Our Lady of Mercy Church Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656

Rev. Patrick J. Seo, Temporary Administrator Rev. Charles P. Granstrand, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Robert T. Ulak, Parochial Vicar Rev. Msgr. James C. Turro (Weekends) Rev. Mr. Jae Joo, Transitional Deacon Rev. Mr. Joseph S. Romano, Permanent Deacon

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening: 5:30PM Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 12:30PM (Spanish)Daily: 6:30AM, 8:30AM Saturday: 8:30AM

ADORATION Every Thursday 9AM—10AM

BAPTISM The Sacrament is celebrated one Sunday every month. Parents should contact the rectory or visit OLM website for dates of Baptism and Preparation Sessions.

MARRIAGE Couples planning to be married should contact the rectory at least ONE YEAR PRIOR to the wedding date.

John Rokoszak, Pastoral Associate Debra Wyka, Minister of Music Evelyn Paglieri, Director of Religious Education Jennifer Kavanagh, Youth Minister Donna Quinn, Finance Manager Maria Kistler, Rectory Office & Communications Mgr. Maureen Giaccio, Religious Education Office Manager

RECONCILIATION Saturday: 9-9:30AM & 1-1:30PM Monday: 7PM

SCHOOL Our Lady of Mercy Academy National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence 25 Fremont Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 Laraine Meehan, Principal

CATECHETICAL MINISTRY Grades K-6: 4-5PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Grades 7-8: 3:45-5:15PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Rectory Catechetical Center Youth Minister Music Minister School 201-391-5315 201-391-3590 201-802-1771 201-358-2994 201-391-3838

www.UROLM.org www.OLMRE.org www.OLMyouthministry.com www.OLMAcademy.org

olm.church@gmail.com urolm.religious.ed@gmail.com olmyouthminister@gmail.com 25 Fremont Ave

May 10, 2020

Fifth Sunday of Easter

OUR LADY OF MERCY PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Our Lady of Mercy Parish is a Catholic community that worships God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, celebrating Mass, proclaiming the Gospel Message and uniting in prayer. We strive to welcome all and to educate ourselves and others in the Good News of Jesus Christ. We support one another in times of joy and sadness and attempt to serve each other by reaching out to those in need in our community and beyond. We are imperfect people on a journey. Our goal is that the life of each person leads to the Lord.

LET US PRAY In your love and kindness please pray for the sick

of our parish, especially: Maggie & Quinn McVeigh, Sue Lemba, Barbara Rogers, Catherine Foust, Maria Canallo, and for the intentions you hold in your heart.

Please also remember the deceased of our parish especially: Gerry Chambers, True Jordan, Barbara Schneiderbeck, Scott Rogers, Carl O. Padovano, Richard Rocco Manzella, John Cangedo, and Nicolina Menta.

Please join with us in praying one OUR FATHER per day for all those who have no one to pray for them.

LIGHT AN ONLINE CANDLE We know that Our Lord, Our Lady, and all the Saints hear and respond to our prayers. Light an online candle and share your prayer intention so we can pray with you as well. Click here to add your intention.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 5:30 Mimi Kashickey

Mother’s Day Fifth Sunday of Easter SUNDAY, MAY 10 Acts 6:1-7/ 1 Pt 2:4-9/ Jn 14:1-12 7:30 Maria & Giromana Provenza 9:30 Susan Coppola 11:00 Special Intention 12:30 People of the Parish

MONDAY, MAY 11 Acts 14:5-18/ Jn 14:21-26 6:30 Nanette S. Assaf 8:30 Mildred Stoker

Sts Nereus & Achilleus, Martyrs; Pancras, Martyr TUESDAY, MAY 12 Acts 14:19-28/ Jn 14:27-31a 6:30 Donald Ruschman 8:30 Florence Stacey

Our Lady of Fatima WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 Acts 15:1-6/ Jn 15:1-8 6:30 Robert McCabe 8:30 Theresa A. Fornatale

