SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Arrangements for the Sacrament of Baptism can be made by calling Fr. Matt at extension 15.

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Arrangements are to be made at least ONE YEAR in ad-vance. The date should not be set until the priest has been consulted.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. If there is anyone at home or in the hospital who cannot get to Mass and the Sacraments because of illness or old age, please inform one of the priests or call the Parish Office @ 973-627-0313.

EMERGENCY PHONE: 862-251-3914

90 Church Street

Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 Website: st-cecilia.org — Office: stcec@optonline.net Fax: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig: Ext. 12 or speplowski@optonline.net Fr. Matt: Ext 15 or frmateuszdarlak@gmail.com - Fr. Adam: Ext 14 or fradamwasowski@hotmail.com School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

Saint Cecilia Parish

MASSES

Weekends

Saturday: 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:15 am

10:45 am and 12:15 pm 5:00 pm (Vietnamese)

Holydays

Vigil 4:30 pm 6:30 am, 8:00 am & 7:00 pm

Weekday Schedule:

Monday - Friday 6:30 am & 8:00 am

Saturday 8:00 am followed by Novena

Confessions

Saturdays @ 6:15-6:45 pm Any time by appointment

Susan Brennan TRUSTEE

James Gallagher TRUSTEE

Rev. Sigmund Peplowski PASTOR

Rev. Mateusz Darlak

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Adam Wasowski PAROCHIAL VICAR

Seminarian Angel Torres

Mrs. Janet Maulbeck BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

and YOUTH PROTECTION/ SAFE ENVIRONMENT

COORDINATOR

Mr. James Clancy

DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION

Mrs. Ann Mitchell

PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Diane Boykow

CEMETERY ADMINISTRATOR

Mr. Charles Linnell

MUSIC DIRECTOR

PARISH PRAYER LIFE

NOVENA: OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA Saturday morning after the 8:00 am Mass HOLY HOUR : Monday @ 7:00 pm (Beginning Sept. 21st) RCIA—RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION— FOR ADULTS:

Please contact Jim Clancy @ 973-627-0313 ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Monday through Sat. @ 7:30 am

CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY All Catholic Churches in the United States require from

Catholics serving as a Godparent for Baptism or a sponsor

for Confirmation a certificate of eligibility. This document

certifies that the Godparent/sponsor is a registered member

of the parish, attends Holy Mass, approaches the sacra-

ments regularly and contributes to the support of the

Church via the Sunday offering envelope program or

“Parish Pay”. It is the responsibility of the individual to

meet these requirements as listed in the Code of Canon

Law , #874.

Parish Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Friday: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm

Closed for lunch: 12:00 to 1:00

The people of St. Cecilia Parish are asked to pray for the following people serving our country in the armed services: SmE3 Andrew Clifford, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Corporal Dennis Wuest, Capt. Kelley E. Robbins, Pvt

USMC, Diego Usma, Major Glenn E. Martinez, Sgt. Brian Whalen, Capt. Anthony Odierno, Cpl. Kong V. Nguyen, Cpl. Jim Van Valen, LCPL Anthony Eresman, Sgt. Paul J. Willson, PFC Cano Janeth, Sgt. Bob Autrey, Col. William Paliwada, Sgt 1st Class (E7) Sam Colon, PFC Marylyn Rivera-Sachez, Cpl. Edward C. Thompson, Major Kevin M. Nash, Lt. Amy Cronin, Col. John L. Medeiros, Jr., Sgt. Daniel Healy, Marine Keith Leitner, Sgt. Spencer Lopez, PFC Taryn Kemp, Jeffrey Braunhausen, E7 Joseph Grimsey, Bill Maloney, Greg Bloete, Gian Carlo Bruzzese, Spc. Chris-topher Little, PFC Brittany Martindell, PO1 (E6) Matthew Fitzgerald, SA Justin C. White, Matthew & Daniel Rosica, Mark Leonard, Sr. Armn. Ashley Valetta, Sgt. John Wisnof-sky, Cpl. T.J. Finn, Sgt. Kristopher Faber, Capt. Vincent Presto, Airman First Class William Kussler , Spc. Gregory Villaneuva and Sgt. Casey W. Lyness . We ask God the Fa-ther of us all, through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, to protect all the men and women in our Armed Forces, to bless them in their efforts toward bringing peace and justice to our world. May they be brought back safely to those they love.

