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July 12, 2020 – From the Pastor

– REMINDERS when coming to mass at OLM –
– Welcome video from the Archdiocese of Newark –
– A Message from Pope Francis on Racism –
 

Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy,

Fr. Marty JacintoI hope this finds you safe and well.

This pandemic has brought many questions and concerns to our minds regarding our lives. One of the most common and maybe the first thing that comes to anyone’s mind is: “If I get infected and die, will I go to heaven?” Brothers and sisters, that is a natural reaction for us as Christians who are trying to live according to the Gospel.

Our Gospel parable this weekend talks about seed that is sown on different kinds of ground. This parable challenges us to take a closer look at our spiritual self. As Jesus explains in the parable, the seed represents the word of God that has been sown in our lives. It is up to us on how we receive that word.

The parable raises a question for us, namely, “How do we receive the word?” Are we like the pathway, the rocky or the thorny ground, or the rich soil?

If we have not been putting God’s word into action and have failed to produce the fruit of good works, then let today be the day to start doing so. But, if we have been progressing in our daily Christian way of life, then may God sustain and help us in everything we do. God knows how much we need His help every minute of our lives. Let Saint Paul be our example who said: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” (Romans 8:18).

May we not falter in doing what is right. There have been so many saints and great men and women who have persisted in doing good. They “fought the good fight and have finished the race.” (1 Timothy 4:7).

On a different note, Father Tom, Father Nol and I are happy to see everyone coming back to join us for Mass during the week and on the weekend. The attendance at our Sunday Masses is slowly increasing more and more.

I am glad to see that all of you who come to church are doing and following all the precautionary measures and directions of our hospitality ministers and staff. I am letting you know that you are all welcome to return if you are comfortable.

I thank you for sending your weekly donations either by mail or putting them in our collection box near the baptismal font. I also thank those who send or give extra donations for our church. It is surely and highly appreciated. It shows us how much you care and love your parish. Thank you and may God’s blessings be upon you all!

Take care of yourselves by staying safe and enjoy this summertime.

Love,

Father Marty


Please remember to fulfill your pledge to WE ARE LIVING STONES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN and to the SHINING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST 2020 ANNUAL APPEAL. Your generosity helps to fund Archdiocesan programs and also benefits Our Lady of Mercy Parish.


SOME WISDOM FROM CARDINAL DOLAN

“Historical Dementia”

The following is a shortened version of a commentary by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, that was published on the website of the Archdiocese on July 2, 2020.

Cardinal DolanThank God some good can come out of evil. The horror of the nauseating death of George Floyd has brought thoughtful, necessary, sane reflection on the curse of racism that has afflicted our beloved country.

What is not helpful is the impetuous, cascading demand for the destruction and removal of monuments, portraits, statues, and literature that adorn our buildings, public areas, and culture. Such rash iconoclasm can lead to an historic amnesia that will eliminate something essential for our necessary common conversation on racism: the memory of flawed human beings who, while sadly and scandalously wrong on burning issues such as slavery and civil rights, were right on so many others, and need to be remembered for both.

Years ago, I was dedicating a new parish to Saint Peter. A woman protested: “Why would you name a Church after such a coward, a sinner who denied even knowing the Lord.” I wrote back, “If we can’t name churches after sinners, the only titles we’d have left would be Jesus and His Mother!”

Is not the same true with our country’s historical personalities? All of them had flaws, yet all of them still contributed a lot of good to our nation’s progress.

Defacing, tearing down, and hiding statutes and portraits is today’s version of puritanical bookburning. Our children need to know their country’s past, and her normative figures, their virtues, and vices. That’s how we learn and pass on our story.

The same could be true of the Church I love and serve. Yes, there are scandalous parts of our history.

God forbid we’d go through a “cultural revolution” like Mao’s China did five decades ago! What a mess! What a disaster! Beware of those who want to purify memories and present a tidy – inaccurate – history.

As a historian by training, I want to remember the good and the bad and recall with gratitude how even people of the past who had an undeniable dark side can still let light prevail and leave the world better.

