WELCOME, FATHER RICKY MANALO! We are so grateful Father Rickey has made the journey from California to assist us in our Lenten Journey.

Once more, I plead with every family to be a part of our Parish Mission on MONDAY, TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY. Hopefully, you can participate in the Mission in its entirety. If you can’t and can only participate on one or two evenings, please do not use this as an excuse to stay home. I know that God is going to use Father Ricky in a powerful way to reach each participant. The graces that await you are transformative.

In particular, I wish to point out that TUESDAY EVENING, will serve a dual purpose, both the Second Night of our Parish Mission AND our Annual Lenten Communal Penance Service. I have invited priests and people from the Parishes of our Deanery to join us.

Please make every effort to participate.

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

Mark Your Calendars Now: IMPORTANT!!! URGENT!!!! PAY ATTENTION!!! On Monday, March 8th, Tuesday, March 9th and Wednesday, March 10th we will hold a PARISH MISSION. It will be in the midst of Lent, a time to recharge your spiritual batteries. Our Mission Director is FATHER RICKEY MANALO, CSP. You may recognize his name as we often sing hymns Father Rickey has composed at our Sunday Liturgies.

Here what Father Rickey envisions sharing with us: “Lent is a season for spiritual renewal: our life in the Spirit deepens our participation in the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.  Lent  is also a season of sacramental preparation: those to be baptized and confirmed during the Easter Vigil are called to deepen their response to the God  who  calls them to gather around the Eucharistic table.  Join us each evening as we gather together, reflect on God’s Word, sing and pray! 

WHO DID YOU SAY HE WAS????

Rev. Ricky Manalo, CSP, is a liturgical composer and member of the Paulist community (The Paulist Fathers).  He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Marlboro, NJ (Monmouth County).  His music, which includes “Ang Katawan Ni Kristo”, is published through Oregon Catholic Press.  He serves as a board member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) and is an advisor to the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy and the Secretariat on Cultural Diversity in the Church.  Currently he is a doctoral candidate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, and is an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University.  He resides at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, in Chinatown, San Francisco.

It has begun folks! Lent is here! Ready or not! Put on your seat belts for here we go! It is time one again to enter into our Annual Spiritual Retreat. The tools are PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING.

Parish Mission: For the past several weeks, I have printed the information of our upcoming Parish Mission: MARCH 8, 9, and 10. If you have not already reserved these days, PLEASE DO SO NOW! The presenter, Father Ricky Manalo is great. The need for your spiritual renewal is greater. PLEASE plan on taking advantage of this opportunity to tune up your spiritual self. No one can do it for you. Only you can engage your spiritual self.

Matthew 25: For almost ten years now, we have used the Scripture Text found in the 25th Chapter of Saint Matthew’s Gospel. Please check below to see the suggestions assisting you in your Almsgiving.

JOURNEY OF THE CROSS [Good Friday Outdoor Stations of the Cross beginning at 10am at the Church]. Each year we choose a different quadrant of our Parish to host this Good Friday Event. This year the parameters are Route 440 and the Boulevard between College Drive and Danforth Avenue. If interested in hosting one of the Stations, please see Father Marty.

Today is also WORLD MARRIAGE SUNDAY. Congratulations to all who work so hard at living the Sacrament of Marriage. Use the opportunity of this day to recommit yourselves to each other. Remember to verbalize your love for each other some time today!

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

“A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.” These words from Psalm 51 (51:12), which we pray on Ash Wednesday, remind us that Lent is a season that signals a change of heart. We who dare to celebrate Lent do more than pass from winter into spring. We pass from death into life. We learn to risk dying in order to be reborn. We remember that we are dust, true, and we take upon ourselves the ashes—the death—of Lent. At the same time, we also recall that we are a people alive because of a death—because of a death and resurrection—in which we share because of our baptism. And so, during Lent we do what baptized people do. We spend the forty days preparing those to be baptized at Easter, and we take time to prepare ourselves to renew our own baptismal conversion.

Lent is a journey of conversion, a passage of a people who have been forever marked by the story’s end—by Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. We undertake the Lenten journey, as did ancient pilgrims before us, in the company of others. We mark the steps of our journey by gathering together each week to join our stories to the life-changing story of Jesus. Meeting the Good News of Jesus is always a turning point in our lives and stories. Encountering the story of Jesus who is love—love clear through—places a decision before us: will we respond in love to Jesus who is love or not? If we say yes and yield to the power of love, that’s conversion. Then Jesus’ story becomes ours, and our story becomes a love story, too. Then we can take our place at the promised feast of Easter, and—through word and deed—invite all we meet and touch to do the same.

