Our Lady of Mercy Church Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656 November 9, 2014 The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Rev. Charles P. Granstrand, Pastor Rev. Robert T. Ulak, Parochial Vicar Rev. Msgr. James C. Turro (Weekends) Rev. Msgr. Carl D. Hinrichsen (In Residence) Rev. John Chadwick (Weekends) Joseph Romano, Deacon Gary Tankard, Deacon John Rokoszak, Pastoral Associate Debra Wyka, Minister of Music Amy Ballanco, Religious Education Coordinator Jennifer Kavanagh, Youth Minister Donna Quinn, Business Manager RECONCILIATION Saturday: 9-9:30AM & 1-1:30PM Monday: 7-7:30PM MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening: 5:30PM Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 12:30PM Daily: 6:30AM, 8:30AM Saturday: 8:30AM BAPTISM The Sacrament is celebrated one Sunday every month. Parents should contact the rectory prior to the birth of their child for dates of Baptism Preparation Sessions. MARRIAGE Couples planning to be married should contact the rectory at least ONE YEAR PRIOR to the wedding date. Rectory Websites School 201-391-5315 UROLM.org 201-391-3838 2 Fremont Ave. OLMAcademy.org SCHOOL Our Lady of Mercy Academy 2011 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 Catechetical Center 201-391-3590 201-802-1771 Music Minister E-Mail 201-358-2994 [email protected] [email protected] 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. MASS SCHEDULE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 5:30 All Souls The Dedication of The Lateran Basilica SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Ez 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12/ 1 Cor 3: 9c-11, 16-17/ Jn 2: 13-22 7:30 All Souls 9:30 All Souls 11:00 All Souls 12:30 All Souls St. Leo the Great MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Ti 1: 1-9/ Lk 17: 1-6 6:30 All Souls 8:30 All Souls St. Martin of Tours Veteran’s Day TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Ti 2: 1-8, 11-14/ Lk 17: 7-10 8:30 Luigi Ramanelli St. Josaphat WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Ti 3: 1-7/ Lk 17: 11-19 6:30 John Coughlin 8:30 Pauline Klein 2pm Mass at the Plaza Regency in Memory of: William Amantia St. Frances Xavier Cabrini THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Phlm 7-20/ Lk 17: 20-25 6:30 Rose Coppola 8:30 Stanley Kuchar FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 2 Jn 4-9/ Lk 17: 26-37 6:30 Mary Frances Ferguson 8:30 Sylvester Marron St. Albert the Great SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 3 Jn 5-8/ Lk 18: 1-8 8:30 Eleanor Parker 5:30 Mimi Kashickey Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Prv 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31/ 1 Thes 5: 1-6/ Mt 25: 14-30 7:30 People of the Parish 9:30 LoFaro Family 11:00 Mary Frances Ferguson 12:30 John & Dorothea Connors LET US PRAY In your love and kindness please pray for the sick especially: Ella Gamble, Pat Eichenlaub, Brian Long, Colleen Strabone, Peter Scheffler, Fr. Peter Funesti, Jim Strabone and Linda Strabone. Please also remember the deceased of our parish and their families, especially: Barry Lea. Please join with us in praying one OUR FATHER per day for all those who have no one to pray for them. THE SANCTUARY LAMPS burn this week in memory of: Henry & Dorothy Maxwell, Vincent Shevlin, and Ronan Guyer. If you would like more information about reserving a Sanctuary Lamp in memory of a loved one or for a Special Intention, please call the rectory office at 201-391-5315. GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING – Tithing Sunday’s Collection: Last Year’s Collection: All Saint’s $18,063 $19,104 $ 1,717 Tithing is God’s plan to support His Church. Full tithing means 10% of gross income to God. We ask half of this, or 5%, for your Parish church. The other 5% goes to your favorite charities. SCRIPTURE SHARING GROUP with Deacon Gary Meets every Monday after the 8:30am Mass in the Gathering Space. As has been the custom, the scripture reading of the Mass of the day will be used. All are welcome. THE FAMILY OF GOD PRAYER GROUP meets every Tuesday at 7:30PM in the chapel to praise God and pray for special intentions. ABUNDANT LIFE PRAYER GROUP meets Thursday mornings at 9:30am in the Chapel. THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA will be recited each Saturday in the Sacred Heart Chapel immediately following the 8:30AM Mass. VETERANS DAY—November 11 The Rectory Office will be closed. There will be one Mass at 8:30am. BI-LINGUAL MASS Sunday, November 16 at 12:30pm. EXPLORING THE WORD: Exegetical Essay QUESTIONS CATHOLICS ASK Holy places, times, people What’s the difference between chapels, churches, cathedrals, and basilicas? SOME THINGS, you can’t have a religion without them. Like the indefinable essence we call holiness. That God is omnipresent in no way detracts from the concept that some things, places, hours, people are experienced as holier than others. What do we mean by this? The Irish talk about “thin” places that are closer to heaven, where the veil between God and us is nearly transparent. We sense that celestial proximity in icons, as we gaze on the