Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy:
It is Divine Mercy Sunday and how appropriate it is that we are under the title of Our Lady Of Mercy! This prompts me to reflect on the bounteous mercy of God to all people. We are not worthy of it, yet, God is so loving and merciful that His arms are always open to embrace those who come to Him and be forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Next week the children who have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time will begin. There will be a group of First Communions in different Masses. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the parents and guardians who have been in full support to their children by entrusting them to us and by coming to the monthly preparations. I thank Regina “Jeng” Villa for running the program, together with Father Nol Docabo, Deacon Meynard Espeleta, the catechists and aides. A heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of your dedication and effort in attending to their needs.
Folks, I ask your prayers to these First Communicants. Pray that, with their parents and guardians, they may truly grow to appreciate the gift of the Eucharist that Jesus gave to us for our spiritual nourishment as we journey on in life. Their spiritual growth depends on us adults also. Let us show them how to have the utmost respect and reverence to the Sacraments by the way we live and by coming to Church Sunday after Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. Be aware that the children look up to us. Many times in my conversations and interactions with them at Church they tell me what they do and how they behave at Church (and at your homes) that reflect clearly on what they see and hear from the adults, most especially from their parents and grandparents. I am bringing this up in here because I would like to remind you that the persons these children will become someday depends on the way you bring them up today. I am praying that you get all the helps you need to nurture your children well in the ways of God. Check out our Sunday bulletin always and please avail all that is offered there for you and to help you spiritually.
I would like to grab this opportunity to thank the children who participated at our “Salubong” last weekend together with their parents and guardians. I also express how grateful I am to those ladies and gentlemen who help make this happen and who did all the preparations, decorations and cleaning. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to Jojo Paloma who is always there with helping hands together with Jim.
To all of you dear faithful people of God, a million thanks to your financial gifts and contributions to your parish. Know that I cannot thank you enough. Because of your financial help we are able to do what we have to do for the community.
Happy Easter and God bless you all!
Love,
+Father Marty
Please pray for the sick:
Paul Calefati, Elaine Staltari, Othelia G. Laurena, Jean Karycinski, Dorothy Darcy, Erlinda Jacinto, Leonora Loyola, Eric Bautista, Lilian Kryczkowski, Ellen Iorio, Jessica Pavone, Ian Malesiewski, Ruben Catipon, Angela Salvador, Clarita Salvador, Teresita Cordon , Vincent Mastria, Maria Svaligma, Bill Macchi, Craig Rutkowski, James Seaman, Makenzie Cadmus, Manuel J.Juson, MD, Gina Marquez, Daniel Tamayo Santos, Marie Ronzitti, Lucia Vanderburg, Betty Scerbo, Philip Scerbo, Alejandra Ancheta, Cindy Popolo, Mario Banaag, Oscar Alladin, Antonio Roldan, Esperanza Galarza, Carmen Tuazon, Susan Ranola Rivera, John Broderick, Joanne Diaz, Ligaya Tan, Leonarda DeCarlo, Dolores Steinhauser, Eugenio Cacananta, Austin Macalintal, Carolyn Taliaferro, Nonong Dava, John Gaito, Elsa Concepcion, Ricardo Vales, Virginia T. Mercurio, James Leung, Tran Phouc, Sophia Gonzalez, Jocelyn Tuazon, Florentino Chanco, Edgardo Cruz, Luchie Vivas, Deacon Nick Fargo, Mark Dudek, Eugene Manlongat, Sandra M. Escoto, Marcelita S. Fusco, Clement Rodriguez, Genedina B. Mohan, Walter Wasinewski, Luke Dee, Rosario Bernabe, Renato Caguioa, Raquel Yapp, Roberto Yapp, Armando Gloria, Terry Neurbauer, Grace Arceo, Ivan Jesus Romero, Joycelyn Basa-Gill
Mother & (Adult) Daughter Retreat
May 11-13, 2018 (Mother’s Day Weekend)
Marianist Family Retreat Center
Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Cost: $135 per person
Knowing that your relationship is special, and need to nurture it throughout the years, this is a wonderful opportunity to walk upon common ground while celebrating your differences. Eucharist, small group sharing, prayer experiences, socials and fun are included – beach walks, too! Sign up online at www.capemaymarianists.org or call 609-884-3829 for more information.
Scholarship fund for Inner-City Children Gala
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Annual Gala will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the Venetian in Garfield. This year’s honorees Hugh Weber, President of the Prudential Center and NJ Devils will receive the Vitae Discimus Award, and Polly and Terry O’Toole will receive the Archbishop Gerety Award. Proceeds from the dinner will provide partial-tuition scholarships to low-income students, in Grades K-12, attending Catholic Schools in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union Counties. For more information about SFIC Gala, to order tickets or place a journal ad, please visit www.sficnj.org or call SFIC at 973-497-4278.
Try Something New This Summer at Seton Hall
Looking to enrich your summer? It’s a great time to earn extra credits, pursue a special interest, or study abroad. Seton Hall University offers summer classes for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals interested in learning new skills. You can study on campus, online or in several overseas locations. Students can explore everything from Interactive Marketing to Digital Art and Design, and from Christian Ethics to Real Estate Finance. Rising high school juniors and seniors may engage in university-level coursework while earning college credit at a discounted tuition rate. Among the pre-college courses Seton Hall offers are: Oral Communication, Economics and Introduction to Psychology. To learn more about Seton Hall’s exciting summer programs, visit our website www.shu.edu/summer