FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Pss I Seasonal prop

Prop Gl Cr  Sun Pf I-VIII

75: Is 6:1-2a,3-8  Ps 138:1-5,7-8

1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8,11  Lk 5:1-11

Isaiah, a man of unclean lips, beholds the Lord’s glory in the temple and is sent on mission (1,Ps). Simon, a sinner, responds to the mission of Jesus by becoming a disciple (3). Paul, the persecutor, speaks of his call to preach nothing but Christ crucified and risen (2).

Stewardship

In today’s readings, both Isaiah and Peter hear the call of God and feel themselves unworthy. But, reassured by the Lord, both answer and follow.  Do I hear the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send?” Am I prepared to answer, “Here I am. Send me!”?

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS including: Tony Gangitano, David King, John & Peter Foxwell, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Josephine Sarnoski, and Elizabeth Connelly, Kippy Hale and Loretta Girard.

Let us remember in our prayers Deacon Carl S. Suswal and Alvin Greczek whom God has called home.

Collections

January 28^th   $3595.00

Collection for Catholic Education    $1311.10

February 4^th, 2007

Counters Team #1

Bingo Team #2

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 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. You should have received a subscription envelope in your weekly envelope packet. Simply drop it in the collection basket. Or you can subscribe to The Catholic Spirit by calling (732) 562-2424

Catholic School Tuition Assistance

Applications for financial aid through the Diocese of Metuchen Tuition Assistance Program for the 2007-2008 school year are now available at all diocesan elementary and secondary schools. Completed applications must be received by Private School Aid Service by no late than Friday, March 30, 2007.

Upcoming Diocesan Events

To register, call Mary or Pat (732) 562-1900 x1309 or 1310

Feb 10^th, 8:30 am  The Great Adventure Bible Timeline Seminar. $45.00 includes seminar materials and lunch. Contact Office of Evangelization (732) 562-1990 x2469

World Marriage Day

Mass with TheBishop AND a Candlelight Dinner

Feb 10^th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm  This diocesan celebration includes a special Mass 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.

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

1651 U.S. Highway 22

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@verizon.net

Please, register for all events

Weekend Retreat

Feb 9-11  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.

Forgiveness: A Choice for Wholeness

Feb 13, 7:30-9:30 p.m. ($15)  Three contemporary witnesses challenge us to reflect on our call to forgive.

Includes presentation, 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 number or call the rectory during business hours.

Consolata Missionaries February 3^rd & 4^th

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.

Annual Winter Collection February 10^th & 11^th

All parishes of the Diocese of Metuchen are asked to contribute to the annual “Winter Collection” to benefit two important causes sponsored by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops: The Campaign for Human Development and the Church in Latin America.

Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) – We can reverse the trend where 37 million Americans live in poverty. CCHD helps people break the cycle of poverty, not for just a day, but for a lifetime. We send 75% of the donations to the CCHD national office. We keep 25% here in our Diocese to fund local self-help initiatives to benefit our local communities.

Church in Latin America (CLA) – CLA helps fellow Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean who are rich in faith but lacking in material resources - to participate more fully in the life of the Church and to share their faith with others. The collection also help respond to emergency pastoral needs resulting from natural disasters.

Our Lady of Mercy Church has successfully involved in Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Operation Rice Bowls for many years and we hope to do so again this year.

Operation Rice Bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services. Each Lent, parishes, school and other faith communities participate in Operation Rice Bowl to learn more about the work of CRS and put their faith into action. As a Lenten solidarity program, Operation Rice Bowl calls Catholics to reach out to assist our brothers and sisters around the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving while learning about their lives overseas. This year, join over 15,400 groups in the United States participating in Operation Rice Bowl and foster solidarity between your community and those who struggle with hunger and poverty around the world.

RENEW is Coming

Grow in faith by sharing with others. Sign up card for the 4^th session of RENEW will be in the pews on the weekends of February 3^rd & 4^th and February 10^th & 11^th.

Girl Scout Spaghetti Dinner

February 10^th, 3:30-7:30 pm  Girl Scout Troop 861 will hold a Spaghetti Dinner at the Our Lady of Mercy Hall. Adults - $6.00, Children & Seniors $4.00, Children 2 and under eat free. The maximum family fee is $25.00. (Children must be accompanied by an adult-no drop offs, please).

The Girl Scouts will be selling tickets after all Masses the weekend of February 3^rd & 4^th.

Feb 10^th & 11^th  The Rosary Altar Society will have a Craft and Bake Sale after all Masses on February 10^th & 11^th in the Our Lady of Mercy Church Hall.

Parishioners who would like to donate baked goods or craft items should bring them downstairs to the Rosarians by 4 PM on Saturday the 10^th .