SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptismal Class is held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. No pre-registration required. Both parents are encouraged to attend the class before the birth of the baby. The Sacrament of Baptism is administered weekly at the 12:15 pm Mass and a Baptis-mal Ceremony at 1:30 pm.

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Arrangements are to be made at least ONE YEAR in ad-vance. The date should not be set until the priest has been consulted.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. If there is anyone at home or in the hospital who cannot get to Mass and the Sacraments because of illness or old age, please inform one of the priests or call the Parish Office @ 973-627-0313.

90 Church Street

Rockaway, New Jersey 07866

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

Saint Cecilia Parish

MASSES

Weekends

Saturday: 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:15 am

10:45 am and 12:15 pm 5:00 pm (Vietnamese)

Holydays

Vigil 4:30 pm 6:30 am, 8:00 am & 7:00 pm

Weekday Schedule:

Monday - Friday 6:30 am & 8:00 am

Saturday 8:00 am followed by Novena

Confessions

Saturdays 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm

Any time by appointment

Susan Brennan TRUSTEE

James Gallagher TRUSTEE

Rev. Sigmund Peplowski PASTOR

Rev. Cerilo Javinez

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Mateusz Darlak PAROCHIAL VICAR

Deacon Paul Willson

Seminarian Angel Torres

Mrs. Janet Maulbeck BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

and YOUTH PROTECTION/ SAFE ENVIRONMENT

COORDINATOR

Mr. James Clancy

DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION

Mrs. Ann Mitchell

PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Diane Boykow

CEMETERY ADMINISTRATOR

Mr. Charles Linnell

MUSIC DIRECTOR

PARISH PRAYER LIFE NOVENA: OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA Saturday morning after the 8:00 am Mass BIBLE STUDY: Will resume in September

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: Will resume in September HOLY HOUR : Will resume in September ADULT FAITH FORMATION RCIA : Will resume in Sept. ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Monday through Sat. @ 7:30 am

Parish Summer Office Hours:

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30—4:30

(Lunch 12:00—1:00)

Friday: 8:30 to 11:00

First Friday in June until Labor Day weekend

CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY All Catholic Churches in the United States require from

Catholics serving as a Godparent for Baptism or a sponsor

for Confirmation a certificate of eligibility. This document

certifies that the Godparent/sponsor is a registered member

of the parish, attends Holy Mass, approaches the sacra-

ments regularly and contributes to the support of the

Church via the Sunday offering envelope program or

“Parish Pay”. It is the responsibility of the individual to

meet these requirements as listed in the Code of Canon

Law , #874.

The people of St. Cecilia Parish are asked to pray for the following people serving our country in the armed services: SmE3 Andrew Clifford, Sgt. Aleksandr Killeen, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Corporal Dennis Wuest, Capt. Kel-

ley E. Robbins, Pvt USMC, Diego Usma, Major Glenn E. Martinez, Sgt. Brian Whalen, Capt. Anthony Odierno, Cpl. Kong V. Nguyen, Cpl. Jim Van Valen, LCPL Anthony Eres-man, Sgt. Paul J. Willson, PFC Cano Janeth, Sgt. Bob Autrey, Col. William Paliwada, Sgt 1st Class (E7) Sam Co-lon, PFC Marylyn Rivera-Sachez, Cpl. Edward C. Thomp-son, Major Kevin M. Nash, Lt. Amy Cronin, Col. John L. Medeiros, Jr., Sgt. Daniel Healy, Marine Keith Leitner, Sgt. Spencer Lopez, PFC Taryn Kemp, Jeffrey Braunhausen, E7 Joseph Grimsey, Bill Maloney, Greg Bloete, Gian Carlo Bruzzese, Spc. Christopher Little, PFC Brittany Martindell, PO1 (E6) Matthew Fitzgerald, SA Justin C. White, Matthew & Daniel Rosica, Mark Leonard, Sr. Armn. Ashley Valetta, Sgt. John Wisnofsky, Cpl. T.J. Finn, Sgt. Kristopher Faber, Capt. Vincent Presto, Airman First Class William Kussler , Spc. Gregory Villaneuva and Cpl Casey W. Lyness . We ask God the Father of us all, through the intercession of St. Mi-chael the Archangel, to protect all the men and women in our Armed Forces, to bless them in their efforts toward bringing peace and justice to our world. May they be brought back safely to those they love.

