Our Lady of Mercy Church Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656

Rev. Vincent D’Agostino, Administrator Rev. Charles P. Granstrand, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Robert T. Ulak, Parochial Vicar Rev. Patrick J. Seo, Parochial Vicar Rev. Msgr. James C. Turro (in residence) Rev. Mr. Joseph S. Romano, Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. Edward Stoker, Permanent Deacon

MASS SCHEDULE (Register to Attend) Daily: Monday—Friday 6:30AM, 8:30AM, Saturday 8:30AM Saturday Evening: 5:30PM Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 11:00AM, 12:30PM (Spanish)

BAPTISM Parents should contact the rectory 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.

RECONCILIATION Monday: 7PM in the Church Vestibule Saturday: 1:00-1:30PM

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

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

2 Fremont Ave 50 Pascack Rd

December 6, 2020

Second Sunday of Advent

https://urolm.org/https://urolm.org/mass-registrationhttps://urolm.org/baptism-1https://urolm.org/marriagehttps://urolm.org/confession-timeshttps://www.olmacademy.org/http://www.urolm.orghttps://www.urolm.org/http://www.olmre.orghttp://OLMRE.orghttp://www.olmyouthministry.comhttp://OLMyouthministry.comhttp://www.olmacademy.orghttp://OLMAcademy.orgmailto:olm.church@gmail.commailto:Urolm.religious.ed@gmail.commailto:olmyouthminister@gmail.com

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: Linda VanSickell, Louise & Pasquale Vascimini, Deacon Joe Romano, and for the intentions you hold in your heart.

Please also remember the deceased of our parish especially: David Forte, Richard Prusha, and Mary-Ann McElrone.

THE SANCTUARY LAMPS IN THE CHURCH burn this week in memory of Armando Bufalini.

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, DECEMBER 5 Is 30:19-21, 23-26/ Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 8:30 Amando Bufalini 5:30 Stella Kashickey

Second Sunday of Advent SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 Is 40:1-5, 9-11/ 2 Pt 3:8-14/ Mk 1:1-8 7:30 Kathryn A. Padovano 9:00 People of the Parish 11:00 Mary Tarahocchia 12:30 Jorge Saler Cuellar

Saint Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 Is 35:1-10/ Lk 5:17-26 6:30 Camille Caminiti 8:30 Orazio Iacono

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Gn 3:9-15, 20/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/ Lk 1:26-38 6:30 Therese Kelly 8:30 Paul Clements

Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Is 40:25-31/ Mt 11:28-30 6:30 Mary McSpirit Bonnabeaux 8:30 William & Anne Pavlu

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 Is 41:13-20/ Mt 11:11-15 6:30 Paul Dolan 8:30 Paul Sheganoski

Saint Damasus I, Pope FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 Is 48:17-19/ Mt 11:16-19 6:30 Santo Raffa 8:30 Kathy Goodman

Our Lady of Guadalupe SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Zec 2:14-17/ Lk 1:26-38 8:30 Thomas A. Kistler Sr. 5:30 Marty Gallagher

Third Sunday of Advent SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/ 1 Thes 5:16-24/ Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 7:30 Gardenia Tarahocchia 9:00 Isabelle Romano 11:00 Joseph Bronski 12:30 People of the Parish

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING –

November 29 Collection: $13,944 Same time last year: $17,910

OLM offers 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 OLM and other initiatives. 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

SHINING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST 2020 Annual Appeal Our Goal this year is $105,130. Pledged to date: $92,524. Thank you for your generosity.

MASS SCHEDULE

https://urolm.org/light-a-candle-request-formhttps://urolm.org/light-a-candle-request-formhttps://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parishgiving.org%2Findex%3Fe%3D24C698BDBEDBC2B55C8FAE4655FA2422AB66A22F0D3372B4%26fbclid%3DIwAR0bSik5kqeNSH4gqyHoXdRI2OuKwr88A6k-9jPXBdylKtKVvgHVNrFQDwU&h=AT19OIORrWWFPPFlXO4cUGDYbSlECzRbyqZ1ZnPIeP45e6yfnpeXQtKhttp://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ykTscFZvPY0Tp4Z_jvRxokMFdYNr16KsP9i2OHf9aYAE1Tg4wloWqAJbm_1xcAqkpaiCJPISkUmu71sqSXAWefIxAkV7Q_jufBQZ1N2SnDS6YIaybtHG4hADkbilyLjp9sDVJwm7YN6T-CjB19MTVA==&c=7ibFLwAu1hfa2-Q3zTvr_WzHlqoGf39IYiivUn1EZOr6hn2BaSu1DQ==&ch=J5q86EqtRRC--

MSGR. TURRO REFLECTION

A Message from Fr. Bob

Few things in olden times could have been as fascinating as the lamplighter as he made his rounds. As night began to fall he would make his way down the high street of the village and wherever he stopped, he left behind him a warm and cheering light—a light that would guide and reassure everyone that came by after him.

