The Easter Collection for this year was $65,228. Thank you for your continuous generosity.

Sister Nancy and Sister Joann from The Dwelling Place of NY will be present for all the Masses on the weekend of April 28th and 29th. The Dwelling Place is a transitional shelter for homeless women located in Midtown Manhattan. Parishioners of OLM have been faithful supporters of this ministry for many years. The sisters look forward to this opportunity to offer their gratitude in person and update you on the women currently being served. A second collection will be taken up to support their ongoing efforts. Thank you for your care and generosity.

The second collection next week is for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. God Bless you for your generosity.

Earth Day transcends all national borders, yet preserves all geographical integrities, spans mountains, oceans and time belts, and yet brings people all over the world into one resonating accord. It is devoted to the preservation of harmony in nature. World Day of Prayer For Vocations - “The Lord continues to call others to follow him. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous “yes”, nor be fearful of our limitations and sins, but instead open our three hearts to the voice of the Lord. To listen to that voice, to discern our personal mission in the Church and the world, and at last to live it in the today that God gives us.” Pope Francis

In the northeast, spring is coming slowly this year, but here at OLM it is already BLOOMING inside and out thanks to our Garden Angels! We are so grateful to all those who continue to care for the flowers in and around our parish. Thank you to the Garden Angel who planted the lovely spring flowers by the OLM road sign and to all those who water and care for the Easter plants/flowers in the church and chapel.

The 46th Annual Msgr. John R. Ryan Golf Outing is scheduled for Mon. June 4th at Rockaway River Country Club. The golf committee is looking for autographed sports memorabilia to be used as prizes at the June 4 outing. If you have something (hopefully with certification) that is collecting dust that you’d like to donate, please call or drop it off at the rectory. Autographed baseballs, footballs, team pictures, helmets, hockey sticks, jerseys etc. would be great. Claim these items as donations in the amount raised, or what you think they’re worth. To reserve your foursome NOW or to make a donation to our auction please call George Casagrand 973-632-0294 in the Rectory office.

The Fr. English Food Pantry is still in temporary quarters, but continuing to help the poor in Paterson. Please leave non- perishable food in the Church vestibule next week April 21-22

On Saturday, May 26, 2018, Deacon Yohan Serrano will be ordained a priest by Bishop Serratelli. On Sunday, May 27th at 11am he will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving followed by a reception in the school. More information to follow.

If you haven’t returned your Rice Bowl, please place your carton in the large “Rice Bowls” box in the narthex.

The OLM Eva’s Kitchen commitment is Sat., April 14th. Please take a pan/recipe and add your name to our volunteer list and drop off frozen casserole at OLM parking lot between 8:30-8:45 on Sat., April 14th. If unable to drop off on April 14th, you may drop off pan at rectory at any time during business hours. Thank you. Any questions call Kathy and Joe Gravino at 973-830-0559.

A heartfelt THANKS to all who brought a goody for the Easter Vigil reception. The OLM community contributions each year make this celebration a success! We continue our holy walk through the Easter season during these fifty days to Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. Believe in the Risen Christ and receive anew the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Peace of Christ. It is YOU that Christ calls to the mission of evangelization. Christ does not call the equipped but equips those he calls. Say ‘Yes’ to His Call and be filled with His Holy Joy of the Easter Season! Want to know more? RCIA meets Thursdays at 7pm at the parish house. For more information call Msgr. Carroll, 973-838-6838 x100 or Carol Mangani at 973-283-2218.

The entire staff of OLM extends to the parish their best wishes for a Holy and Happy Easter.

The Living Stations were the perfect way to begin Holy Week. Thank you to all the players, musicians, directors and crew who devoted their precious time to make it a wonderful production.

Claire Davin, a senior at Fairfield University, was one of 38 seniors inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She is majoring in economics and is looking for a job. Elle Tharby and Aiden Duffy, eighth graders and members of OLM CYO basketball teams, are the recipients of the Greg Slyfield Memorial Award for 2018.

The Project Faith collection is always on the first Sunday of the month which this year is Easter Sunday. This collection goes to the Diocese to help pay our assessment.

Please ensure that you have completed the registration process by following the link sent to you by Flocknote and adding your name and email to our database. If you have any questions, please call the rectory and we can help you out.

The Baltimore Catechism No. 1 contains 420 questions which the Third Council of Baltimore considered basic to the Catholic faith. Bishop Serratelli selected 67 questions and 7 basic prayers which he wants “every young Catholic in our Diocese to know and to internalize” before they are confirmed. Copies have been sent home to the parents of our Confirmation candidates. Our sophomores are to be confirmed on September 15, 2018. This means there are 5 months and 15 days to learn the answers to the 67 questions and the words to 7 basic prayers: the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, the Act of Contrition, the Sign of the Cross, the Apostles Creed and Prayer for Eternal Rest. While some may not agree with the pedagogy, is it really too much to expect our youth (who are Catholics from birth) to know? When these children were baptized, the priest or deacon mentioned that “(parents) are the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith. May they also be the best of teachers bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do.” Parents, this is your opportunity to teach your children something about their Catholic faith and at the same time to brush up on the basics yourself. Anyone who has children who are not yet in the confirmation program, but are interested, can request a copy of the questions by sending an email to Grace Davin at youth@olmchurch.org

The OLM Eva’s Kitchen commitment is Sat., April 14th. Please take a pan/recipe and add your name to volunteer list and drop off frozen casserole at OLM parking lot between 8:30-8:45 on Sat., April 14th. If unable to drop off on April 14th you may drop off pan at rectory at any time during business hours. Thank you. Any questions call Kathy and Joe Gravino at 973-830-0559.

We wish all our parishioners a Good Palm Sunday. A Special THANK YOU to Edna Cucciniello who handmade the beautiful palm frond for our Palm Sunday Masses. Edna is 98 years young and the mother of Bob Cucciniello. We greatly appreciate this special gift for our Palm Sunday celebrations.

These three days of Holy Week are one continuous celebration of our salvation. They begin with Holy Thursday and end with the Easter Vigil. Parishioners are invited to attend all three days of the Triduum. On Holy Thursday, parishioners are invited to bring bells to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and ring them during the singing of the Gloria. After Mass there will be a procession to the Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament will be reserved until midnight for adoration. On Good Friday, confessions will be heard from 12noon until 2:30pm before the celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Death at 3pm. In the evening the Stations of the Cross will be recited. On Saturday after sundown at 7:30pm, the Easter Vigil will commemorate the Resurrection of Christ. At this celebration we will welcome three new members into the Catholic faith.