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 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: 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

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.

Parish Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Friday: 8:30 am to 2:30 pm

Closed for lunch: 12:00 to 1:00

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.

Page 2 May 26, 2019 6th Sunday of Easter

Monday, May 27, Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop 6:30 am—Deceased Veterans (Church) 9:00 am—Deceased Veterans (Cemetery) Tuesday, May 28, Easter Weekday 6:30 am—Holy Souls in Purgatory 8:00 am—Theadora Letsch req. by Rene & Moira Vedder Wednesday, May 29, Easter Weekday

6:30 am—Special Intention for the sick & their caregivers 8:00 am— John Wahlen, 5th Anniversary, req. by his children

4:30 pm—Vigil Mass—Ascension of Our Lord Thursday, May 30, The Ascension of the Lord Holy Day of Obligation 6:30 am— For the parishioners of St. Cecilia Church 8:00 am—For the parishioners of St. Cecilia Church 7:00 pm—For the parishioners of St. Cecilia Church Friday, May 31, The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 am—Carmen Iris Franqui req. by her son, Ismael & Lillian 8:00 am—Special Intention In Thanksgiving for friends req. by Ag Struble Saturday, June 1, Saint Justin, Martyr 8:00 am— Deceased Members of the Rosary Society Sunday, June 2, The Ascension of the Lord; Seventh Sunday of Easter

4:30 pm— Protection of the babies in the womb & their families req. by

Pat Zayac

7:00 pm— Arthur & Beverly Hart req. by Family

Vita Noto req. by Jean Asti

8:00 am— Giacomo Bruni req. by John & Leslie Graner

Florence Clements req. by Bob & Tom Benjamin

9:15 am— Theresa Ebersole, 5th Anniversary, req. by Family

Teresa Heagen req. by Debs & Rob

10:45 am—Eileen Sutherland req. by Joan Callahan

William Harris req. by the Lienhardt Family

12:15 pm—Rey Santos Nanquil req. by Dale & Evangeline Dorsey

(Parish Picnic—Firemen’s Field)

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending : May 19th, 2019 Collection—Checks $ 4,329.00

Collection– Cash $ 6,347.75

WeShare Electronic Giving $ 2,734.59

Total Weekly Collection $ 13,411.34

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 15,196.08

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ (1,784.74)

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (24,660.34)

MEMORIAL DAY MASS—Holy Mass on Me-

morial Day, Monday, May 27th, will take place

6:30 am in church and 9:00 am at the parish

cemetery. If you plan to attend, please remember

to bring a lawn chair. In the event of inclement

weather the Mass will take place in the church.

PARISH EVENTS

ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS

580-St. Cecilia

Page 3 May 26, 2019 6th Sunday of Easter

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 4th & 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 meet-

ing.

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

Bus Ride to Divine Mercy Shrine, Stockbridge, MA St. Virgil's Church of Morris Plains is sponsoring a bus ride to

the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on

Friday, June 14. Bus transportation and a box lunch will be

provided for $45. Bus leaves at 9am and returns at 8pm. Con-

tact our Parish Secretary at 973-538-1418 or svparishof-

fice@gmail.com. We hope you will join us!

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.

Ascension of Our Lord—The Solemnity of the Ascension

of Our Lord into Heaven is observed on the 40th day of

Easter and is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Vigil Mass will

be celebrated on Wednesday, May 29th, at 4:30 pm. Holy

Mass on Thursday will be celebrated in the morning at 6:30

& 8:00 and in the evening at 7:00.

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.

580-St. Cecilia

THE WORD OF GOD

58: Acts 1:1-11 Ps 47:2-3, 6-9 Eph 1:17-23 or

Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 Lk 24:46-53

We are online: www.st-cecilia.org

Page 4 May 26, 2019 6th Sunday of Easter

MASS CARDS We are asked to pray for the dead. The best way to do this is

to have a mass celebrated in memory of a loved one.

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

~Offering $15.00~

ATTENTION MEN – A 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.

