Closing Mass for Year of Mercy

STUDENTS OF MERCY  Students from Morris Catholic High School in Denville and Pope John XXIII High School in Sparta, who are members of the choir, pose for a picture with Bishop Serratelli during a Mass to close the year-long Jubilee Year of Mercy Nov. 18 in St. Philip the Apostle Church, Clifton.

CLIFTON  While the Holy Doors have now closed for the Year of Mercy in churches around the world, God’s heart will continuously remain open for anyone who seeks his love and mercy. The diocesan school community celebrated God’s love and mercy at the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy Nov. 18 at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Serratelli in St. Philip the Apostle Church here.

Students and educators from the elementary schools and high schools in the Diocese filled St. Philip’s to capacity and beyond for the 10:30 a.m. Mass to close the year long jubilee the universal Church celebrated with acts of mercy, pilgrimages to Holy Doors, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, retreats and special Masses and programs. Bishop Serratelli served as the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass, which was concelebrated by many priests — including several, who serve these schools or parishes that sponsor schools. The Diocesan Schools Office coordinated the Mass.

“This morning we gather as the Catholic school community of the Diocese in order to celebrate the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. All of us are disciples and the word disciple basically means learner or student. Whether we are old or young, all of us are learners, students of Jesus. Learning about how much God loves us, how much God cares for us and how much he calls us to be there for one another,” said Bishop Serratelli in his opening remarks at the Mass.

The special liturgy featured participation from across the diocesan school community. Sister of Charity Merris Larkin, principal of Assumption School, Morristown, proclaimed the First Reading. Students from St. Vincent Martyr School, Madison; St. Mary School, Pompton Lakes; Delbarton School, Morristown; Divine Mercy Academy, Rockaway; Pope John XXIII Middle School, Sparta; DePaul Catholic High School, Wayne; Academy of St. Francis, Totowa; and Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Wayne, read the Prayers of the Faithful in thanksgiving for the Jubilee year. Students from St. Gerard School, Paterson; St. Andrew the Apostle School, Clifton; St. Patrick School, Chatham; St. Therese School, Succasunna; Villa Walsh Academy, Morristown and Academy of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station presented Bishop Serratelli with the Offertory Gifts. A combined choir, composed of high school students from Morris Catholic and Pope John High Schools, led the congregation in songs of praise.

“As we come together to close the Year of Mercy, I hope that the experiences of this year are a grace that will remain with all of you. I pray that the Year of Mercy has taught us to be an ambassador in our schools, parishes and faith communities. This is a special time for us to turn our hearts to God, who is waiting for us with open arms to embrace us with his love,” said Mary Baier, diocesan school superintendent, before the start of Mass.

In his homily, Bishop Serratelli spoke about God’s mercy, which is spread by others. He said, “Jesus is the light of the world, the truth, the understanding, the love, the mercy, the compassion. Jesus is here with us.

“Jesus himself is the light of the God come into the world and when we are in a state of grace, when are in a state free of serious sin and deep friendship with the Lord Jesus, he lives in each one of us,” the bishop told the students. “That means when anyone of us comes upon any situation where there is hurt, misunderstanding, where there is prejudice and lack of charity, then by our good deeds of kindness and compassion and love we become the ones that bring the light of God to others in darkness.”

At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Serratelli told the congregation that as Thanksgiving will be celebrated this week, “We are grateful for the fact that we have faith in Jesus Christ. As we come together to celebrate as a school community, we are grateful as a Diocese for the gift of Catholic School education, I want to thank our principals, our priests, our pastors that support you and our school office. My thanks go to all those who work in Catholic education, especially our parents. The more we thank God and not complain and leave it to him to bless us, the greater are the blessings we receive.”