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

A penance service will take place on Tuesday evening of Holy Week, April 12th beginning at 7 o’clock. I have invited 8 priests to be with us to hear confessions on this night for both adults and children. This will be the final opportunity to go to confession prior to Easter so I ask you to adjust your schedule so as to attend if you have not yet gone to confession. – Father Zig

This will be the third year now that the annual ECUMENICAL LENTEN LUNCHES held at the First Presbyterian Church (our neighbors across the street) have been cancelled due to COVID 19. In lieu of this cancelled ecumenical event the Methodist Church of the Rockaways located on Hoagland Avenue invites residents to join them each Friday at Noon for a musical program of reflection. We pray that next Lent will allow us to return to our Lenten lunches for ecumenical fellowship.

“Helping Others Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist” is the title of a free on line event which will take place on Wednesday, March 23rd from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The speaker is Dr. James C. Pauley, Professor of Theology and Catechesis at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. For additional information please visit: www.insidethewalls.org/zoom.

The Holy Rosary will be prayed for the Ukraine every Friday evening following the Stations of the Cross which begins at 7 o’clock. Join us as we pray for an end of war, the protection of the Ukrainian people, democracy in Ukraine and for the eternal rest of those who have perished as a result of this aggression.

Several drives are taking place in our local area to help the people of Ukraine. Your support is greatly appreciated: St. Cecilia Church will have a second collection (cash or check made out to St. Cecilia Church with “Ukraine” in the memo) during Masses this weekend to benefit Caritas in Ukraine. Morris Catholic High School’s medical supply drive will run from now until March 18th. Items may be dropped off at the main entrance of Morris Catholic High School. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church humanitarian aid drive items can be brought to 635 Broad Street, Clifton daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The holy season of Lent begins on Wednesday, March 2nd. The signing with ashes will take place at the morning Masses at 6:30 and 8 o’clock and the evening Mass at 7 o’clock. A service of Liturgy of the Word will take place at 4:30 in the afternoon with the signing of ashes. This day is one of strict fast and abstinence, no meat and only one full meal on this first of Lent.

Every Monday evening during Lent, March 7 to April 4, every parish in the Diocese of Paterson will be open from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for confession. All of us are directed to the sacrament of penance during this holy season as per our venerable tradition prior to the great feast of Our Lord’s Holy Resurrection.

*** Due to the possibility of snow, this event will be weather dependent. *** -The 8:00 am Mass will be celebrated on Saturday regardless of weather. -If the weather is mild, we will have a ProLife presentation after Mass with a short prayer service for those who come. - If the weather is severe, there will be NO events following the Mass. Please be safe!

Join us for the “5th Sunday of the Month Rosary” which will take place on Sunday, January 30th at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on 63 East Main Street. We begin at 3 o’clock with the praying of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council 3359. All are welcome!

Wednesday, February 2nd, is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple also known as Candlemas Day. It is on this day that candles are blessed prior to the Holy Mass to commemorate the words of the Prophet Simeon who said that Jesus is “A light to the Gentiles.” This is also the 40th and final day of the Christmas season. The outdoor nativity crèche and lights will be taken down with the coming of this Feast day.

Thursday, February 3rd is the Feast Day of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr. St. Blaise lived in Armenia in the 4th century and according to tradition healed a choking boy from death and restored him to health. In commeration of this event, the blessing of the throat takes place on his feast day. The blessing of the throat of the faithful will take place at all the Masses on Saturday, February 5th and Sunday, February 6th. ST. BLAISE, BISHOP AND MARTYR -Pray for Us.

Friday January 21st to Saturday January 22nd “Come Follow Me!” on a 24-hour experience that Brings our faith to life. Come listen to and reflect upon How Christ is calling you, and how he is the cornerstone. Register online: https://www.ndcarmel.com/mens-cornerstone-retreat

The faith formation program in our parish has been suspended for the month of January. (This includes CCD classes, Confirmation classes, Generations of Faith and the Catacombs Youth Ministry.) Start up for faith formation will be in February.

Christmas Caroling for tonight, December 28th, has been postponed.

The annual Rockaway Right to Life March will take place on Saturday, January 29th. The event begins with the celebration of the Holy Mass in church at 8 o’clock in the morning followed by coffee and a brief program in Hayes Hall. Participants will then walk around Park Lake praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and return to Hayes hall for a final prayer. Each year this event grows with young people, families and people of good will from other communities. Please join us in promoting the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death by participating in this local event.