I do not want to be infected by the new virus of today, “historical dementia.” As the saying goes, “Those not familiar with the past are bound to repeat its mistakes.”

Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

“Catholic Stewardship in Action” is the theme of this year’s Annual Appeal of the Archdiocese of Newark. This appeal supports the mission, programs, and ministries of the Archdiocese. This year’s goal for Our Lady of Mercy Parish is $42,122. OLM will receive a 100% rebate of every dollar collected above our parish goal. Please be generous and support this Annual Appeal. It will benefit the Archdiocese and our parish as well. Thank you and God bless! If you need a pledge envelope, they are available at the doors of the church or at the parish office.

Watch this presentation on the CoronaVirus Vaccine by Dr. Patricia Whitley-Williams
It is highly recommended.

Understanding Depression. The OLM Wellness Committee invites you to view a video featuring committee members and expert guests as they discuss depression and depressive symptoms. (Click here)

Flu Vaccine Q&A with Drs. Norie and Rey Ramos

Watch “Stress: A Discussion.” A series by OLM Wellness Ministry, Episode 2 | Episode 1


WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

To help keep you all moving, the OLM Wellness Ministry will be sharing exercise videos on Wednesdays that will help guide you through some exercises that you can do at home. (Watch the second video here). If you missed the first one, it’s here.

New Parish Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9 am to 3 pm
Wednesday
9 am to 12 noon
Saturday & Sunday
9 am to 1 pm

Confessions Times
Monday through Friday
9 am to 9:30 am
Saturday
4 pm to 4:30 pm

UPLIFTuesday

Shiloh Guanlao | Tiffany Liora Velarde | JJ Ohri | Jedrik Digao | Margarette Rivera | Alexandre Lewis Cheng | Kyle Arano | (Joachim Dalloran) | Mikaela Christie Catuncan | Rafael Reyes | Ysabelle Baculod | Zachary Zulueta| Julz Balbutin | Evan and Lauren Nguyen | Bridget Benoit | Gelayne Lim | Alyssa Bacay | Emily Gocon | Justin Nguyen | Tiffany Esteban

Our Lives At This Time

Previous Posts: Alain Aldea | Rey Ramos | Lambert Pitao | Angel Juan | Michael Rivera | Bobby del Rosario | Dominic Rivera | Jayvee Dacasin | Annjo Balbutin | Julie Nguyen | John Flora | Gigi Macalintal | Tina Lanting | Regina ‘Jeng’ Matias-Villa

Care For All God’s Creation

(The following reflection was written by Cardinal Tobin. It appeared in the September 11, 2020 issue of Rejoice in the Lord. The full text is available at www.rcan.org.)

Faith Formation

Faith Alive @ Home! A guide to family worship and family faith fun! (Click here)

The OLM Mission Statement

We, the faith community of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, joyfully and humbly seek to make our Lord Jesus Christ ever more real in our lives and in the lives of all people. We enliven our Mission by a commitment to Stewardship as a Way of Life. We strive to pursue our mission by being a welcoming community that provides a home for all and celebrates life, hope and reconciliation through WORD, WORSHIP and SERVICE.

Stewardship of Treasure

Thank you so much for your generosity.
March 28, 2021 Palm/ Passion Sunday Collection = $6,856

The amount of the Easter Collection will appear in a future bulletin. We are still receiving Easter Contributions. If you have not yet made your special 2021 Easter Donation to our parish, you still have time to do so. Thank you for your support of OLM.

Four Ways To Support Your Parish
You can support OLM when you shop at Amazon

Mass Schedule

WE HAVE RETURNED TO OUR USUAL DAILY MASS SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday 7:00 am & 8:30 am

Saturday 5:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 noon

OLM MASSES ARE LIVESTREAMED
Sundays at 10 am
Monday – Friday at 8:30 am
Go to olmnj.org and click on Facebook l Livestream

Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church • 40 Sullivan Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305 • Phone: 201-434-7500