The liturgies of Lent remind us that our entire existence is animated by the life, death, and resurrection (the paschal mystery) of the Lord. This animation sparks us to move beyond words to deeds that will identify us with him. That is why we take upon ourselves the Lenten discipline (prayer, fasting, almsgiving): not to punish ourselves, not even to recognize personal failure, but to quicken ourselves to hear Christ’s voice more clearly in the voices of the poor, the hungry, the lonely, the oppressed. Having heard those voices, we can turn to serve others. Then, come Easter, we all can rejoice heart and soul in that new day and in the new life it brings.

I thank all of you who recommitted yourself to “Stewardship as a Way of Life” on last weekend. It is always difficult to look at the stark realities of “family life.” We at OLM & OLS are a family. It is only fair to ourselves when we step back and look at things as they really are.

One of the first steps to embracing “Stewardship as a Way of Life” is to become an actual living member of the family. That happens when you official acknowledge your membership in the family. To do that, you need to register in our parishes.

In OLS please see either Sr Elise or Sr Alice to sign up. At OLM, please approach any of our staff members or stop at the “Ambassadors’ Station” at the back of the Church on the weekend of Feb. 20/21 or Feb. 27/28.

As you may know, Fr. Marty and I left for the Philippines on Wednesday. At this point I am not sure if your ability to register on line is up and running. Please visit our web site to determine this [www.olmnj.org].

Our commitment to our “larger” Church the Archdiocese of Newark continues. If you were unable or unsure of making a commitment to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal on last Sunday, I hope you can do that this week.

I hope during this week to find an Internet connection to share with you my adventures in the Philippines. We landed in Manila late Thursday night and flew to Roxas City early Saturday morning. We were greeted by Father Marty’s family at the airport and are enjoying their hospitality. Later in the day we met with the “Jersey Boys,” the priests of Capiz who have been our guests. I look forward to celebrating their Archbishop’s 75th Birthday in a day or two.

Please pray for our safe travels.
My love and prayers,

Father Jack

Crowned as Little Miss Valentine 2010 was ERICA LEANNE HILADO! Special thanks also goes to the Runners-Up: First Princess- TIA ARACELI EVANGELISTA; Second Princess- MELISSA BUSTRIA; Third Princess- ELAINE LATUMBO, and Fourth Princess- AMANDA LAUREN DE LEON. We would like to thank their parents, relatives and friends who supported them! The following are the winners of the RAFFLE: 1st Prize- Nezyl Sindiong (Stub No. 3271), 2nd Prize Janet Banaag (Stub No. 3168), 3rd Prize – Carl Hilado (Stub No. 6305). Thank you all for supporting our World Youth Day Delegates!

Ashes will be distributed after the Homily at the 7am, 8am @ OLS, 8:45am, and 7:30pm Masses as well as at a Prayer Service at 3PM.
ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK 2010 LENTEN REGULATIONS

1. The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The other Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.

On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted. Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast.

On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence.

2. The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence “substantially”, or as a whole, is a serious obligation.

3. The Fridays of the year, outside of Lent, are designated as days of penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self-denial as penance.

4. The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, February 21, 2010 to the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, May 30, 2010.

*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.

Smudged with Ashes, Smeared with Oil

On a somber Wednesday we will gather to smudge every forehead with ashes, admonishing each other to remember that dust returns to dust and that the only way through death to life is Christ. The ashes are made by burning palms—given to us on Passion Sunday a year ago with the invitation to “go forth in peace, praising Jesus our Messiah, as did the crowds that welcomed him into Jerusalem.” Our baptismal life is a lifelong pilgrimage with Christ toward Jerusalem. Yet like our best intentiuons, last year’s palm branches now have become dried and brittle—fodder for the fire. So our pilgrimage leads us to Lent. And a hostile climate of sin and suffering necessitates drastic measures: We are marked with ashes as a sign of our willingness to pray, fast and give alms.

But this gritty smudge that we accept on our foreheads is not a death sentence. It is not the mark of Cain. A reminder of our fragile mortality, it is nonetheless shaped in the great sign of salvation: The ashes form a cross, a thumb-printed cross that marks the same heads that were smeared with chrism at baptism. Anointed with that royal oil, we are committed to conversion, to continually setting out for the new Jerusalem, to leaving behind forever our captivity in Egypt.

