In commemoration of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi the traditional blessing of pets will take place on Saturday, October 1st beginning at 12 noon in the Sacred Heart of Jesus churchyard located at 63 East Main Street. Bring your pets for the blessing which will be bestowed by Father Matt and Father Pawel.

Holy Mass on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th will be celebrated at the parish cemetery at 9 o’clock in the morning, weather permitting. In the event of rain the Mass will take place in the church. The 6:30 and 8 o’clock Masses will not take place on Labor Day but will resume of Tuesday, September 6th.

Due to the sun setting earlier and no lighting at the parish cemetery, the final Saturday evening Vigil Mass at 7 o’clock will take place on Saturday, September 3rd. Outdoor Masses at the parish cemetery for the Lord’s Day will return in the spring.

As we approach the beginning of a new Faith Formation year we again have a need for volunteer catechists and building aides. A catechist is someone who is a teacher of the faith. We have a need for volunteers to help with classes for children of all ages and on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry and how God might be calling you to share the Gospel, please contact Jim Clancy in the parish office @ 973-627-0313 or StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com.

Save the Date – Saturday, November 20th - 9:00 am until 2:00 pm St. Cecilia Church Hall, 90 Church Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866 For more information: saintceciliarosarysociety@gmail.com

Save the Date!! The next Alpha program begins September 15th. More information to follow in the coming weeks

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated on Monday, August 15th with two morning Masses at 6:30 and 8 o’clock. Holy Mass will be celebrated in the evening at 7 o’clock. This day commemorates the time of our Lady’s entrance into heaven.

On Monday, July 4th only one Mass will be scheduled in our parish. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the parish cemetery at 9 o’clock in the morning. Do bring a lawn chair with you! In the event of rain the Mass will take place in the church. The regular morning Mass schedule resumes on Tuesday, July 5th.

Recognizing the dwindling supply at the local food pantries, you are asked to bring 1 non perishable food item to the parish picnic on Sunday, June 12th at the Fireman’s Field located on Beach Street in the Borough. Your donation can be placed in the “clearly marked vehicle” located at the entrance of the park. Your support is appreciated by those who are struggling to buy food for their families! God bless you!

The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will pray the Litany to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus every day, Monday through Friday, following the 8 o’clock morning Mass.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has chosen June 22nd to June 29th as RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WEEK. Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all. We are invited to pray, reflect and act to promote religious freedom which is guaranteed under our county’s constitution but which is being threatened in our secular society.

We will resume the outdoor Mass at the parish cemetery on Saturday evening at 7 o’clock beginning June 4th. The Saturday 7 o’clock vigil Mass will be celebrated in the church in the event of rain. A FLOCKNOTE will be sent our every Saturday near the noon hour as a reminder or to indicate Mass in the church due to weather. Please remember to bring your lawn chair! The 12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass will continue to be celebrated in the church.

Holy Hour will not take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th. Holy Hour will resume the following week on June 6th. Also, Holy Hour will conclude on Monday, June 27th for the summer. The Monday evening Holy Hour will resume following Labor Day.

The Feast of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Sunday, June 19th with a combined parish event at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main Street. The outdoor procession with the Most Blessed Sacrament will begin at 2 o’clock. Young people are invited to serve as acolytes, baldachino bearers, and those who strew flower petals. Please see Father Zig or Father Matt for details. The young people of the Catacombs Group will also participate by bearing the image of Blessed Carlo Acutis during the ceremony.

The Bishops of the Metropolitan Province of Newark have moved the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord (the 40th day of Easter) from its traditional day of Thursday to the following Sunday, which this year is May 29th. Therefore, this Thursday, May 26th, IS NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION.

The 10th Annual CORPUS CHRISTI FOOD DRIVE will take place in the Diocese of Paterson to replenish the dwindling food supplies at the 3 diocesan food pantries operated by Catholic Charities. Saint Cecilia Parish has been asked to donate the following items: PANCAKE MIX, PANCAKE SYRUP, SHAMPOO. These items can be brought to Hayes Hall and placed on the designated tables prior to June 18th-19th (Feast of Corpus Christi). Should you like to make a monetary donation for this purpose please go to: https://www.ccpaterson.org/corpus. You may also write a check payable to St. Cecilia Church with the memo: food drive.

MEMORIAL DAY MASS – Holy Mass on Monday, May 30th, MEMORIAL DAY, will be celebrated at the parish cemetery at 9 o’clock in the morning. In the event of rain the mass will take place in the church. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair or blanket for the ground. The 6:30 and 8 am Masses will not be celebrated on this day.

We will commemorate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Elizabeth on Tuesday, May 31st and the close of the month of May with the praying of the Holy Rosary at 7 o’clock in the evening. Please join us in prayer.

In Catholic tradition the month of May is dedicated to the Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary. During this month the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be prayed at the conclusion of the 8 o’clock morning Mass Monday through Friday. A Rosary devotion to close the month will take place on Tuesday, May 31st at 7 o’clock in the evening.

I have received some inquiries as to when we will be returning to the cemetery for outdoor Mass. I am planning to resume Mass at the cemetery BUT not until June. Our parish April and May calendar has too many important events scheduled which make it difficult to return outdoors any sooner. I am planning to have our first Mass at the cemetery the first weekend of June, 4-5. In addition, we are planning to have a PARISH PICNIC on Sunday, June 12th at the Firemen’s Field located at 144 Beach Street in the borough. We will begin with the 12:15 p.m. Mass at the field followed by food and fellowship. Additional information will be forthcoming but for now you can circle the date on your calendar. – Father Zig