Saint Cecilia Parish · the men and women in our Armed Forces, ... extend a special thank you to all those who partici- ... Nathan- son has written that

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptismal Class is held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. The next class is Monday, Jan. 15th. To register for the class, please call 973-627-0313 . Both parents are encouraged to attend the class before the birth of the baby. The Sacrament of Baptism is administered weekly at the 12:15 pm Mass and a Baptis-mal Ceremony at 1:30 pm. Families are required to be active, contributing parishioners of St. Cecilia’s Parish for 2 months prior to the child’s baptism date.

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.

90 Church Street

Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 Website: www.st-cecilia.org Fax: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig: Ext. 12 or [email protected] 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

8:00 am and 7:30 pm Weekday Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:00 am

Saturday 8:00 am followed by Novena

Confessions

Saturdays 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm

Any time by appointment

Susan Brennan TRUSTEE

James Gallagher TRUSTEE

Rev. Sigmund Peplowski PASTOR

Rev. Pawel Bala PAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Cerilo Javinez PAROCHIAL VICAR

Deacon Paul Willson

Deacon Mateusz Darlak

Janet Maulbeck BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

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 BIBLE STUDY Bible Study: Tuesday @ 9:30 am , Monday Night Bible Study @

7:30 pm , Mommy Bible Study: Thursday @ 9:30 am

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP - 3rd Wednesday 7:00 pm (PO) HOLY HOUR - Monday—7:00 pm ADULT FAITH FORMATION RCIA Sunday @ 9:00 am for children & parents, 11:45 am for adults. Email [email protected] for further information or call 973-551-0749

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday 8:40 am—4:30 pm

Friday 8:30 am—2:30 pm CLOSED FOR LUNCH: 12:00 pm—1:00 pm

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.

The people of St. Cecilia Parish are asked to pray for the following people serving our country in the armed services: SmE3 Andrew Clifford, LCpl.

Aleksandr Killeen, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Corporal Dennis Wuest, Capt. Kelley E.

Robbins, Pvt USMC, Diego Usma, Major Glenn E. Marti-nez, 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 Mary-lyn Rivera-Sachez, Cpl. Edward C. Thompson, Major Kevin M. Nash, Lt. Amy Cronin, Lt. 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 and Spc. Greg-ory Villaneuva . We ask God the Father 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, Ronald Stankiewicz, Hank Brown, Carol Ferrante, Jim Golden, Karen Niles, Noel Wadleigh, Joanna Sacco, David Cicchine, Teresa D’Atria, Derek

Bascharow, Debbie Malc, Grace McDermott, Joe Horvath, Jr., Elvira Bugaoan, Pat Heady, Owen Peter Byrne, Tia Maddaloni, Mason Walker Steussing, Susan Mejia, Derek Bascharow, Isabel Rattay, Donna Cooke, Tom Hull, Kathleen Fazio, Kristin Wich, Kyle Johnson, Kate Darlington, Jake Michael Miraldi, Scott Bornemann, Sean Nolan, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Madison Rose Leslie, De-metrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, and Frances Finn, Dorothy Murray, Virginia Cousins., Madlyn Long. Stephanie Lewis, Flor-ence Clements, Kimberly Dugan, George Falcone, Christine Wich, Danielle Cicchetti, Gale Sessa, Paul Minetti, Kyle Johnson, Chris Olszewski, Marguerite Buggy, Mike Murray.

THE WORD OF GOD

Here are the readings for next Sunday

17:Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17

Ps 128: 1-5 Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

Page 2 December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 25, The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) 8:00 am— For the Parishioners of St. Cecilia Church 10:45 am—For the Parishioners of St. Cecilia Church 12:15 pm—For the Parishioners of St. Cecilia Church No 9:15 am Mass Tuesday, December 26, Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 8:00 am - Margaret Loftice & Family req. by Robyn Hornstein Wednesday, December 27, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 8:00 am— MaryAnn Hopler req. by Ed & Mary Merz Thursday, December 28, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 8:00 am— Helen Waranda req. by Ag Struble Friday, December 29, Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativ-ity of the Lord, Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr 8:00 am— Lucie Csutoros req. by the McDonnell Family Saturday, December 30, Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 8:00 am— MaryAnn Hopler req. by John & Dianna Sullivan Sunday, December 31, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 4:30 pm—Philipe Morello req. by the Pirog Family Ellie Reedy req. by the Milo Family 7:00 pm—Lucille Spalletta req. by Carol & Tom Terzo 8:00 am— Pasquale, Fousto & Giuseppina Velocci req. by Adelina

