Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy:
Greetings in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
This past Sunday we welcomed two children in our Faith community through the Sacrament of Baptism: Emilia Rosalie Luna and Camille Maria Lee. I congratulate them together with their parents, godparents and the whole families! I invite the whole community to keep them in your prayers as they journey on in this life, full of grace and wisdom of God.
I also congratulate Anderson Minyetti whose baptism (done at home) has been supplied by the church this past weekend. Our prayers go out to you Anderson, that you will seek to know the Lord and love Him with all your heart, mind and soul.
The children preparing for First Eucharist had their First Reconciliation this past weekend also. We keep them in our prayers as well, that they may be well prepared spiritually to receive Jesus Christ, their friend and God, in the Eucharist soon and very soon.
I thank those who help prepare the parents and godparents of Emilia Rosalie, Camille Maria, Anderson and the children of First Reconciliation/ Eucharist (Baptismal Team with Deacon Meynard, Catechists/ School of Religion teachers and Aides with Tita Jeng and Father Nol).
As announced last weekend, besides being Super Bowl weekend, it is also Sharing God’s Blessings Appeal weekend, an Annual Appeal to help and support the Archdiocese of Newark’s effort to support and help the various missions and ministries. Our goal is $34,769.00. I encourage you to make your pledge. I am hoping and praying that every one of you will do so, because if we go over our goal, we will get the rebate. If that happens, it will be for our own benefit and of great help. So please help spread the word.
I also would like to let you know that Father Joseph Udeze is with us as a priest in residence until he finished the course he is taking at Seton Hall University for this semester. He is also assigned as a part-time chaplain of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey. So please be nice to him. (I know you are.)
There will be a blessing of married couple at all masses on the weekend of February 10th and 11th. And on February 14th (Valentine’s Day) is Ash Wednesday. The imposition of ashes will be at the 7am, 8:30am and 7pm masses. There will also be imposition of ashes at the 3pm prayer service. Please mark your calendars!
Other upcoming events are Koffee Klatches with Father Marty, Blood Drive, Wellness Ministry and The Jersey City Together. Please check the bulletin for information regarding the said events.
Folks, there will be more exciting events that are coming up in our parish. So stay tuned for more information and announcements.
Thank you so much and God bless you all!
Love,
+Father Marty
Plan Ahead for Lent!
Wednesday, February 14, is Ash Wednesday. On this day Christians are marked with ashes as a sign of our desire to make good use of the season of Lent to turn from sin and to grow in our faithfulness to the Gospel.
Ashes will be distributed on Wednesday, February 14, during the Masses and Prayer Service listed below.
7:00 am Mass
8:30 am Mass
3:00 pm Scripture Service
7:00 pm Mass
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, Conrado “Boy” Tanada, John Broderick, Joanne Diaz, Ligaya Tan, Leonarda DeCarlo, Dolores Steinhauser, Eugenio Cacananta, Austin Macalintal, Eduviges Ledesma, 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
Is Your Marriage Valid?
If you were married civilly, that is, not in the Catholic Church before a priest or deacon, it might not be a valid marriage. Some couples believe that a marriage before a Justice of the Peace or a non-Catholic minister is valid. For a marriage to be valid in the Catholic Church, the marriage must be in a Catholic Church or Chapel and officiated by an authorized Catholic priest or deacon along with 2 witnesses. (There are limited interfaith exceptions with proper permission.)
We invite you to speak with one of our priests if there are any questions or if indeed you wish to validate your marriage. The process can be very simple and your marriage will now be blessed by the Church.