Cardinal Tobin approved the transfer of the Ascension of the Lord from May 21 (Thursday) to May 24, 2020 (Sunday).
Video announcement on the Reopening of OLM Church
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy,
I hope this finds you safe and well.
First of all, in the name of Father Tom, Father Nol, the Staff, and the entire parish family, I express my condolences to Father Renato “Butchie” J. Bautista and his siblings at the death of their mother Zenaida Jacinto-Bautista. She was 87 years old. It would be a good thing to send some words of sympathies and condolences to Father Butchie. His email address is: renato.bautista@shu.edu
Secondly, I thank you for your prayers and support of our parish. In the collection report found in this bulletin, you will see an improvement compared to the previous weeks. I thank God for your generosity and concern for our parish. I thank you for the love and care you show not only for our buildings but for the People of God, and that’s each of you. I am glad that you are checking on each other through text messages, phone calls and different social
media.
I would like to use this opportunity to bring up some of the lessons we are learning from being locked down due to this pandemic, specifically a lesson from our live streaming of Mass. I would like you to take this as a reminder for all of us, because this is not something new. You may remember a few years back, I guess two years ago, we had a series of homilies to help us better appreciate the Mass. One of the things we talked about was the ways Christ is present at Mass. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that Jesus is present: 1) in the Word of God, 2) in the Eucharist, in the bread and wine that become the Body and Blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, 3) in the priest, and 4) in each one of you, God’s holy people, gathered together. That is where Jesus is and where our focus should be and not on whatever is in the background. Let us not forget that.
As we provide our live streamed Mass, you may notice that things are not picture perfect, and will never be. We apologize for some problems that may occur during our broadcast but please know that we are always trying to make it better. Our main concern is that our words are clearly heard. We place the equipment as close to us as we can. From your comments, we are aware that sometimes it is not 100% okay. (We really appreciate all comments, though.) This broadcast set up is just for this health crisis. Our church building, which is over 50 years old, was not built with digital or media systems in mind. So, we ask your understanding when there are technical problems. Also, if you cannot see the whole sanctuary in the picture (including the statue of Jesus behind the altar), please bear with us or ignore it. Again, our whole focus should be on the altar and the Word of God, where I repeat, God is present.
Finally, please visit our website regularly. It has all the links to to our parish bulletin, our Go Fund Me account, and to the Archdiocese.
BE SAFE, WEAR MASKS, WASH HANDS or/and STAY HOME! We are not out of the woods yet.
God bless us all!
Love,
Father Marty
Mass Intention for May 1, 2020 Memorial Mass for Deceased Family and Friends of OLM Parishioners Who Died from March 15-30
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest.
(Click here for the names of our dearly departed)
Update from Roman Catholic Church
of the Archdiocese of Newark
NEW DIRECTIVES effective March 25, 2020:
- Wakes and funerals must be postponed until further notice. There are no exceptions to this, regardless of the size of the group. Burials may take place with only the priest.
- All baptisms must be postponed until further notice with the exception of an extreme emergency.
- All weddings are postponed until further notice.
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation is suspended until further notice with the exception of an extreme emergency.
- All churches and adoration chapels must be closed and locked until further notice. Private prayer in any parish building must be discontinued until further notice.
- Parish offices must be closed until further notice. Employees who provide essential services should be limited and on staggered schedules.
- Pastors should see that the Blessed Sacrament is renewed in tabernacles regularly from celebrations of private Masses.