Rev. Sigmund Peplowski, Pastor

Rev. Marcin Michalowski Rev. Mateusz Jasniewicz

Parochial Vicars

Rev. James Bono Weekend Assistant

Deacon Paul Willson

Dn Slawomir Tomaszewski

Mr. Paul Daher Director of Music

Mrs. Janet Maulbeck

Business Administrator

Mr. James Clancy, Director of Faith Formation

Mrs. Ann Mitchell,

Principal

Tanya Nellen Parish Secretary

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 7:00 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

Holy Hour: Will resume September 14

Monday: 7-8pm (Sacrament of Penance

Available)

Trustees: Gerard Duphiney Robyn Hornstein

90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 Saint Cecilia Parish

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 internet: www.st-cecilia.org FAX: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig, Ext. 12 or speplowski@optonline.net Fr. Marcin Ext. 15 or martmich1983@gmail.com Fr. Mateusz Ext 14 or fr.m.jasniewicz@gmail.com Convent: 973-627-6533 School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

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 . The next class is Monday, September 21st. 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 Baptismal Ceremony at 1:30 pm. To schedule a Bap-tism please call Fr. Marcin at 973-627-0313 Ext. 15.

New Parishioners must wait 2 months for a Baptism.

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.

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 Will resume September 22 Monday Night Bible Study 7:30 pm Will resume September 21 CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP: Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Mon.—Sat., 7:30 am PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: Will resume September 16 HOLY HOUR: Monday—Will resume September 14 ADULT FAITH FORMATION Will resume September 24 RCIA –Sundays, Starting October 4— 9:00am for children & parents, 11:45am for adults, also at Sacred Heart Church—Suchon Hall, Saturdays at 3:15pm starting October 3. Send email to RockawayRCIA@gmail.com for further information or call 973-551-4161 PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am—5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am—3:00pm CLOSED SATURDAYS

CLOSED FOR LUNCH: 12:45 pm—1:30 pm

The people of St. Cecilia Parish are asked to pray for the following people serving our coun-try in the armed services: Pfc Aleksandr Killeen, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Cor-poral Dennis Wuest, Sgt. Zhenya Killeen,

Capt. Kelley E. Robbins, Pvt USMC, Diego Usma, Major Glenn E. Martinez, Sgt. Brian Whalen, General Raymond Odierno, 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, Lt. Col. John L. Medeiros, Jr., Sgt. Daniel Healy, Ma-rine 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, T4 Matthew Fitzgerald, SA Justin C. White, Matthew & Daniel Rosica, Mark Leonard, Sr. Armn. Ashley Valetta, Sgt. John Wisnofsky, Cpl. T.J. Finn, Sgt. Kris-topher Faber, Capt. Vincent Presto, and Airman First Class William Kussler . 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

Pat Klebes, Adaline Maddaloni, David Cic-chine, Teresa D’Atria, Derek Bascharow, John Brinkman, Julie Lawson, Debbie Malc, Grace McDermott, Joe Horvath, Jr.,

Edward O’Dowd, Elvira Bugaoan, Pat Heady, Owen Peter Byrne, Tia Maddaloni, Mary Reynolds, Mason Walker Steussing, Tom Cuskie, Susan Mejia, Derek Bascharow, Isabel Rattay, Theodora Maulbeck, Donna Cooke, Tom Hull, Kathleen Fazio, Kristin Wich, Kyle Johnson, Betty Golden, Kate Darlington, Jake Michael Miraldi, Scott Bornemann, Rosemary Woodring, Sharon Augenti, Sean Nolan, Peg Norman, Eileen Sutherland, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Adam Rosowicz, Madison Rose Leslie, Norman Rodriquez, Demetrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, and Frances Finn.

THE WORD OF GOD Here are the readings for next Sunday Isaiah 50: 5-9a Psalms 116:1-6, 8-9