Velocci

9:15 am— Nicholas Naclerio req. by Joe & JoAnn Lusardi

10:45 am— Bernard & Joan McDonnell req. by the McDonnell Family

Christy Findlay req. by Seligmuller Family

12:15 pm—Ron Guarducci req. by Guarducci Family

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending December 17, 2017 Collection—Checks $ 3,476.00

Collection– Cash $ 10,340.00

ParishPay Electronic Giving $ 2,355.07

Total Weekly Collection $ 16,171.07

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 814,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 14,705.88

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ 1,465.19

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ 17,502.34

ADVENT CONFESSIONS – The sacrament of penance will

be celebrated for the parishioners of both Sacred Heart of Je-

sus Church and Saint Cecilia Church on Monday, December

18th at 7 o’clock in the evening. A number of priests will be

available for confession for both adults and children. All

Catholics should approach the sacrament of reconciliation to

prepare one’s heart for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

In Loving Memory

Always in our Hearts

Francis J. Goritski, Jr.

Requested by:

Wife, Angela

Daughter, Susan

PARISH EVENTS

ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS

580-St. Cecilia

Please be advised that all the “Senior Events” are open to everyone of every age from

St. Cecilia & Sacred Heart Parishes!

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS & HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CLERGY,

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, PARISHIONERS & MEMBERS

FROM ST. CECILIA SENIORS CLUB!

Tuesday, January 2—Regular Meeting 11 am set up, 12-1 pm social hour, coffee & cake

1-2 pm meeting, bingo & cards afterward

For more info call Lorraine at 973-366-6871


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.

Stop in or call the Parish Office 973-627-0313

~Offering $15.00~

ATTENTION MEN – A new men’s group called FATHERS

OF ST. JOSEPH will be meeting every other Saturday morn-

ing at 5:30 a.m. in the St. Cecilia Office Building. The sole

aim and purpose of the group is to labor for the restoration,

revitalization and redemption of human fatherhood, in order

that it may become what it has been created to be: an effica-

cious icon that directs the human family to its Father. The

Fathers of St. Joseph gatherings are not so much meetings as

they are mini retreats, whose aim is to communicate the spiri-

tuality of fatherhood in a manner that encourages and inspires

fathers to embrace, engage and – by the power of the Holy

Spirit – sanctify their vocation. The next gathering is SAT-

URDAY, DECEMBER 30th!

THANK YOU—The Men’s Society would like to

thank all those who participated in the Fish & Chips

dinner December 9th. The dinner was a success in

spite of the weather. Thanks again to everyone.

THANK YOU – My thanks to Bill Stahl and John

Sullivan for the work which they had recently done

for our church. May Christ the

Savior richly bless them for their labor.

THANK YOU—The St. Monica Guild would like to

extend a special thank you to all those who partici-

pated in any way at our Christmas Bake Sale and our

Holiday Breakfast at Applebee’s. Thank you! Merry

Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bernard Nathanson was an American medical doctor from New York who helped to found the National Abortion Rights Action League, but then later became

an acclaimed pro-life activist. He gained national at-

tention by becoming one of the founding members of the National Abortion Rights Action League, now known as NARAL Pro-Choice America. He worked with Betty Friedan and others for the legalization of abortion in the United States. He was also for a time the director of the Center for Reproductive and Sex-ual Health New York's largest abortion clinic. Nathan-

son has written that he was responsible for more than 75,000 abortions throughout his pro-choice ca-reer.

580-St. Cecilia


The Sacred Heart/St. Cecilia Rosary Society

Invites all parish organizations of both parishes

To the CHRISTMAS PARTY!!

Sunday, January 7th, 2018

1:30 PM AT St. Francis, Pocono Rd, Denville

All reservations much be made by January 2nd.

Cost per person: $25.00

Please make checks payable to the Rosary Society and

Send into the office no later than 1/2/18.

YEAR END AND CHRISTMAS GIVING: As the end of

the year approaches many charitable organizations will send

requests for a year-end donation. The benefit of these dona-

tions to the giver is, in most cases, the amount can be deducted

on your income tax for the year. As you know, here at St.