This gritty ashen sign reminds us that on the way there is soil and toil, sweat and hard work before we come to the oasis in this desert—the Easter bath of baptism. At the font, on a damp and chilly night, water will wash away soil and oil will soothe away toil to make new Christians royal: heirs of the reign of God. The dusty smudges will be gone, and in the light of the paschal candle the oily heads of the newly baptized will shine like the moon and the stars, reminding us of our destiny. What begins in ashes ends in water and in fire.

Although I am using this venue to speak directly to the people of Our Lady of Mercy, I know that Sister Elise and Sister Alice have conducted a similar process with the entire Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows. I beg you indulgence, however, the basic message can be of value to both OLM and OLS.

Several weeks ago, I met with approximately sixty parishioners who consistently and generously exercise their Stewardship of TIME and TALENT. My purpose in meeting with them was to be my ambassadors to you. I asked them to present and accurate picture of the ministerial and financial health of our parish. Our present state of health is limping! On the one hand, our stewardship of TIME and TALENT are adequate. However, reviewing a statistical report prepared by our “Pastor’s Advisory Council,” participation in the ministerial life that supports our parish remains relative low.

When I assumed he ministry of pastor in 1995, I embraced the overall theological foundation of Stewardship as a Way of Life. I learned of this concept from a Pastoral Letter written by the Bishops of the United States: Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response. Perhaps it is time for us to revisit some of the basic teachings of that document.

To Be a Christian Steward

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace ” (1 Pt 4:10).

What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent, and treasure. But being a Christian steward means more. As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.

Disciples as Stewards

Let us begin with being a disciple-a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. As members of the Church, Jesus calls us to be disciples. This has astonishing implications: Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost. Christian disciples experience conversion — life-shaping changes of mind and heart — and commit their very selves to the Lord. Christian stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live.

Jesus’ disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts we have received and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another. We look to the life and teaching of Jesus for guidance in living as Christian stewards. Jesus’ disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts we have received and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another. We look to the life and teaching of Jesus for guidance in living as Christian stewards.

Jesus calls us, as his disciples, to a new way of life-the Christian way of life — of which stewardship is part.

But Jesus does not call us as nameless people in a faceless crowd. He calls us individually, by name. Each one of us — clergy, religious, lay person; married, single; adult, child-has a personal vocation. God intends each one of us to play a unique role in carrying out the divine plan. The challenge, then, is to understand our role — our vocation — and to respond generously to this call from God. Christian vocation entails the practice of stewardship. In addition, Christ calls each of us to be stewards of our personal vocations, which we receive from God.

Stewards of God’s gifts are not passive beneficiaries. We cooperate with God in our own redemption and in the redemption of others.

We are also obliged to be stewards of the Church — collaborators and cooperators in continuing the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, which is the Church’s essential mission. This mission-proclaiming and teaching, serving and sanctifying-is our task. It is the personal responsibility of each one of us as stewards of the Church.

These are profound and life altering concepts and challenges that our Bishops confront us with. The question I put forward to you today is not simply ARE YOU WILLING TO INCREASE YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH? My question to you is “ARE YOU WILLING TO BECOME A DISCIIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST AND TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GO WITH THIS PRIVILEDGE?

When I spoke to my ambassadors several weeks ago, I put forth this reality. “Pastors and Parochial Vicars come and go. You, the parishioners remain. This is YOUR PARISH. If this parish is going to continue to flourish has, it has precious little to do with myself, Father Marty, Father Manuel and Father Ralph. I am in my last term as Pastor. Father Marty will have to consider a new assignment as a Parochial Vicar in the near future. Father Ralph will return to his Archdiocese of Jaro in less than a year and a half. Another pastor will replace me when I retire at age 70 in 2016. You will still be here.

The question is: “What kind of a parish do you what this to be 2016?” Do you want it to be limping along with the Archdiocese pondering it continuance? or Do you wish our parish to continue to be the vehicle that continues to produce the fruits we annunciate in our Mission Statement: WORD, WORSHIP, WELCOME!