My dear friends, it would be hard to think of a better way of describing Christ’s mission on earth. In his life, death and above all in his resurrection, he kindled a great light of hope which continues to encourage us as we make our way through life.

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

Please join us as we live stream all of our Masses.

REGISTER FOR MASS Why do I need to register for Mass? - Registering helps us manage welcoming and seating our parishion-ers to ensure social distancing at Mass. It is al-so essential for contact tracing in the event we are in-formed of a positive COVID test result from a parishion-er that has attended Mass.

We are grateful for your continued cooperation- it keeps our priests, staff and fellow parishioners safe and allows OLM to continue plans for offering more prayer opportunities in our Church. Click here to register

I’m amazed at all the posts on Facebook about being thankful that 2020 is ending. It’s as if a calendar change will make a sudden difference. I’d rather think back over the last few months and see how we have been called to reach out in different ways. I’ve learned to zoom. Added to my library “Zoom for Dummies”. I’ve learned about masks; and celebrating Mass in a “safe” way. I’ve learned about video streaming. I’ve learned about different Covid tests; experienced waiting in a testing line for 3 hours in the rain; I’ve seen the smile on the face of a resident in a nursing home (even though the testing and gowning took longer than the visit) and I’ve experienced the appreciation of parish-ioners for all the ways we have worked on keeping the church safe. All so we can pray together. Isaiah speaks so well in the first reading: Comfort, give comfort to my people. Speak tenderly…A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord!...fear not to cry out Here is your God! None of our readings tell us to get rid of the past, but to use the past to create the future. Thank God for what you have learned. Thank God for your accomplish-ments these past months. And never forget what with God’s help you have accomplished. Make straight the way of the Lord.

FR. VINCENT’S WEEKLY MESSAGE

See Page 5 of this bulletin

Tuesday, December 8

th is the Feast of the Immaculate

Conception. Although typically a Holy Day of Obliga-tion, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days remains suspended because of the pandem-ic. You may join us in Church for Masses on that day at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. or through live streaming on the OLM website at www.urolm.org.

O Mary, Conceived without Sin, Pray for Us Who Have Recourse to Thee.

ADVENT REFLECTION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

TH AT 7 P.M.

Please join Father Vincent at 7 p.m. on December 13

th in the Church

Or via live-streaming on the parish website (www.urolm.org)

For his Advent Reflection on Forgiveness.

If you are attending in person, Please register on the parish website.

HAPPY ADVENT!!!

Click here to register

https://urolm.org/homilieshttps://urolm.org/homilieshttps://youtu.be/DSInlXRRPTghttps://urolm.org/mass-registrationhttp://www.urolm.org/http://www.urolm.org/https://urolm.org/mass-registration

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 https://urolm.org/rcia Please see flyer on page 10

SUPPORT GROUPS

GETTING INVOLVED

FAITH FORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

RECTORY OFFICE NEWS

VISITATION MINISTRY

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

Click here to read Cardinal Tobin’s latest newsletter Click here for Archdiocese of Newark

updates.

Rectory Office hours: Monday—Friday 9:30AM—2:30PM.

Mass book for December 2021 intentions will open Monday, December 7, 2020. Parishioners may enter the rectory one person at a time with masks on to pur-chase Mass Cards. You may request one Sunday per month, two weekdays per month for each of the months that we are opening.

OLM PARISH GRIEF SUPPORT MINISTRY See flyer on page 11

Boxes of Joy: A Virtual Giving Tree Boxes of Joy may be donated this year online: www.crosscatholic.org/create-a-box-

online Boxes of Joy will be part of the OLM Virtual Ad-vent Giving Tree! "Bless children suffering from ex-treme poverty by sharing the joy of Christmas and planting seeds of hope." Thank you. Social Justice & Peace Ministry

A TIME FOR PRAYER

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

Dear Jesus,

I believe that you are truly

present in the Most Holy

Sacrament of the Eucharist.

I love you above all things,

and I desire to receive your Body

and Blood. Since I cannot at this

moment receive you sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my

heart. Stay close to me, Jesus, so that I may be close

to all our sisters and brothers, especially those who

are most in need of your loving care. Amen.

VIRTUAL ADVENT GIVING TREE Ends next weekend

Please see the flyer on page 7

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

A voice of one crying out in the desert:

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make

straight his paths. Every valley shall be

filled and every mountain and hill shall be

made low. The winding roads shall be

made straight, and the rough ways made

smooth, and all flesh shall see the salva-

tion of God.”'" (Lk. 3:1-6)

Our Christmas Ornaments have arrived and will be available for pick up and for purchase this weekend, December 5th and 6th after all the Masses in the Gath-ering space. Previous years ornaments will also be available for purchase.

