SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptismal Class is held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. To register for the class, please call 973-627-0313 . Both parents are encour-aged 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 Baptismal 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: st-cecilia.org Fax: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig: Ext. 12 or [email protected] Fr. Cerilo: Ext 14 or [email protected]—Fr. Matt: Ext 15 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
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 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. Cerilo Javinez
PAROCHIAL VICAR
Rev. Mateusz Darlak PAROCHIAL VICAR
Deacon Paul Willson
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 BIBLE STUDY: Tuesday @ 9:30 am, Monday Night Bible Study @ 7:30 pm, Mommy Bible Study @ 9:30 am on Thursdays
CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: 3rd Wed. @ 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 (PO) ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Monday through Sat. @ 7:30 am
Parish Summer Office Hours:
Monday thru Thursday: 8:30—4:30
(Lunch 12:00—1:00)
Friday: 8:30 to 11:00
First Friday in June until Labor Day weekend
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, Sgt. Aleksandr Killeen, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Corporal Dennis Wuest, Capt. Kel-
ley 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 Eres-man, Sgt. Paul J. Willson, PFC Cano Janeth, Sgt. Bob Autrey, Col. William Paliwada, Sgt 1st Class (E7) Sam Co-lon, PFC Marylyn Rivera-Sachez, Cpl. Edward C. Thomp-son, 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. Christopher Little, PFC Brittany Martindell, PO1 (E6) Matthew Fitzgerald, SA Justin C. White, Matthew & Daniel Rosica, Mark Leonard, Sr. Armn. Ashley Valetta, Sgt. John Wisnofsky, Cpl. T.J. Finn, Sgt. Kristopher Faber, Capt. Vincent Presto, Airman First Class William Kussler , Spc. Gregory Villaneuva and Cpl Casey W. Lyness . We ask God the Father of us all, through the intercession of St. Mi-chael 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, 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, 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, Cheryl Anne Borne-mann, Sean Nolan, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Madison Rose Leslie, Demetrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, Frances Finn, Dorothy Murray, Virginia Cous-ins, Madlyn Long. 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, Dolores Faulkner, Marion Cables, Patricia Smith Schulman, Vincent Fortunato, Joyce Turner, Tom Cummiskey, Den-nis O’Brien, Steven Simmons, Ariel, James DiStaiso, Marty Mackin, Annette Esposito, Brian Bosworth., Susan Kloeczynski.
THE WORD OF GOD
166: Prv 8:22-31 Ps 8:4-9 Rom 5:1-5 Jn 16:12-15
Page 2 June 9, 2019 Pentecost Sunday
Monday, June 10, Mary Mother of the Church 6:30 am—Special Intention for the sick & their caregivers 8:00 am—Denis Klus, 1st Anniversary, req. by the Maulbeck Family Tuesday, June 11, Saint Barnabas, Apostle 6:30 am—Mary Reynolds 8:00 am—James Pallotta req. by Gerard DeFranco & Family Wednesday, June 12, Weekday
6:30 am—Frances Davino 8:00 am— Holy Souls in Purgatory Thursday, June 13, Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest & Doctor of the Church 6:30 am— Holy Souls in Purgatory 8:00 am—Kevin Doughty req. by the McDonnell Family Friday, June 14, Weekday 6:30 am—Special Intention 8:00 am—Bernard McDonnell req. by the McDonnell Family Saturday, June 15, Weekday 8:00 am— Special Intention for World Peace Sunday, June 16, The Most Holy Trinity 4:30 pm— For the Fathers of St. Cecilia Parish
7:00 pm— For the Fathers of St. Cecilia Parish
8:00 am— For the Fathers of St. Cecilia Parish
9:15 am— For the Fathers of St. Cecilia Parish
10:45 am— For the Fathers of St. Cecilia Parish
12:15 pm— For the Fathers of St. Cecilia Parish
Our Condolences to the Families of:
Patricia Anne Gilligan
Eternal Rest Grant to them O Lord
ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS
Week Ending : June 2, 2019 Collection—Checks $ 4,315.00
Collection– Cash $ 10,470.80
WeShare Electronic Giving $ 2,545.57
Total Weekly Collection $ 17,331.37
Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00
Weekly Goal $ 15,196.08
Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ 2,135.29
Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (26,378.45)
PARISH EVENTS
ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS
We are online: www.st-cecilia.org
580-St. Cecilia
Page 3 June 9, 2019 Pentecost Sunday
BAPTISM CLASS – A meeting of all those wishing informa-
tion and scheduling for a baptism will meet on Monday eve-
ning, June 17th in the Saint Cecilia Parish office at 7 o’clock in
the evening. Father will be present to conduct the information
session and answer questions regarding the celebration of the
sacrament.
