Newark's Mercy House Commemorates 5 Years with Community Celebration

NEWARK, N.J. – The Mercy House of Newark — a resource and referral center operated by the Archdiocese of Newark’s Respect Life Office — commemorated five years of providing food, clothing, and other essentials to those in need with an anniversary celebration July 7.

Despite the sweltering heat, dozens of community members visited 620 Clinton Ave. to enjoy free ice cream, face painting, a carnival game, and other fun activities. Five lucky raffle winners also took home gift bags containing major prizes from generous donors, including a video game console. Finally, guests got the chance to pray with Auxiliary Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo, who reflected on how The Mercy House embodies the Catholic mission by seeing Christ’s face in everyone.

“This house of mercy is a great blessing in our Archdiocese, enabling us to put into practice the gospels,” Bishop Lorenzo said. “Pope Francis has taught a little mercy makes the world less cold and more just. There is a lot of mercy in this house. And there are angels of mercy who work and volunteer here.”

Initially opened as a center for pregnant women and mothers in 2018, The Mercy House expanded its mission to provide nonperishable food, clothes, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing to anyone in need. Today it serves approximately 200 people each week, with more than half of them being migrants from throughout the world. It also launched a second location in Jersey City last year. Additional sites in Bogota and Elizabeth are planned for later in 2023.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we opened The Mercy House in Newark,” said Cheryl A. Riley, director of the archdiocesan Respect Life Office and The Mercy Houses. “We hope to be here for many more years serving this beautiful community and its people.”

The Mercy House of Newark is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in donating or volunteering should contact Cheryl A. Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org. To learn more about The Mercy Houses of Newark and Jersey City, visit www.rcan.org/offices-and-ministries/respect-life.