This is a very unusual and difficult time for all of us. We are looking for ways to stay in touch even though we can't all be together. Volunteers from the Visitation Ministry are offering a phone call to keep you connect-ed to our OLM community. If you are interested in hearing from a Volunteer or you know someone in need of a phone call, fill out our Request Form or con-tact the Rectory 201-391-5315.

The Visitation Ministry needs your help! To become a Volunteer, fill out the Volunteer Form or contact the Rectory 201-391-5315.

BE A CHRISTMAS “BAKING BUDDY” WITH TRIBORO FOOD PANTRY

Details are on page 8

https://www.urolm.org/rciamailto:john.rokoszak@urolm.orghttps://urolm.org/rciahttps://urolm.org/get-involvedhttps://urolm.org/get-involvedhttps://urolm.org/faith-formationhttps://urolm.org/https://urolm.org/documents/2020/4/COUNSELING%20AND%20MENTAL%20HEALTH%20RESOURCES%20watermark.pdfhttps://urolm.org/documents/2020/4/COUNSELING%20AND%20MENTAL%20HEALTH%20RESOURCES%20watermark.pdfhttp://www.rcan.org/RejoiceInTheLordhttps://www.rcan.org/covid19https://www.rcan.org/covid19http://www.crosscatholic.org/create-a-box-onlinehttp://www.crosscatholic.org/create-a-box-onlinehttps://urolm.org/visitation-ministry-request-formtel:2013915315https://urolm.org/volunteertel:2013915315

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Happy Advent! I was so happy to share the story of my Grandmother Grazia D’Agostino with each of you a few week’s ago. Remembering her story inspired me to prepare myself for the coming of the Lord as we embark upon this Season of Advent together – just like that barber and his wife who needed to prepare themselves for the coming of their first child. Advent is a time for us to recall that Christ came to us in a manger so many years ago as a baby. God Incar-nate! It’s a time for us to remember that Christ comes to us each day of our lives in the miracles that we experience, in the people that we meet, in the blessings that He bestows upon each of us and even in our difficulties and our strug-gles. God is with us! It is also a time to remember that Christ will come again in glory. We wait in joyful anticipation for His second coming.

This past weekend, we lit the first candle on our Advent wreath. Each candle has a special significance. The first candle is for HOPE. The second candle is for PEACE. The third candle is for JOY. The fourth candle is for LOVE. As we light each candle, we think of our Advent journey: Hope becomes Peace. Peace becomes Joy. Joy becomes Love. Love becomes Christ.

I ask you to consider this question as we journey through Advent together: What action(s) will you do to make the most of this season of Advent to be ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus? Perhaps read some spiritual readings or the Bible, perhaps pray more, perhaps take up a new devotion such as the rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

I would like to share with you this prayer. I offer it to you now so that you might consider praying this prayer each day of Advent.

Dear Jesus, I long for Your coming. The promise of new light is there for us if we believe. Protect us in these days ahead and let us experience the light of Your presence in our lives

to the joy we so long to find in You. Lift us up and give us the promise of salvation and the light and saving grace of Your love. Amen.

Just one final thought. I wasn’t able to be with you for our Thanksgiving Mass. You were all very much in my thoughts and prayers that day. I usually share a story that my family reads around the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day before we feast on the delicious food. Unfortunately, this year was different. The story was written by Jennifer Hubbard, the mother of a young child named Catherine Violet, who lost her young life in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy a few years ago. I would like to share the story with you. It reminds us that, in all things (blessings and struggles), give thanks. Always.

“I tilt my chin to the sky, allowing the sun’s warmth to reach the depths of my soul – grateful for God’s creation. I could never understand how one could sing praises of gratitude when life choked and weighed heavy on one’s shoulders. And then the unthinkable happened, and all I could do was sit in the pew and absorb the words. Only then, when my world was crushed, did I really listen to the words I had prayed my whole life. When I truly heard the words, everything changed. I bow my head as the priest says, ‘Giving you thanks, He broke the bread and gave it to His disciples.’ The magnitude of what is happening convicts me – Jesus is preparing to be beaten and bruised and nailed to a cross, and still gives thanks. In his giving thanks, Jesus shows me why it is truly ‘our duty and salvation’ to do so. In this moment, I see it is not about for what I give thanks, but in all circumstances give thanks. When I am deflated and frail, I reach for His hand and I am carried. When I stray, He redirects me. It is in these moments that I am left with a deep sense of gratitude, and sing His praises that my suffering is not in vain.”

Let us continue to pray for each other. May you have a Blessed and Happy Advent. In Christ’s Peace and with great love for all of you,

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

2020

Advent Reflection on Forgiveness

Presented by Fr. Vincent

December 13th at 7PM

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES

2PM

5PM

7PM

9:30PM Instrumental Prelude

10PM

12 Midnight - Spanish

CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES

8AM, 10AM, 12PM

Please note that we will have overflow in the gym.

