Parish Membership Any new family who has moved into the parish area, and adult children 18 years of age and older, are invited to register as parishioners. The definition of an active parishioner is: One registered, attending Mass weekly and contributing to the support of the church. The Catholic Community of 10 KINGSTON LANE • MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ 08852 Marriage Arrangements: Arrangements for marriage must be made at least one year in advance of the wedding. Engaged couples must comply with all marriage preparation programs that are required by NJ Bishops. Please call to make an appointment with the parish priest to begin marriage preparation. Religious Education Classes: The Religious Education program at St. Cecilia parish is committed to faith formation and formal training of children. The goal is to inspire and motivate children to develop love of the Father, have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ with guidance and knowledge of the Holy Spirit. We will build an understanding of the basic beliefs in the Roman Catholic faith and lay the foundation and encouragement to carry those beliefs to the community. The preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is incorporated over a period of three years for grades 6-7-8. Parish service hours are a sacramental requirement. Please visit the parish web pages for information regarding the specific times and locations, or email [email protected]. Sponsors & Godparents: The following are the mandated requirements to be a sponsor/Godparent at St. Cecilia parish: If married, the marriage MUST be valid within the Catholic Church At least 14 years of age Received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church Attend Mass regularly on Sundays (or Saturday evening) and Holy Days of obligation Receive the Sacrament of the Church regularly Sponsors and Godparents must be an active parishioner and be attending Mass for at least 3 months to be eligible. Mass Schedule Saturday ...................................................................... 5:00 pm Sunday ......................................................... 8:30 & 11:00 am Weekdays Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday ............. 8:00 am Tuesday ...................................................................... 7:00 pm Holy Days ...................................8:00 am, 12:15 & 7:00 pm Confessions (Sacrament of Reconciliation) Saturdays ......................................................... 3:45 - 4:30 pm Parish Office Hours Monday................................................... 10:30 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday - Thursday ................................ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday ..............................................................9:00 am - noon Parish Office is closed on Fridays during July and August. Closed Saturday/Sunday/Holidays/Holy Days Rev. Charles T. O’Connor .........................................Pastor [email protected]Michael P. Murtha..................................................... Deacon [email protected]Luis S. Moral .................................................. Deacon (retired) Religious Education - 732-329-1141 Bill Cherepon ...........................[email protected]Lori Donlin........................ [email protected]Valeria Mastrorosa........................................ Music Ministry [email protected]Joanne Marciniak ........................... Administrative Assistant [email protected]Diane Peterson..................................................... Bookkeeper [email protected]Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration is held every Tuesday evening after the 7:00 pm Mass until 9:00 in the chapel. Eucharistic Adoration for Respect Life Intentions is held every Fridays from 8:30 - 9:30 am in the Church. Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms are held on the Fourth Sunday of each month at 12:30 pm or during a Sunday Mass. Attendance at a pre-baptismal class is required. Arrangements may be made by contacting the parish office. Sacrament of the Sick: Arrangements can be made anytime for the administration of the Sacrament of the Sick. Please call the parish office when someone is looking to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. Phone: 732-329-2893 • Fax: 732-329-4693 • Web: www.stceciliaparish.net Parish Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/stceciliamonmouthjunction/ ST. CECILIA
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Parish Membership Any new family who has moved into the parish area, and adult children 18 years of age and older, are invited to register as parishioners. The definition of an active parishioner is: One registered, attending Mass weekly and contributing to the support of the church.
The Catholic Community of 10 KINGSTON LANE • MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ 08852
Marriage Arrangements: Arrangements for marriage must be made at least one year in advance of the wedding. Engaged couples must comply with all marriage preparation programs that are required by NJ Bishops. Please call to make an appointment with the parish priest to begin marriage preparation. Religious Education Classes: The Religious Education program at St. Cecilia parish is committed to faith formation and formal training of children. The goal is to inspire and motivate children to develop love of the Father, have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ with guidance and knowledge of the Holy Spirit. We will build an understanding of the basic beliefs in the Roman Catholic faith and lay the foundation and encouragement to carry those beliefs to the community.
The preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation is incorporated over a period of three years for grades 6-7-8. Parish service hours are a sacramental requirement.
Please visit the parish web pages for information regarding the specific times and locations, or email [email protected]. Sponsors & Godparents: The following are the mandated requirements to be a sponsor/Godparent at St. Cecilia parish: If married, the marriage MUST be valid within the Catholic Church At least 14 years of age Received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
in the Catholic Church Attend Mass regularly on Sundays (or Saturday evening) and Holy
Days of obligation Receive the Sacrament of the Church regularly
Sponsors and Godparents must be an active parishioner and be attending Mass for at least 3 months to be eligible.
Mass Schedule Saturday...................................................................... 5:00 pm Sunday ......................................................... 8:30 & 11:00 am
Weekdays Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.............8:00 am Tuesday ...................................................................... 7:00 pm Holy Days ...................................8:00 am, 12:15 & 7:00 pm
Confessions (Sacrament of Reconciliation) Saturdays .........................................................3:45 - 4:30 pm
Parish Office Hours Monday................................................... 10:30 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday - Thursday................................ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday..............................................................9:00 am - noon
Parish Office is closed on Fridays during July and August. Closed Saturday/Sunday/Holidays/Holy Days
Rev. Charles T. O’Connor.........................................Pastor [email protected]
Michael P. Murtha.....................................................Deacon [email protected]
Luis S. Moral ..................................................Deacon (retired)
Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration is held every Tuesday evening after the 7:00 pm Mass until 9:00 in the chapel. Eucharistic Adoration for Respect Life Intentions is held every Fridays from 8:30 - 9:30 am in the Church.
Sacrament of Baptism: Baptisms are held on the Fourth Sunday of each month at 12:30 pm or during a Sunday Mass. Attendance at a pre-baptismal class is required. Arrangements may be made by contacting the parish office.
Sacrament of the Sick: Arrangements can be made anytime for the administration of the Sacrament of the Sick. Please call the parish office when someone is looking to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.
Intentions - week of April 1, 2019 MONDAY Weekday – Consolata Fathers 8:00 A.M. Michael Vereb r/o Rosemary Kelesi TUESDAY Weekday – Fr. Charlie 7:00 P.M. Edward A. Antinozzi r/o Son WEDNESDAY Weekday - Fr. Charlie 8:00 A.M. Ethel Ellmer r/o Joanne & Rich Weller THURSDAY Weekday - Fr. Charlie 8:00 A.M. Domenico Mazzone r/o Family FRIDAY Weekday - Fr. Charlie 8:00 A.M. Bruce Turner r/o Maryanne Ianno SATURDAY Vigil Mass – Fr. Charlie 5:00 P.M. Emma Symon & James Hagerty r/o
The Symon Family SUNDAY 5th Sunday of Lent – Fr. Charlie 8:30 A.M. Mass for the People 11:00 A.M. Jim Butler r/o Barbara Butler
Please Remember the Sick in Your Prayers: Grace Lanza, Louis Higley, Robert Cleary, Denise Pedersen, Joseph Thomas, John Anthony Criscuola, Barbara McLaughlin, Edward Jurewicz, Molly Barry, Valerie Dietrich, Jim Waltzak, Jack Ruggiero, Monica Spengler, John Troendle, Brother Carmen Ciardullo, Rafael Bautista, Stephen Soehngen, Ron Lewis, Helen Morris, John Milano, Samantha Blodgett, Anne Cacavio, Helen Kelleher, Grace Smink, Paul Seidel, Susan Capellupo, Margaret Fimbel, Kenny O’Connor, Augustine Nieves, Gladys Milazzo, Arlene Bellinger, Joyce Valenti, John Smyth, Dan Farago, Bill Sharp, Susan