580-St. Cecilia

Ethan Chandra, Dean Wayne Campbell, Doris Cusick,

Carol Centonze, Jane Gorcica, Sam Sessa, Carol Fer-rante, Jim Golden, Karen Niles, Noel Wadleigh,

David Cicchine, Teresa D’Atria, Derek Bascharow, Debbie Malc, Grace McDermott, Joe Horvath, Jr., Elvira Bugaoan, Owen Peter Byrne, Tia Maddaloni, Mason Walker Steussing, Susan Mejia, Derek Bascharow, Jim Rattay, Tom Hull, Kathleen Fazio, Kristin Wich, Kyle Johnson, Kate Darlington, Jake Michael Miraldi, Cheryl Anne Bornemann, Sean Nolan, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Madison Rose Leslie, Demetrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, Frances Finn, Dorothy Murray, Victoria Santana, Stephanie Lewis, Kimberly Dugan, Gale Sessa, Marguerite Buggy, Mike Murray, Helene Turner, Michael Turner, Ruben Lorenzo, Michael Alvarez, Mina Simmons-Jones, Joe Maul-beck, Mary Merz, Marion Cables, Patricia Smith Schulman, Vincent Fortunato, Joyce Turner, Tom Cummiskey, Dennis O’Brien, Steven Simmons, Ariel, James DiStaiso, Marty Mackin, Brian Bosworth, Dennis Dilger, Robyne LaGrotta, Dave Lewis, Christopher Darlak, Frieda Solow, Claudia Fontanella, Jimmy Carroll, Claire Wasacz, Peggy Traino, Emilio Viola, James Deegan, Diann Bulfone, Martha Salvesen, Robyn Duvall, Ramiro Hinojosa, Jimmy Buckley, Emily Gatzke, Clare Desmond, Rosemary DeFilippo, Craig Huffman, George Stitik.

THE WORD OF GOD

21: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 9-10

Acts 10:34-38 Mk 1:7-11

Page 2 January 10, 2021 The Baptism of the Lord

Monday, January 11, Weekday 6:30 am— Jean Moccia req. by Jane Payne 8:00 am— Linda Struble req. by Anna Jozwiak Tuesday, January 12, Weekday 6:30 am— Intention of Jeff Scruggs for good health 8:00 am— Madeline Lusardi req. by Pat & Jack Zayac Wednesday, January 13, Saint Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 6:30 am— For the parishioners of St. Cecilia Church

8:00 am— Louise Zayac, Birthday Remembrance, req. by Pat & Jack Zayac Thursday, January 14, Weekday 6:30 am— Karen Kulik req. by her mother, Graciela Kulik 8:00 am— Linda Struble req. by Ag Struble Friday, January 15, Weekday 6:30 am—Margaret V. O’Brien 8:00 am—James Boyle req. by the DMA Faculty, Staff & Students Saturday, January 16, Weekday 8:00 am— Barbara Carrol Sunday, January 17, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:30 pm— Harry “Bud” Struble, 14th Anv., req. by Ag & Family Bernard & Joan McDonnell req. by the McDonnell Family 7:00 pm— Helmut Kulik req. by his wife, Graciela Kulik Richard Fuggetta req. by Jane Payne 8:00 am— James Desmond req. by Carol & Frank Desmond Louis Amendola req. by Carmen & Kristine DeLuccia 9:15 am - Thomas Bernhard req. by Jeanne O’Carroll 10:45 am- Linda Struble req. by Andrea & Bob DeFilippo Barbara Bailey & Elizabeth Boyer req. by the Boyer Family 12:15 pm—Roger Harwood req. by John & Claire McCarthy Aida Georges Habib req. by Sue Ellen Appleby

The Sanctuary Candle burning on our altar

this week is in loving memory of

Jane & Mary Goritski req. by Angela Goritski & Susan Brennan

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending : December 27, 2020 Collection—Checks & Cash $ 11,238.00

WeShare Electronic Giving $ 4,316.00

Total Weekly Collection $ 15,554.00

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 14,901.96

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ 2,416.75

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (10,901.37)

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending : January 3, 2021 Collection—Checks & Cash $ 8,444.00

WeShare Electronic Giving $ 4,911.02

Total Weekly Collection $ 13,355.02

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 14,901.96

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ 217.76

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (5,809.37)

PARISH EVENTS

580-St. Cecilia

Page 3 January 10, 2021 The Baptism of the Lord

FLOCKNOTE—If you haven’t signed up for

FLOCKNOTE please do so today. It’s easy, it’s confiden-

tial and it keep you instantly informed of significant parish

events. Notices can be sent as a text to your cell phone or

email to your computer. Stay with the flock, stay in-

formed!