Saint Matthias, Apostle THURSDAY, MAY 14 Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/ Jn 15:9-17 6:30 Thomas Hennessy 8:30 Edward Hull

Saint Isidore FRIDAY, MAY 15 Acts 15:22-31/ Jn 15:12-17 6:30 Joseph Coppola 8:30 Joy Menze

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Acts 16:1-10/ Jn 15:18-21 8:30 Suzanne Franco 5:30 George Kashickey

Sixth Sunday of Easter SUNDAY, MAY 17 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17/ 1 Pt 3:15-18/ Jn 14:15-21 7:30 Maria & William Anhauser 9:30 Connie Giannangeli 11:00 Pauline Greenhalgh 12:30 People of the Parish

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING –

May 3 Collection: $18,683 Easter Collection to date: $48,581

Our individual gifts may sometimes seem humble, but when raised to God and blessed by God they will be multiplied in ways we cannot foresee or imagine. OLM is excited to offer online giving! On the Parish Giving website you can make a secure donation via electronic check or debit/credit card. You will be able to select from the various opportunities to contribute to our parish and other initiatives. The following is an overview of some of the features:

Ability to make one-time contributions Ability to make recurring contributions Ability to select your billing date Ability to use Credit Card or Bank Transfer Ability to access end of year contribution reports

Make sure you include your envelope ID number when you create your account. CLICK BELOW TO ENROLL OR LOGIN https://www.parishgiving.org/index…

Video on how to set up an account https://youtu.be/HQQ23eTtIfA You may continue to use your church envelopes if you prefer. They can be mailed or dropped off in the Rectory interior door mail slot.

ONLINE PARISH GIVING

MASS SCHEDULE— Mass intentions are being fulfilled privately. The 2021 Mass book for intentions is temporarily closed.

Temporary Administrator’s Column

MSGR. TURRO HOMILY

My Dear Friends,

What do you—all of you, men, women and children have in common with the Blessed Virgin Mary? You are to bring Christ into your world as Mary literally

brought Christ into the wider world. By the example of your behavior bring the kindness of Christ into your world as Mary physically brought Christ into the whole world. By your devotion to God bring Mary’s devotion to her son into the world. In a word, let your imitation of Mary be a governing feature of your life.

To read more of Msgr. Turro’s homilies go to: https://urolm.org/homilies

Visit our Video Library Page or our YouTube Channel Mass Media On Monday Tuesday Tea With Turro Worthy And Wicked On Wednesday Thirsting For Theology On Thursday Free For All Fridays Saints On Saturday

OUR LADY OF MERCY VIDEO LIBRARY

There are new funeral directives from the Archdiocese of Newark. CLICK HERE for updates.

Dear My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

He is Risen! Pray for my Mom – she has to deal with me as a son! But what gives me comfort as a terrible son is that Christ – the only truly good Son – also gave His Mother agita! After 3 days of agonizing searching, She found Her Son in the Temple, and said: “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” But what makes Christ the great Son is what He says in response: “Why is it that you were seeking me? Had you not known that it is nec-essary for Me to be in the things of My Father?” (Luke 2:48b-49). And what makes Mary the great Mother is what Christ says later in life: “‘Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?’ And stretching out his hand to-ward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in heav-en is my brother, and sister, and mother’” (Matthew 12:48b-49). The great dignity of the Son and the Mother is not, in the end, centered on their relationship with one another but their relationships with the Heavenly Father and the accomplishing of His Will culminating on the Cross! Another great example of a great mother-son combo was St. Monica who for 17 years prayed for the conver-sion of her son, St. Augustine. And I leave you with the words of this mother nearing death to her son as St. Au-gustine remembers: “If you love me, do not weep. If you only knew the gift of God and what Heaven is! If only you could hear the an-gels’ song from where you are and see me among them! If you could only see before your eyes the eternal fields with their horizons, and the new paths in which I walk! If only you could contemplate for one moment the Beauty that I see, Beauty before which all others fail and fade! Why do you who saw me and loved me. In this land of shadows, why do you think you will not see me and love me again in the land of unchanging realities? Believe me, when death breaks your chains as it has broken mine, when, on the day chosen by God, your soul reaches Heaven where I have preceded you, then you will see her who loved and still loves you. You will find her heart the same, her tenderness even purer than be-fore. God forbid that on entering a happier life, I should be-come less loving, unfaithful to the memories and real joys of my other life. You will see me again transfigured in ecstasy and happiness, no longer waiting for death, but ever hand in hand with you, walking in the new paths of light and life, slaking my thirst to the full at the feet of God from a fount of which one never tires, and which you will come to share with me. Wipe away your tears, and if you love me truly, weep no more.” To my biological mother, to all Those who mother us at the Rectory, and to all the great Mothers who embrace and accomplish the Father’s Will – Happy Mother’s Day!