Marantz, Maryann Hughes, Michael Banko, Mary Elizabeth Clark, Jake Holmes, Marie Valenti, Diane Brennan, Lil White, Liam Robilotto, Cheryl Salus, Joseph Longo, Fe Abila, Colleen Lettieri, Evan Wadyka, Cody Salus, Rosalind Henry, Joey Schilling, Michelle Leblanc, Emma Fernendez, Thomas Farrell, Noel Galang, Brian Fisher, Bradley Opdyke, Lynn Killmurray, Kristen Herman, Vanina Jean-Claude, Peg Gray, Marie Valenti, Gloria Franklin, Christine Thomas, Debbie Pernal, Freddy Oliveria, Mike Duca, Jay LaRusso, Gary Johnson, Carlos Maldonado, Robert Carapiet, Paula Hoy, Jeanette LeBlanc, George Currie, Carmen Hernandez, Peggy Schiller, Kim Borredon, John Gambatese, Jackie Pang, Charles Micale, Cole Joanette, Joseph Tete, Stevie Skaats, Leo & Catherine McKernan, Taryn Wrotny, Tom Montemarano, Robin Reifinger, Russell Smith, Al Lusch, Bob Ulshafer, Christopher Duffet, Brandan Novak, Joe Biddle, Stephen Szackas, Sonya Hall, Brian Gomm, Lina Cicchetti & Diane Hurley. Please Pray for Those in the Military: Richard Melendez, Brian Hopkins, Eddie Israel, Bryan Kelly, Thomas Matsay, Evan Ruffini, David Novak, Matthew Frank, Jamie Ruzycki, Christopher Williams, Patrick Hurley, Nicholas DiGiralmo, Justin Burgos & Neil Hart.
Prayer Group Throughout our lives we often find ourselves, loved ones, or friends in need of prayers. The St. Cecilia Prayer Group is committed to praying for all your special intentions. You can request prayers through the prayer box at the back of the church. The Prayer group will pray for your intentions as requested. The wooden prayer box will be brought up weekly with the Offertory Gifts during the weekend masses. Please know that your prayer requests will be kept confidential and that you will be prayed for.
PPEENNAANNCCEE SSEERRVVIICCEE Thursday, April 4th at 7:00 PM
Lent & Forgiveness
Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter. May we use this time to humbly
acknowledge our faults, repent our sins, and ask for God's forgiveness and mercy.
May we always be compassionate and merciful towards others and forgive as the Lord forgives us.
Lord, have mercy on us! Grace us with healing and peace. Confessions will continue to be heard throughout Lent at St. Cecilia’s, on Saturdays from 3:45 to 4:30 pm in the chapel.
There will not be any scheduled Confessions held on April 20th – Holy Saturday.
Chrism Mass Monday April 15, 2019 – 4:00 PM
On Monday, April 10, 2017 Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate the Chrism Mass with the priests of the Diocese. At this Mass, the Bishop will bless the Holy Oils which each parish receives for the rites of anointing. Saint Ambrose [340-397] began this custom – which we now call the Chrism Mass – in his Cathedral in Milan. These Holy Oils, which are used to sanctify the Faithful, have been channels of holiness for centuries! The Oil of Catechumens is used to anoint infants and adults before their Baptism; the Oil of the Sick is used on the forehead and hands of the infirm in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; and Sacred Chrism is used to anoint the head of the newly baptized, the foreheads of confirmandi, the hands of a priest at his ordination, the head of a bishop at his ordination, and the altar and walls of new churches. At the Mass, all priests make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service, recommitting themselves to their Bishop and to their ministry to God and His People; the Bishop and all Priests then ask the people for a pledge of their prayerful support. All are strongly encouraged to join in the ancient, grace-filled Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen at 4:00 PM.
Many thanks to Pete St. Vincent and his crew for freshening up the narthex of the church – our parish family thanks you for your time and talents.
The power of the Way of the Cross is that we are invited to place our own struggles, loneliness and sufferings within the passion of Jesus.
