From the Pastor
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy,
I hope this finds you well and safe.
We are now in the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Time flies so fast. I hope and pray that this new year brings us a better situation than the previous year. I am sure you join me in praying for healthier and more prosperous days, months, and years ahead.
Moving forward, please pay attention to what we can do to better our lives as individuals and as a parish community. We work hard to offer you what you need for your spiritual growth and we try to make our worship space the best it can be. I am so grateful for your cooperation and your generosity. Because of you, OLM is open and because you are carefully observing all protocols and following the directions of our ushers and staff, we feel safe in praying together. I really applaud you for that.
Your monetary contributions help us provide what we need to keep OLM going. There are so many things we need to do for the upkeep of the building. The help of the Holy Name members who volunteer to do some manual work in collaboration with Jojo Paloma, our maintenance director, is highly appreciated. I can hear them saying: I do this because “I come to do your will” (as our responsorial psalm says). I trust that little by little we will be able to accomplish what needs to be done here at our parish.
On a different note, I would like to thank all of you for your generosity and cooperation in making other people’s Christmas Day happy with your donation to different charities here in our area of Jersey City and back in Libas, Philippines. (See some photos on the next page.) Your cash gifts amounted to $1,620. You wonderfully impacted the people who benefited from your generous, giving hearts. Your simple acts of charity had a joyful and lasting effect on the beneficiaries. Each year they look forward to your kindness every Christmas.
This weekend we are celebrating the feast of Santo Niño, the Child Jesus. May we receive the grace we need in life through this celebration. May we thank Jesus for answering our prayers.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Love,
Father Marty
Latest on Shining the Light of Christ
“Shining the Light of Christ” was the name of the 2020 Annual Appeal that supports the programs and ministries of the Archdiocese. The 2020 goal for Our Lady of Mercy Parish was $42,809. There is a 100% rebate of every dollar collected above our goal. Currently, the total pledge amount is $52,790 and
$51,961 has been collected.
Message from Libas, Philippines (Giving-Tree Recipient)
Thank you for your love and generosity! About five hundred children benefited and enjoyed your gifts. This year, we gave out some chocolates, candies, and hot meal instead of toys on Christmas Day. Because of the travel bans, we were not able to travel to Manila to purchase toys. Also, the children were given a time slot to come and get their gifts to maintain social distancing. It went smoothly and orderly.
Current Status of We Are Living Stones
Our total pledged amount in the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign, called WE ARE LIVING STONES is now $501,572. We are at 100.69% of our goal of $498,144, of that $434,968 has been collected and $194,259 disbursed to the our parish for various projects.
We remind those who have not fully paid their pledge to continue sending your payment to the We Are Living Stones Office. (171 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104-0500) God bless your generosity!