Our Lady of Mercy Church celebrates The Encounter (Salubong) on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, before 12 noon Mass
Salubong celebrates the reunion of the Risen Christ with the Sorrowful Virgin Mary. Women of the parish gather at one site with the statue of the Sorrowful Mother, yet unaware of her Son’s resurrection. The statue of Mary is covered with the veil of mourning. Men of the parish gather at an opposite site with the statue of the Risen Christ.
Both groups move in procession into church. When both processions meet at the foot of the altar, Mary’s mourning veil is removed by an angel. A choir of angels, joined by the children’s choir, sing BE JOYFUL, MARY to signify Mary’s joy at the knowledge of her Son’s resurrection.
At the conclusion of BE JOYFUL, MARY, the organ swells with the opening verse of the Gathering Hymn for Mass. Both statues are placed on either side of the tabernacle, and we celebrate the noon Mass of Easter Sunday.
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy:
We are in the middle of Lenten Season. Last weekend the Scriptures reminded us of the rules we are to follow on how to live a holy life. We had been shown a picture of who and what we are in the sight of God. We were also made aware that, a lot of the times, we have so many excuses of why we don’t follow God’s commandments and more often we say NO to what God is telling us to do. We were given a chance to question ourselves whether or not we are in accordance with the will of God. And guess what? This weekend’s readings are, once again, telling us that God doesn’t give up on us. If we pay close attention to all of the readings, God has been sending messengers, including His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, to all of us to make us know that He loves and cares for us and that He wants to save us from eternal damnation. Let us make every effort to do the will of God. Let us remove the stubbornness in us and be transformed into the people God want us to be. God is always with open arms to embrace us if we are willing to change. He is always and will ever be a loving and forgiving God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). Come back to Him!
In this bulletin you will find the services we have for the remaining days of Lent. Please come and seek God’s forgiveness of all the wrongs we have done so that we can celebrate Easter with joyful hearts.
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, Clement Rodriguez, Genedina B. Mohan, Walter Wasinewski, Luke Dee, Rosario Bernabe, Renato Caguioa, Raquel Yapp, Roberto Yapp, Armando Gloria, Mary Kelly, Terry Neurbauer, Grace Arceo.
2018 Lenten Regulations
Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, and charity as we prepare to renew our baptismal promises at Easter. The practice of penance forms a necessary part of this preparation. The Church gives us the following regulations to help us make the season of Lent a particular time of penance and preparation for Easter.
1. Ash Wednesday (February 14) and Good Friday (March 30) are days of Fast and Abstinence.
2. All the Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.
3. A Day of Fast means that only one full meal is permitted. Two smaller meals may be eaten. There is no food taken between meals. Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast, though others are encouraged to fast. The days of fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
4. On a Day of Abstinence no meat may be eaten. Those 14 years of age and older are obliged to abstain from meat. For a serious reason, the Code of Canon Law allows the pastor to dispense an individual from refraining from meat on a Friday during the Lenten Season.
5. The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence “substantially” or as a whole, is a serious obligation.
6. Catholics should go to Holy Communion at least once between the First Sunday of Lent (February 18) and Trinity Sunday (May 27). If necessary, they should celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.
Holy Land Pilgrimage
There will be a trip to the Holy Land in November 4-15, 2018 with Father Marty. Father Marty is thrilled to go back for another spirit-filled experience by walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. For those interested please see flyers at the vestibule of the church for details. Payment schedule: $ 500.00 due immediately (for Reservation); $ 1,445.00 due in May and $ 1,445.00 due in July. For those who want to pay by Credit Card please take a form at the parish office and give it to Father Marty.