Our Lady of Mercy Church

We will have hand sanitizers available at the entrances of the Church.

 We will sanitize our Church and bathrooms after every Mass. Please note that our bathrooms should be used only in extreme necessity. 

We blocked access to every other pew in the Church to maintain six feet of distance. 

To be able to sanitize well the Church and control the limited attendance of people at Mass, we blocked the access to the upstairs choir loft or balcony. 

We blocked the Parish Center entrance and the link between the Parish Center and the Church with orange cones. Parishioners can use the school door and the back doors of the Church. 

We have a total of 26 pews available, and they can hold 4 people maintaining the principle of social distancing. Therefore, our seating capacity just on the pews of the nave of the Church is about 104 people.  Because the summertime attendance has been on the light side at OLM, we don’t see the need for “making an appointment” to be at Mass at OLM. 

Our most attended Mass is on Saturday at 5:30 PM. I recommend that some of our parishioners from this Mass pick one on Sundays. For example, the 7:30 AM or the 9:30 AM. 

You will not find Hymnals in your pews. 

 There will be no Holy Water in the Baptism font and the small fonts against the wall by the entrances. 

 No Choir is allowed at this time, and we would kindly ask the parishioners not to sing even if you know the hymns by heart.

There is hand sanitizer for the priest to use at communion time and during the Mass to keep clean and sanitized.

Communion will only be distributed by the Priest or Deacon in only one line. No communion cups are allowed. While in line for Communion, please keep six feet apart and receive the Body of Christ in silence without responding “Amen.” You can only receive in your hands well opened so that the priest can place the Host in your hand without actually touching the palm of your hand.

At every door, you will find a table with collection baskets where you may place your offering since no Offertory Collection is allowed. 

After Mass is over, you should leave the Church while maintaining social distancing and without socializing. 

Please, remember that any person with symptoms of a fever or cough should remain at home. A person who has any symptoms places everyone else in jeopardy. It is our responsibility to care for each other by not putting anyone at risk. 

The dispensation from the obligation of Mass attendance continues for those unable to get to Church. Let us also remember that the safety of our families and every other person, as well as our own safety, comes first. God has given us the gift of life to use it well and to worship Him with our bodies and souls. Therefore, our health becomes the first priority. 

The elderly and those who have any underlying conditions should be especially prudent, keeping in mind that their health should be their priority. 

My Dear Friends, 
Based on a communication from the Bishop's Office dated May 22, 2020, I announced the re-opening of our Church Building and the resumption of our Mass schedule on May 30th as the email from the Bishop allowed. Today, our Bishop has sent another email stepping back from his previous message since the Governor has not yet allowed indoor gatherings with more than 10 people. Therefore, all Churches in the Diocese of Paterson are to remain closed until the Governor gives us the approval. Below, you will find both the Bishop’s latest and previous messages. At this time the date for re-opening is unknown. Please disregard my previous message. I apologize for the confusion.    
Stay safe!
Fr. Roberto 

On behalf of the parish family of Our Lady of Mercy, welcome to our website. We are a Roman Catholic community of believers in Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey under the leadership of our Bishop the Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli.

We are located in the Whippany section of Hanover Township; one of the three best communities in the state to live in. If you are thinking about moving into Whippany, we invite you to make Our Lady of Mercy your parish home. Our chapel, besides enjoying the distinction of being the oldest standing Catholic chapel in the county, is ALWAYS open as a place to come for peaceful quiet reflection, meditation and prayer.

All are welcome to come and join us as a loving family who gathers to give praise and thanks to an all loving God who directs and guides our days.

Our Parish Office Hours are: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 3:00 pm.

The Mission of our parish is to be the living sign of Christ's presence and the manifestation of His teachings within the community by:

Gathering the parish community in prayer, particularly at celebrations of the Eucharist, where faith is nurtured and shared.

Calling our parish community to Christian service, so that all served might have hope, based on our actions motivated by the Gospel.

Providing ongoing faith formation for the entire parish, exemplified by Jesus' method of teaching His disciples.

Enlivening the sense of community by creating opportunities for fellowship that can help us become one in Christ.

Contributing our time, talent, and treasure to enable the above to happen.

Monday - SATURday: 9:00 AM - Chapel

MONDAY - FRIDAY: 12:05 PM - Chapel                        (Only during Lent)

https://catholicmasstime.org/