James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35

MONDAY, September 7 9:00 am Deceased Parishioners of St. Cecilia (Cemetery) TUESDAY– September 8, The Nativity of the Blessed Vir-gin Mary 8:00 am John & Margaret Holleran WEDNESDAY–September 9, Saint Peter Claver, Priest 8:00 am Elizabeth Ann Graner r/b The Graner Family THURSDAY, September 10, 8:00 am The Holy Souls in Purgatory FRIDAY– September 11, 8:00 am Vocations SATURDAY—September 12, The Most Holy Name of Mary, BVM 8:00 am Anthony & Alice Aquino r/b Sister, Mildred Calella Luigi Santiago r/b The Santiago Family SUNDAY, September 6, The Twenty-Third Sunday in Or-dinary Time 4:30 pm Krzysztof Jasniewicz & Kazimiera Jasniewicz r/b Diane Milo & Mary Kulawiec 7:00 pm Daniello Garcia r/b Paul & Teresa Wry 8:00 am Robert & Rena Benjamin r/b Bob & Tom Benjamin Margaret Potts r/b Phil & Clare Wasacz 9:15 am Al King r/b Norma King Phyllis Kuhlmey—10th Anniversary r/b daughters, Linda & Carline 10:45 am Clotilde Ramirez r/b Debbie Fremeth & Family Rosa Guzman r/b Lucia Engle & Mary Jane Veloso 12:15 pm The Parishioners of St. Cecilia Church

We are online: www.st-cecilia.org

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ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS 2015/2016

Week Ending - August 30, 2015 Collection—Checks $ 9,869.00 Collection– Cash $ 3,034.00 ParishPay Electronic Giving $ 1,402.00 Total Weekly Collection $14,305.00 Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $746,000.00 Weekly Goal $ 13,725.49 Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $579.51 Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) ($8,206.16)

LABOR DAY MASS – Holy Mass on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church at 8:30 in the morning. An outdoor Mass will be celebrated at Saint Cecilia Cemetery at 9 o’clock in the morning, weather permitting. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair.

SECURITY SYSTEM – The work is nearly completed on the installation of security cameras for the parish property. The system was upgraded and expanded for the school. Cameras have been installed in the church and Hayes Hall. A camera and communication device has also been installed at the parish of-fice and rectory. After a number of unfortunate incidents on parish property it was recommended by diocesan and law en-forcement officials that the security system be installed to pre-vent further crimes.

PARISH EVENTS

580-St. Cecilia

ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS

September 1—Regular Meeting 11:00 am Set Up, 12-1 pm Social Hour,

1-2 Meeting Bingo & Cards after Meeting September 8 (Tuesday) Mohegan Sun Casino

(Wilkes Barre, Pa.) - Cost: $25.00 incl. $25.00 Slot Play plus $5.00 Food Coupon

For more info call Lorraine at 973-366-6871

NEVER BEEN TO WILDWOOD? Why not join the seniors on their yearly trip

September 20-25 Call Lorraine before all the seats are gone!

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which non-Catholics learn and nor-mally enter the Catholic Faith. RCIA is also for

baptized Catholics who missed receiving Eucharist or Confirmation. Consecutive RCIA Lessons will be held at 9 am for children with their parents and at 11:45 am for adults on Sunday in the St. Cecilia

Office building starting October 4. Consecutive RCIA lessons will be held at 3:15 pm on Saturday at Sacred Heart Church Hall starting October 3. For further information send email to Rock-

awayRCIA@gmail.com or telephone 973-551-0749 leaving a message.

Bereavement Support Group Series St. Cecilia’s Bereavement Support Ministry invites those, who have suffered a loss and who are grieving, to a journey towards healing. A series of six weekly sessions will begin on Tuesday evening, September 15th, 2015 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at the Parish Office, 90 Church Street (the brick building to the left of the Church); Rockaway, NJ 07866. This group is lead by a trained facilitator certified by the Na-tional Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved and the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Newark. We pray that in this informative environment, you will find understanding, sugges-tions for coping, practical help, people who care, and friend-ship. Please contact the Parish Office 973-627-0313 x10 for addi-tional information and to register. Advanced registration is required at your earliest convenience, but no later than Sep-tember 8th. There is no charge for this series. Confidentially will be observed at all times and sharing is optional. Light refreshments will be served.

THURSDAY MORNINGS FOR MOMS We are beginning our Thursday Morning for Moms Bible

Study on October 8th. This group is for moms of high school aged children or younger that would like time together to

study the Catholic faith in depth, and have fellowship with other moms. Your children will be babysat in the same build-

ing by retired parishioners. All volunteers have gone through Protecting God's Children. Sessions meet from 9:30-11am Thursdays at St.Cecilia Parish Office. For more infor-

mation, please contact Jennifer Nelson, group coordinator, at jennels104@gmail.com or call 973-476-2568.

GRANDFRIENDS NEEDED TO HELP WITH CHILDCARE THURSDAYS

Our Thursday morning for mom group is looking for a few (more) grandfriends! We already have 10 very devoted and

dedicated parishioners from St. Cecilia and Sacred Heart who help care for children, so that their mothers can grow closer to

Our Lord through Scripture study and prayer. Our group is gaining a few more moms/children for the fall so we could

use some more help. If you remember what it was like to try and have a prayer life with small children, and know how important it is to allow moms to have time for spiritual re-newal, please consider joining us! We meet from 9:30-11am

Thursdays. All grandfriends must complete background check and protecting God's children training. Please contact Jennifer Nelson, group coordinator, for more information.