Please visit the kiosk in the
vestibule of the church to
purchase CD’s that are
available for $4.00.
Please be advised that all the “Senior Events” are open to everyone 55 and over from
St. Cecilia & Sacred Heart Parishes!
Regular Meeting— June 18th Mohegan Sun Casino—June 11th
Shawnee Playhouse—Guys & Dolls—June 27th $64.00 for members. Info call Carol: 973.537.5529
SAVE THE DATE: September 3-8
Motorcoach trip to beautiful Island of Coudres & Quebec City, Canada includes guided tours plus a visit
to St. Ann DeBeaupre Shrine. All breakfasts & dinners included. For more info call Carol @ 973.537.5529.
PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: The Saint Padre Pio
Prayer Group will meet on Wednesday evening, June 19th,
at 7 o’clock in the parish office for devotions and prayer
meeting.
St. Cecilia Cemetery News
Our CRUCIFIX PAVER PROJECT FOR SPRING is
now open for those who wish to purchase a memorial
paver on the walkway to the Crucifix Shrine. Please see
the order form in the parish bulletin and/or the parish
office.
FROM THE PASTOR: I would like to share with you
some information which was recently conveyed to me by the
Rockaway Borough Police Department. Please be advised
that the turning of Church Street into a ONE WAY
STREET is done only for Saturday from 4-9 pm and Sunday
from 6:30 am—1:30 pm. This is the only time the ordinance
allows for the ONE WAY STREET. I have been in dialogue
with the police department to add additional days (holy days,
Ash Wednesday, Christmas, etc.) to the ordinance since I am
regularly informed by parishioners and visitors to our church
regarding the side swiping of cars resulting in body damage
and side mirrors being destroyed. Church Street is a county
road and any adjustment to the ordinance must be done on
the county level. I am pursing this matter on the county
level! I advise you to please use caution as you park on
Church Street. Please do not park in the ONE WAY
STREET fashion during the week since the one way is only
enforced on Saturday and Sunday at the above stated times.
In addition, I invite you, especially the elderly, to take ad-
vantage of the parking spots near the rectory which have the
signs “Clergy Parking Only.” These are available for you
to use. Please obey all traffic and parking regulations, as
well as being courteous as you enter and leave our church
property. I appreciate your cooperation!
Fr. Zig
CEMETERY DONATIONS
Two granite benches will soon be installed at the columbar-
ium in the cemetery. Donations are being sought to memori-
alize the two benches. The donation per bench is $1,600.00.
This is a wonderful way to remember a departed loved one
and will serve to beautify our parish cemetery making it a
true place for reflection and prayer. For additional informa-
tion, please contact Diane Boykow, our parish cemetery ad-
ministrator at the parish office 973-627-0313 ext: 11.
Holy Hour—Holy Hour on Monday evenings will continue
throughout the month of June but will be suspended during
the summer months of July & August. The final Holy Hour
will be June 24th. Holy Hour will resume on September 9th.
Catholic Charities- Diocese of Paterson Annual Corpus
Christi Food Collection for the Poor
Due to the unprecedented requests for assistance from Catholic
Charities’ food pantries and in order to fulfill our obligations to
the poor, Bishop Serratelli has authorized a Diocesan-wide
food collection in all parishes andagencies onthe Feast of Cor-
pus Christi, Saturday/Sunday, June 22nd -23rd, 2019. We are
all being asked to bring assorted food products on that day. We
have been asked to provide pancake mix, syrup & shampoo.