During Lent we pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday evening at 7:00 PM. This year we are pleased to announce that the liturgies will be led by various ministry groups of our parish. The schedule is:
DATE MINISTRY THEME
April 5, 2019 Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The Traditional Jerusalem Stations of the Cross
April 12, 2018 Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent Columbiettes Stations of the Cross with Mary, the Mother
of Jesus
Please make praying the Way of the Cross with us an important part of your Lenten Preparation. Please also feel free to invite whomever you think would be interested in participating in this prayerful reflection.
Join us during Lent on Fridays, thru April 12th for Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM. A light meal will be served in the parish hall from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted.
- Pope Francis 4
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:“Peace be with you!” With these words, the Risen Lord greeted his frightened Apostles in the Upper Room on the day of his Resurrection. They were troubled, anxious, and fearful—much like each one of us at some point in our lives. Christ repeated the words, “Peace be with you.” But then he added, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:19-23).
What an extraordinary gift! The Risen Lord was proclaiming that all the suffering he had just endured was in order to make available the gifts of salvation and forgiveness. He wanted the Apostles to receive these gifts. He wanted them to become apostles of this forgiveness to others.
In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacri-� cial love in the Eucharist. The Church sees confession as so important that she requires that every Catholic go at least once a year.1 The Church also encourages fre-quent confession in order to grow closer to Christ Jesus and his Body, the Church. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we seek forgiveness and repentance, let go of patterns
of sin, grow in the life of virtue, and witness to a joyful conver-sion. Since the graces of the sac-rament are so similar to the pur-pose of the New Evangelization, Pope Benedict XVI has said, “The New Evangelization . . . begins in the confessional!”2
We bishops and priests are eager to help you if you experience dif� culty, hesitation, or uncer-tainty about approaching the Lord in this sacrament. If you have not received this healing sacrament in a long time, we are ready to
welcome you. We, whom Christ has ordained to min-ister this forgiveness in his name, are also approach-ing this sacrament, as both penitents and ministers, throughout our lives and at this special moment of grace during Lent. We want to offer ourselves to you as forgiven sinners seeking to serve in the Lord’s name.
During Lent—in addition to the various peniten-tial services during which individual confession takes place—we bishops and priests will be making ourselves available often for the individual celebration of this sacrament. We pray that through the work of the Holy Spirit, all Catholics—clergy and laity—will respond to the call of the New Evangelization to encounter Christ in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Come to the Lord and experience the extraordinary grace of his forgiveness!
1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1457-1458. 2 Pope Benedict XVI, Address to the Annual Course on the Internal Forum
Organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, www.vatican.va/holy_father/ben-edict_xvi/speeches/2012/march/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120309_penitenzieria-apostolica_en.html.
“He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must
celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and
has been found.’” (Lk 15: 31-32)
God’s Giftof Forgiveness
A Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
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May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace.
–Rite of Penance, no. 93
1 PREPARATION: Before going to confession, take some time to prepare. Begin with prayer, and re� ect on your life since your last confession. How have you—in your thoughts, words, and actions—neglected to live Christ’s commands to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37, 39)? As a help with this “examination of conscience,” you might review the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes (Ex 20:2-17; Dt 5:6-21; Mt 5:3-10; or Lk 6:20-26).
2 GREETING: The priest will welcome you; he may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.
3 THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [give days, months, or years] since my last confession.”
4 CONFESSION: Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are � nished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
5 PENANCE: The priest will propose an act of pen-ance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy, or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life.
6 ACT OF CONTRITION: After the priest has con-ferred your penance, pray an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving to sin no more. A suggested Act of Contrition is:
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.In choosing to do wrongand failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I � rmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more,and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christsuffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
(Rite of Penance, no. 45)
7 ABSOLUTION: The priest will extend his hands over your head and pronounce the words of absolution. You respond, “Amen.”
8 PRAISE: The priest will usually praise the mercy of God and will invite you to do the same. For example, the priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” And your response would be, “His mercy endures for ever” (Rite of Penance, no. 47).
9 DISMISSAL: The priest will conclude the sacrament, often saying, “Go in peace.”
To order, visit our website at www.usccbpublishing.org or call us at 800-235-8722. Para ordenar recursos en español, llame al 800-235-8722 y presione 4 para hablar con un representante del servicio al cliente en español.
