Cardinal Tobin approved the transfer of the Ascension of the Lord from May 21 (Thursday) to May 24, 2020 (Sunday).
Video announcement on the Reopening of OLM Church
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy,
I hope this finds you safe and well.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and all those who have the role of a mother! May you
be protected under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother through Jesus Christ. Through her intercession, may you be blessed with everything you need, both spiritually and physically. We, your sons and daughters, thank you, our mothers, for bringing us into this world.
As we move along in this challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are looking for ways to make us feel secure and safe. A reality check tells us that we are not sure where this situation will lead. Is our future going to be better or worse? Are we going to be comfortable being outside of our homes without wearing masks? Will we feel safe or not? Our minds are full of concerns and anxieties about the future.
We are like Jesus’ disciples in this weekend’s gospel passage. They were so afraid when Jesus told them that he was going back to his Father. The disciples felt that they were going to be left alone. They were unsure of what their future would hold. But Jesus told them not to be afraid or troubled but to have faith in him. He assured them that he was going to prepare a place for them and he would come back to bring them to that place.
Brothers and sisters, in the midst of this crisis, it is time for us to take Jesus’ words and promises to heart and believe. Let us believe that in him there is hope and that all of these worries and fears about tomorrow will come to an end. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” It is time to put our trust in God.
While we do that, with our feet on the ground, let us do our best to be safe and help one another in all the different ways we can. Reach out to one another and offer whatever help you can. Also, as we know, the month of May is dedicated to our Blessed Virgin Mary. We encourage you to continue your devotion to her and to say the Holy Rosary every day. Teach your children that particular devotion and how to say the Rosary. Teach them that Our Blessed Mother Mary deserves our devotion. It is our way of thanking her for saying “yes” to God’s will. In doing so, she brought His only begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world to be our Savior.
I would like to end this letter asking you to continue to pray for your loved ones, your household, and your second home, Our Lady of Mercy parish. Please continue your financial support in one of four ways indicated in this bulletin. For those who have asked about using “Zelle” or “Venmo,” our bank does not support those platforms.
Nourish your spirit through following the virtual Masses we provide and believe that God is everywhere. God sees and hears us wherever we are.
As I have mentioned above, this is the time to put our faith and hope in God. Believe that He is in you and with you all the time.
BE SAFE, WEAR MASKS or/and STAY HOME!
Love,
Father Marty
Mass Intention for May 1, 2020 Memorial Mass for Deceased Family and Friends of OLM Parishioners Who Died from March 15-30
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest.
(Click here for the names of our dearly departed)
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.