Cash/Check donations will also be accepted made payable to
Catholic Charities or online at www.ccpaterson.org/corpus
Please mark Saturday and Sunday, June 22 -23 as the food
collection day in order to help those in need in our Diocesan
communities of Morris, Passaic and Sussex Counties
580-St. Cecilia
Page 4 June 9, 2019 Pentecost Sunday
Parish Summer Office Hours:
Monday thru Thursday: 8:30—4:30
(Lunch 12:00—1:00)
Friday: 8:30 to 11:00
June 7th until Labor Day
ATTENTION MEN – A men’s group called FATHERS
OF ST. JOSEPH will be meeting every other Saturday
morning at 5:30 a.m. in the St. Cecilia Office Building.
The Fathers of St. Joseph gatherings are not so much
meetings as they are mini retreats, whose aim is to com-
municate the spirituality of fatherhood in a manner that
encourages and inspires fathers to embrace, engage and –
by the power of the Holy Spirit – sanctify their vocation.
MASSES BEING OFFERED—Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish on
East Main Street is offering the following Masses each month:
POLISH MASS on the second Sunday of every month at 11:30
a.m. and LATIN MASS IN THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM
on the third Sunday of every month at 12 noon.
BEWARE: Its come to our attention that some
people have received “scam” emails from Fr.
Zig or one of the priests. Please know these
messages are fake that are requesting “favors”,
“money” or “gift cards”. Should you have any
questions, please call the parish office at 973-
627-0313. Do not reply to these emails.
The Feminine Genius Project: A prayer and discussion
ministry for mothers. We will meet every first and third
Saturday morning (6:30—8:00 am) in the St. Cecilia par-
ish office for grace & coffee. We hope that this gives
each of us the spiritual recharge we need through prayer,
group discussion, and time with Christ in the Blessed Sac-
rament in order to serve our families, our communities,
and our Lord Jesus better. This group serves mothers
with school-aged children. Babysitting is not provided.
This time of prayer, reflection, and fellowship is reserved
for mothers only.
Any questions, please reach out to Armi Clancy / Beth
Mainardi ([email protected])
Vocations Discernment for young men 15-25. “Quo Vadis –
Where are you going?” Where is the Spirit acting in your
life? Where is the Lord encouraging you to go? Quo Vadis
Days is a time of recreation, fellowship, and prayer to help
you explore the Lord’s call in your life. Activities will include
prayer, Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of
the Hours, Rosary, games, sports, talks, great food, and dis-
cussions. It is a time to share our faith and meet other young
men seeking God’s will. Quo Vadis Days will be held June
26- 28, 2019 at the Saint Mary’s Abbey Retreat Center in
Morristown, New Jersey. There is no cost. For more infor-
mation and/or registration, contact the coordinators Fr. Ed-
gar Rivera and David Monteleone in the Vocations Office at
(973) 777-8818, ext. #711, by email: reved-
[email protected] and Dmon-
Faith Formation - 2019-2020—Registration is now open for
the below programs. Registration forms and details are avail-
able on the parish website or by stopping into the parish of-
fice. In person registration will be available on Tuesday, May
7th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in Divine Mercy Academy. Forms can
be submitted directly to the parish office before or after the May
7th registration.
Please contact Jim Clancy with any questions. StCe-
K-6th Grade Traditional CCD (Sundays from 10:30-11:30)
7th-9th Grade Confirmation Prep (Tuesdays from 7:00-
8:00)
Generations of Faith - (Fridays from 6:30-8:15)
PAMPERED CHEF FUNDRAISER:
Friday, June 14th, in Hayes Hall
7:00—9:00 pm
Sponsored By: St. Monica Guild and
Sacred Heart Women’s Society
2019 Summer Bible Camp!!!
Encountering Jesus
Tuesday, July 9th - Saturday, July 13th 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Pre K – 4th Grade
We are excited to launch our annual summer bible camp to be
held at Divine Mercy Academy. Our camp will include games,
crafts, snacks, and meaningful lessons from the Gospel.
Interested in volunteering? We can use your help!!!
Contact Jim Clancy @ [email protected] or
the St. Cecilia parish office to get more information.
Registration paperwork is on our web-site!
