FEAST OF SANTO NIÑO
Next Sunday, January 17 Parishioners and their families are invited to observe the Feast of Santo Niño next Sunday, January 17, 2021. Because of the current restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, our procession and social gathering after Mass will not be able to take place as usual. The blessing of images of Santo Niño will take place at all our Masses next weekend, January 16 and 17. We invite you to bring your statues of Santo Niño to Mass next weekend for the blessing.
O Señor Santo Niño, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all-powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs.
Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help.
Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of your love! Amen.
O Señor Santo Niño, have mercy on us!
From the Pastor
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy,
I hope this finds you well and safe.
Brothers and sisters, in today’s Gospel we heard how following Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and the Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. Jesus then heard a voice from heaven saying: “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”
We might suppose that was a one-of-a-kind experience only for Jesus. But the words addressed to Jesus could also be addressed to us.
Through Jesus, each one of us has become a beloved child of God. Because of Jesus, God is well pleased to receive each of us into His circle of love. That happens at baptism when the Holy Spirit descends upon us, not in the physical form of a dove but in the spiritual form of a seal upon our hearts. A seal that proclaims, “God dwells here.” God is living here inside me and God is living inside you!
Brothers and sisters, we are told to be the fearless sons and daughters of God, heirs in hope to the promise of eternal life that was made to us through Jesus Christ. What a great calling that is!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your participation in our festivities these past few days. It was a great feeling celebrating together with you, in person or virtually, the Nativity of Jesus on Christmas, the Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God and our Mother, and the Feast of the Epiphany.
I also thank you, in the name of the parish staff, for your prayers and for the generosity you showed in giving your Christmas gift to the parish and your donations toward the cost of the Christmas flowers.
We are able to provide a good place to worship here at OLM because of your generosity and because of your cooperation in observing the protocols and directives that help to keep you and all of us here safe and protected. Let us keep doing so.
Please always check our bulletin for other information and upcoming events. Like the year 2020, this new year of 2021 will fly by quickly, too. So, stay informed, don’t miss anything.
Thank you and God bless you today and throughout 2021.
Love,
Father Marty
Giving Tree Report
The gifts of cash, checks, and gift cards were delivered starting December 16th and continuing to Christmas Eve. More than 180 stars were taken from the trees. The generosity shown by the parishioners of OLM was wonderful, amazing, and yes, incredible!
During this year of the pandemic, the “Thank Yous” from the charities we helped showed a tremendous level of gratitude.
Your donations were delivered to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Saint Ann’s Day Care Center, Catholic Charities in Jersey City and Union City, Covenant House in Newark, Broadway House in Newark dealing with persons with HIV/AIDS, and Several Sources Shelters for unwed mothers.
A special thank you to Joanne Sheridan of the OLM Rosary Society for making the stars and labels and to the Holy Name members for their assistance.
The OLM Giving Tree Tradition demonstrates the true spirit of charitable giving to those in need at Christmas, especially this year of the coronavirus pandemic. The donated gift cards and monies will surely be a source of help into this New Year.
A sincere thank you is extended to all parishioners for their acts of charity, kindness, and love.
Sincerely,
Len Wadzanowski
Giving Tree Director
Amazon Smile Report
Because of your purchases through Amazon Smile, OLM recently received a donation of $132.67. Since OLM became part of this program, the parish has received a total of $1,291.78. If you not signed up to be part of this program, we encourage to do. There is no cost to you. The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price from customers’ eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations they select.
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!