How to Go to Confession...
If it has been a while since your last confession, remember, “Do not fear” (Is 41:10). The priest
will help guide you. And feel free to take this how-to guide with you! (For more information, visit www.usccb.org/confession.)
Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year A Readings Reading 1 1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
The LORD said to Samuel: "Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons." As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him." But the LORD said to Samuel: "Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any one of these." Then Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" Jesse replied, "There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here." Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, "There—anoint him, for this is the one!" Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
Responsorial Psalm R. Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my
fears, from death into life.
Reading 2 EPH 5:8-14 Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
Gospel JN 9:1-41 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is, "but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am." So they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?" He replied, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my
eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see." And they said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know."
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see." So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?" His parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself." His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, "He is of age; question him."
So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner." He replied, "If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see." So they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" They ridiculed him and said, "You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from." The man answered and said to them, "This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything." They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind."
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.
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St. Cecilia Seder Meal April 17th at 6:30 pm
It is time to look forward to the miracle of our salvation, through the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Through the commemoration of the Passover meal, a prototype of the Mass, we celebrate our salvation as a people. Starting with the first to believe in one God, the Jewish nation was the keeper of God’s promise and of God’s word in the Torah. From these roots, came Jesus, with His message of hope and forgiveness. We participate in His sacrifice through the Paschal meal we celebrate in the Mass. The Paschal meal is in fact the Passover meal Jesus celebrated with his friends at the Last Supper. Our parish Seder is a revisiting of the Passover meal, with prayer, song, and food honoring our Jewish roots and our Catholic faith.
Fr. Charlie will wear the prayer shawl at the Seder celebration, to pray with us in the type of garment Jesus wore at the Last Supper. It is white with blue representing the colors of the tribe of Judah, the tribe from which King David, Mary and Jesus came from. Its symbol is the lion. It will be an evening rich with meaning and community. We urge you not to miss this event. All are welcomed to this FREE parish event. Since seating is limited, we ask that you sign-up with the volunteers at the back of church after mass. The Seder will begin at 6:30 pm in St. Cecilia hall; potluck drop-off will be at 6:00 pm. We could use help setting up tables, arranging the Seder plates, and serving food. If you can assist, please give you name and number to the sign-up volunteers.
We hope to see you there.
The Prayer Shawl You have seen Father Charlie wear a sort of ‘scarf’ with fringe when he vests up for mass, under his robe, or chasuble. Usually, when a priest hears confession; he also wears a long thin ‘scarf’ called a stole. This piece of the sacred attire for Catholic priests is the remnant of the prayer shawl. This garment is a reference to a vestment that goes back 5,000 years, when priests and men who prayed at the temple wore the prayer shawl. The prayer shawl or tallit, represents God covering us with His love, protection and forgiveness. Prayer shawls are worn today by Jewish men when they go to pray at the synagogue. As you may have seen in painting, Jesus praying at the temple is depicted with a prayer shawl covering his head and shoulders. The ends of the shawl are folded up over the arms and over the shoulders, to represent God covering him and protecting him in his wings. You may think of that hymn, “on Eagle’s Wings” – “I will bear you up on eagle’s wings” taken from Isaiah. The fringe on the stole and on the prayer shawl also has a meaning. The fringe is to remind the wearer or God’s commandments. The 10 commandments that we know as Christians are really a distillation, of the 613 Commandments in the Hebrew bible, as cited in Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. Examples are, take care of the widow and the orphan; if a person is a stranger in your land, give him and his family hospitality. This is why you see that the prayer shawl that Jewish men wear have many strings making up the fringe on the garment. The parable of the woman with an issue of blood, who reached out to the Lord to only touch “the fringe on his garment” references again the fringe on the prayer shawl. She not only reached out to the Lord for healing, but also reached out to the commandments to help the sick, the needy and the poor.
