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1911 – 2020

Second Sunday of Easter – April 19, 2020

Rev. Bryan E. Page Pastor frb@olcjc.org

Deacon Kamil Belling Transitional Deacon

Rev. Thomas J. Ciba Pastor Emeritus

Mrs. Roseann Citro Principal

Mr. Ben Rauch Director of Music directorofmusic@olcjc.org Mrs. Matty Hiott Business Manager secretary@olcjc.org

Mrs. Barbara Peters Bulletin Editor bulletin@olcjc.org

Ms. Patricia Mercuri Communications Coordinator trish@olcjc.org Mr. Jerome Ransom Custodian

Parish Office 201-434-0798

Fax

201-985-0918

Website www.olcjc.org Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm

Mass Schedule Monday – Friday: 12:30 pm (Church open from 12:00 noon to 1:15 pm) Saturday: 5:00 pm, Sunday Vigil Mass Sunday: 8:00 am (Polish), 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 7:00 pm Note: St. Anthony of Padua, 330 Sixth Street, Jersey City, is the Center for Polish Ministry in Jersey City. 10:00 am “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” We provide a Faith Formation program called “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” for children 2½ years+ and their parents during the 10:00 am Sunday Mass. Confessions/Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the church or by appointment with the pastor. Weddings Those interested in celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage should contact the parish office one year in advance of their proposed date of marriage. Infant Baptisms Preparation for Baptism should ideally begin before the birth of the child. Expectant parents should visit the parish website at olcjc.org for more information. Catholic School Education

The OLC School

Shaping Young Minds for a Brighter Future Lower School

248 Luis Marin Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07302

Grades K – 2

Upper School 225 Morris Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07302

Grades 3 – 8 Blue Ribbon School

MSA-CESS Accredited

201-434-2405 | www.olcschool.org The Little Harbor Academy

The Early Childhood Division of the OLC School

186 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Tiny Tikes Program for 2-year-olds; Pre-K Programs for 3 & 4-year-olds

201-434-6708

Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church 120 Sussex Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Our Mission The mission of our Parish is to reach out to all people and encourage them to join us in joyfully giving praise and glory to God; to build a Christian community that, with trust in God, embraces the future, and in doing so, is a beacon of faith, hope and love on the Jersey City waterfront. Our History Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, or OLC, was founded in 1911 to serve Polish immigrants in Jersey City. Today, OLC is growing and changing as it seeks to serve all those who now live in our neighborhood. The Church takes its name from a city in Poland that houses a cherished icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A copy of that icon is centrally located in our historic Church.

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FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parish Family, We may not be immune to Coronavirus; however, Easter is. Alleluia!

This is a joyous time of year, regardless of the circumstances we are living under. We are obliged to find ways to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.

In the early Church, Christians lived in a constant state of fear, often sheltering in place for weeks and months, terrified they could be identified as followers of Jesus. Today, more than ever, even though we are called to “hide out,” it is vital that all know we are Christians.

As the old hymn goes, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Regardless of the restrictions placed on where we can travel, make an extra effort to love those around you during these days. That means those who are physi-cally near you and those who are socially near you.

We’re physically apart from each other, but we don’t have to be socially and spiritually distant. We can connect in a variety of ways: online meetings, phone calls, texts, emails, even waving from the window as someone walks by is connecting!

The best, most ancient way to connect with others (if you choose to believe it), was not FaceTime or Zoom. It is, and has always been, prayer. The spiritual world and prayer have always been the best way to connect with others. When people were imprisoned for their faith, they were able to remain faithful through the prayerful support of a loving community. When we or our loved ones are sick and unable to take care of ourselves, it is an invaluable support to know we are carried in prayer by others.

Let’s pray for one another and with one another. This can be facilitated through modern mechanisms like the virtual communications mentioned above, or more ancient means. Cardinal Tobin has asked every church in the Archdi-ocese to ring their bells at noon, to incite all who can hear them to beg our Blessed Mother’s intercession for an end to the pandemic and healing for those who are sick. If you are unable to hear the bells where you live, set a reminder on your phone and gather your household.

As the entire Archdiocese joins with people around the world, our prayers will be heard loudly in heaven. The short prayer is as follows:

Under thy protection we seek refuge, O Holy Mother of God; In our needs, despise not our petitions, but deliver us always from all dangers,

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. There’s no better time than now to think about how connected we are. We are celebrating the resurrection of

Christ as our fears were defeated, and we share in His victory. I continue to wish you joy in this Easter season.

Love, Fr. Bryan________________________________________________________________________________

FR. BRYAN IS ON INSTAGRAM! While we’re not currently

gathering at Mass, Fr. Bryan is keeping the inspiration coming with short messages on Instagram. See him speak in our beautiful Church at www.instagram.com/frbpage.

JOIN THE VIRTUAL CHILDREN’S LITURGY Your family can be a

part of our Children’s Liturgy online by sending an email to childrenliturgy@olcjc.org. You’ll receive a link to our Sunday-morning Zoom meeting, which includes a Gospel lesson and fun activities. Join us!

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK LIVESTREAMS MASSES!

The bilingual (Eng-lish/Spanish) Mass will be celebrat-ed by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, and all are invited! For information and to watch the livestream, visit

www.rcan.org/parishsupport and scroll down to the middle of the page. Following the livestream, the video will be available on the Archdiocese’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Links will also be available on other Archdiocesan social media channels: @nwkarchdiocese. In addition, a new page has been created on the Archdiocese of Newark’s website con-taining information about parishes in each county which are livestreaming Masses, 24/7 Eucharistic Ad-oration, bible studies, virtual rosary prayer groups, and more: www.rcan.org/parish-mass-livestreams-and-more.

