On my way to Portland, Maine last Sunday I read in the Star Ledger the obituary of Rev. Vincent Grogan, OFM of St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler. Fr. Vincent occasionally offered the 8:15am Mass and often heard the confessions of our youth. He died in the Lord on my birthday, July 28th. May he rest in peace and joy, Msgr. Carroll

What makes our Worship appealing? What about our parish is special? If you have an opinion on these questions or any others send or email them to Msgr. Carroll, pastor@olmchurch.org

Every fall our parish walks in the Crop Walk for Hunger in Lincoln Park, NJ. For many years, Sr. Ellen and then Mary Ellen O’Connor-Shyne lead the drive. We thank Mary Ellen for her many years of service to this great cause. Now, we are in need of a new parish coordinator. If interested, please see Msgr. Carroll. It only occurs once a year in October.

As you may have seen in a recent article in The Beacon, OLM exceeded its goal in last year’s appeal with total contributions by OLM parishioners of $69,850. Based on our goal of $50,400, we received cash rebates of $9,700, which represented 50% of the excess over the goal! Thank you so much for your continued support of the worthy cause for the Diocese of Paterson! The rebate that we receive will be directed towards the on going maintenance needs of our campus.

Please suspend donations of used, serviceable clothing to the 'House of Hope' shed on the edge of the OLM Chapel parking lot for the entire month of August. The Catholic Charities Martin de Porres Village will not be having any used clothing sales during the month of August. Sales will resume again in September, so we would greatly appreciate it if you’d hold onto your bags of donations until the second week of September.

Msgr. Carroll will be on vacation in Maine this week. He does call into the office during the week. He will return on Saturday, August 6th.

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life. Amen

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the generous response to the request for canned food for the Catholic Charities Fr. English Pantry. So many times we are discouraged by the needs at the pantry and we imagine the families will have to just do without. OLM parishioners are then alerted to our needs and canned goods flood the vestibule. Bill and Ellen Sharkey

SPECIAL OFFER = BUS + SHOW + LUNCH! Tickets still available SAMSON on Oct. 5, In Lancaster, PA. Cost $123 including round trip bus, show & smorgasbord lunch at the Shady Maple Restaurant. Last date to purchase Aug. 22. Please call Carol Mangani to reserve a spot at 973-283-2218.