SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptismal Class is held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. No pre-registration required. 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.

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.

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 speplowski@optonline.net Fr. Cerilo: Ext 14 or javinece@shu.edu—Fr. Matt: Ext 15 or frmateuszdarlak@gmail.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 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: Will resume in September

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: Will resume in September HOLY HOUR : Will resume in September ADULT FAITH FORMATION RCIA : Will resume in Sept. 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, Victoria Santana, Joe Maulbeck, Mary Merz, Dolores Faulkner, Marion Ca-bles, Patricia Smith Schulman, Vincent Fortunato, Joyce Turner, Tom Cummiskey, Dennis O’Brien, Steven Simmons, Ariel, James DiStaiso, Marty Mackin, Brian Bosworth, Susan Kleczynski, Dennis Dilger, Robyne LaGrotta, Jackie Hendershot, Dave Lewis, Christo-pher Darlak, Frieda Solow.

THE WORD OF GOD

123: Is 66:18-21 Ps 117:1-2 Heb 12:5-7, 11-13

Lk 13:22-30

Page 2 August 18, 2019 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, August 19, Saint John Eudes, Priest 6:30 am—John Kobylar req. by Fr. Zig 8:00 am—Joseph Grabiec req. by Family Tuesday, August 20, Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church 6:30 am—Holy Souls in Purgatory 8:00 am—Walter & Joanna Lech req. by Dianna & John Sullivan Wednesday, August 21, Saint Pius X, Pope

6:30 am—Special Intention for the Sick & their caregivers 8:00 am— Bill Gallagher req. by wife, Jeanne Thursday, August 22, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 am— Peter Chmiel 8:00 am—Dolores Haltigan & Paul Landry req. by Tom & Joan Haltigan & Family Friday, August 23, Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin 6:30 am—Veronica Morgante 8:00 am—Joe Koller req. by wife, Alice & Family Saturday, August 24, Saint Bartholomew, Apostle 8:00 am— Joseph J. Carroll req. by Ag Struble Sunday, August 25, Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:30 pm— Arthur & Beverly Hart req. by Family

Zigmund J. Peplowski req. by Fr. Zig

7:00 pm— Elyse Staropoli req. by Philip & Cynthia Landis

Barbara D’Amato req. by The Culleny Family

8:00 am— Silvio, Filomena, Anthony & Carol req. by Adelina

9:15 am— James Dragone req. by Rosalie & Bob Marmara

Lillian Milazzo req. by the Montalto-Rook Family

10:45 am— Harry, John, Jim, Tony & Ciro Ferrone req. by their sister,

Dolly Kukuvka

12:15 pm— Gerald Pagano, Birthday Remembrance, req. by the Pagano

Family

Joseph Grabiec req. by Family

Our Condolences to the Family of:

Edric Martinez and Nicholas Fragapane

Eternal Rest Grant to them O Lord

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending : August 11, 2019 Collection—Checks $ 5,349.00

Collection– Cash $ 6,822.00

WeShare Electronic Giving $ 2,821.85

Total Weekly Collection $ 14,992.85

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 15,196.08

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ (203.23)

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (9,525.65)

PARISH EVENTS

ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS

We are online: www.st-cecilia.org

580-St. Cecilia

Page 3 August 18, 2019 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

BAPTISM CLASS – A meeting of all those wishing in-

formation and scheduling for a baptism will meet on Mon-

day evening, August 19th in the Saint Cecilia Parish office

at 7 pm. Father will be present to conduct the information

session and answer questions regarding the celebration of

the sacrament.

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.

Please be advised that all the “Senior Events” are open to everyone 55 and over from

St. Cecilia & Sacred Heart Parishes!

Regular Meetings— August 20th, September 3rd, 17th & October 1st, 15th

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.