In XC,

IS RCIA FOR YOU? There are many reasons why you may want to become involved in the RCIA. Do any of these fit you?

I have never been baptized.

I am married to a Catholic and attend Mass, but just don’t know what the next step may be.

I have been baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to become Catholic.

I have been baptized Catholic, but have not received any other sacraments.

Do you know someone who might be interested in being in full communion with the Catholic Church? Ask, encourage and invite them to this program. The journey begins with one small step! For more info, email John Rokoszak at john.rokoszak@urolm.org

SUPPORT GROUPS

FAITH FORMATION

LINKS FOR MASS & ONLINE DAILY READINGS

STAY CONNECTED

Daily Mass at Saint Andrew’s https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-FiSQMML_gB2wnhZ7Whj5g/videos?view_as=subscriber

Daily Mass from Bishop Barron's chapel https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Daily Readings & Podcasts http://www.usccb.org/media/audio/index.cfm

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington DC will have Live Streaming of Sunday Masses https://www.nationalshrine.org/mass/

Our Lady of Mercy Pray For Us

Sunday Mass 10AM

watch on our website or

watch on Facebook page

-Our website now archives all recorded masses and prayers, to be viewed at anytime.

-We can always be reached by email: olm.church@gmail.com

-Or call us 201-391-5315, our answering service will take messages that we retrieve throughout the day.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy

Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who

are put to the test – and deliver us from every dan-

ger. O glorious and blessed Virgin. Pope Francis

A CALL FOR PRAYER AND SOLIDARITY digital prayer cards.

https://www.catholicextension.org/stories/digital-prayer-cards-covid-19

Fears about the Coronavirus can take an emotional toll. It’s a very frightening time. CLICK HERE for Counseling and Mental Health Resources.

Divine Mercy Chaplet—follow-along visual of Rosary beads and the words to the prayer. Join us everyday at 3PM to pray along with us. https://vimeo.com/412725178

A Prayer in Gratitude

for Our Mothers

Good and Gentle God, we pray in gratitude for our

mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who be-

came human through a wom-an, grant to all mothers the

courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with

children always brings. Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return,

not perfectly, but humanly. Give them the faithful support of husband, family and

friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.

Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give

them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

- Author Unknown

Saint Monica Patron of the Virtue of Patience

Saint Monica, who prayed for her son's conversion for seventeen years, certainly knew what it felt like to have to wait; to encounter hardships, frustrations, and disappointments with a strong faith and with perseverance. Often invoked as a patron of the virtue of pa-tience, she never wavered in praying for the conversion of her husband and son. In the end, both of them converted and her son, Augustine, even became a Doctor of the Church.

The word “patience” is derived from the Latin word pati, which means to suffer, to en-dure, to bear. This is why patience is one of the moral virtues that comes under the gen-eral virtue of Fortitude. Thomas Aquinas said,

“Patience is one of the humble, workaday virtues; but it is, in a real sense, the root and guardian of all virtues, not causing them, but removing obstacles to their oper-ation. Do away with patience and the gates are open for a flood of discontent and sin.” (Comp. to Summa, III, 394)

While we know patience is necessary, it is also a difficult virtue because it requires con-trol over our emotions and passions. Father Paul Duffner, O.P. said,

"There is a close connection between Christian patience, and awareness of and trust in the Providence of God; an awareness that there is nothing that happens in our life except that God foresees it, allows it, and can bring good out of it if we trust in His loving and all-wise concern for each of us."