Cecilia’s we have a special Christmas Mass collection to allow

you to make a special end of the year donation to the parish.

For some individuals the best way to make a special donation

may be to donate securities in lieu of cash. If you are in a po-

sition to contribute securities, please contact the office for fur-

ther information to pass along to your broker to complete your

donation. As always, the parish is most grateful for your con-

tributions at this time and throughout the year. Fr. Zig

ST. CECILIA CHURCH

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Christmas Mass Schedule

Saturday, December 23rd:

4:30 pm – Holy Mass (4th Sunday of Advent)


Sunday, December 24th:

8:00 am – Holy Mass (4th Sunday of Advent)



No 12:15 pm Mass this Sunday


4:30 pm – Christmas Holy Mass in two locations:

Church & Hayes Hall

7:00 pm – Christmas Holy Mass

9:30 pm – Christmas Caroling


Monday, December 25th:

8:00 am – Christmas Holy Mass



No 9:15 am Mass

Saturday, December 30th:

4:30 pm & 7:00 pm – Holy Mass

Sunday, December 31st:

8:00 am, 9:15 am, 10:45 am, 12:15 pm - Holy Mass

Monday, January 1st:

8:00 am & 10:45 am - Holy Mass Mary Mother of God

SACRED HEART OF JESUS PARISH

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

Christmas Mass Schedule

Saturday, December 23rd:








10:00 pm – Polish Christmas Holy Mass

11:30 pm – Christmas Caroling

Midnight – Christmas Holy Midnight Mass

Monday, December 25th:



Saturday, December 30th:

5:00 pm – Holy Mass

Sunday, December 31st:

8:30 am, 10:00 am - Holy Mass

Monday, January 1st:

12:00 (noon) - Holy Mass Mary Mother of God

The Monday Night Bible Study will explore the Book of Exodus for 10 weeks beginning Janu-ary 8th. Please email [email protected] by December 28th if you can to join us on Mondays from 7:30 -9PM in Hayes Hall. If you can not attend the sessions, a streaming option is available with the purchase of a workbook. The study workbooks are $25 and please make out checks to St. Cecilia.

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON

TO BE HONORED IN CONVENT STATION

The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth cordially

invite you to join them for the Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann

Seton and the Seton Associate Commitment Ceremony.

Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6,

2018, at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ, at 11:00

a.m. The Mass will be followed by a light lunch in the study

hall of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. The Heritage Room

at the Motherhouse will be open for a display of Mother

Seton memorabilia. For more information call 973-290-

5470.

In case of inclement weather call (973) 290-5478.

Snow date is January 13, 2018.

mailto:[email protected]

580-St. Cecilia

Monday, December 25 Merry Christmas Divine Mercy Academy & Parish Office Closed 3:30—Vietnamese Community (Church & HH) Tuesday, December 26 Divine Mercy Academy & Parish Office Closed 7:45 pm—Charismatic Prayer Group (HH) Wednesday, December 27 Divine Mercy Academy Closed Parish Office open from 8:30—12:00 Thursday, December 28 Divine Mercy Academy & Parish Office Closed Friday, December 29 Divine Mercy Academy and Parish Office Closed Saturday, December 30 Sunday, December 31 3:00 pm—5th Sunday Rosary/Knights of Columbus (SHC) 5:00 pm—Vietnamese

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY NEWS

Page 5 Page December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

BAPTISM CLASS – A meeting of all those wishing infor-

mation and scheduling for a baptism will meet on Monday

evening, Jan. 15th in the Saint Cecilia Parish office at 7

o’clock in the evening. Father Pawel will be present to con-

duct the information session and answer questions regarding

the celebration of the sacrament. Hospitality is the 1st Sunday of

every month (Sept. to June)! Come and join us

for coffee after the 10:45 Mass.

PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP - The Padre Pio Prayer

Group will not meet in December. The next meeting will take

place on Wednesday, January 17th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in

the parish office.

St. Marks New Year 5K

Come start 2018 off with a brisk dash around Long Val-

ley and support a great cause—St. Mark the Evangelist

R.C. Church. St. Mark’s Church is hosting a 5K run on

January 1st starting at 11:30 am through beautiful Long

Valley. Come on out and walk or run the course. Com-

pete for prizes and enjoy some fellowship and breakfast

afterwards. Teams are welcome. Registration informa-

tion is available at https://newyearsday5k.wixsite.com/

race

Registration fees are $25 until December 1st. Come join

the Fun!!