580-St. Cecilia
Monday, June 10 7:00 pm—Holy Hour (Church) Tuesday, June 11 7:45 pm—Charismatic Prayer Group (Church Wednesday, June 12 Thursday, June 13 8:30 am—DMA Pre-K & K graduation (HH) 9:30 am—Mommy Bible Study (Parish Office) Friday, June 14 8:30 am—DMA Pre-K & K graduation (HH) 6:00 pm—St. Monica Guild Pampered Chef Party (HH) Saturday, June 15 8:30 am—St. Monica Guild Meeting (Hayes Hall) 8:00 pm—Vietnamese Community Sunday, June 16 Happy Father’s Day 4:00 pm—Vietnamese Community
DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY NEWS
Page 5 Page June 9, 2019 Pentecost Sunday
CONGRATULATIONS DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY
CLASS OF 2019 GRADUATES!! Anna Cherry—Morris Knolls High School
Vivianna Garcia—Morris Knolls High School or Dover High School
Samantha Grafals—Morris Knolls High School Alyssa Leoce—Morris Hills High School Grace Lopez – Morris Hills High School
Joseph “Junior” Luciano—Morris Knolls High School Brianna Magbie – Morris Knolls High School
Elisabeth McMahon – Morris Knolls High School Matthew Medina—Morris Knolls High School
Mark Nash—Morris Knolls High School Alexander Petrucelli—Morris Hills High School
Cameron Piela—Morris Knolls High School or Jefferson High School
Chloe Reiris—Morris Knolls High School Joseph Russo – Morris Hills High School
Angela Shasa—Morris Knolls High School Noah Wahlers – Morris Hills High School
Jessica Zebick – Morris Catholic High School
Divine Mercy Academy is now accepting applications for the
2019-2020 school year. Divine Mercy Academy is located at
87 Halsey Ave, Rockaway, 973.627.6003. We offer a safe,
secure & compassionate environment with a high level of indi-
vidualized attention; certified teachers; weekly liturgies &
daily Religion class; academic curriculum with all core sub-
jects; STEM; physical education; music; art; Spanish & li-
brary, with technology integrated throughout the curriculum.
Before-care, after-care, and extracurricular activities are avail-
able. Full Day & half day Pre-K3 & Pre-K4 programs starting
at $2510/year; Full day Kindergarten through 8th grade tuition
rates as follows: 1 child: $5200; 2 children $8500; 3 children
or more: $10,300 per year. Come see the difference an aca-
demically excellent Catholic education makes!
Join St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners A+Cross
The Brooklyn Bridge, Saturday, June 15, 2019
The St. Cecilia’s, NJ chapter of LIFE Runners will cross the
Brooklyn Bridge, NYC, on Saturday morning, June 15, in a
special pre-launch of the East Coast arm of the 2019 nation-
wide A+Cross America Relay against legalized abortion
(July 4–August 11).
Team members will run or walk across the iconic bridge to-
wards Bleecker Street, a span of some 2 miles, gathering for
prayer and public witness opposite a local abortion facility.
Light refreshments afterwards.
This is also a fundraiser for St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners.
Departure: 8:30 AM from St. Cecilia’s car park, immedi-
ately after Mass.
Free transport to and from New York City by carpool.
LIFE Runners who wish to join this great pro-life event
should notify us so we can plan accordingly. To join and
participate as a new LIFE Runner, sign up at the LIFE Run-
ners website, www.liferunners.org, select St. Cecilia’s chap-
ter. Alternatively, contact local organizers. Limited supply of
LIFE Runners’ team jerseys available from local chapter.
Contact & Info: 973-973-529-4699; jaidan-
More on LIFE Runners: www.liferunners.org
to all who attended the parish 'Picnic" held in Hayes Hall last
weekend. The decision was made to have the picnic indoors
since the weather was calling for thunder showers on Sunday
until noon on that day when things looked better. At that point it
was too late to change things around. Never the less, everyone
seemed to enjoy themselves. Also thank you to all the volun-
teers who worked on the picnic, your efforts were very much
appreciated. Lets hope the weather next year calls for sunny
skies.
