October 29, 2023 – From the Pastor Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy, I hope this finds you well. We are happy to welcome back Bishop Greg Studerus! We thank him for coming to our parish to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our twenty-six young people. It is always an honor and a blessing to have the Bishop with us in our parish. May God continue to bless him with good health and strength and guide him in his ministry with all of us here in the Archdiocese of Newark. Brothers and sisters, continue to keep our young people in your prayers. May they discover the richness of our Catholic faith as they journey in life. In the name of this faith community, I thank them for saying “yes” to God’s invitation to be soldiers of Christ who carry on His mission of spreading the gospel by the way they live. May they be equipped with everything needed to live a good Christian life by using the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord that come from the Holy Spirit. May they be the kind of people God intends them to be through the help of their sponsors, parents and guardians. I thank Jeng Villa, the Director of our Faith Formation Program, Jayvee Dacasin, the members of our Confirmation team, and all those who helped in many other ways for the hard work and dedication they put into preparing our young people to receive the Sacrament. This past Sunday, two families brought their children to our faith community for the Sacrament of Baptism. Congratulations to Andrew and Valerie Gonzalez on the baptism of their daughter, Kalani Gelicame Gonzalez and to George and Murlyn on the baptism of their son Julian Ezreal Manuel Vazquez! You can see their pictures in this bulletin. May these two children grow in love and wisdom and learn how to live as good Christians with the help and example of their parents and godparents. Our prayers go out to them! In the name of our parish community, I thank Deacon Meynard Espeleta and the baptismal team who prepared the families and godparents for the celebration of this Sacrament. Last Sunday, in the midst of the business of the day, I was able to visit Marie Hudik, a longtime parishioner, a former lay trustee, and one of the ladies who helped count our Sunday collection. She turned 100 years old. Marie witnessed the founding of our great parish sixty years ago. In the name of our parish, I wish her a happy 100th birthday and thank her for her love, dedication, and faithfulness to this parish. It is amazing to see her, when she is able, coming to worship with us every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. May God bless her! Marie’s picture appears below. Lastly, please check out our upcoming events. Our Masses for November 1 and November 2, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, are at 7am, 8:30am and 7pm. Thank you and may God bless us all! Love, Father Marty (Previous Week) Wedding at Our Parish Congratulations to the newlywed: Mr. & Mrs. Kevin and Katrina (“Kaye” Encarnacion) Cornelio! The nuptial Mass was presided over by Fr. Butchie Bautista and concelebrated by Fr. Marty Jacinto.. Happy 100th birthday Marie! Father Marty visits Marie Hudik, longtime parish member, on the occasion of her 100th Birthday! Maria “Marie” Hudik is a long time parishioner of OLM. She was is one of the witnesses of the founding of the parish. Thanksgiving Food Drive The OLM Holy Name Society is sponsoring our Annual Parish Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit the food pantry at Mary House located at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish here in Jersey City. We are collecting non-perishable food items like canned goods, rice, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter & jelly, hot & cold cereals, pasta & sauce. Donations may be dropped off at any time at our collection bins in our church’s vestibule. We will make a final collection on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 9 to 11am at the OLM parking area by the entrance to the Maria Room. Monetary contributions are also accepted. Please make checks payable to “Our Lady of Sorrows” and please write “Food Pantry” on the memo line.