Easter Flowers 2020

Thank you to our parishioners who contributed to the purchase of flowers for our Easter Masses. It was comfort-ing to so many to see our church deco-rated for Easter. As always, the per-

ennials will be planted on the grounds and will continue to beautify our par-

ish campus for years to come.

Our Lady of Mercy Church Park Ridge, NJ

Mr. & Mrs. Romel Alfonso

Mr. Thomas Bauer

Mrs. Carol Campoeale

Mrs. Emily Cargulia

Mrs. Geralyn Cargulia

Mr. & Mrs. Adam Chmielowiec

Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Cieszko

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Comunale

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Cunniffe

Mr. Thomas Diffendal

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Dolan

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Dougherty

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Gordinier

The Goss Family

Mr. & Mrs. John Ingenito

Mr. John Kashickey

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lasser

Mrs. Marilyn Mc Veigh

Mr. & Mrs. James Miller

Mrs. Anita Minnick

Mr. Thomas Myack

Mr. & Mrs. David O’Donovan

Perry & Kelly Petrillo

Mrs. Josephine Phillips

Mrs. Leonard Principe

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Quinn

Mrs. Linda Ramagnano

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ramagnano

Dr. & Mrs. Gregory Rauscher

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Ruvolo

Rev. Patrick Seo

Mrs. Leon Shen

Mr. & Mrs. Greg Steckiewicz

Mrs. Jeanette Szabo

Mr. & Mrs. Guerino Tondreau

Ms. Rose Ungaro

‘Gratitude is a flower that blooms in noble souls.’ ~Pope Francis

Over the past three years, many parishioners have discovered our parish courtyard/garden. Nestled between the back of the gather-ing space and our Parish Center, it provides a quiet place to pray, take family photos after Baptisms, First Communions, Confirma-tions, weddings, not to mention a convenient cut through to church, from parts of the parking lot. It is where we gather to light the “new fire” for the Easter Vigil, and celebrate an outdoor mass before our parish picnic.

This past fall, it’s most frequent visitor was Msgr. Turro. Accompa-nied by a caregiver, or Kathy McCabe, Msgr. was able to walk to and from the courtyard, enjoy the beautiful plants and solitude, on-ly happily interrupted on “Tuesday” afternoons, where he met with the 2

nd graders from OLMA, who joined him in saying the Ro-

sary. It was late fall when we sadly discovered, the 3 trees origi-nally planted to provide shade, were infected with a blight. In spite

of the best efforts of parishioner, Bill Koenig, a landscape architect and designer of the courtyard, and Pete Jacobson whose landscape company installed the courtyard/garden, the trees did not sur-vive the winter. Over the last few weeks of Lent, a plan to replace the trees came together. Through the generosity of Bill and Marlene Koenig, Pete Jacobsen and his landscape company, and recent gifts to the OLM Courtyard/ garden fund, from Marianne Coche in memory of her husband, Walter, and Peter and Kathy Bowen in honor of their grandson Jared, the trees have been replaced. We also wish to acknowledge the original donors of the trees, the Jordan and Ballanco families, the Lange family, and an anonymous donor who planted a tree to honor Msgr. Turro for 65 plus years of priestly care to our parish. In the midst of the darkness Covid -19 has cast over the entire earth, signs of new life and the prom-ised hope of Resurrection are manifesting themselves too, even in our courtyard/garden! We hope that when we are able to come together again as a faith community, we will be able to share with a renewed sense the intention of our courtyard/garden; a place to gather, pray and reflect on the collective experiences these painful and difficult times have brought to so many in varied ways. As people of faith, we are mindful that the agony and despair experienced by our Lord in the garden of Gethsemane, is transformed for all eternity in another gardens’ empty tomb, Easter morning. “Jesus’ hope is different. He plants in our hearts, the conviction that God is able to make eve-rything work unto good, because even from the grave He brings life”. (Pope Francis, Easter Vigil 2020) While we wait, take inspiration in the words of Pope Francis, “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family.” Click link below to view the beautiful video https://youtu.be/Q_ujRpwP8_k

