About Divine Mercy · Vineland, New Jersey
Divine Mercy Parish is a bilingual Roman Catholic community in Vineland, New Jersey, formed on October 21, 2009 through the merger of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. It belongs to the Diocese of Camden and is simultaneously designated as the personal parish for the Hispanic Catholic community in the City of Vineland. The parish worships at two sites — the seat church, Saint Francis of Assisi (23 W. Chestnut Ave.), and the historic Immaculate Heart of Mary (410 S. 8th St.) — offering Mass in both English and Spanish throughout the week. Its mission statement emphasizes welcoming everyone regardless of color, creed, or culture, and proclaiming the Gospel through word, sacrament, and service.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Divine Mercy
- Rector
- Rev. Joel Arciga-Camarillo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Camden
Why belong here
Divine Mercy welcomes English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics alike across Vineland and is the designated personal parish for the city's Hispanic community, so Mass, faith formation, quinceañera prep, and food-pantry outreach are available in both languages. A pastoral team of secular priests, two permanent deacons and the Marian Sisters (MDPVM) tend every stage of parish life — infant baptism and marriage, OCIA for adults, the two-year Confirmation program, weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Apostolate of Divine Mercy. Whether you're a longtime South Jersey Catholic, a young family, a teen, or someone returning after time away, the parish proudly extends open arms regardless of color, creed, or culture.
Mass times at Divine Mercy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM at St. Francis Church
- Thursdays 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM with Fr. Victor (by appointment, call parish office)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is promoted through the Apostolate of Divine Mercy (call 856-974-2073 for current schedule)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish maintains a full catechetical program for children and youth in both languages of the community, administered through the Religious Education Office and coordinated by Mrs. Daphne Bruno. The Adult initiation process, now called O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation), welcomes unbaptized adults, baptized Catholics seeking Eucharist and Confirmation, and those preparing for the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church.
- CCD / Religious Education: grades 1 through high school; $90 first child + $40 each additional; late September through May
- Two-year preparation for both First Communion and Confirmation regardless of start date
- O.C.I.A. (formerly RCIA): weekly classes early September to April, Sr. Maria Luisa Cardenas, 856-500-6605
- Confirmation: 2-year program in 7th and 8th grades; Director of Life Long Faith Formation, 856-500-6566
Life Cycle & Pastoral Care
In addition to preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, the parish guides families through the Quinceañera as a sacramental milestone and offers a robust visitation ministry to the sick and homebound. Sister Maria Luisa Cardenas oversees pastoral care to hospitalized, homebound, and pre-surgical parishioners.
- Quinceañera — 9 required formation sessions; registration at the rectory office
- Hospital, home, and pre-surgery visits coordinated through Sr. Maria Luisa Cardenas (856-500-6605)
- Stephen Ministry — confidential one-to-one pastoral support, 856-691-9181
Parish School — Bishop Shad Regional School
Divine Mercy Parish's associated regional school is Bishop Shad Regional School, principal of which is listed in the parish staff directory. The parish's original elementary school merged into this regional school under the 2004 Diocesan School Consolidation, with its final graduating class sent off in June 2007.
- Principal: Sister Olga Cano, MDPVM (per parish staff directory)
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Parish youth ministry is structured around age groups, with its own bilingual coordinators. Deacon Arnaldo Santos serves as Director of Youth and Young Adults, supported by coordinators for the adolescent group and the younger children.
- Director of Youth & Young Adults: Deacon Arnaldo Santos, 609-774-7555
- Adolescent Group Coordinator: Mrs. María Alvarado, 856-982-3242
- Young Children Group Coordinator (bilingual program)
Outreach & Charity
The parish runs a monthly food pantry out of the Convent Basement, distributing groceries on the second Saturday of each month to families in need in the Vineland area. The Apostolate of the Divine Mercy complements this with regular visits to the sick and homebound, praying with them and bringing the Divine Mercy image.
- Food Pantry: 2nd Saturday of each month, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Convent Basement
- Sick visits: twice weekly by the Apostolate of the Divine Mercy
- Stephen Ministry: confidential one-on-one life-situation support
Parish Staff & Clergy
Divine Mercy is led by a pastoral team that pairs diocesan clergy with the Marian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (MDPVM) and a strong lay pastoral staff. Day-to-day parish operations are coordinated through the Rectory/Business Office on West Chestnut Avenue.
- Pastor: Rev. Joel Arciga-Camarillo
- Permanent Deacon: Arnaldo Santos (also Director of Youth & Young Adults)
- Retired Deacon: Bernardo Quiles
- Pastoral Minister & O.C.I.A. Coordinator: Sister Maria Luisa Cardenas, MDPVM
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Mrs. Daphne Bruno
- Music Coordinator: Mrs. Jolyvette Jimenez
- Parish Secretary: Jennifer Salinas
- Parish Assistant: Emily Felipe
- Social Media / Altar Server Coordinator: Teresa López and Betzalis Delacruz
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; closed for lunch 12:30–1:30 PM
History of Divine Mercy Parish
Divine Mercy Parish was canonically established by Bishop Joseph Galante's decree effective October 21, 2009, uniting Saint Francis of Assisi Parish (Vineland's largest parish founded 1961) with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which had served as the city's personal Hispanic parish since 2001. Below is a brief chronology of the predecessor communities and the merger that created today's Divine Mercy.
- 1958 — Spanish Catholic Center founded in Vineland.
- 1961 — Saint Francis of Assisi Parish formed from a portion of Sacred Heart Parish; Fr. Richard Gerbino appointed first pastor.
- May 13, 1962 — Groundbreaking for the multi-purpose school/church/office building.
- Dec. 24, 1962 — First Midnight Mass celebrated in the unfinished church-auditorium before 1,000+ parishioners.
- Jan. 20, 1963 — Archbishop Damiano dedicates the multi-purpose building.
- June 7, 1970 — Bishop Guilfoyle dedicates the new church and rectory.
- Jan. 1, 2001 — Immaculate Heart of Mary becomes the personal parish for Hispanic Catholics in Vineland.
- Spring 2004 — Diocesan School Consolidation begins.
- June 2007 — Final graduating class of the parish school (after merger into Bishop Schad at Sacred Heart).
- Fall 2005 — Diocesan Parish Merger Process begins.
- Nov. 5, 2008 — First Core Team meeting with Msgr. Victor S. Muro as Priest Convener.
- April 16, 2009 — Msgr. Muro writes Bishop Galante that the parishes are ready to merge.
- Sept. 18, 2009 — Bishop Galante formally announces the decree establishing Divine Mercy Parish.
- Oct. 21, 2009 — Merger takes effect; Msgr. Muro named first Pastor for a six-year term.
Finding the Parish
The Rectory and Saint Francis Church (the parish seat) sit at 23 W. Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360, with the Immaculate Heart of Mary worship site just south at 410 S. 8th Street. The parish is easy to reach from either direction of the NJ-55 / NJ-56 corridor.
- From North/East: NJ-55 S → Exit 32A → NJ-56 E (Landis Ave) → Delsea Dr. → W. Chestnut Ave
- From South: NJ-55 S → Exit 27 (Vineland/Millville) → Hennis Rd → S. Delsea Dr. → W. Chestnut Ave
- Phone: 856-691-9181 | Fax: 856-794-9029 | Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Victor S. Muro2009– (foundational six-year term, named 2009 by Bishop Galante decree)
First Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish; had previously been pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Priest Convener for the merger.
- Fr. Richard Gerbino1961–
Founding pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish (predecessor parish), celebrated the first Midnight Mass in the church-auditorium on Christmas Eve 1962.