THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Pss III Seasonal prop

Prop Gl Cr  Sun Pf I-VIII

69: Neh 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10   Ps 19: 8-10, 15

1 Cor 12: 12-30 or 12 12-14, 27   Lk 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

Ezra proclaims the word of the Lord (1) which gives spirit and life (Ps). Jesus proclaims himself the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets (3). In Him we have become one body with many members (2)

Stewardship

The U.S. bishops’ pastoral on stewardship reinforces today’s reading from 1 Corinthians: “Because its individual members do collectively make up the Body of Christ, that body’s health and well-being are the responsibility of the members — the personal responsibility of each one of us.  We all are stewards of the Church.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS including John Vanderhoff, Tony Gangitano, David King, Mary Pokotello, John & Peter Foxwell, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Blanche Ferarro, Josephine Sarnoski, and Elizabeth Connelly, Kippy Hale,

Loretta Girard

Collections

January 14^th  $3663.00

January 21^st, 2007

Counters Team #3

Bingo Team #3

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life Celebration

From Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of Metuchen

Feb 4, 4:00 pm  The men and women in Consecrated Life in the Diocese invite you to join with them and Bishop Bootkoski in a celebration for World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life at St Francis Cathedral, Metuchen. The celebration begins with Evening Prayer at 4:00 pm and will be followed by a light reception.

Bishop Bootkoski is looking for 5 volunteers to go to this Mass to represent Our Lady of Mercy. Please contact Father at the rectory to talk to him about becoming a volunteer.

The Foundation for Catholic Education Collection

From Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of Metuchen

To help keep the legacy of Catholic education alive today, I ask for your continued prayers and generous support for the annual diocesan collection for The Foundation for Catholic Education. This collection will taken up in all parishes on the weekend of January 27^th & 28^th and coincides with the national celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

The Catholic Spirit

The annual subscription drive for our weekly diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit, takes place during February. Our diocesan newspaper is an award-winning publication and we urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to subscribe. If you are a registered parishioner, and received a subscription envelope in your weekly envelope packet, simply drop it in the collectin basket. Or you can subscribe to The Catholic Spirit by calling (732) 562-2424

World Marriage Day

Mass with TheBishop AND a Candlelight Dinner

Feb 11^th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm  This diocesan celebration includes a special Mas for Married Couples with Bishop Bootkoski and a Candlelight Dinner at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway. Couples will renew their wedding vows at the liturgy. Music provided by the Anthony st. James Orchestra. Dinner & Dancing - $110.00 per couple. For reservations or more info: (732) 562-1990 x1624 or www.diometuchen.org/familylife.

First Synod of the Diocese of Metuchen

You’re Invited to Prayerfully Witness

The Conclusion of Our First Diocesan Synod

at a special

Evening Prayer

Wednesday, January 31, 7:30 PM

Queenship of Mary Church  Plainsboro, New Jersey

A new year has started and the three-year synod will conclude as Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski issues the synod decrees that will shape the future of the Diocese of Metuchen.

For travel directions: www.qomchurch.org

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

1651 U.S. Highway 22

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@att.net

Please, register for all events

Weekend Retreat

Jan 26-28 & Feb 9-11, (please specify when registering) Begins 7 pm on opening day ends at 2 pm ($100) - An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture.  Daily spiritual direction.  Atmosphere of  prayerful quiet.  Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual.

Pathways To Fullness of Life

Fri-Feb 9,16, 23,  9:30-11:30a.m. ($45)  What is holding you back from experiencing the abundant life Jesus offers you? Three-part series includes presentation, clips from The Secret  DVD, reflection and sharing.

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

End of Year Financial Report for Taxes

Anyone wishing to obtain a statement of contributions for the past year – 2006, should either drop a note in the collection basket with name, address & phone no. or call the rectory during business hours.

The Rosary Altar Society Mass Change

The Rosary Altar Society Mass has been changed to the First Sunday of every month - 10 AM Mass.

Installation of the Rosary Altar Society Officers

Installation of the Rosary Altar Society Officers will take place at the 7:00 pm Mass on Monday, January 29^th. All members are invited to attend.

Poster Contest for CCD Students Sponsored

by The Holy Name Society

The Holy Name Society is sponsoring a poster contest for our CCD students. The respect life theme is: “You are Priceless! God loves us all as His children and in His eyes, each of us is priceless”. The 1^st place winners in each grade level will be given a $10 cash prize and the 2^nd place winners in each grade level will take home a $5 cash prize.

The 1^st place winners will also be entered into the Diocese’s annual Pro-Life poster contest for Religious Education students. The winning entries of the Diocesan contest will be used to make a 2007/2008 Respect Life calendar.

Our CCD teachers have provided the contest rules to each student. The entries should be returned to the teachers by February 4^th, 2007.

$$ Concession Opportunity $$

Our Lady of Mercy is looking for a person/persons to run the Bingo food concession every Sunday evening from 6:00PM until the kitchen closes starting immediately. Please call the rectory for further information (732) 356-1037.

Consolata Missionaries February 3rd & 4th

Rev. Giovanni Saffirio, IMC and Mission Appeals Director will visiting Our Lady of Mercy on February 3^rd & 4^th. He will be preaching of the appeal for The Society of St. Peter the Apostle for Native Clergy.

You will find an envelope in your latest packet called “Mission Cooperative”. This envelope will be for the appeal by Rev. Saffirio.

St. Mary’s - Healing Journey Through Grief

Feb 10 – Mar 24, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm  An ongoing program for those who have experienced the death of a loved one is being held at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Bound Brook. The group will meet SATURDAY mornings. Contact: Tony Provenzano (732) 271-0516

Twenty Fourth Annual Catholic Scout Gathering

Theme: Blessed Are They

Feb 3, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm  Our Lady of Mt. Virgin Church Hall, 650 Harris Ave., Middlesex. Cost: $10.00 includes program and patch. Registration from 8:30 am. Program for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors. Get instructions on how to earn medals for I Live My Faith, Marian Medal and Spirit Alive. Must register by Jan 29^th. For more info, please contact: vcieslarczyk@diometuchen.org or (732) 562-1990 x1630.

Open House at Holy Family Academy

Holy Family Academy is having an Open House for parents of school-aged children on Sunday, January 28th from 9:30 – 12:00 and again on Thursday,  February 1st from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Half-day and full-day preschool and full-day Kindergarten through 8th grade classes are open for you to see in session. You may pick up a registration package for the 2007 – 2008 school year. Call (732) 356-1151 for more information.