SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Arrangements for the Sacrament of Baptism can be made by calling Fr. Matt at extension 15.

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.

EMERGENCY PHONE: 862-251-3914

90 Church Street

Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 Website: st-cecilia.org — Office: stcec@optonline.net Fax: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig: Ext. 12 or speplowski@optonline.net Fr. Matt: Ext 15 or frmateuszdarlak@gmail.com - Fr. Adam: Ext 14 or fradamwasowski@hotmail.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 @ 6:15 pm Any time by appointment

Susan Brennan TRUSTEE

James Gallagher TRUSTEE

Rev. Sigmund Peplowski PASTOR

Rev. Mateusz Darlak

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Adam Wasowski PAROCHIAL VICAR

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 HOLY HOUR : Monday @ 7:00 pm (Beginning Sept. 21st) RCIA—RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION— FOR ADULTS:

Please contact Jim Clancy @ 973-627-0313 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 2:00 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, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Corporal Dennis Wuest, Capt. Kelley 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 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, 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. Chris-topher Little, PFC Brittany Martindell, PO1 (E6) Matthew Fitzgerald, SA Justin C. White, Matthew & Daniel Rosica, Mark Leonard, Sr. Armn. Ashley Valetta, Sgt. John Wisnof-sky, Cpl. T.J. Finn, Sgt. Kristopher Faber, Capt. Vincent Presto, Airman First Class William Kussler , Spc. Gregory Villaneuva and Sgt. Casey W. Lyness . We ask God the Fa-ther 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

Ethan Chandra, Dean Wayne Campbell, Doris Cusick,

Carol Centonze, Jane Gorcica, Sam Sessa, Carol Fer-rante, Jim Golden, Karen Niles, Noel Wadleigh,

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, Jim Rattay, Tom Hull, Kathleen Fazio, Kristin Wich, Kyle Johnson, Kate Darlington, Jake Michael Miraldi, Cheryl Anne Bornemann, Sean Nolan, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Madison Rose Leslie, Demetrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, Frances Finn, Dorothy Murray, Victoria Santana, 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, Marion Cables, Patricia Smith Schulman, Vincent Fortunato, Joyce Turner, Tom Cummiskey, Dennis O’Brien, Steven Simmons, Ariel, James DiStaiso, Marty Mackin, Brian Bosworth, Dennis Dilger, Robyne LaGrotta, Dave Lewis, Christopher Darlak, Frieda Solow, Claudia Fontanella, Jimmy Carroll, Claire Wasacz, Peggy Traino, Emilio Viola, James Deegan, Diann Bulfone, Martha Salvesen, Robyn Duvall, Ramiro Hinojosa, Jimmy Buckley, Emily Gatzke, Clare Desmond, Rosemary DeFilippo, Craig Huffman, George Stitik.

THE WORD OF GOD

20: Is 60:1-6 Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Mt 2:1-12

Page 2 January 03, 2021 The Epiphany of the Lord

Monday, January 4, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 6:30 am— Arthur Johnson req. by his wife, Salley Johnson 8:00 am— Coster Hudson req. by his daughter, Sophie Tuesday, January 5, Saint John Neumann, Bishop 6:30 am— Genevieve DeFiore req. by the Goginsky Family 8:00 am— Eleanor & Thomas Sullivan req. by Dianna & John Sullivan Wednesday, January 6, Saint Andre Bessette, Religious 6:30 am— Deborah Ann McCarthy

8:00 am— Tom McKinney req. by Peggy Thursday, January 7, Saint Raymond of Penafort, Priest 6:30 am— Madeline Lusardi req. by the Sokolowsky Family 8:00 am— Thomas Boylan req. by his wife, Sophie Friday, January 8, Christmas Weekday 6:30 am—Margaret V. O’Brien 8:00 am—Mary Brussell req. by Rosemary Matis Saturday, January 9, Christmas Weekday 8:00 am— Theresa Fortunato req. by Jane Payne & Family Sunday, January 10, Baptism of the Lord 4:30 pm— Thomas Doughty req. by the McDonnell Family Bernard & Joan McDonnell req. by the McDonnell Family 7:00 pm— Greg Stiansen req. by Marie Wahlstrom Mary Kulawiec req. by Lee Ann & Marty Mackin 8:00 am— Daniel & Alice O’Brien 9:15 am - Patrick, Marianne & James Barchman req. by the Coady Family 10:45 am— Madeline Lusardi req. by the Sokolowsky Family Kenneth Williams req. by Harry Lusardi & Kate Fitzgerald 12:15 pm— Olga DeMarco req. by Bobbie Willard Charles Wydallis req. by the Goginsky Family

The Sanctuary Candle burning on our altar

this week is in loving memory of

Francis J. Goritski, Jr. req. by wife, Angela & daughter, Susan

St. Cecilia Church Collection Goals

Week Ending: December 27, 2020

Due to the early publication of the bulletin,

the collections totals for the week will be

shown next week.