This is possible! It is only possible when EVERY PERSON WHO WORSHIPS HERE EACH SUNDAY RIGHFULLY TAKES UP HIS OR HER OBLIGATION TO FOLLOW CHRIST AS HIS DISCIPLE. This commitment is visibly demonstrated when every person receives God’s gifts gratefully, cultivates them responsibly, shares them lovingly in justice with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord.
I can’t do this for you. You have to do it for yourself and for you parish. I am more than willing to provide the leadership. I can’t do it alone.
Our Parish need YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT, YOUR TREASURE. Will you provide what we need?

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

This past Thursday evening I held a very important meeting with Stewards from our community. It is time for us to take inventory of the Mission of our parish and our ability to live this mission.

In the last quarter of last year, the Community of Our Lady of Sorrows held a “town meeting” style assembly to ask these very questions. OLS being smaller can gather the community as a whole. At OLM our numbers make this impossible. So, on last Thursday, I met with a group of parishioners asking them to assume the responsibility of being my ambassadors to you, the parishioners.

My ambassadors represent every facet of our stewardship of TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE as it presently exists. We reviewed the basic tenants of Stewardship as taught to us by the Bishops of the United States. We reviewed our statistics of those who make a commitment of TIME AND TALENT to our parish. We reviewed the present financial reality of our parish. I commissioned them to “go forth” to you, especially those of you who serve our community in one or more of the ministries that support our spiritual life.

On the first weekend of February, Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th, I will address these issues with you in summary at all our Weekend Masses. At that time I will also invite you to partner with Archbishop Myers through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

Some may say they are always being hit up for money at Church. Unfortunately, the life of the Church, like every other aspect of your life, needs a financial underpinning. Our life here is very varied, reaching out to a rainbow of needs and concerns. Additionally, extraordinary events happen, just as they do in every life.

The Haiti Collection necessitated by the devastation of our brothers and sister in Haiti is just such an example. I am deeply grateful to all who came to the assistance of these people in last week’s stewardship offering. You contributed $2,000 that is already on its way to help. The offering baskets are available again this Sunday for those unable to assist last week. Thank you for your concern.

World Youth Day is yet another example of our dedication to the mission of the parish: Word ~ Worship ~ Welcome. Again, finances are involved and your generous stewardship is directly integrated into our ability to live our mission.

I know that each parishioner cannot support every endeavor of our Parish life. Please pray how you can use your gifts and your talents to discern those areas of our parish life that can sustain.

This year, I enter the final phase of my ministry with you as pastor. As I look ahead, I wish to use these years left to me to set a firm foundation for the future. Together, I know e can do this. Thank you!

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 [12-14, 27]
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Good News

In the Broadway musical The Wiz, the character of the Witch sings to her minions this marvelous phrase: “Don’t nobody bring me no bad news!” The Witch’s words are our deepest wish. We don’t want to hear bad news. We yearn for good news. It is life blood to us. Rejoice, then. Today’s liturgy is jam-packed with good news, just what we all want to hear.

Comment

Nehemiah and Ezra were the two major “reconstructionists” of the Israelite people after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah was the governor, the political leader. Ezra, a priest and descendent of Aaron, was responsible for the restoration of the people’s religious life. Today’s first reading finds Ezra gathering the nation to hear the Law and to renew the Sinai covenant.

In the proclamation of God’s word, the returned exiles hear more than a narration. They hear a reaffirmation of their summons to be God’s people and a call to live out their chosen dignity: great good news!

The second reading continues the discourse begun in last week’s second reading. Paul is writing to the Corinthians to remind them that God has favored them with many gifts, but gifts intended not just for the good of the individual recipients but for the good of the community. Using the metaphor of the human body, Paul stresses how all parts must cooperate with one another because all parts–all people–are baptized in the one Spirit. Paul goes on to make his metaphor a reality, proclaiming the good news that his readers are, in fact, “the body of Christ.”

Today’s Gospel reading is made up of a section from the prologue of Luke and a section of Chapter 4. In the prologue, the evangelist explains his intent in writing his Gospel, namely, to verify the preaching of the good news and to establish continuity between the Old and New Covenants. The section from Chapter 4 finds Jesus in the synagogue of his hometown declaring that he is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. Jesus’ declaration forges a link with the past and inaugurates a whole new age of great good news.

Reflection

At the very beginning of his ministry among us, Jesus outlined a model for living a life exemplifying good news. From the beginning, Jesus made it clear that his life work was to bring good news and comfort to the poor, proclaim liberty to all who were captives, give sight to those who were blind, liberate all who were oppressed, and bestow God’s favor upon all people.

