Holy Father To Give Extraordinary Blessing “Urbi et Orbi”

MEMORANDUM

To: All Serving the Archdiocese
From: Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark
Date: March 25, 2020
Re: PRIORITY Communication

In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our Holy Father will give an extraordinary blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) this FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (6:00 p.m. Rome time). All the faithful and other Christians in our local Church and beyond are invited to participate in the special prayer with Pope Francis, which will be broadcast by Mondovision and live-streamed on the Vatican News website at www.vaticannews.va. The Holy Father will grant to all participants in the livestream a Plenary Indulgence before imparting the Urbi et Orbi Blessing.

The Apostolic Nunciature has requested the assistance of our local Church to promote this event through all means, especially social communications. I urge you and your communities to amplify this announcement and to translate the content wherever possible into other languages for our Archdiocese and promote and advance this invitation to all the faithful via your website and social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).

As an Archdiocese, we are committed to helping our people in whatever ways we can including by live-streaming Masses and other prayers and devotions. To the extent that we can, we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to grow in faith and receive the consolation of the Word of God and the Church’s prayer.

As Pope Francis has said, “To the pandemic of the virus we want to respond with the universality of prayer, compassion and tenderness. Let us stay united. Let us make those who are alone and tested feel our closeness.”

I pray it will be so.

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.

Dear Our Lady of Mercy Parishioners

Fr. Marty JacintoI am writing to ask your support for an Archdiocese-wide initiative that Cardinal Tobin has launched to support our parish community, outreach to those in need, and parishes in response to the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on everyday life.

We are partnering with the team at GoFundMe, a leading online giving organization, to provide one online platform for the faithful to support outreach to those most in need as well as cover the critical needs of their own and other parish communities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is a coordinated and unified effort. The first place people often go in time of need is the local parish. Under the current conditions brought on by the Coronavirus ( COVID-19) pandemic, parishes are limited in the services they can offer to the faithful.

We set our weekly goal of $10,000 as we don’t know when this pandemic will last.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to our parish. Visit our parish GoFundMe page: charity.gofundme.com/our-lady-of-mercy-jersey-city

The funding flow for this initiative offers both simplicity and transparency for our parish community and others who choose to contribute:

  • All money raised through individual parish GoFundMe pages will flow into a central archdiocesan fund, and the Parish Business Services team will aim to release all funds to parishes in the amount raised for the parish within the week
  • Pastors, parishioners, and the public can track how much each parish has raised in total on their individual parish GoFundMe pages
  • All money raised through the Parishes in Need fund will be distributed to conduct outreach to those in need and to those parish communities unable to meet their critical needs alone
  • Contributions are tax-deductible, and contributors will receive tax receipts automatically

You may also continue to give through your typical methods if you prefer:

  • For those who would like to continue to give through envelopes or cash during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please drop off envelopes in our parish drop off box or mail it to OLM.
  • Please also remember the Annual Appeal among your options for contributing.

Thank you for generosity to our parish.

God bless us all and be safe!

Lovingly yours in Christ,

+ Father Marty