Archdiocese opens Elizabeth Mercy House to help people in need (Photos)
The Archdiocese of Newark officially opened a third location of The Mercy House — its resource and referral center that provides clothes, food, and emotional support and healing in a faith-filled environment to individuals and families in need — at 249 Court St. in Elizabeth with a joyful celebration attended by an outpouring of archdiocesan leaders and local community members.
Mercy House director Cheryl A. Riley — joined by Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, Vicar for Union County; Mercy House chaplains; and Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage — kicked off the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bishop Lorenzo then offered a brief prayer service before blessing the building. He also spoke about the significance of The Mercy House, which provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing to all who request assistance.
“Because we see the face of Christ in everyone, this house of mercy is a rich asset because it becomes the vehicle through which we can put our faith into practice,” Bishop Lorenzo said. “Pope Francis has said, ‘A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.’ There certainly will be a lot of mercy flowing from this house.”
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Staff, donors, and visitors, including students from nearby Roselle Catholic High School, later enjoyed cake and assorted treats as they explored the new space. A handful of local residents additionally became the inaugural clients of the Elizabeth Mercy House, receiving essential household items with the generous assistance of volunteers. Moving forward, The Mercy House of Elizabeth will be open Wednesdays and every other Friday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Mercy House has helped thousands of individuals since launching five years ago, including roughly 7,800 people in 2022 alone. Its Newark and Jersey City locations currently support an average of 200 clients weekly, with over half of them being migrants from countries around the world. A fourth center in Bogota is planned for spring 2024. To learn more about The Mercy House, visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house/.
Photos by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn and Maria Margiotta
Featured image: Mercy House director Cheryl A. Riley officially opens The Mercy House of Elizabeth with a ribbon cutting as (from left to right) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Father Jim Weiner, Father Ryan Dela Pena, Father Emmanuel Agu, and Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo observe. (Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn)