From the very beginning, Jesus recognized that the greatest desire of the human heart is to possess a life of love forever with God. If Jesus had recognized and acknowledged that desire, but had not shown us how to realize it, his life and ministry would have been the cruelest form of false advertising. His gospel would have been anything but good news. But Jesus did show us how to realize it: by bringing comfort to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to blind eyes, freedom to the oppressed, and an invitation to all to the favor of God’s reign. Jesus’ life was a model of good news living. When we strive to live a life of good news, then, not only do we possess God, our greatest desire, but we also allow God to possess the hopes, dreams, and desires of all those we touch.

The mission of Jesus is given to us in baptism. That is favor and gift. The way we choose to return that favor, to use that gift, to live out that mission, is ministry. If our heart’s desire is the same as Jesus’, then our ministry will be remarkably like his. Oh, not in manner, or clothes, or speech, or dress–all those unimportant things–but in action, intent, relationship, and decision–all those most important things. The ministry of someone who cherishes the life of God within and who strives to exemplify that life to others is one of peace, reconciliation, passion, and compassion.

Your Stewardship In Action

Dear Simbang Gabi Family at Our Lady of Mercy,

“Despite these tough economic times, 2009 has been a time of great blessing for us. Through the generosity of people like you who care about others, we continue the works that assist those in need. Your generous holiday donation of food has done so much to allow us to respond effectively to those needs.

“At this point, in 2009 our Food Pantry has responded to 1,632 requests for food assistance, helping 583 families. The OLS ‘Garage Outlet’ provides clothing, linens, blankets and other household items. We charge no fee for any of these services”

It is heartwarming to note that the few cans of food we donated throughout the Christmas novena amounted to something. It added to contents of the food barrels situated at the stairwell on the Sullivan Drive entrance, donated throughout the year by OLM parishioners. I would like to commend Oscar Sychua for faithfully delivering these food items to OLS Food Pantry, week in and week out. His unheralded Stewardship towards the least of our brothers is truly inspiring.

Sister Alice Mc Coy, OP

Viva Senor Sto Nino!!!! Today, we celebrate with the devotees of Sto. Nino both here in the United States and back in the Philippines. During my travels to the Philippines I have had the privilege of participating in the various celebrations of Sto. Nino. From Cebu to Kalibo to Iloilo, it seems that Sto. Nino is celebrated from now until almost the beginning of Lent.

I have always been amazed and inspired by the devotion rendered to the Infant Savior. Almost every household displays an image of Sto. Nino.

Today, devotees of Sto. Nino bring their images to the 12 noon Mass at OLM. I will bless them as they are carried in festive procession leading all to the Maria Room for fellowship.

As we give this outward praise and homage to the Son of God may we keep the fervor alive in our hearts and homes.

Please take the time to view the exhibitions prepared by Father Ralph and his committee. In this “Year of the Priest,” the focus of the exhibition is on the celebration of the First Masses in the Philippines.

VIVA SENOR STO. NINO!!!!!!!

Now, let us move from the sacred to the secular. One of our parishioner families approached me recently with a painless, effortless, fund raising possibility. H & R Block has a program for ‘not for profit’ organizations. H & R Block is willing to contribute $25 to a registered organization for every new customer. The terms are these: the organization must register with H & R Block [I have done that]; the subscriber must be a NEW customer of H & R Block; the subscriber must present an authorized coupon at the time of contract [a copy is in the bulletin today].

Now, please HEAR ME AND HEAR ME CORRECTLY. In NO WAY am I endorsing the services of H & R Block over any other company. I am simply taking advantage of a fund raising opportunity offered by the company. You are completely free to use whatever method you choose in the preparation of your income tax.

Speaking of Income Tax, those who wish a summary of their Stewardship of Treasure for the Calendar Year 2009 may receive that by either calling Marie Dougherty Monday to Friday during the hours of 9am and 3pm at 201|434|7500 OR you may make your request via e-mail at OLMJCNJ@AOL.COM.

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

OLM/OLS Little Miss Valentine 2010

(A Fund Raising Project for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain)

(Elaine Latumbo, Tia Evangelista, Amanda De Leon, Melissa Bustria, and Erica Leanne Hilado)

For some weeks now, you have found, in the entranceways of Our Lady of Mercy, posters displaying our candidates for the OLM/OLS Little Miss Valentine 2010. Many stop to peruse the photos. Few understand why the display is present.