Jennels104@gmail.com or call 973-476-2568

Save the date for our Fall Retreat, Sunday, October 4th, 11-4. Loyola Retreat House in Morristown. Join the Sacred Heart Women’s Society for a spiritual afternoon. The Re-treat is open to everyone. Day will include a reflection/talk, lunch, quiet time for prayer (beautiful gardens), and end with Mass. Transportation if needed will be provided. Donation of $20.00. More information coming soon, Claire Miller 973-586-9706.

INTERESTED IN SERVING? – Anyone interested in serving as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is invited to attend the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, September 15th at 7 p.m. or Saturday, September 19th at 10 a.m. Please contact Father Zig for additional information.

2016 EUROPEAN TRIP – Father Zig will lead a trip to Swit-zerland, Austria and Bavaria, April 27 –May 6, 2016. Bro-chures for this travel will be available within a few days from the parish office (and the church vestibule). A program re-garding this trip will take place in Hayes Hall (St. Cecilia Church) on Tuesday evening, October 6th beginning at 7 o’clock with a video presentation given by Collette Tours. The 10 days include 12 meals: 8 breakfasts and 4 dinners. The cost is $3,799 (double), $4,099 (single) and $3,769 (triple).

The trip includes a panoramic train ride in the Alps.

Page 3 September 6, 2015 The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8 AM TO 12PM

SUNDAY, September 13 Sponsored by the Rosary Society

Adults: $8.00, Children 2-10 $4.00, Max Family $25.00

580-St. Cecilia

The Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries (DCCFM) is honoring two Filipino Saints—San Lorenzo Ruiz and

San Pedro Calungsod, on September 19, 2015, Saturday at Our Lady of the Valley Church located at 630 Valley

Road, Wayne, NJ 07470. this year’s theme is “Pamilyang Philpino Nagkakaisa kay Kristo” (Filipino Famil United with Christ).

Please come at 12:30 in the afternoon for the Rosary, Novena and Holy Mass. Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson

Diocese, will be the principal celebrant at the Mass. Fellowship and a brief program will immediately follow at the parish hall.

Come and celebrate with us!

DIOCESAN & COMMUNITY NEWS

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TRICKY TRAY Knight of Columbus Council 514 is holding a Tricky Tray on Friday, September 11 at St. Clement Church, 154 Mt. Pleasant Ave, Rockaway. Doors open at 6:00 pm; first drawing at 8:00. Admission includes a sheet of tickets, coffee, tea, and dessert. Bring a canned food item for the food pantry and get five addi-tional tickets (additional tickets for sale). Advanced payment if $15.00; at the door is $20.00. For reservations call Russ Hrdy, 973-769-9389

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION A meeting of all extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion

will take place on Tuesday evening, September 15th at 7 o’clock in the church. Father Zig will be meeting with ministers to discuss scheduling, procedures and the rite of commission-

ing. A second optional date for attendance is Saturday morning, September 19th at 10 o’clock. All extraordinary ministers are

obliged to attend one of the meetings. Absence will indicate that one is no longer serving in this capacity and will be removed

from the ranks of communion ministers.

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET – Beginning on Friday, September 11th we will move the weekly Divine Mercy Chaplet service to Saint Cecilia Church at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Parishioners of both Sacred Heart and Saint Cecilia are invited to join in prayer at the “hour of mercy” each Friday recalling when the Lord Jesus gave His life for us on the Cross.

Page 4 September 6, 2015 The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Choir Rehearsals Resume Once again, the summer has passed by in a rush and is ending in the blink of an eye. When you are planning your fall schedule and family activities, I hope you will remem-

