICE.

Faith: This is the fundamental reason why Our Lady of Mercy Academy exists. Our Lady of Mercy is a ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL. The reason why our doors are open is that we can employ this ministry of our linked parishes as an agency of evangelization. Although we welcome children and families from other faith traditions, we exist to pass on the FAITH professed by the Roman Catholic Church to another generation of children. At the same time, it is my hope and prayer that as the children of the Academy grow in their understanding of our FAITH, all associated with our Academy – parents, siblings, extended family members, faculty, administration and support staff – will also grow and mature in THE FAITH.

Academics: Secondary, yet not unimportant to the mission of Our Lady of Mercy Academy is our ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. Our Academy has a long and proud history of providing outstanding academic formation for the children of the Greenville Section of Jersey City and beyond. Our graduates continue to be accepted with distinction to outstanding secondary schools in the parochial, private, and public sectors of education. We can justly boast of graduates who, by the academic foundation laid at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, joined the ranks of professionals enjoying gainful employment today.

Service: Equal to the academic formation imparted to our students, Our Lady of Mercy Academy dedicates itself to forming our students in the reality that the education provided to them carries the requirement of Stewardship. Remember, the basic principle of Stewardship is that God has gifted each of us. In return, God ask us to return a portion of our blessing to God with increase. Multiple opportunities are presented to our Academy Families to engage in just Stewardship. Given a review of the accomplishments of our alumni and alumnae, we can rest assured that the principles of Stewardship – service given in return for blessings – is at the heart of our Academy’s life and mission.

Supporting the mission of Catholic Elementary Education is this time, in this place, and in this economy is gravely challenging. Without the ongoing support of the active Stewards of Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Sorrow, it would be an impossible task. Tuition and fees simply do not meet the economic demands of our Academy Ministry. The subsidy provided by both our Parishes is vital to the viability of this parochial ministry. In the name of our students – yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s – I express our gratitude and promise you our best efforts and our prayers.

My love and my prayers,


Father Jack