Thank you!

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending : December 20, 2020 Collection—Checks & Cash $ 7,930.00

WeShare Electronic Giving $ 4,316.00

Total Weekly Collection $ 12,246.00

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 14,901.96

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ (891.25)

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (5,997.11)

PARISH EVENTS

580-St. Cecilia

Page 3 January 03, 2021 The Epiphany of the Lord

FLOCKNOTE—If you haven’t signed up for

FLOCKNOTE please do so today. It’s easy, it’s confiden-

tial and it keep you instantly informed of significant parish

events. Notices can be sent as a text to your cell phone or

email to your computer. Stay with the flock, stay in-

formed!

BEWARE OF SCAMS – Be on the alert of scams which

say they are from me. THEY ARE NOT!!! Please call me at

the office (973.627.0313x12) if you have doubt about a

text, email, etc, which is supposedly from me asking for

money, gift cards, etc. PLEASE DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!

– Father Zig

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH—Our Holy Father, Pope Fran-

cis has declared a YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH which began

on December 8th and will conclude on December 8, 2021.

This celebrates the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of

Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church by Pope

Pius IX in 1870. Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter on

December 8th entitled, “Patris Corde” (“With a father’s

heart…”). Included within the letter is the granting of indul-

gences for those who meet the requirements as promulgated.

We will hear more about the Apostolic Letter in the weeks to

come. SAINT JOSEPH-PRAY FOR US!

WILL CEMETERY MASSES CONTINUE? – The

12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass at our parish cemetery has been

very popular with an average attendance at 150 people. The

weather has gotten colder but parishioners are still attend-

ing. One parishioner told me, “Father, if we can sit outside

in a stadium to watch a football game- we can sit at the

cemetery for the Holy Mass which lasts 30 minutes!”

THEREFORE, I will try to continue the 12:15 Sunday

Mass at the cemetery IF …there is no snow on the ground

AND IF the temperature is not below freezing! I know

that many parishioners appreciate being outdoors and I will

try to do all that I can to make this happen, God willing!

FLOCKNOTE is the communication I will use to inform

you of the Sunday Mass at the cemetery! SIGN UP FOR

FLOCKNOTE by going to the parish website for a text or

email, it’s easy! Of course, the 12:15 Mass will be cele-

brated in the church when not at the cemetery-

Father Zig

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH 2021—2022

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH

Hail Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To You God entrusted His Only Son;

In you Mary placed her trust;

With you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

Show yourself a father,

And guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,

And defend us from every evil.

Amen

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2021 is being anticipated by many

as a year which will be better than the previous. All of us in

the rectory wish you and your loved ones a year filled with

good health, peace, joy and all the many blessings coming

down from the Father of Lights! – Father Zig, Father Matt,

Father Adam and Seminarian Angel.

NEXT SUNDAY – Next Sunday we celebrate the Feast of

Our Lord’s Baptism in the Jordan. Water will be blessed at

the liturgies in commemoration of this feast. Due to the

pandemic we will not be distributing holy water. Should

you like holy water for your devotional purposes at home

you are invited to bring a bottle of water from home and the

priest will bless the water during the liturgy.

YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH

https://www.vaticannews.va//en/vatican-city/news

/2020-12/apostolic-penitentiary-

plenary-indulgence-year-st-joseph.html

580-St. Cecilia

Page 4 January 03, 2021 The Epiphany of the Lord

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.

Call the Parish Office 973-627-0313

~Offering $15.00~

Monday, January 4 7:00 pm—Holy Hour (Church)

Tuesday, January 5

7:00 pm—Confirmation Class (Church

7:00 pm—Light of Christ Prayer Meeting (Hayes Hall)

Wednesday, January 6

7:00 pm—Generations of Faith Parent’s Meeting (Church)

Thursday, January 7

Friday, January 8 Saturday, January 9

Sunday, January 10

Gift Cards are available for purchase through the school,

after the Masses and the parish office. Please help sup-

port this fund-raiser! Thank you

Divine Mercy Academy News

The Feminine Genius Project: A prayer and discussion

ministry for mothers. We will meet every first and third

Saturday of the month in the parish office from 7:00 am to

8:30 am. This group serves mothers with school age chil-

dren. For more information, please contact Armi Clancy at

armicielo.clancy@gmail.com

MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY—After following the footsteps of Jesus through the Holy Land, Monday Night Bible Study will resume on January 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM in Hayes Hall. The new topic will be the Ascension Series, "Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of St. John." The $25.00 cost for the program includes a study work-book and access to online streaming. If you are inter-ested, please notify savondollen@gmail.com by Dec. 31. Checks are to be payable to St. Ce-cilia. Let's use this opportunity to grow in relationship with the Lord.