Our Condolences to the Families of:

James Boyer & Mary Therese Frances Loftus

And Jack Lanzarone

Eternal Rest Grant to them O Lord

BEWARE: Its come to our attention that some

people have received “scam” emails from Fr. Zig

or one of the priests. Please know these mes-

sages 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 (TheFeminineGeniusProject@gmail.com)

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 discus-

sions. 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 Morris-

town, New Jersey. There is no cost. For more information

and/or registration, contact the coordinators Fr. Edgar Rivera

and David Monteleone in the Vocations Office at (973) 777-

8818, ext. #711, by email: revedgar@patersondiocese.org and

Dmonteleone@patersondiocese.org

SAVE THE DATE- The combined Sacred Heart and St.

Cecilia Parish Picnic is planned for June 2 at Fireman's

Field. The picnic will start with a mass at 12:15 PM at the

field and run to around 5 PM. If anyone wishes to volunteer

to help out please call the parish office or Jim Gallagher at

973-366-9699. Further announcements will be made closer to

the date.

Volunteers needed for the Parish Picnic to be held June 2 at Fireman's Field. We can use help in many areas - set up, clean up, kitchen, cooking, baking and kids games. If can help our please contact the parish office or call Jim Gallagher (973-366-9699).

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-

cilia.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)

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

580-St. Cecilia

Monday, May 27 Memorial Day Parish Office & DMA are closed today Tuesday, May 28 7:45 pm—Charismatic Prayer Group (Church Wednesday, May 29 Thursday, May 30 The Ascension of the Lord 9:30 am—Mommy Bible Study (Parish Office) Friday, May 31 6:30 pm—Generations of Faith (Hayes Hall) Saturday, June 1 9:00 am—Rosary Society Meeting (Hayes Hall) Sunday, June 2 12:15 pm—Parish Picnic (Firemen’s Field—Rain: HH)

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY NEWS

Page 5 Page May 26, 2019 6th Sunday of Easter

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 EX-

TRAORDINARY FORM on the third Sunday of every

month at 12 noon.

Church Roof Project: WE DID IT!! I would like to thank

all those who contributed to the church roof repair fund.

Our goal was $25,000 and we raised over $27,000. The

roof repairs have been completed. The re-pointing of the

chimney will begin shortly and the installation of a cross

atop the cupola is being determined by the engineer. If it is

possible to erect the cross, a donor has come forth for this

project. I am most grateful to all of you for your love and

support of our parish. God Bless You—Fr. Zig

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!

Save the Date! 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 on Saturday morning, June 15, in a spe-

cial 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

towards Bleecker Street, a span of some 2 miles, gathering

for prayer opposite a local abortion facility. This is also a

fundraiser for St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners.

Please watch for more details on transportation and other

arrangements.

LIFE Runners who wish to join this great pro-life event in

New York City should notify us so we can plan accord-

ingly. To join and participate as a new LIFE Runner, sign

up at the LIFE Runners website, www.liferunners.org, se-

lect St. Cecilia’s chapter. Order your jersey on the website.

Limited supply of LIFE Runners’ team jersey available

from local organizers.

Contact & Info: 973--529-4699;

jaidanbyrne@optonline.net

More on LIFE Runners: www.liferunners.org

FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Father Matt will

mark his first anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on

Sunday, May 26th. Join us in celebrating his anniversary at a

reception which will take place in Hayes Hall following the

10:45 Mass. Your presence and thoughtfulness will be a great

encouragement to our young priest.

ALSO celebrating his first anniversary of ordination to the

priesthood is Father Joseph Boykow. Father Joseph was born

and raised in our parish. He is assigned to: St. Philip the

Apostle Church, 797 Valley Rd., Clifton, NJ 07013.

Congratulations & Best Wishes to Fr. Matt & Fr. Joseph

Divine Mercy Academy invites you to its 3rd Annual Golf

Outing at Wild Turkey Golf Course at the Crystal Springs

Resort on Thursday, May 30th, 2019. $160 per golfer in-

cludes greens fees, cart, lunch, buffet dinner, alcohol &

soda, driving range. 12:00 PM check-in and range balls.