holy face that gazes knowingly back at us. We go to church to worship—an activity we might engage anywhere, honestly— because the space itself is consecrated for holy purposes. Recently I visited St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia, which contains the shrine of St. John Neumann. You can actually see indentations worn into the floor where countless people of faith have genuflected. Now that’s holy! Places of pilgrimage, whole cities like Jerusalem, are imbued with a sacred character. Stained by the blood of martyrs for centuries, you can’t take the sanctity out of those stones. The Lateran Basilica, the dedication of which we observe today, became sacred as a symbol of the church that endures through the crises of generations. But it’s not just humanly constructed places or routes that become sacred, like the Via Dolorosa or the Saint James Trail in Spain. Old-growth forests contain groves described as “cathedral.” Mountains are places of sacred encounter to people like Moses and Elijah and Jesus himself. Some places naturally seem to hold more majesty, mystery, and beauty than others. The experience of them is so aweinspiring, you want to take off your shoes. In the practice of the Liturgy of the Hours observed by those who use the common breviary, we speak of the sanctification of time. Monks pray around the clock to remind us that time is a creature too, made by God, and endowed with its own kind of stewardship. Time has to deliver the goods, has to produce a “sacrifice of praise.” By praying at marked hours, we are made aware of the holiness of all hours. Time cannot be wasted, because mortal life has real limits. When we talk about the saints, we imply that some lives have done an especially noteworthy job of delivering up the goods. We know holy people not because of how they look or what they say, but because of what they do and how they do it. Extraordinary measures of love, commitment, courage, wisdom demonstrated by the saints thrill us with inspiration. But just as with places and things and hours deemed holy, the holiness of special people serve to remind us that holiness is not the calling of the few. We are all temples of diving indwelling. - Alice Camille Your basic church takes its cue from the Greek origins of the word assembly and also the phrase “belonging to the Lord.” If a building is consecrated to assemble the faithful for worship, and if the building is therefore a “house of God,” then it’s a church. A cathedral is the particular church in which the bishop presides over worship and over the diocese at large. Historically, cathedrals were grand works of art that took centuries to build. The cathedrals of Europe were vibrant centers of urban life and learning. Basilicas were originally official buildings of the Roman Empire; the Greek word means “king’s hall.” When Christians acquired these buildings they were appropriated for Christ the King. These historical structures include four major basilicas of Rome: St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major. Minor basilicas continue to be named; at present more than 1,500 basilicas exist. Chapels (sometimes called oratories) serve specific populations. Folks stuck in airports appreciate the terminal chapel; prisons, hospitals, schools, convents, and religious houses also have chapels. Each bishop has the right to an oratory in his residence, and some churches have a smaller chapel attached for daily use. - Alice L. Camille SECOND COLLECTION Next week, our parish will take up the 128th annual National Black and Indian Mission collection. Our support of this collection helps build the Church in African American, Native American, and Alaska Native communities from coast to coast. Schools, parish religious education programs, and diocesan ministries depend on our generosity to help them spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. OUR LADY OF MERCY BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY Wednesday, November 12, 2014 7:30pm – 8:45pm “Our Journey Through Grief” Managing grief after the loss of a loved one Often after the loss of a loved one, there are feelings, and issues left unresolved. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, please join us for the evening. Our Bereavement Group will meet in the Parish Center (former Convent). For more information call John Rokoszak at 201-391-3590. THE MASSBOOK for December 2015, is open. If you would like to schedule an intention, please stop by the Rectory Office. (Second notice) CHILDREN’S LITURGY—Join us during the 9:30 Mass as we gather the children in the chapel after the Opening Prayer. They will listen to the same liturgy as the regular Mass, but in a way they can understand with stories, coloring, and songs. The children will then return to the church during Offertory. Best for ages 3 to 8 years old, but older siblings are welcome to help out. N.I.C.E. “Liturgy of the Word With Special Needs” SESSIONS CALENDAR 2014-2015 NOVEMBER 9, 16, 23 DECEMBER 7, 14, 21 JANUARY 11, 18, 25 FEBRUARY 1, 8, 22 MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22 No sessions on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday APRIL 12, Last Session (Autism Awareness Month) A resource table will be set up in the Gathering Space ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. If you are coming for the first time, please call to be sure we are in session and for further instructions. Religious Education Office 201-391-3590 Amy Ballanco/DRE No fee required. Donations accepted. OLMA CAFETERIA AIDE NEEDED—If you enjoy working with children and have found that you have time to share, perhaps Our Lady of Mercy Academy is the place for you. We are looking to fill the following position for the upcoming 2014/2015 School Year. 5 Days a week (15 hours) 10:30—1:30, hourly salary based on experience. Please call OLMA at 201-391-3838 ext. 301 to arrange for an interview. EUCHARISTIC MINISTER—There is a need here at OLM for Eucharistic Ministers. If you are interested in this ministry, please call the Rectory office at 201-391-5315. Training will be provided by the Archdiocese of Newark on November 22. This will be offered in English as well as Spanish. CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS—Protecting God’s Children—If you need to take the “Protecting God’s Children Workshop” please visit the website VIRTUS.ORG for upcoming workshop dates. Additional details are in our information stands in the Gathering Space. The Archdiocese takes very seriously any and all allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, Religious and lay staff of the Archdiocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform us immediately so that we may take appropriate action to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse. Individuals who wish to report an allegation of sexual misconduct may do so by calling the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 201-407-3256. Looking for a fun event? Come play PocketBook Bingo November 15th from 7pm - 11pm at Transfiguration Academy @ Conlon Hall, 35 N William Street, Bergenfield. Win designer pocketbooks and accessories. Entrance ticket is $20. Light refreshments. BINGO cards will be sold. Proceeds benefit Transfiguration Academy. Call Ann Gangi at 201.349.3870 for any questions. HANDBELL RINGERS NEEDED—Adults & Children (Grade 6-12) for the Christmas Season. No need to have a music background. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays. If interested, please contact Debra Wyka, Music Minister at 201-358-2994. HACKENSACK SOUP KITCHEN—Walk in Dinner Program—Volunteers are needed to help serve dinner at the Soup Kitchen in Hackensack on Thursday, November 13th. Bulletin boards will be set up in the Gathering Space and in the main entrance of the church indicating the food and the supplies needed. As the number of those we serve are increasing, please consider donating a much needed dinner item. Food and supplies should be delivered to the Parish Center on Thursday, November 13th before 2:30pm. Please call Elaine Hart 201-391-5051 or Dolly Diffendal 201-247 -8102 if you wish to volunteer. R.C.I.A The group will meet after the 9:30 Mass in the Parish Center on November 9, 23, December 7, 21. Next year’s dates will be listed in a future bulletin. For more information, or if you are unable to make a Sunday Session, please contact John Rokoszak at 201-391-3590 or call/text 201-264-6376 or email [email protected] SOCIAL JUSTICE & PEACE MINISTRY NEWS— Frozen Turkey Collection: Pascack Food Center, 65 Pascack Road, behind the Pascack Reformed Church will be collecting frozen turkeys on Saturday, November 22 from 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. If needed, call the Food Center for assistance: 201-573-9083. The next Social Justice and Peace Ministry Meeting will be on Veterans' Day, Tuesday, November 11, at 7:15 P.M. at the Parish Center. We gratefully and prayerfully thank all Veterans' for their service to our country and they will receive a free cup of coffee and dessert if they come to our meeting!! ACOUSTIC CAFÉ MUSIC SERIES AT OLM Will present WHY Hunger Benefit Concert November 22nd. Performers include critically acclaimed headliners Jen Chapin, Joe D’Urso, KJ Denhert & Anthony D’Amato. Opening set by Arlon Bennett, Honor Finnegan, Kevin Cronin & Tim O’Donohue. Why Hunger enlists performing artists to raise funds and awareness for the most innovative and effective community-based organizations fighting hunger and poverty on the frontlines in cities, towns and villages all across the world. Through music we can all make a difference in the world! Come join us! Proceeds will benefit Why Hunger & the OLM Haiti Fund. 8pm, tickets $20 advance online, $25 at the door. Www.cafeacoustic.org 201-573-0718. Please bring a non-perishable item for the local food pantry. DAY OF PRAYER AND HEALING—November 15. Do you know someone who is carrying the grief of a past abortion? There is help and hope available and the pain and sorrow of a past abortion need not endure for a lifetime. “Days of Prayer and Healing” offer the opportunity to experience the love and mercy of God and to heal the wound of abortion. For location and confidential registration call the Sisters of Life at 866-5750075 or email [email protected]