FIVE REASONS WE TURN TO MARY

IN TIMES OF CRISIS

By Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Earlier this year when the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic became clear, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. began to implore the Blessed Vir-gin Mary, Health of the Sick, on a daily basis for her intercession and help. As the Cardinal says in his reflection, “Christians have always turned to Mary in times of war, pestilence and famine. In troubled times like these, she is a sure refuge, a source of comfort and hope.” The Archdiocese of Newark has accepted the invitation of The Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to join with dioceses throughout the country in the reconse-cration of our nation to Our Lady under the title of Mary, Mother of the Church, on May 1, 2020. Cardi-nal Tobin’s reflections, Five Reasons We Turn to Mary During Times of Crisis, outlines some of the reasons why the reconsecration of our country to Mary is an appropriate response to the current pan-demic. Here are my five reasons. 1. People are sick and dying. Throughout the Church’s history, Christians have sought Mary’s inter-cession in times of serious illness including pesti-lence and plagues. As a loving mother, Mary always responds with comfort and the healing grace of her Son. Most Holy Mother, Health of the Sick, please stay close to all who are suffering from the effects of this deadly virus. Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Encourage caregivers, first responders and all who provide essential services often at great risk to themselves.

2. People are frightened, lonely and depressed. Mary’s loving presence offers courage and hope dur-ing frightening times, especially when we are isolated from family and friends. She reassures us and re-minds us that we are never alone, never without the consolation and hope won for us by her Son’s suffer-ing, death and resurrection to new life. Mother of Holy Hope, inspire us by your persever-ance and courage. Help us see that we are not going through this time of trial alone. Show us the way to Jesus, and help us to accept your loving presence as a sure sign that even in this time of social distancing, your Son holds us in his loving embrace and says to each one of us: “Be not afraid!”

3. People are out of work or afraid they will lose their jobs. Mary is alternately invoked as Our Lady of Abundance and as Mother of the Poor. She stands with us when the economy is growing and when there is widespread poverty and unemployment. She reminds us to be good stewards of all God’s gifts and to share generously with others, especially the poor. Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of all the Ameri-cas, you know the riches and the poverty of the lands we share with all our sisters and brothers here. Teach us to be grateful and generous stewards. In-tercede for all who are poor. Reassure all who are frightened. Help us to help each other so that no one has to go without his or her share of God’s abun-dance.

4. People are longing for the sacraments, espe-cially the Eucharist. Mary shows us the way to her Son. She is a sacrament of God’s presence in the world, the Gateway to Grace and a model for the Church’s prayer and worship. Deprived of access to the sacraments, and to liturgy cum populo (with our sisters and brothers), we understandably turn to Mary in the Rosary and other devotional prayers to help fill the spiritual gaps that exist in our lives. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Teach us to seek and find your Son, Jesus, in the prayer and wor-ship of the Church, in the sacraments and in interces-sory prayers to you and all the saints. Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, help us to be patient and under-standing until the day we can safely reopen our churches and once again make the sacraments avail-able to all.

5. People need wise, prudent and compassionate leadership—now more than ever. Mary is the Mother of the Good Shepherd. His teaching and ex-ample powerfully illustrate the meaning and vital im-portance of servant leadership. We implore the Moth-er of our Lord to help all our leaders in society and in the Church set aside their personal and political agendas so that they can place the needs of others first and foremost. Mother of Justice and of Mercy, pray for all who are leaders. Inspire us by your obedi-ence to God’s will and your readiness to sacrifice your own needs and desires for the good of all. Open our minds and hearts to the selfless witness given to us by your Son so that we can lead our people with humility, wisdom and courage.