We have gift cards from hundreds of stores avail-

able for purchase at www.shopwithscrip.com! Go

to www.shopwithscrip.com, follow the simple in-

structions to set up an account, and use Enrollment

Code 1E2EC2AA28814. A percentage of your

purchases will be donated to Divine Mercy Acad-

emy. Physical gift cards and ecards are available.

Thank you for your support!

Divine Mercy Academy’s New Year’s Cash Bash

50/50 raffle tickets are for sale. Tickets are $10

each. The raffle will feature 5 winners to be drawn

on January 15th. Tickets will be available from the

gift card sellers after Masses. Or contact the school

office at 973-627-6003.

2021 LITURGICAL CALENDARS – Our sincere thanks

to the Kanapaux Funeral Home in Rockaway Borough for

once again supplying us with the 2021 Liturgical home

calendar. We appreciate their kindness and wish them

God’s blessings in the New Year!

MARCH FOR LIFE—The Annual MARCH FOR LIFE

has rapidly grown to be the largest pro-life event in the

world. The peaceful gathering of hundreds of thousands is a

powerful witness to the truth concerning the greatest human

rights violation of our time, legalized abortion on demand.

This year we will be marching virtually as a diocese. Please

spread the word. For more information go to:

https://machforlife.org/

mailto:savondollen@gmail.comhttp://www.shopwithscrip.comhttp://www.shopwithscrip.com

580-St. Cecilia

We are online: www.st-cecilia.org

Page 5 Page January 03, 2021 The Epiphany of the Lord

WINTER POLICY - Now that we are in the midst of the

winter season please be aware of the following: In the

event of inclement weather and Divine Mercy Academy is

closed, the parish office will be closed and the church will

be open ONLY for the liturgical service scheduled. Also,

all evening events will be cancelled.

FAMILY PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE

BLESSING OF THE HOME AT EPIPHANY: The family gathers in the main room of the house. The father

(or mother) of the family begins by inviting everyone to

make the sign of the Cross

Leader: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit.

Response: Amen

Leader: During these days of the Christmas season, we

keep this feast of Epiphany, celebrating the manifestation

of Christ to the magi, to John the Baptist in the River Jor-

dan, and to the disciples at the wedding in Cana. Today

Christ is manifest to us! Today this home is a holy place!

Leader: Let us pray: Lord our God, bless this household.

May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentle-

ness, and the keeping of your Law. We ask in the Name of

Jesus who is Lord forever and ever.

Response: Amen

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Without words the leader sprinkles those present and

the house with holy water. The leader takes the

blessed chalk and writes the following inscription on

the top door post of the main door of the house,

K+M+B+2021 The inscription reminds us of the ini-

tials of the Magi (Kasper, Melchior and Balthasar).

The three crosses represent the Blessed Trinity. The

numbers are the current year of grace

RCIA 2020-2021

(Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) RCIA is a program for adults that are interested in being

received into the Catholic Church via Baptism, Holy Com-

munion, or Confirmation. If you or someone you know has

for whatever reason never received one of these sacraments,

and would like to enter into the fullness of the Catholic

Church, please reach out! This is a small group that works

with each candidate to help prepare them for the reception of

the sacraments and the fullness of participation in the life of

the church. The program includes weekly classes on Thurs-

day evenings from October through April.

For more information, please contact Jim Clancy at

StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com.

PRIESTS WILL MAKE HOUSE CALLS – Father Matt,

Father Adam and I are available to make house calls to our

parishioners with the sacraments (penance, Eucharist and

holy anointing). Please call the parish office (973.627.0313)

and leave your information and we will be happy to visit you

and pray with you. We will come and observe all the proto-

cols that are recommended by the health officials. – Father

Zig

FUNDING OUR REPAIRS – The work on reconstructing

the parking lot drain has been completed along with the re-

moval of the dead tree from the parking lot and the work on

the rectory roof. Paying for these projects is indeed costly. I

am happy to announce that as of this date $29,380.00 has been

donated to our repairs fund from 85 parish households. I hope

that more of our parishioners will join in making a contribu-

tion so that these expenses can be paid. This is especially im-

portant during this time of decreased numbers at Sunday Mass

and as a result, deceased offerings. Please consider making a

donation as soon as possible. I am counting on your support!