September 10th—Sands Casino—$30 For more info call Lorraine @ 937.366.6871

September 26th—Hotel Antracite, PA Lunch, Show, Train Ride– Cost: $76.00 For more info call Carol @ 973.537.5529 October 8th—Casino (New York) - $30 For more info call Carol @ 973.537.5529

Craft and Vendor Fair

St. Cecilia Church Hall

90 Church Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866

Saturday, November 2, 2019

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

For more info:

saintceciliarosarysociety@gmail.com

or 973-886-8023

SUMMER OFFERINGS—The summer season is one

which notes a reduction in Mass attendance due to vaca-

tions. Please remember that your regular and generous of-

ferings help to pay the bills which Saint Cecilia’s receives

daily. I am most grateful to you for your loving support of

our parish which is a sign of your love for Christ our Sav-

ior! God Bless you!!! - Father Zig

MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - Have you ever won-

dered about the origin and meaning of the Responsorial Psalms

that are sung or spoken before the Gospel readings? Please join

the Monday Night Bible Study for a 10 week study beginning

September 9th, at 7:30 PM in Hayes Hall, as we explore the

program entitled, "Psalms, " presented by Ascension Press. If

you would like to register for the study or have any questions,

please contact savondollen@gmail.com by August 19th. The

study guide will cost $28.00 with checks payable to St Ce-

cilia. Thank you!

ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS – We have had two cars

recently damaged in our church parking lot. Please be careful

when you open your car door, be careful pulling out of your

parking space, be courteous of one another-we are members

of the same family-Saint Cecilia Parish!!! FATHER ZIG

BISHOP BARRON BOOK – 50 copies of the recent book

by Bishop Robert Barron entitled, “Letter to a Suffering

Church,” have been placed in the church vestibule for your

information. Bishop Barron, highly regarded in his evangeli-

zation ministry and Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of

Los Angeles, wrote this book for all Catholics suffering from

the fallout of the clergy abuse scandal. The book is informa-

tive, consoling and encouraging. Please take a copy and

when you are finished reading it please return it to the vesti-

bule for someone else to read.

BEREAVEMENT SESSIONS TO BEGIN—The passing of

a loved one is the greatest hurt which we endure in life. If you

recently lost a loved one to death we invite you to participate

in our bereavement program here at Saint Cecilia’s, open to

both parishioners and non parishioners. The six week program

begins on September 25 and will meet for the next five

Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm in the parish office. The last

sessions with be a Mass & candle ceremony in church. Regis-

tration is required by calling the parish office at 973.627.0313

prior to September 20th.

SAVE THE DATE

The Men’s Society is sponsoring its

3rd Annual Beefsteak Dinner Dance

Catered by Giresi’s Catering

Saturday, Oct. 19th @ 7:00 pm in Hayes Hall

More info to follow in future bulletins

Any questions, call Ralph DiMarcantonio @

856-952-5657—Hope to see you there!

580-St. Cecilia

Page 4 August 18, 2019 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.

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 (TheFeminineGeniusProject@gmail.com)

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.

StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com

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)

RESPECT LIFE CORNER

About the New Jersey Safe Haven Law:

Why are states offering Safe Haven Laws? The purpose of Safe Haven is to

protect unwanted babies from being hurt or killed because they were aban-doned. You may have heard tragic stories of babies left in dumpsters or public

toilets. The parents who committed these acts may have been under severe emotional distress. The mothers may have hidden their pregnancies, fearful of

what would happen if their families found out. Because they were afraid and

had nowhere to turn for help, they abandoned their babies. Abandoning a baby puts the child in extreme danger. Too often, it results in

the child's death. It is also illegal, with severe consequences. But with Safe

Haven, this tragedy doesn't ever have to happen again. In New Jersey, no one ever has to abandon a child again.

Ann. Statutes 30:4C-15.7,8

You can leave your baby, up to 30 days old, at an emergency room of any licensed hospital or at any state, county or municipal police station in New

Jersey. For more information see:

http://safehaven.tv/states/newjersey/#info

or call 1-888-510-2229

ATTEND MASS AS YOU VACATION—Attending the

Holy Mass each Sunday is important in our observance of the

Lord’s Day. Please check the place and times for Mass in the

place you are vacationing by visiting the website:

www.MassTimes.org or in the USA call 1-410-676-6000.

THURSDAY MORNING FOR MOMS: Are you a mom

looking to have some fellowship with other moms while

your child is watched by loving “grandfriends”? If you

answered “yes”, this group is for you! Join us Thursday

mornings in the Parish office from 9:30—11:00 am. The

last Thursday of the month will be devoted to Adoration,

(Confession available) and praying the Chaplet of divine

Mercy. For more info contact Jen Nelson at 973.476.2568

or jennels104@gmail.com

A FEW GOOD GRANDFRIENDS NEEDED: Our

Thursday Morning for Moms bible study has been blessed

with retired persons serving as our grandfriends. They are

beloved by moms and children alike. They watch children

mostly ages 5 and under for mothers while they have scrip-

ture study and prayer in the same building. We are in need

of some more grandfriends for the fall. All volunteers

must go through Protecting God’s Children mandated by

the Diocese of Paterson. If you are interested in assisting,

please contact Jen Nelson @ 973.476.2568 or

jennels104@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: As we approach the begin-