HERE IS THE REASONING: LITTLE MISS VALENTINE’s purpose is to raise funds to defray part of the cost of sending delegates to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

• Girls between the ages of 4 and 12 years are eligible to Funds will be generated through RAFFLE TICKETS ($1.00 each), DINNER DANCE TICKETS ($15.00 each), and SPONSORSHIPS (full page- $100.00; half page- $60.00; line advertisement- $20.00) from businesses and professionals.

• This year’s candidates are Melissa Bustria, Amanda De Leon, Tia Evangelista, Erica Leanne Hilado, and Elaine Latumbo.

• Each candidate has a block of raffle ticket numbers and dinner-dance ticket numbers assigned to her.

• The title “OLM/OLS Little Miss Valentine 2010” will be given to the participant who raises the highest cumulative dollar amount for the fund raising project. She will receive a sash, a crown and a bouquet of flowers.

• Prizes for the raffle are: 1st – $300 Toys ‘R’ Us Gift Certificate; 2nd- $100 GAP Gift Certificate; and 3rd- $50 Bath & Body Works Gift Certificate.

• Coronation Night Dinner-Dance will be on FEBRUARY 6, Saturday, 7pm, at the Maria Room.

Support World Youth Day! Support our Candidates!

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Gospel: John 2:1-11

A Grand Wedding

Someone at Cana knew what was important: important for the newlyweds, important for the wedding guests, important for her son and his followers, important for us. It should really come as no surprise that that someone was Mary. Mary knew that a wedding was more than waiters and wine. She recognized that this joyous celebration pointed to the grand wedding of God and humankind.

Comment

From exile in Babylon, the Jews had returned to a devastated Jerusalem. The sight of the rubble that was once God’s holy city cast a shadow of despair over their shining freedom. The prophet speaks to the people, assuring them that splendor and glory are bound for Jerusalem. God will reclaim Jerusalem and her people as a groom claims a bride. God will be their splendor and glory.

Paul writes to the Corinthians to remind his new converts that the many gifts God has given them are intended not only for the good of the individual recipients but for the good of all. Gifts are given to build up the community of the Church. Paul goes on to say that the many gifts are but manifestations of the one Spirit who is at work in the Church. Gifts must be shared.

Only John recounts the story of the wedding feast at Cana. Here, we find Jesus working his first “sign” or miracle, and working it at the request of his mother. The symbolism in this sign sets the tone for the way John will treat Jesus’ signs throughout his Gospel. The enormous amount of water for ritual purification signifies the whole of Jewish cult and law. As Jesus orders the jars refilled, the water gains a different mission, namely, the water of Christian baptism. But Jesus isn’t finished with it. At his word, the water becomes wine, wine that suggests the Eucharist. In the wedding feast, then, we see the revelation of the Messiah who has come to save through baptism and the Eucharist.

Reflection

In the first reading, God speaks in the language of a spouse and names Israel “Espoused” and “My Delight.” As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so we are told God will rejoice in the people of Israel. The image of a marriage is familiar to Israel, but it is God who first uses it in this way. The mystery of our extraordinary relationship with God is often found in our own simple everyday realities.

When ordinary water and waiters and wine stewards and mothers wait on God’s action in Jesus, they come to know something about God’s life among them. Today’s Gospel reading gives us signs that disclose who Jesus is. They give us insight into what the wedding of God and humankind means. At Cana, Jesus made a wonderful first impression, one that has been borne out down to this day. The wedding at Cana began the disclosure of how well it goes when humanity is wed to divinity.

Like drawn water, like Israel, like Mary and the apostles, we can recognize our maker and redeemer. When God seems far away, we founder. When we are called, we spark to life and are made new. We know ourselves anew. We are God’s delight. We possess new voices to sing a new song, for our life is received fresh and new. This is a great miracle, one far greater that turning water into wine.

The Advent/Christmas/ Epiphany Season closes today with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This Feast signals us toward the beginnings of the “active” ministry of Jesus Christ. Since early December, our liturgies and scriptures drew us into the contemplation of the “hidden” life of Jesus ~ the invitation by God to Mary and Joseph to participate in the history of salvation, their agreement and active participation in the events leading to the birth of the Messiah, their ordinary life in the Village of Nazareth.

Now the purpose of these activities is revealed to us. Jesus is the Lamb of God. Jesus is the son of Mary and the son of Almighty God. Jesus is the Messiah who reveals to us a new face of the Almighty: the face of the divine being who loves us in new and extraordinary ways.

