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.

The Saint Monica Guild will conduct a bake sale on Saturday and Sunday, December 18 & 19 in Hayes Hall following the Holy Masses. The ladies provide a wide variety of cakes, cookies and candy – all homemade! This could be a great gift as you visit with family and friends. Your support assists this parish society in its work for our parish.

Join us for an outdoor night of Christmas carols around a fire pit with hot chocolate and cookies too on Tuesday, December 28th from 7 to 8 pm at the parish parking lot (behind the rectory). A suggested donation of $5 per family will benefit the Rockaway Food Pantry. What a great way for us to come together as a family of faith to sing the Lord’s praises and to enjoy one another’s company. I think the kids will love it! – Father Zig

Our annual parish Christmas Concert will take place on Sunday, December 19th in the church beginning at 7 o’clock in the evening. Our music minister, Chuck Linnell has prepared a wonderful program of Christmas music which will be performed by our choir and a number of guest singers and instrumentalists. Come join us in a beautiful program of sacred song as we ready ourselves for the upcoming feast.

Once again we will observe an Italian tradition known as “Bambinelli Sunday.” This will be held on Sunday, December 12th (and Saturday eve Masses on December 11th). The faithful are encouraged to bring to Mass the “Bambinelli”, that is the statue of the Christ Child, from your home Christmas Nativity set for a blessing. What a wonderful sacramental to have in your home for the Christmas celebration!

A parish wide penance service will be held on Tuesday evening, December 21st at 7 o’clock. 8 priests will be available that night for confessions for both adults and children. All of us should prepare a “soul clean of sin” for the feast of the Lord’s Nativity.