The Catholic Community of

Our Lady of Mercy

South Bound Brook, NJ

OLM RENOVATION PLEDGE CAMPAIGN PROGRESS REPORT:

TOTAL PLEDGED: $210,119/$300,000 (70%)

OLM: $78,145

KCC: $131,974

TOTAL RECEIVED: $127,509/$300,000 (42.5%)

OLM: $40,635

KCC: $86,874

TOTAL FAMILY/INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION: 140

OLM: 46

KCC: 94

INFORMATION ABOVE IS AS OF AUGUST 24, 2025

PROJECTS COMPLETED/IN PROGRESS:

HVAC SYSTEM REPLACEMENT - COMPLETED

REPAIRED CHURCH REAR ENTRANCE CANOPIES - COMPLETED

REPAIR AND PAINT ELEVATOR HALLWAY AND PARKING LOT STAIRWELL WALLS TO CHURCH HALL - IN PROGRESS

CLEANING AND POLISHING CHURCH HALL FLOOR - IN PROGRESS

WELCOME TO OLM REVEREND KENNETH R. MURPHY

Our Lady of Mercy Church welcomes Father Murphy to our rectory effective August 1, 2025. Father Murphy was formerly the Pastor at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Sayreville for 25 years. He will now be serving as Chaplain, Parker at Somerset, and as Polish Sacramental Minister, Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick. Father Murphy will also assist in the sacramental life of our Church when possible. Please say hello and welcome Father Murphy to our community.

OLM RENOVATION PLEDGE PROGRAM

Our Church has been the home for many worshipers in its 76-year history, and over the past 7 years we have welcomed the Korean Catholic Community (KCC) to our family. Without the combined support of both communities our Church would not have been financially viable to remain open.

Our 2026 Church Fiscal Year Diocesan payment assessment is $78,305. This includes our property & liability insurance, Diocesan school assessment and the assessment to the Diocese itself. Except for the Bishop's Appeal reimbursement, OLM receives no monetary assistance from the Diocese of Metuchen and rely on parishoners contributions.

Our Church building, rectory, Chapel and parish office are in need of significant renovations. Listed below are some of the projects:

Complete replacement of the Church and Hall heating and cooling system which was recently finished for $150,000
Replace Church rear entrance canopies
Rectory air conditioning needs replacement
Continued elevator repair and maintenance
Rectory and Church roof gutter repairs/replacement
Upgrade Church and Hall microphone/audio system
Interior and exterior painting of the Church and Hall
Clean, repair and paint the stairwell area and steps leading to our Hall and Church
Renovations to the Hall kitchen to make it functional
Clean and polish the Hall floors
Clean or replace the Church carpet
Renovation to the Chapel building
Rectory tile roof leaking, repair or replace
Replace rectory front door and storm door
Renovations to the Hall restrooms

OLM and the KCC are working together to achieve a parish fundraising goal of $300,000.

This pledge program will last for one year, from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Parishoners who are registered and receiving contribution envelopes at OLM will receive a pledge card in the mail for this cause. The pledge can be either a one-time offering, quarterly, or monthly payments....whatever is best for your situation. You can mail your pledge card back to the Church office, or place it in the collection basket at Mass. White envelopes are also available at all Church exits to enclose your pledge card and donation.

OLM Church attendees who are not registered members can find pledge cards at all entrances and are encouraged to donate as you are using the resources of our Church. Any pledge that your finances allow is a blessing for us and greatly appreciated. Yellow registration forms are also available at all exits if you would like to become a member of our parish.

There will be a special expression of gratitude with a plaque in the Church for those able to donate $1,000 or more.

Fundraising is an expression of your faith in a tangible form. It is an opportunity to reflect on the mission of our Church, which because of your ongoing generosity can continue as a place of worship and celebrate our lives and the blessings from God.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We are blessed to have you as a part of our community.

Sincerely,

Fr. John Lee, Administrator

THE CHURCH ELEVATOR IS BACK IN OPERATION!

CHURCH AND DOWNSTAIRS HALL

AIR CONDITIONING UPDATE:

Work is complete on replacing our HVAC system for the Church and downstairs hall!

OLM would like to thank Cool-O-Matic for all the hard work they did to complete this major renovation!