The disciples of John are invited to stretch their understand of the suppositions of what the Messiah will be. The Almighty God says to them: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” Jesus, the Messiah, says to these same disciples: “Come, and see!”

As we move away from the decorations and festivities that highlighted these past weeks, are we equally willing to move toward Jesus, the Messiah, to listen to his teaching, to follow him into a way of life that he modeled for us?

Alone and independent our natures will fight against this movement. Together, in the solidarity of a believing community, we can do it!

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Baptism: A Beginning
Baptism signaled the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It signals the beginning of ours as well. For us, baptism begins at the font, but it doesn’t end there. Baptism is promise, not fulfillment. Baptism is for growth, growth into communion with all others who have been baptized. When we are immersed in the waters of baptism, we rise because of God’s “favor;” we rise by a “given” energy not our own. We name that life force the Holy Spirit. What does baptism say to us? Baptism says, “You don’t have to be your own leader, a self-made person. You don’t have to rely only on yourself to be successful.” In the community of the Church, all the baptized find security, service, success, and wondrous favor.

Comment
The people who approached John for baptism were poised and ready. They were on the lookout for the coming of a new leader, king, and liberator. John quickly informed them that he was not the one they were looking for, that a mightier one than he would be coming soon with a baptism of Spirit and fire. The reference to fire here recalls ancient covenants and purifications in which objects were cleansed by being passed through fire. It also recalls God’s presence, which was frequently accompanied by fire. John wanted his listeners to realize that baptism with fire means both a complete purification and also the presence of God (the Holy Spirit) in all those so purified.

The Gospel goes on to recount how the Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus, designating him the long-awaited Messiah. Perhaps all the people gathered at the Jordan didn’t realize that Jesus was more than a human servant, but the Spirit’s words were understood by those who preached after Pentecost and by the author of today’s Gospel, who uses the word “Son” quite pointedly.

As the new calendar year begins, the story of the necessary baptism of Jesus signals his journey from life to death. This first revealing chapter of Jesus’ life story and its meaning is set before us. This story will be told and understood through the bright light of the Resurrection. We are invited to take it all in and make it ours. What a marvelous favor!

Reflection
This Sunday brings the Christmas season to a close. It brings the reality of God-with-us, “Emmanuel,” as close as it can get. This Sunday, the liturgy exhorts us to recall our identification with Christ. Making the life of this redeeming, gentle Servant and Son our own life means living our baptism, our “Christening.” Because we have been baptized into his death and resurrection, we, too, are servants and sons or daughters of God. This is our gift or “favor.” We are the beloved ones, no matter what we do or how well or how badly we act as God’s beloved. Together we pray to be faithful to our baptismal identification with God’s Son, to follow his path of service, and to be as open to God as God is to us.

As baptized Christians, we have been favored with a share of the light and life of Jesus, God’s “favored One.” Being favored means many things: it means basking in grace; it means traveling a holy path; it means journeying to eternal life in light. It also means being busy about what baptized people do. Being favored means sharing the favor. And we can’t do this in the abstract. We have to give of ourselves to others as Jesus did.

We must heal the sick, reach out to the poor, challenge evil, and even die for one another if that is called for–and it most surely is. This week, let’s do someone a favor: send some flowers to a nursing home, donate some good used clothes to a free store or women’s shelter, write a legislator about an important bill that’s pending, refuse to put up with prejudice, give some special thanks for baptism, and remember how favored we are.

Today we gather with the Church both East and West to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings. Theologically we remember, this day, that Jesus Christ came as Savior of the entire world not for just one nation or people. What greater gift could we receive but the salvation of our God?

Today in many parts of the world, children receive gifts along with the Christ Child. May I take this opportunity to express the gratitude of Father Marty, Father Manuel, Father Ralph, Brother Dong and myself for the extraordinary generosity extended to us this Christmas? I have to tell you that the Christmas siesta was delayed considerably as we gathered around the tree in our home to open all the gifts that you showered upon us. Over all we will be the best-dressed rectory staff in the state of New Jersey. Salamat! Gracias! Thank You!

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

The Giving Tree gifts have been delivered to all the charities as scheduled. Each recipient gave an expression of good tidings to each person who contributed. Each extended an enormous thanks. All shouted a joyful Merry Christmas, as we left your gifts for those in need

Upwards of 325 families took the stars from the trees at the rear of the Church and left their gifts under them to be distributed.