580-St. Cecilia
St. Anthony, called “St. Anthony of Padua” on account of his long residence in that city, was a native of Lisbon in Portugal, where he was born in 1195, receiving the name of Ferdinand at his Baptism. At an early age his parents placed him in the community of the Canons of the Cathedral of Lisbon, by whom he was educated. At fifteen he entered the Order of Regular Canons of St. Augustine near Lisbon. After two years he was sent to the convent of the Holy Cross of the same Order at Coimbra.
He had lived in this house eight years, intent on his studies, when the relics of five Franciscan martyrs were brought from Morocco to Portugal. This event inspired him to follow in the footsteps of these heroes of the Faith. When this became known his brethren offered extreme opposition, but he finally obtained the consent of the prior and passed over to the Franciscan Or-der.
After some time he obtained leave to go to Africa to preach to the Moors, but a severe illness obliged him to return to Spain. However, the vessel was driven to Sicily by contrary winds, and the desire to see St. Francis took him to Assisi, where a gen-eral chapter of the Order was in progress. At first he was entirely ignored in the Order, and he purposely kept himself in ob-scurity; but Providence soon revealed to the Franciscans what a treasure they had acquired, and St. Anthony was made profes-sor of theology, which subject he later taught successively at Bologna, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Padua.
He gave up teaching to devote himself to preaching, for he was an accomplished orator, being at the same time filled with zeal for souls. In this work he traveled through France, Spain, and Italy. He was invested with several important dignities in his Order and labored hard to preserve monastic discipline, boldly opposing the famous General Elias, who sought to introduce relaxations. He died June 13, 1231, and was canonized the following year by Pope Gregory IX.
PRAYER Almighty, ever-living God, You gave Your people the extraordinary preacher St. Anthony and made him an inter-cessor in difficulties. By his aid grant that we may live a truly Christian life and experience Your help in all adversities. Amen. Taken from, Lives of the Saints; Catholic Booking Publishing Company, 1999, New Jersey
Page 6 June 9, 2019 Pentecost Sunday
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, Priest and Doctor of the Church June 13—Patron of the Poor
My dear parishioners,
Today as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day we commemorate the FEAST OF PENTECOST. As we read in the Acts of
the Apostles it was on this 50th day following the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus that the promised sending of the Holy Spirit
occurred at 9 o’clock in the morning. God the Holy Spirit arrived with wind and tongues of fire which occurred in the Upper
Room where the followers of Jesus were gathered in prayer. The power of the Holy Spirit ignited the fire of evangelization
among the disciples who went out into the streets proclaiming their faith in the Risen Christ. Large numbers of people were
brought into the nascent Church through the witness of the men and women disciples whose faith was joy-filled and enthusi-
astic. Acts of the Apostles tells us that Jews from all different parts of the Roman Empire were in Jerusalem for Pentecost, in
Hebrew, Shavuot. Pentecost in Judaism celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai 5o days after Passover. Pentecost is
Greek for 50 days. While in the Holy City of Jerusalem for Shavuot these Jewish pilgrims saw and heard the Disciples of Je-
sus speaking and all understood what was being spoken in their own language.
“We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and
Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jew and converts to Judaism,
Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” So many different people
from all over the Roman Empire and it was to all of them that the invitation to believe in Christ was given.
Today we celebrate the birthday of the Catholic Church. The word CATHOLIC means “universal” and indeed it is. The
Church is spread throughout the world, even in countries where the government persecutes the Church and it is not allowed to
exist publicly such as North Korea or Saudi Arabia. Locally our parish of Saint Cecilia is a wonderful joining together of peo-
ples from all corners of the world. I can say that “We are from Poland, Italy, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, the Philippines,
Scotland, India, Pakistan, Viet Nam, Columbia, Mexico, Jamaica, Germany, Lithuania, Croatia, and Lebanon…” These are a
few of the countries from which our Saint Cecilia parishioners have come from that I am aware of. Our parish is a wonderful
”family of families” with various customs and traditions which enrich our community of faith. What unites us is our faith in
Christ our Savior and our love for one another.
May God the Holy Spirit keep our parish family strong and united in our witness to the Risen Christ who has called us into
the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC CHURCH which came to life on the first Pentecost Sunday.
God bless you my good people!
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