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March 31, 2019 4th Sunday of Lent
“No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.” (Joshua 5:12) Over the forty years that the Israelites journeyed through the desert, God provided them with manna to eat. As soon as they were able to enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land the manna ceased. Likewise, God’s blessings to us may change over the years but it is important to trust that God will always provide us with all that we need.
Your Stewardship of Treasure Offertory 03/24/19 $8,900.00
Columbiettes Scholarship Opportunity If you are a young lady graduating high school and continuing on to college, as well as a member of St. Cecilia’s parish family, then you are eligible to apply for the Columbiette “Student Good Citizen Award”. We are seeking students with strong academics, who also demonstrate leadership, a patriotic spirit, and/or service to their church and community. If you are interested to learn more, please contact Mrs. Bognar at [email protected]
Prayer for an End to Infanticide Jesus, Lord of Life, transform the hearts of all elected leaders to recognize that infanticide is wrong and must not be tolerated. Open hearts and minds to recognize and defend the precious gift of every human life. Note: to determine your Senator’s votes on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, go to: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/born-alive-bill.cfm
Choose Life Events: - Woodbridge abortion facility at 228 Main Street - Bill Draghi is usually there each day but Sunday at the following times: Monday, 2:00 - 5:30; Tuesday, 9:00 - 1:00; Wednesday, 10:00 - 1:00, Thursday, 1:00 - 5:00; Friday, 11:00 - 1:00 and 4:00 - 8:00; Saturday, 9:30 - 1:30. Sorry to advise this facility eventually was able to renew its lease. - Planned Parenthood in Elizabeth has relocated to a new facility at 1171 Elizabeth Avenue. We assume this witness is continuing, but we would appreciate confirmation from someone involved. Our most recent information indicates the witness is held every Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 am. While most of our readership resides well south of Elizabeth, many have friends and relatives closer to that area who can spread the word.
Daddy-Daughter Luau Night May 11, 2019 - Saturday, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at St. Cecilia Parish Hall. Donation of $10 per person. Tickets will be sold after each Mass starting April 6th. It is hosted by the Family of Faith.
Columbiettes Meeting The monthly meeting of the Columbiettes will take place on Tuesday, April 9th in the parish hall. The officers will meet at 7:00 and the general meeting will begin at 8:00 PM.
A Note of Thanks The Columbiettes wish to thank all those who purchased tickets for our calendar raffle fundraiser. Your generosity has enabled Columbiettes to make donations to the following 9 local charities: Life Choices Resource Center (Metuchen); Consolata Missionaries (Somerset); Monmouth Junction and Kendall Park Volunteer Fire Departments; Monmouth Junction and Kendall Park First Aid Squads; two South Brunswick families who recently encountered house fires; and the South Brunswick Food Pantry. The remaining funds will be disbursed among the winners. Good luck and keep watch for a check in the mail. Thank You!
Saint Cecilia’s Prime Time Seniors Saint Cecilia’s Prime Time Seniors will meet in the parish hall on Tuesday, April 2nd, for a regular monthly meeting at 1:00 PM.
Never been to a Prime Time Seniors meeting? What are you waiting for?
NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!
KKNNIIGGHHTTSS OOFF CCOOLLUUMMBBUUSS NNeewwss The Knights of Columbus will be holding their general monthly meeting at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. The Officer’s meeting will be held 8:00 PM, Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
Do you have a question about the Knights? Visit our website at: www.koccouncil7046.org
Thinking of joining the Council? Call our Membership Director, Steve Bove at (732)735-1215
Or e-mail kofcmembership7046@gmail Or www.kofc.org Join us! You and your family will be glad you did!
Looking Ahead to Summer?? Mark your calendars …Camp St. Cecilia will take place July 15 – July 19. Watch upcoming bulletins for more info.
CCooffffeeee TTiimmee nneexxtt SSuunnddaayy Won’t you join us and share a cup of coffee or tea, have something sweet to eat and a chance to chat with your fellow parishioner? Coffee Time next Sunday is hosted by St. Cecilia’s Knights of Columbus.
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