ning of a new Faith Formation year we again have a need

for volunteer catechists. A catechist is someone who is a

teacher of the faith. We have a need for catechists to help

with class of all ages and on different days. If you are in-

terested in learning more about this ministry and how God

might be calling you to share the Gospel, please contact

Jim Clancy in the parish office @ 973-627-0313 or StCe-

cilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com.

RCIA—RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

FOR ADULTS Are you or someone you know in need of adult faith forma-

tion and sacrament preparation? Are you interested in coming

into the church as a fully initiated Catholic (Baptism, Eucha-

rist, & Confirmation)? If you or someone you know is

searching and feeling called to enter more fully into the life of

the church, please contact Jim Clancy in the parish office to

discuss joining our RCIA program @ 973.627.0313 or StCe-

cilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com.

580-St. Cecilia

Monday, August 19 7:00 pm—Baptism Class (Parish Office) Tuesday, August 20 11:00 am—Seniors Meeting (Hayes Hall) 7:45 pm—Charismatic Prayer Group (Church) Wednesday, August 21 Thursday, August 22 Friday, August 23 6:00 pm—St. Monica Gathering (Rectory) Saturday, August 24 Sunday, August 25

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY NEWS

Page 5 Page August 18, 2019 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

DOYLESTOWN SHRINE CELEBRATION – The coro-

nation of the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa will take

place at the Doylestown shrine on Sunday, August 25th at the

12:30 pm Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Charles

Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia. The icon was blessed by

Saint John Paul II. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis recently

blessed the crown which will be used at the August cere-

mony. On the occasion of the coronation, Pope Francis has

granted all pilgrims who visit the shrine until the end of Octo-

ber a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. The

Pauline Fathers who staff the shrine invite everyone to pre-

pare spiritually for this blessed occasion through novenas,

personal prayers, night vigil prayers at the shrine, and recep-

tion of the sacrament of penance. Additional information can

be found at the shrine website: https://www.czestochowa.us/

coronation/.

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY Pre-K through 8th Grade

Come see the difference an academically excellent Catholic edu-

cation makes! We offer a safe, secure & compassionate environ-

ment with a high level of individualized attention; certified

teachers; weekly liturgies & daily Religion class; academic cur-

riculum with all core subjects; strong enrollment in all grades;

STEM; physical education; music, art, Spanish & library, with

technology integrated throughout the curriculum. Before-care/

aftercare/extracurricular activities available.

Full day & Half Day Pre-K3 & Pre-K4 programs

starting at $2510/ year. Kindergarten through 8th grade tuition

rates as follows: 1 child: $5200- 2 children: $8500- 3 or more

children: $10,300 per year.

Schedule a personal tour this summer, and see all that DMA has

to offer! Currently accepting applications.

87 Halsey Ave., Rockaway, NJ

www.dmarockaway.org

973-627-6003

CAN YOU HELP A CHILD? - Divine Mercy Academy is

our local Catholic school located on the campus of Saint Ce-

cilia Parish. Providing a needy child with a Catholic educa-

tion is a wonderful work of mercy and compassion. YOU

may be able to help such a child by providing tuition assis-

tance OR making a contribution to our Divine Mercy Scholar-

ship Fund. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.

Your generosity promotes the faith values of the Church

which are school children are immersed in every school day.

Please contact our principal, Mrs. Ann Mitchell at

973.627.6003. May God richly bless you for supporting our

young people and Catholic education!

FULL TIME POSITION: Divine Mercy Academy in

Rockaway and All Saints Academy in Parsippany are

seeking a full time, physical education/health teacher for

pre-k through eighth grade for the 2019-2020 school

year. This position is a “shared” assignment between our

two, nearby diocesan schools. Candidates must have

appropriate New Jersey state teacher certification creden-

tials.

Applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to

Annie Mitchell, Divine Mercy Academy Principal at

principal@dmarockaway.org

For further information, please call the school at 973-627

-6003.