ber and consider the St. Cecilia Music Ministry! You do not have to be able to read music to join! We teach you what you need to sing. We have two choirs that meet each week and re-hearse for weekend Liturgies and Feast days. Both choirs re-hearsal nights have switched from Tuesday to Thursday eve-nings. Our Children's Choir will resume rehearsals and meet each week starting on Thursday night, September 24th, from 6pm til 6:45pm. The Children will be singing once a month, as well as for Thanksgiving morning, and Christmas eve Liturgies. This year, the children will also be incorporating children's hand-bells into the Liturgies that they sing for. A rehearsal and mass schedule will be given out at the first rehearsal. To register, just show up! The Adult Choir will resume rehearsals and meet each week starting on Thursday night, September 10th, from 7pm til 8:30pm. They will sing for the 10:45am Liturgy each Sunday, as well as Feast Days, and special occasions such as Confirma-tions, and our yearly Christmas Concert. The Adult Choir is joined each week by our lovely Cantor, Jennifer Zimmerman. A rehearsal and mass schedule will be given out at the first re-hearsal. All voice parts are welcomed, however, we are in need of Basses and Tenors! Please help if you think you can sing and have the time to dedicate to rehearsals. Our contemporary group sings each Sunday for the 9:15am Liturgy, and incorporates guitars, keyboard, flute, clarinet, background singers, with our leader of song, Maura Daniel. For more information about this group or the others listed above, please find out flyer in the vestibule of the church, or contact our Director of Music, Paul Daher, at 201-390-1678. Thanks in advance for lending your gift of singing with the St. Cecilia Choir. God bless you!

K-10th Grade Religious Education All religious education classes will begin the week of Sep‐tember 27th. 2015‐2016 calendars are available on the parish website. There is a meeting for all 2nd grade parents on Sept. 10th at 7:00 pm in Hayes Hall. At least one parent should be pre‐sent for this meeting. There is a meeting for all Confirmation parents on Sept. 17th at 7:00 pm in Hayes Hall. Parents and students should be present. Space is still available in certain classes for the upcoming Faith Formation year. Registration forms are available on the parish website. Please contact the parish office to con‐firm class availability. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Clancy at 973‐627‐0310 ext 17 or at stce‐cilia.faithformation@gmail.com.

In anticipation of the World Meeting of Families with Pope Francis, the Office of Evangelization is hosting an event - Catho-lic Families Fully Alive with Bishop Serratelli - on Sunday, Septem-ber 20 from 4-6pm at St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Bishop Serratelli will offer a brief teaching and allow time for Questions and Answers. The event will also include music, carnival snacks, a simple family activ-ity, and a special family blessing. If interested, please go to www.insidethewalls.org and register your family. Registration is required.

580-St. Cecilia

Monday, September 7, Labor Day PARISH OFFICE CLOSED Tuesday, September 8 7:00 pm Family Formation Team Mtg (Hayes Hall) 7:45 pm Charismatic Prayer Group (Cry Room) Wednesday, September 9 9:00 am Christian Care Mtg (Hayes Hall) 7:30 pm Pro-Life Meeting (Parish Office) Thursday, September 10 7:00 pm 2nd Grade Parents’ Meeting (Hayes Hall) 7:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsals Friday, September 11 3:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet (Saint Cecilia Church) Saturday, September 12 8:30 am Men’s Society (Hayes Hall) 10:00 am Pancake Breakfast Set Up (Hayes Hall) Sunday, September 13 8:00 am PANCAKE BREAKFAST 5:30 pm Family Rosary (Sacred Heart Church)

Page 5 Page September 6, 2015 The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

GARAGE SALE The Saint Francis Residential Community, an independent Senior Living Facility, located at

9 Pocono Road in Denville is having a Garage Sale on Friday, September 11, from 3 PM to 5 PM,

& Saturday, September 12, from 10AM to 1PM. Products include a SPECIAL SALE with many great

bargains, reduced prices, household items, collectibles, and many more new items.

Proceeds benefit all resident activities. Any questions, visit our website

www.saintfrancisres.com for directions or contact Sister Johnice at 973 – 627 – 5000.

The Green Pope? Join Fr. Paul Manning for an overview of Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si. Madison, Wednesday, September 9 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. The Gospel According to St. Paul St. Paul is the great evangelist and apostle to the Gen-tiles. How did he understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What were the challenges in proclaiming Jesus and forming disciples? What lessons can we apply to our lives today in order to become evangelists? Madison, Monday-Wednesday, September 14-16 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

ST. PAUL INSIDE THE WALLS

CD’S FOR SALE—KIOSK IN VESTIBULE $3.00 each or 7 for $20.00

Special Education – Help Needed!!! As a parish community we have families and children from all different backgrounds and abilities. We are in the proc‐ess of building a special education program for the chil‐dren in our parish that may need extra help with their reli‐gious education. We are looking for volunteers with a background in special ed to help us with this important and meaningful ministry. If you or someone you know would like to help us with this new program, please con‐tact Jim Clancy at 973‐627‐0310 ext 17 or at stcecilia.faithformation@gmail.com.