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH—Our Holy Father,

Pope Francis has declared a YEAR OF SAINT

JOSEPH which began on December 8th and will

conclude on December 8, 2021. This celebrates

the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of

Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal

Church by Pope Pius IX in 1870. Pope Francis issued an Ap-

ostolic Letter on December 8th entitled, “Patris Corde” (“With

a father’s heart…”). Included within the letter is the granting

of indulgences for those who meet the requirements as promul-

gated. We will hear more about the Apostolic Letter in the

weeks to

come. SAINT JOSEPH-PRAY FOR US!

WILL CEMETERY MASSES CONTINUE? – The

12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass at our parish cemetery has been

very popular with an average attendance at 150 people. The

weather has gotten colder but parishioners are still attend-

ing. One parishioner told me, “Father, if we can sit outside

in a stadium to watch a football game- we can sit at the

cemetery for the Holy Mass which lasts 30 minutes!”

THEREFORE, I will try to continue the 12:15 Sunday

Mass at the cemetery IF …there is no snow on the ground

AND IF the temperature is not below freezing! I know

that many parishioners appreciate being outdoors and I will

try to do all that I can to make this happen, God willing!

FLOCKNOTE is the communication I will use to inform

you of the Sunday Mass at the cemetery! SIGN UP FOR

FLOCKNOTE by going to the parish website for a text or

email, it’s easy! Of course, the 12:15 Mass will be cele-

brated in the church when not at the cemetery-

Father Zig

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH 2021—2022

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH

Hail Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To You God entrusted His Only Son;

In you Mary placed her trust;

With you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

Show yourself a father,

And guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,

And defend us from every evil.

Amen

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH

https://www.vaticannews.va//en/vatican-city/news

/2020-12/apostolic-penitentiary-

plenary-indulgence-year-st-joseph.html SIGN OF PEACE – I have decided to restore the exchange

of the “sign of peace” during the Holy Mass which had

been suspended due to the pandemic. When asked to ex-

change a sign of peace I ask that you simply bow to those

near you or wave. Family may kiss and hug one another. I

look forward to the day when we will be able to kiss and

hug one another again! – Father Zig

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH EVENT TO BEGIN – In re-

sponse to Pope Francis proclamation of the “Year of Saint Jo-

seph” we will conduct a variety of events throughout the com-

ing months to honor the Guardian of Our Lord and the Spouse

of the Mother of God. One of the events which will take place

every month on a Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock in the

church (a different Wednesday each month) will be a short-

ened HOLY HOUR IN HONOR OF SAINT JOSEPH. We will

begin with a short video segment of “Men in the Breach” fol-

lowed by a brief time of adoration before the Most Blessed

Sacrament. This is a wonderful opportunity for the men of our

parish family to come together for reflection during the year

dedicated to the Patron Saint of Fathers and of Men. OUR

FIRST GATHERING WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY

27TH

* Other events which will take place in our parish in ob-

servance of the “Year of Saint Joseph” will be an-

nounced shortly!

The flowers in front of the main altar

are in honor of the

50th Wedding Anniversary of

Rosalie & Bob Marmara given by Tom & Erin Marmara

580-St. Cecilia

Page 4 January 10, 2021 The Baptism of the Lord

MASS CARDS We are asked to pray for the dead. The best way to do this is

to have a mass celebrated in memory of a loved one.

Call the Parish Office 973-627-0313

~Offering $15.00~

Monday, January 11

6:00 pm—DMA Ed Council Meeting (Zoom)

7:00 pm—Holy Hour (Church)

7:30 pm—Monday Night Bible Study (Hayes Hall)

Tuesday, January 12 7:00 pm—Light of Christ Prayer Meeting (Hayes Hall)

Wednesday, January 13

6:00 pm—Removal of Decorations (Church)

7:00 pm—2nd Grade Sacrament Prep Class (Virtual)

Thursday, January 14

Friday, January 15

7:00 pm—Generations of Faith (Virtual) Saturday, January 16

6:00 am—St. Joseph Men’s Group Meeting (Parish Office)

Sunday, January 17

Gift Cards are available for purchase through the school,

after the Masses and the parish office. Please help sup-

port this fund-raiser! Thank you

Divine Mercy Academy News

We have gift cards from hundreds of stores avail-

able for purchase at www.shopwithscrip.com! Go

to www.shopwithscrip.com, follow the simple in-

structions to set up an account, and use Enrollment

Code 1E2EC2AA28814. A percentage of your

purchases will be donated to Divine Mercy Acad-

emy. Physical gift cards and ecards are available.