1:00 PM Modified Shotgun Start Format. Immediately fol-

lowing golf is a buffet dinner, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, si-

lent auction for an overnight stay at Crystal Springs.

BIBLE CAMP JULY 9th to JULY 13:

Encountering Jesus

July 9th to July 12th: from 4:00—6:00 pm

July 13th: from 4:00-6:30 pm

Any questions call: Denise Montalto-Rook at

973-625-2056

580-St. Cecilia

On January 6, 1412, Joan of Arc was born to pious parents of the French peasant class, at the obscure village of Domremy, near the

province of Lorraine. At a very early age she heard voices: those of St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret.

At first the message were personal and general. Then at last came the crowning order. In May 1428, her voices told Joan to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. For at that time the English King was after the throne of France, and the Duke of Burgundy (the chief rival of the French King) was siding with him and gobbling up ever more French territory.

After overcoming opposition from churchmen and courtiers, the seventeen-year-old girl was given a small army with which she raised the siege of Orleans on May 8, 1429. She then enjoyed a series of spectacular military successes, during which the King was able to enter Rheims and be crowned with her at his side.

In May 1430, as she was attempting to relive Compiegne, she was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English when Charles and the French did nothing to save her. After months of imprisonment, she was tried at Rouen by a tribunal presided over by the infa-mous Peter Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, who hoped that the English would help him to become Archbishop.

Through her unfamiliarity with the technicalities of theology, Joan was trapped into making a few damaging statements. When she refused to retract the assertion that it was the Saint of God who had commanded her to do what she had done, she was condemned to death as a heretic, sorceress, and adulteress, and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. She was nineteen years old. Some thirty years later she was exonerated of all guilt and she was ultimately canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV, making official was the people had known for centuries.

PRAYER: Lord, You wondrously raised up a St. Joan, Your Virgin, to defend the Faith and her country. Through her intercessions grant that the Church may overcome the snares of her enemies and enjoy unbroken peace. Amen

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

Page 6 May 26, 2019 6th Sunday of Easter

JOAN OF ARC, Virgin MAY 30, Patroness of France

My Dear Parishioners,

Today we observe the Sixth Sunday of Easter in our celebration of the Lord’s Day. In the Johannine Gospel passage we read

of the Lord Jesus’ words of farewell to His Apostles. He prepares them for His departure by assuring them that He will not

leave them alone but will send them “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you

everything and remind you of all that I told you.” The coming of the Holy Spirit is commemorated on the Solemnity of Pen-

tecost, two weeks from today when the Easter season will draw to its close.

On Thursday of this week we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven. In the second volume of Saint

Luke’s work, Acts of the Apostles, we are told that on the 40th day after His Resurrection from the dead the Lord Jesus called

the Disciples together to the Mount of Olives and after instructing them was lifted- up into Heaven. This day is a HOLY DAY

OF OBLIGATION in which our attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is required to join with the Universal Church in

manifesting our faith in Christ our Savior.

With this week’s celebration of the Ascension of the Lord we begin our NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, nine days of

prayer in preparation of Pentecost. After the Lord’s Ascension into heaven the Apostles, disciples and the Mother of God re-

turned to the upper room (the place of the Last Supper) and as Acts of the Apostles tells us, “All these (the Apostles) with one

accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.” Yes,

they prepared themselves to receive the Holy Spirit by prayer. Their private and communal prayer readied them to accept

God’s Gift of the Advocate. I am sure that the Blessed Virgin Mary was their instructor as how one should be receptive to the

Holy Spirit. She was the one who had first welcomed the Holy Spirit on the day of the Annunciation when Christ was incar-

nated within her womb.

So let’s begin our novena on Friday in preparation for the Solemnity of Pentecost. We can just add this very simple and short

prayer to our daily prayers, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful – ALLELUIA!”

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FATHER MATT! May Christ the High Priest richly bless you as you celebrate the first anniver-

sary of your ordination to the Holy Priesthood!

CHRIST IS RISEN – TRULY HE IS RISEN!

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