ABORTING AMERICA Bernard Nathanson was an American medical doctor from New York who helped to found the National Abor-tion Rights Action League, but then later became an acclaimed pro-life

activist. He gained national attention by becoming one of the founding members of the National Abortion Rights Action League, now known as NARAL Pro-Choice Amer-ica. He worked with Betty Friedan and others for the le-galization 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. Nathanson has written that he was responsible for more than 75,000 abortions throughout his pro-choice career.

Pro-Life Volunteers Needed: The Pro-Life Ministry of St. Cecilia's Church is seeking active members to help in the implementation of the many tasks required to fulfill our Mission Statement to promote

a Culture of Life by advocating the Church's teachings on the dignity of all human life, from conception to natu-ral death. If you feel that you are being called to assist in this very worthwhile endeavor, we ask that you attend our first meeting of the year this coming Wednesday evening, September 9th, 2015 at 7:30 PM in the Parish Office (the building to the left of St. Cecilia's Church). We look forward to meeting you.

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My dear parishioners, Today marks the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time as we assemble to celebrate the Lord’s Day. “Praise the Lord my soul!” are the words we sing in today’s Re-sponsorial Psalm. I sing these same words, PRAISE THE LORD MY SOUL

THAT THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND HAS ARRIVED! Yes, the unofficial conclusion of the summer season and the return to the activities which were on hiatus for the past three months. I am looking forward to the start up of our faith formation program, devotions and the other happenings which make our two parishes, Sacred Heart and Saint Cecilia, communities alive in Christ Jesus! The summer season of rest and recreation is immensely im-portant for recharging. But there is something life-giving about resuming former activities. Hopefully, we return to them more zealous and enthusiastic. As things resume in the parish I hope you will investigate the various devotions, classes and activities which are offered. Perhaps you will “revisit” an event that you formally looked into but chose not to participate. Getting involved with the parish is a sign of ownership with the Church, our spiritual home. In addition, we are always in need of volunteers to help with a variety of things at church. If you have some time on your hands and would like to offer it to the Lord, call me and I can tell you about some things you may be able to help us with, all for the glory of God. After this weekend I am anticipating the return to better church attendance now that the vacation season is concluded. Decreased summer attendance means decreased offerings and that is terrible for our parish. As you all know, we still have to pay our bills in the summer. Our offerings to the Lord are crucial for the upkeep of His House, our spiritual home. In just two weeks our Holy Father, Pope Francis, will be visiting our country to participate in the World Meeting of Families which will take place in Philadelphia. I look forward to hearing what the Holy Father has to say to us about the role of the family in our society. Let us remember in prayer Pope Francis and his apostolic journey to our country. May his visit bring many bless-ings to our Church and our country. God bless you! Father Zig P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FATHER MATEUSZ (today, September 6th). May the Lord richly bless him! STO LAT!! (Polish: “100 years!”)

ST. PETER CLAVER, Priest September 9—Patron of the Black Missions

St. Peter Claver was born at Verdu, Catalonia, Spain in 1580, of impoverished parents descended from ancient and distin-guished families. Her studied at the Jesuit College of Barcelona, entered the Jesuit novitiate at Tarragona in 1602 and took his final vows on August 8, 1604. While studying philosophy at Majorca, the young religious was influenced by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez to go to the Indies and save “millions of those perishing souls.” In 1610, he landed at Cartagena (modern Colombia), the principal slave market of the New World, where a thousand slaves were brought every month. After his ordination in 1616, he dedicated himself to the service of the Black slaves —a work that was to last for thirty-three years. He labored unceasingly for the salvation of the slaves and the abolition of the slave trade, and the love he lavished on them was something that transcended the natural order. Boarding the slave ships as they entered the harbor, he would hurry to the revolting inferno of the hold, and offer whatever poor refreshments he could afford; he would care for the sick and dying, and instruct the slaves through Black catechists, before administering the sacraments. Through his efforts three hundred thousand souls entered the Church. Furthermore, he did not lose sight of his converts when they left the ships, but followed them to the plantations to which they were sent, encouraged them to live as Christians, and prevailed on their masters to treat them humanely. He did in 1654 and was canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XZIII PRAYER: God, You conferred on St. Peter Claver a remarkable love and patience to help Your enslaved people and bring them to a knowledge of Your Name. Through his intercession, help us to seek equality for all races. Amen

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

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90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 Saint Cecilia Parish

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

Fr. Marcin Ext. 15 or martmich1983@gmail.com Fr. Mateusz Ext 14 or fr.m.jasniewicz@gmail.com Convent: 973-627-6533 School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

580-St. Cecilia