Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy:
Greetings in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
I thank the children and their parents who participated at our simple but wonderful and colorful celebration of honoring our Santo Nino. I strongly believed that we made our Lord Jesus happy with that tribute to Him as part of the devotion we have, recognizing him as our protector and guide on the road to holiness. I thank also those who helped in the children’s rehearsals and those who brought food and drinks for a “thank you” fellowship.
I take this opportunity to call on all children to participate in this kind of events in the years ahead. I encourage also the parents to encourage your children to do this. This is one of the many venues to educate your children about faith and pass on the traditions. I am glad to hear that those children who participated at the celebration of Santo Nino last weekend received a simple catechesis about our Lord Jesus Christ and an abbreviated version of the history of this tradition at their rehearsals. I think that, besides the presentation itself, that was one of the most important ingredients or parts of the event. As you all know, our main goal as a parish is to help each one of us to come closer and closer to God. All the events and activities we do here is to help everybody to come to know and love God so that we can serve Him with all our heart and soul.
As we move on, let us keep working on our spiritual well-being. Be involved and participate in any ministry you feel being called to do.
Check out the bulletin for announcements and, in particular, the blessing of throats in honor of Saint Blaise will be on February 3rd, Saturday at the 8:30am mass and Blood Drive is on February 4th, Sunday, in the Maria Room from 8am to 2pm. Please help save lives by donating blood.
Thank you so much 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, Conrado “Boy” Tanada, 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.
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.