Father Marcin is the administrator of St. Mark’s!

Divine Mercy Academy’s Calendar Raffle is

underway! The calendar raffle will feature a total of

$5,000 in cash prizes. A winner will be drawn

every week from February 2nd through June 1st.

Weekly cash prize amounts vary. Each week the

winning ticket will be put back in the drum, so each

$10 ticket gives you 18 chances to win! Please

email [email protected] or call 973-769-

1028 for tickets. Tickets will also be available from

our gift card sellers after Masses. Thank you for

your support of Divine Mercy Academy!

ALTAR SERVERS MEETING!

Altar Servers Meeting will take place on January

6, 2018 at 11:00A.M. in St. Cecilia’s Church. I

would like to invite all who are altar servers and all

those who would like to become altar servers. The

Lord needs your help at the altar where He is com-

ing to all His people in His Body and Blood. “…He

will not forget your work and the love you have

shown him as you have helped his people and con-

tinue to help them…” (Hb 6:10)

mailto:[email protected]

580-St. Cecilia

To the male children of two years and under that were killed in Bethlehem and its envi-rons by order of King Herod, Sts. Irenaeus, Augustine, and other early Fathers give the title of Martyrs, and as such they have been commemorated from the lst century and hon-ored in the liturgy of the Church. In the Western Church, the Mass of the Holy Innocents is celebrated like those of Advent and Lent, without festal chants.

These innocent victims gave testimony to the Messiah and Redeemer, not by words but by their blood. They triumphed over the world and won their crown without having ex-perienced the evils of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

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


THE HOLY INNOCENTS, Martyrs

December 28—Patrons of Choirboys

My Dear Parishioners,

In our observance of the Lord’s Day we commemorate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This year we come quickly to the

Feast of Our Lord’s Holy Nativity with little time spent in the Fourth Sunday of Advent. In this Sunday’s Scriptural texts

the image of God’s House is found within the Old Testament and the Gospel passages for today. In the Old Testament

periscope we find references made to the building in which God dwells and in the Gospel we find the dwelling place of

God to be within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both of these images are significant within our Catholic belief of

the Lord’s dwelling place. The sacred is found within physical structures and also within individuals. Both are places

where the Divine is to be found, both are places which should be respected and honored.

The Blessed Virgin Mary became the first tabernacle containing the real presence of the Only Begotten Son of God

through the power of the Holy Spirit, “…and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be

born will be called holy, the Son of God.” The church contains a tabernacle also, it houses the Eucharist, the bread which

by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words and actions of the priest, becomes the presence of Christ Himself.

The church building is a holy house in which the presence of Christ is to be found and celebrated. It is always important

for us to be reminded of this since we live in a secular world and sometimes it becomes difficult for some to distinguish a

church from a theater, for example. As the guardian of the holy place that is our church I am observing more irreverence

regarding the sanctity of our church. It is not so much among our own parishioners but rather more noticeable when wed-

dings, funerals or other celebrations take place within our church at which others attend. However, I am not going to let

our own parishioners off the hook. It is important to acknowledge our Lord’s presence in the tabernacle when we enter the

church by GENUFLECTING BEFORE WE ENTER OUR PEW AND BEFORE WE LEAVE THE CHURCH. The

church is not the place to bring food and drink, to engage in active cell phone use or for men to be wearing hats. Proper

church decorum needs to be addressed occasionally because we all forget and need to be reminded of what is expected.

The manner in which we conduct ourselves in the Lord’s House is important and if it wasn’t so I would not be addressing

it. And so as your father and with pastoral love I share this with you and especially depend upon our good parents to model

for our children the manner in which we come before the Lord.

I am most grateful to all those who assisted me and the priests in decorating our church for the celebration of Christmas.

To all of you, my beloved parishioners, I wish you God’s great blessing during these days of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Father Zig

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 internet: www.st-cecilia.org FAX: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig, Ext. 12 or [email protected]

School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

Saint Cecilia Parish 90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

Documents

Saint Cecilia Parish · the men and women in our Armed Forces, ... extend a special thank you to all those who partici- ... Nathan- son has written that