Registration for Mass will open on the website beginning Monday, December 7th

SOLEMNITY OF MARY

THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

NEW YEAR’S EVE

5:30PM

NEW YEAR’S DAY

10AM, 12PM

Click here to register

https://urolm.org/mass-registration

W E L C O M E “VIRTUAL”

ADVENT GIVING TREE

Nov. 23 - Dec. 13, 2020

The Advent Giving Tree will be accessed from the OLM website www.urolm.org There you will find a link to the Virtual Ad-

vent Giving Tree. Needless to say the need is overwhelming and the Social Justice and Peace Ministry along with our creative

Website Administrator, Maureen Giaccio, have a festive selection of nonprofit tags to choose from: Blessed Sacrament/

Newark, Buddies NJ/Aids Coalition, Linden Housing Authority/Disabled/Seniors, TriBoro Family Care Fund, Haiti

Scholarship Fund, New Hope Pregnancy Resource Center and a new addition…..

Robert F. & Marilyn A. Miller Catholic School Education Foundation: Donations will provide tuition assistance to students who demonstrate financial need to attend our local Catholic Schools, especially Our Lady of Mercy Academy.

HOW IT WORKS:

VISIT: UROLM.ORG “Advent Giving Tree”

CHOOSE: nonprofit tag (s)

SELECT: gift card(s) of choice /check donation

SUBMIT: Advent Giving Tree tag selections

You will receive a confirmation email from eCatholic

Please Mail or drop off your gift cards and/ donations to the Rectory office NO LATER

THAN SUNDAY Dec. 13

Our Lady of Mercy Church

2 Fremont Ave. Park Ridge, NJ 07656

c/o Advent Giving Tree

IMPORTANT:

Write the donation amount on the gift card

All checks payable to “our Lady of Mercy” and ***write nonprofit name on the Memo line of your

check.

Donations will be tabulated and mailed to nonprofits as close to Christmas as possible … so it is im-

portant that you contribute before Sunday, Dec. 13.

Only gift cards and donations were requested by all the nonprofits due to COVID-19 concerns.

NO OTHER TYPES OF GIFTS WILL BE ACCEPTED DUE TO COVID.

Thank you to our generous parishioners who always answer our call for neighbors in need especially dur-

ing this most difficult time and holy season of Advent. ~SJPM “The Lord bless you and keep you!” ANY QUESTIONS????: EMAIL sjpm@urolm.org

http://www.urolm.orghttp://www.urolm.orgmailto:sjpm@urolm.org

“B E A C H R I S T M A S B A K I N G B U D D Y”

WITH TRIBORO FOOD PANTRY

December 12 &1 3

PLEASE DONATE BAKING INGREDIENTS FOR OUR FRIENDS AT TRIBORO FOOD PANTRY

SO THEY CAN BAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES AT HOME

Drop off your donations in the food cart with the “Baking Buddies” poster in the OLM Gathering Space

Volunteers will be collecting donations in the OLM Gathering Space at all the Masses on December 12-13 until 1:00 P.M.

DONATIONS ARE SPECIFIC TO BAKING:

ALL PURPOSE FLOUR WHITE OR BROWN SUGAR VANILLA BAKING SODA BAKING POWDER CINNAMON COOKIE DECORATIONS: SPRINKLES FROSTING /CONFECTIONERS SUGAR BOXED COOKIE MIXES COOKIE CUTTERS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

http://www.urolm.org/

contact John Rokoszak by email john.rokoszak@urolm.org or call the Rectory 201-391-5315. INTERESTED IN SPONSORING? It’s a wonderful way to renew your own faith & knowledge of the church while journeying with someone interested in joining the Church!

mailto:john.rokoszak@urolm.org

Our Lady of Mercy Parish Grief Support Ministry

“Grieving

the Death

of a Loved One”

A Journey toward Healing and Hope Grief is a journey that we are never really prepared to take. It begins the day

you lose a loved one, and continues in many different moments of your life. It

will take you to places you have never known and places that you may not

want to go. GRIEF IS A JOURNEY YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ALONE!

Our support group is currently not meeting in person due to Covid 19 restrictions

and out of an abundance of caution for all of our participants. Please visit the

OLM website, urolm.org for additional resources for yourself or to support some-

one you know who has suffered a loss. Check the parish bulletin weekly for cur-

rent information and updates concerning bereavement ministry.

If you would welcome a phone call from one of our parish priests or a member

of our bereavement team, email John Rokoszak at john.rokoszak@urolm.org or

call the rectory, 201-391-5315 and leave your name, contact information and a

good time to receive a call. Please know that although we are not meeting in

person, we continue to pray as a ministry and parish for you and your family

during this difficult time of loss.

mailto:john.rokoszak@urolm.org