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MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday April 18, 2020 8:00 pm

Sunday April 19, 2020 10:00 am

12:30 pm

7:00 pm People of the Parish Monday April 20, 2020 12:30 pm James and Catherine Uffer

From Marilyn Gardullo Tuesday April 21, 2020 12:30 pm

Wednesday April 22, 2020 12:30 pm

Thursday April 23, 2020 12:30 pm

Friday April 24, 2020 12:30 pm

Saturday April 25, 2020 5:00 pm

Sunday April 26, 2020 10:00 am

12:30 pm Amira Kerbaj

From Kerbaj Family 7:00 pm People of the Parish

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Reflect on today’s readings, prepare for next Sunday Sunday, April 19, 2020 Acts 2:42-47; 1 PT1:3-9;

Jn. 20:19-31 Sunday, April 26, 2020

Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 PT 1:17-21; Lk. 24: 13-35

2020 MASS INTENTIONS BOOK Please call 201-434-0798

to arrange a Mass intention. You may also dedicate the Tabernacle Candle or Bread and Wine in memory of a loved one.

SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE In these uncertain times, let’s share the basics

with those who lack them. Please consider pur-chasing a few extra items when you do your regular shopping and leaving them at the rectory. Cof-fee, tea, jelly, peanut but-ter, canned vegetables, canned and dried soups, cereal, pasta, sauce, macaroni and cheese mix, canned meats and tuna fish, condiments (mayo, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper, sugar, etc.), soap, shampoo, body washes, and toothpaste and toothbrushes are all needed. Thank you for your generosity to the neediest of our community.

DOWNTOWN HARVEST COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE

(CSA) Our CSA, Downtown Harvest, is now preparing

for their 16th season. Enjoy fresh, organic produce while helping support sustain-able agriculture. During the 24-week season, the farmer delivers weekly shares to the OLC Church garage at 180 Sussex Street. Members share in the risks and rewards

of the farmer. For membership information, please go to their website: http://www.downtownharvest.org/ or email: downtownharvestcsajc@gmail.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT OLC OLC Baptism Prepara-

tion Class: The next available class is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, at 11:15 AM. It is re-quired if you’re having your baby baptized at OLC or an-other church, or are becoming a godparent. Baptisms are postponed until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

OLC Seniors: New members are welcome (must be 55+). For more information, call Co-Presidents Laura Mullahey at 201-562-2107 or Veronica Bene-kin at 551-580-0377.

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STEWARDSHIP “Jesus said to them

again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” - John 20:21

Peace – the first gift of the risen Lord. Just as Jesus sent the apostles out into the world, so too, He sends us. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be grateful and generous. Look for opportunities to share His peace, not only within our local parish boundaries, but outside of them as well. In giving, we receive the peace of Jesus Christ.

ONLINE GIVING IS EASY AND SECURE!

SEVEN WAYS TO CONNECT SPIRITUALLY

Cardinal Tobin shares some simple sugges-tions for staying close spiritually while maintaining a safe and respectful social distance. For the full text of his letter, please go to olcjc.org.

1. Begin each day with prayer. Ask Jesus to stay close to you and to all your family and friends. Pray for the health and well-being of everyone you associate with, and of all God’s people throughout the world.

2. Express your love and concern for the people you live with—your spouse, children, other relatives or friends. Comfort and encourage them when they are frightened and feeling closed-in or helpless.

3. Reach out to other family members, friends and colleagues by telephone, texting, email and other forms of social media. Let them know that you are close to them and that you share their experiences and anxiety.

4. Attend Mass and other prayers and devotions virtually. Many opportunities are available each day on television, radio and online. Par-ticipation in the life of the Church can help us feel more closely connected with God and with each other. Make a spiritual communion (see below).

5. As you go about your daily business—working remotely, studying at home, doing spring cleaning, caring for children or family mem-bers, preparing dinner, doing the laundry, and more—look for opportunities to offer up your activities to God in gratitude for his closeness to you.

6. To the extent that you can, share your finan-cial resources with those in need. Online giv-ing is available for most religious, educational and charitable organizations, but if that’s not an option for you, you can write a check and mail it, or set aside some cash to give to someone in need once the current stay at home order has been lifted.

7. Be patient with yourself and those you love. This is a strange and difficult time for all of us. Frustration and anger are understandable re-actions. We need to help each other remain calm and trust in the healing power of Jesus who is close to us—now and always.

Celebrate God’s green earth. Reduce, reuse, recycle, rejoice!

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2020 ANNUAL APPEAL

POPE FRANCIS’S PRAYER FOR CORONAVIRUS

EXPLORE ART AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

ST. PETER’S PREP OPEN HOUSE Saint Peter’s Preparatory School will be holding

its 2020 Spring Open House on Sunday, May 3, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the school’s campus in historic downtown Jersey City. Faculty and staff, as well as coaches, students, and parents, will be present to an-swer questions about the school, and tours of the campus will be provided. Founded in 1872, Saint Pe-ter’s Prep is an independent, college preparatory school for boys and it remains New Jersey’s only Jesuit high school. For more information on the Spring Open House, please call 201-547-6389.

FOOD DONATION Recently, OLC

Church delivered multi-ple bags and boxes filled with donated food to the sisters at Our Lady of Sorrows for the food pantry. They want us to know that they are doing fine and appreci-ate your help.

Thanks to all who helped with this en-deavor and special thanks to Verghese for taking the time to deliv-er the food. (The sisters don’t take photos so here is the donation in front of Our Lady of Sorrows.)

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus' pain, with steadfast faith.You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father's will and to do what Jesus tells us:He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.Do not despise our pleas -- we who are put to the test -- and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.