Thank you for your support!

Divine Mercy Academy’s New Year’s Cash Bash

50/50 raffle tickets are for sale. Tickets are $10

each. The raffle will feature 5 winners to be drawn

on January 15th. Tickets will be available from the

gift card sellers after Masses. Or contact the school

office at 973-627-6003.

2021 LITURGICAL CALENDARS – Our sincere thanks

to the Kanapaux Funeral Home in Rockaway Borough for

once again supplying us with the 2021 Liturgical home cal-

endar. We appreciate their kindness and wish them God’s

blessings in the New Year!

ROCKAWAY MARCH FOR LIFE – The annual Rock-

away March for Life is cancelled for this year due to the

pandemic. Please see the article below where you can par-

ticipate in the virtual March for Life. Your participation is

important especially now in our country.

MARCH FOR LIFE—The Annual MARCH FOR LIFE

has rapidly grown to be the largest pro-life event in the

world. The peaceful gathering of hundreds of thousands is a

powerful witness to the truth concerning the greatest human

rights violation of our time, legalized abortion on demand.

This year we will be marching virtually as a diocese. Please

spread the word. For more information go to:

https://machforlife.org/

WHEN DOES CHRISTMAS END? – The liturgical ordo

instructs us that following the Feast of the Baptism of the

Lord the decorations of Christmas should be removed from

the church. This week I am grateful that I have a number of

parishioners who will assist me in the task of taking down

our decorations in the church and placing them in storage

until next year. However, in observance of an ancient tradi-

tion the crèche and lights outside of the church will remain

until the 40th day of Christmas, the Feast of the Presentation

of the Lord on February 2nd. This marks the leave-taking of

the Christmas season as was followed in the Vatican during

the pontificate of Pope Saint John Paul II – Father Zig

http://www.shopwithscrip.comhttp://www.shopwithscrip.com

580-St. Cecilia

We are online: www.st-cecilia.org

Page 5 Page January 10, 2021 The Baptism of the Lord

WINTER POLICY - Now that we are in the midst of the

winter season please be aware of the following: In the

event of inclement weather and Divine Mercy Academy is

closed, the parish office will be closed and the church will

be open ONLY for the liturgical service scheduled. Also,

all evening events will be cancelled.

Our Condolences to the Family of:

Daniel T. McErlean, Sr., Roy Chavez, Lena Nosti

and Stella Bencel

Eternal Rest Grant to them O Lord

RCIA 2020-2021

(Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) RCIA is a program for adults that are interested in being

received into the Catholic Church via Baptism, Holy Com-

munion, or Confirmation. If you or someone you know has

for whatever reason never received one of these sacraments,

and would like to enter into the fullness of the Catholic

Church, please reach out! This is a small group that works

with each candidate to help prepare them for the reception of

the sacraments and the fullness of participation in the life of

the church. The program includes weekly classes on Thurs-

day evenings from October through April.

For more information, please contact Jim Clancy at

StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com.

PRIESTS WILL MAKE HOUSE CALLS – Father Matt,

Father Adam and I are available to make house calls to our

parishioners with the sacraments (penance, Eucharist and

holy anointing). Please call the parish office (973.627.0313)

and leave your information and we will be happy to visit you

and pray with you. We will come and observe all the proto-

cols that are recommended by the health officials. – Father

Zig

MASSES IN TWO LOCATIONS – Holy Masses to cele-

brate the Lord’s Day will be offered at the same time in

two locations: the church and Hayes Hall. You have to op-

tion to decide where you would like to go for Mass when

you enter the building. The Sunday 12:15 pm Mass will

continue to be celebrated at the parish cemetery for as long

as possible. A FLOCKNOTE will be sent out if the Mass

will not take place at the cemetery due to weather condi-

tion.

THE CHOSEN – A wonderful series on the life of Jesus is

in production titled, The Chosen. Additional information

regarding this series can be found by going on line and

searching for, “The Chosen”. You can also download a free

app regarding this series. – Father Zig

The Feminine Genius Project: A prayer and discussion

ministry for mothers. We will meet every first and third Sat-

urday of the month in the parish office from 7:00 am to 8:30

am. This group serves mothers with school age children.