Those whom you aided by your Advent Stewardship are:

CATHOLIC CHARITIES
COVENANT HOUS OF NEW JERSEY
OUR LADY OF SORROWS
THE BARANGI OF LIBAS
THE CHILDREN OF THE ANDES
SEVERAL SOURCES SHELTERS FOR UNWED MOTHERS.

This Advent/ Christmas tradition continues! It is fitting to say THANK YOU to all involved: Stewards who contributed as well as those Stewards who organized and distributed the gifts.

After all the shopping, card writing, cookie baking, gift-wrapping, tree decorating, Christmas is over already! NO IT IS NOT!

Because Christmas is so much more than A DAY, our Church celebrates this wonderful feastday for EIGHT DAYS. The Church calls this an OCTIVE, from the Latin word for eight. [Only two other feastday on the Church calendar are celebrated with Octaves: Easter and Pentecost.]

This Sunday within the Octave of Christmas is the Solemnity of the Holy Family. It is FAMILY we celebrate today. Long ago, when I was a child, this feast was one of the few exceptions for mandatory attendance at the “Children’s Mass” on Sunday. On this Feastday of the Holy Family mothers, fathers and children were permitted to worship together as families. Thank God that opportunity is given every Sunday in our present Church discipline.

This liturgical adaptation is not the only thing that has changed over the years. The concept of family, itself has change. Sociologists [and society in general] have broadened what we understand as a family unity. There are “traditional families,” “single parent families,” “blended families,” and on and on.

The point I wish to make is this: ALL families, no mater what definition you fall under, are WELCOME at OUR LADY OF MERCY and OUR LADY OF SORROW.

COME and be a part of OUR HOLY FAMILY!

My love and prayers,

Father Jack

Christmas: A Sense of the Season

You probably know the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Even though a radio station once proclaimed the twelve days of Christmas as those before December 25, Christians have always kept Christmas as a season from December 25 until January 6 (the traditional Epiphany). The church calendar today even extends the celebration until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord—the Sunday after Epiphany.

Here is what the church says about the season of Christmas: “Next to the yearly celebration of the paschal mystery [meaning the Triduum and Easter season], the church holds most sacred the memorial of Christ’s birth and early manifestations. This is the purpose of the Christmas season.” (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, #32)

More than just “Jesus’ birthday,” the Christmas season is a time for remembering and reveling in the nativity of Christ, the revelation of Christ to the Jewish shepherds, the revelation of Christ to the Gentile magi (that’s us!), Christ’s baptism by John in the Jordan, and Christ changing water into wine at the wedding “on the third day” (John 2:1) in Cana of Galilee. In all these saving events, we know that “the Word is made flesh and dwells among us.”

How can we keep Christmas not just as a day, but also as a season? Keep the tree up (and watered!) and shining bright until the Baptism of the Lord. Sing carols and read the scriptures every day. Safely put candles around your crèche: Use small glass votive candleholders, and place them away from the straw. You might also want to add a little water to the bottom of the glass before putting the candle in—an added precaution that will also help you clean the glass more easily. When you light the candles, sing or say the prayer of the angels: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and forever. Amen!

Copyright © 1997 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. Text by David Philippart. Art by Chuck Ludeke.

After all the shopping, card writing, cookie baking, gift-wrapping, tree decorating, Christmas is over already! NO IT IS NOT!

Because Christmas is so much more than A DAY, our Church celebrates this wonderful feastday for EIGHT DAYS. The Church calls this an OCTIVE, from the Latin word for eight. [Only two other feastday on the Church calendar are celebrated with Octaves: Easter and Pentecost.]

This Sunday within the Octave of Christmas is the Solemnity of the Holy Family. It is FAMILY we celebrate today. Long ago, when I was a child, this feast was one of the few exceptions for mandatory attendance at the “Children’s Mass” on Sunday. On this Feastday of the Holy Family mothers, fathers and children were permitted to worship together as families. Thank God that opportunity is given every Sunday in our present Church discipline.

This liturgical adaptation is not the only thing that has changed over the years. The concept of family, itself has change. Sociologists [and society in general] have broadened what we understand as a family unity. There are “traditional families,” “single parent families,” “blended families,” and on and on.

The point I wish to make is this: ALL families, no mater what definition you fall under, are WELCOME at OUR LADY OF MERCY and OUR LADY OF SORROW.

COME and be a part of OUR HOLY FAMILY!

My love and prayers,

Father Jack