God bless you!! – Father Zig

MASSES IN TWO LOCATIONS – Holy Masses to cele-

brate the Lord’s Day will be offered at the same time in

two locations: the church and Hayes Hall. You have to op-

tion to decide where you would like to go for Mass when

you enter the building. The Sunday 12:15 pm Mass will

continue to be celebrated at the parish cemetery for as long

as possible. A FLOCKNOTE will be sent out if the Mass

will not take place at the cemetery due to weather condi-

tion.

THE CHOSEN – A wonderful series on the life of Jesus is

in production titled, The Chosen. Additional information

regarding this series can be found by going on line and

searching for, “The Chosen”. You can also download a free

app regarding this series. – Father Zig

mailto:StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com

580-St. Cecilia

Page 6 January 03, 2021 The Epiphany of the Lord

My dear parishioners,

Today we assemble to celebrate the Lord’s Day and also to commemorate the Feast of the Epiphany. The Feast of the Epiph-

any is January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas, but in the United States the Bishops Conference had determined that this feast

would be celebrated on a SUNDAY CLOSEST TO JANUARY 6th.(The Episcopal conference had also determined the same

for Corpus Christi and, in some areas of the country, Ascension Thursday). The Bishops made their decision on the observa-

tion that the feast most likely would fall on a weekday thus not giving the faithful the opportunity to celebrate the feast.

The Epiphany or Theophany, as called in the Eastern Churches, is a feast which celebrates the coming of the gentiles to wor-

ship the Christ Child. This is a universal acknowledgement that “Jesus Christ is Lord.” The Magi worship the Lord with gifts

they present as signs of their faith. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are signs of Jesus’ kingship, divinity and death

which He will endure for the salvation of the world. In many places this day is also known as “Little Christmas” with the ex-

change of gifts taking place and a festive meal being shared.

Like the Magi, we too have the practice of giving gifts to the Lord as representations of our faith and love. Our offerings

make strong the Church Christ founded upon the Apostles. Our generosity is so very important and especially today with the

pandemic still underway. The gifts of believers allow the Church to continue in her ministry of witness and service to the

world. By modeling the Magi in giving gifts to God we worship the One who has gifted us and will one day ask for an ac-

counting of our stewardship.

I am still amazed by the generosity shown by our parishioners to the collections which were recently conducted to help the

needy through our diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. The response to the food drive as well as the donation of gifts for the

Father English Community Center in Paterson was magnificent! In your support of the poor, you support Christ!

Our regular Sunday offerings are crucial in the payment of our expenses. I truly appreciate your help so that we can maintain

our church and its ministries. As the NEW YEAR 2021 has arrived I ask that you consider doing two things: (1) increase your

Sunday offering, if possible; (2) enroll in our automatic offering program called, “WE SHARE” which you can easily do by

going to the parish website to enroll or by calling the parish office and speaking to the secretary.

Your gifts are important to Christ and His Church!

Happy New Year!

Father Zig

ST. ANDRÉ BESSETTE, Religious The Same Day – January 6

BORN near Quebec in 1845, André worked in the United States for a few years. Returning to Canada, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross as a Brother. Because of poor health as a child, André had been unable to at-tend school regularly and could not read or write. He was assigned as a doorkeeper at the College of Notre Dame in Montreal and remained in that capacity for over forty years. He also performed the tasks of janitor, infir-marian, barber, gardener and lamp lighter. His piety and willingness to help others charmed the students and their parents. André also developed a great devotion to St. Joseph. People flocked to his cell to ask for his opinion and his prayers for some favor or some cure, and Andre complied, while entrusting all to St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God and foster-father of the Divine infant. In time, he was able to have a chapel built to St. Jo-seph. After his death on January 6, 1937, the shrine grew into the great basilica of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Mont-real, which is visited by pilgrims from all over the worlds. He was beatified in 1982 by Pope John Paul II.

PRAYERS O God, friend of the humble, You inspired Brother André with great devotion to St. Joseph and singular dedica-

tion to the poor and afflicted. Grant us, through his intercession, to follow his example of prayer and charity, so that with

him we may attain the splendor of Your glory. Amen.

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

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 Website: st-cecilia.org — Office: stcec@optonline.net Fax: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig: Ext. 12 or speplowski@optonline.net Fr. Matt: Ext 15 or frmateuszdarlak@gmail.com - Fr. Adam: Ext 14 or fradamwasowski@hotmail.com School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

Saint Cecilia Parish 90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866