For more information, please contact Armi Clancy at

armicielo.clancy@gmail.com

FAMILY PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE

BLESSING OF THE HOME AT EPIPHANY: The family gathers in the main room of the house. The father

(or mother) of the family begins by inviting everyone to

make the sign of the Cross

Leader: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit.

Response: Amen

Leader: During these days of the Christmas season, we

keep this feast of Epiphany, celebrating the manifestation

of Christ to the magi, to John the Baptist in the River Jor-

dan, and to the disciples at the wedding in Cana. Today

Christ is manifest to us! Today this home is a holy place!

Leader: Let us pray: Lord our God, bless this household.

May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentle-

ness, and the keeping of your Law. We ask in the Name of

Jesus who is Lord forever and ever.

Response: Amen

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Without words the leader sprinkles those present and

the house with holy water. The leader takes the

blessed chalk and writes the following inscription on

the top door post of the main door of the house,

K+M+B+2021 The inscription reminds us of the ini-

tials of the Magi (Kasper, Melchior and Balthasar).

The three crosses represent the Blessed Trinity. The

numbers are the current year of grace

(CHECK WITH FATHER ZIG FOR BLESSED

CHALK AND WATER)

mailto:StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com

580-St. Cecilia

Page 6 January 10, 2021 The Baptism of the Lord

My dear parishioners,

In our coming together to celebrate the Lord’s Day we are also commemorating the Feast of Our Lord’s Baptism in the Jor-

dan. This feast is one of the “theophanies” we recall during Epiphany along with the Visit of the Magi and the First Miracle at

the Wedding in Cana of Galilee. The Evangelist Mark writes a brief account of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. The ac-

count begins with the Baptist John expressing his unworthiness in comparison to the Christ who will baptize with the Holy

Spirit. The text concludes with the witness of the voice from heaven which confirms Jesus as the “beloved Son.”

Christians have always seen the baptism of Jesus as his inauguration ceremony to begin His ministry. In addition, the Lord

shows us what we are to do as His followers. After baptism we are sent out into the world to engage in ministry, the work of

proclaiming the Kingdom of God in our words and in our deeds. Like Jesus we will stand before the darkness of evil to bring

the light of God’s presence in our world. Baptism inaugurates us into a life of service which we offer in Jesus’ Name.

The waters of Baptism have washed away sin and have configured us in the image of Christ so that we may experience eter-

nal life through the power of Jesus’ Holy Resurrection. The Responsorial Psalm for today’s liturgy puts it so beautifully: YOU

WILL DRAW WATER JOYFULLY FROM THE SPRINGS OF SALVATION. The indelible mark on our soul after receiving

Baptism is a sign that God has marked us as His own who are called to share with him life to its fullest.

Normally on this feast day we have blessed water for distribution to the faithful for home devotional purposes. This year due

to Covid 19 restrictions we will not be doing so. Holy water is not available for distribution (our holy water fonts have been

dry since last March). However water will be blessed for those who responded to my invitation last Sunday to bring a bottle

of water from home for blessing today. We bless water to remember the waters of the Jordan which were blessed as a result of

the Lord’s Baptism.

“On this feast day, in addition to the remembrance of Jesus’Baptism, Christians should give thanks for our own baptisms,

because it is through this precious sacrament that Jesus opened the doors of Heaven for us.”

God bless you!

Father Zig

ST. SAVA, Bishop

January 14 – Patron of the Serbian Peoples

THE younger son of Stephen I, who founded the Nemanydes dynasty and the independent state of Ser-

bia, St. Sava was born in 1175 and became a monk of Mt. Athos in 1191. In 1219, he became Bishop of

the Serbs and in 1222 Archbishop.

This saintly man organized the Serbian Church properly, using monks to do pastoral and missionary

work among the neglected people. By unremitting efforts he consolidated Christianity among the Serbi-

ans and established Serbian Bishops. He also took an active part in secular affairs, contributing to the

integration of the Serbian kingdom under his brother Stephen II. He died in 1235.

PRAYER God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Sava as Bishop in Your Church to feed

Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep the Faith he

taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amen.

Taken from, Lives of the Saints; Catholic Booking Publishing Company, 1999, New Jersey

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 Website: st-cecilia.org — Office: stcec@optonline.net Fax: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig: Ext. 12 or speplowski@optonline.net Fr. Matt: Ext 15 or frmateuszdarlak@gmail.com - Fr. Adam: Ext 14 or fradamwasowski@hotmail.com School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

Saint Cecilia Parish 90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866