Are you going into the hospital? Do you have a family

member in the hospital? We would like to visit our parish-

ioners who are homebound, in the hospital or other health

care facilities. Because of patient confidentiality laws, the

only way we can know is if someone informs us. Please

call our parish office @ 973.627.0313. Thank you!

580-St. Cecilia

IT IS generally believed by ecclesiastical historians of England that S. Helena was born in that country, and according to Leland, she was the daughter of Coel, a British King who lived in friendship with the Romans. Constantius, at that time an officer in the Roman army in Britain, married her. Constantine, his eldest son, received his education under her eyes. In 293, Constantius was honored by the Empire with the title of Caesar, obtaining the government of Gaul and Britain. In re-turn for this honor he was obliged to divorce St. Helena and marry Theodora, the daughter-in-law of the Emperor Maximian. St. Helena was not at that time a Christian, but after the accession of her son Constantine and miraculous victory, she embraced the Christian Faith and the most heroic practices of Christian perfection. Her dutiful son proclaimed her Empress and struck medals in her honor. In spite of this new dignity she assisted with the people at the Divine Office in modest attire, and employed her wealth in char-ity to the poor and the building of churches on Mount Calvary, St. Helena, although eighty years of age, undertook to see the work executed, and started for Jerusalem hoping to find the Holy Cross. Excavations were made and three crosses were discov-ered. The title which lay near one of the crosses, and perhaps the marks of the nails by which it had been attached, seemed to indicate which was the cross of our Savior. St. Helena built two magnificent churches, one on Mount Calvary, the other on Mount Olivet. After traveling through the East, where she beautified the city of Drepanum in honor of St. Lucian, so that Constantine afterward gave it the name of Helenoplois, she returned to Rome. Her journey had been marked by the most illustrious seeds of virtue and by innumerable charities. She died at Rome in August, 328 or 326, in the twentieth year of her son’s reign. Constantine caused her obsequies to be performed with the utmost magnificence, and erected a statue to her memory. PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, You willed to enrich Your Church through St. Helena with a treasure beyond price and so revealed to her the

hiding place of Your Cross. Through her intercession, grant that the ransom paid on that life-giving wood may win the rewards of everlast-

ing life for us. Amen.

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

Page 6 August 18, 2019 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ST. HELENA, Widow The Same Day-August 18

My dear parishioners,

Today is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. In the Scriptural texts which are pre-

sented to us we hear in the Old Testament reading about the plight of the Prophet Jeremiah and how he suffered at the hands

of his fellow citizens because of his fidelity to the Lord. Through the intercession of Ebed-melech, “a court official,” he was

released from the terrible conditions of his confinement. This intercession was powerful and resulted in a great blessing.

In the epistle reading for today’ liturgy the author of the Hebrews reminds his readers of the “great cloud of witnesses” which

surround us. These are the saints in heaven, the throng of the just and righteous ones who make intercession for us before the

throne of Christ our God. Our prayers to the Saints is a sign of our communion with them, the Church Triumphant, the citi-

zens of the Heavenly Jerusalem who help us with their prayers and strengthen us with their courage so that we might

“persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our

faith.”

“LORD, COME TO MY AID,” is the response we sing in today’s Responsorial Psalm knowing that it is truly the Lord our

God who hears our prayers and grants us that which is necessary for our eternal good. It is important that we offer our prayers

regularly and with sincerity each day and at the appointed times. Our prayers rise up to the very heights of heaven where they

are like incense, an offering which acknowledges our dependence upon the Lord.

How wonderful it is to enter our beautiful church and spend some time in prayer before the very presence of Christ in the

Eucharist located in the tabernacle. Sitting or kneeling quietly before Mass to recollect ourselves before the start of the divine

liturgy is most important. I have been receiving some complaints recently from those who wish to pray before Mass and how

it is difficult to do so because of the unnecessary conversations which are occurring. Voices are loud and the subjects of the

conversations are inappropriate for the church. As your pastor I share these comments with you asking that you join with me

in making our church “a house of prayer.” Let us spend some time looking around our church at the statues and images of the

holy people depicted in our stained glass windows and know that we are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” who desire to

be united with us in prayer and praise of the Lord God.

In today’s Gospel the Lord Jesus says, “I have come to set the earth on fire…” May He set our hearts ablaze as we pray for

His blessings and His peace.

God bless you,

Father Zig

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 internet: www.st-cecilia.org FAX: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig, Ext. 12 or speplowski@optonline.net

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

Saint Cecilia Parish 90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866