580-St. Cecilia

Ethan Chandra, Dean Wayne Campbell, Doris Cusick, Carol Centonze, Jane

Gorcica, Sam Sessa, Hank Brown, Carol Ferrante, Jim Golden, Karen Niles, Noel Wadleigh, Joanna Sacco, David Cicchine, Teresa D’Atria, Derek Bascharow, Debbie Malc, Grace McDermott, Joe Horvath, Jr., Elvira Bugaoan, Owen Peter Byrne, Tia Maddaloni, Mason Walker Steussing, Susan Mejia, Derek Bascharow, Isabel Rattay, Donna Cooke, Tom Hull, Kathleen Fazio, Kristin Wich, Kyle Johnson, Kate Darlington, Jake Michael Miraldi, Cheryl Anne Borne-mann, Sean Nolan, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Madison Rose Leslie, Demetrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, Frances Finn, Dorothy Murray, Virginia Cous-ins, Madlyn Long. Stephanie Lewis, Kimberly Dugan, Gale Sessa, Marguerite Buggy, Mike Murray, Helene Turner, Michael Turner, Ruben Lorenzo, Michael Alvarez., Mina Simmons-Jones, Victoria Santana, Joe Maulbeck, Mary Merz, Dolores Faulkner, Marion Ca-bles, Patricia Smith Schulman, Vincent Fortunato, Joyce Turner, Tom Cummiskey, Dennis O’Brien, Steven Simmons, Ariel, James DiStaiso, Marty Mackin, Brian Bosworth, Susan Kleczynski, Dennis Dilger, Robyne LaGrotta, Jackie Hendershot, Dave Lewis, Christo-pher Darlak.

THE WORD OF GOD

120: Jer 38:4-6, 8-10 Ps 40:2-4, 18 Heb 12: 1-4

Lk 12:49-53

Page 2 August 11, 2019 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, August 12, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious 6:30 am—Holy Souls in Purgatory 8:00 am—Walter & Joanna Lech req. by Dianna & John Sullivan Tuesday, August 13, Saints Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs 6:30 am—John & Margaret Holleran 8:00 am—George Vincent Hughes req. by Victor & Nellie Starks Wednesday, August 14, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

6:30 am—Special Intention for World Peace 8:00 am— Bernard & Joan McDonnell req. by the McDonnell family

Vigil Mass

4:30 pm—For the parishioners of St. Cecilia Thursday, August 15, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Day of Obligation 6:30 am— Joseph Talar req. by Fr. Zig 8:00 am—Kevin Doughty req. by the McDonnell Family 7:00 pm—Jack Zygmunt req. by the Culleny Family Friday, August 16, Saint Stephen of Hungary 6:30 am—Tom Gorman 8:00 am—Mildred Calella req. by the Seniors Saturday, August 17, Weekday 8:00 am— Ernie Juretschke req. by Mary Merz Sunday, August 18, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

4:30 pm— Sharon Augenti req. by her husband

Agatha Dowling req. by the Amicucci Family

7:00 pm— James Boyer req. by Margaret Carroll

Victor Potkalesky req. by Sarah Lombardo

8:00 am— Holy Souls in Purgatory

Joseph J. Carroll req. by Ed & Mary Merz

9:15 am— Special Intention

10:45 am— Bertha Owens req. by the Guarducci Family

Leona Riccio req. by the Guarducci Family

12:15 pm— Richard & Katsuko Vermette req. by sister, Marie Wahlstrom

ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS

Week Ending : August 4, 2019 Collection—Checks $ 2,486.00

Collection– Cash $ 8,790.25

WeShare Electronic Giving $ 2,821.85

Total Weekly Collection $ 14,098.10

Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $ 839,000.00

Weekly Goal $ 15,196.08

Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) $ (1,097.98)

Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) $ (9,322.42)

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – The Solemnity of

the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is com-

memorated on August 15th. This feast will be celebrated

with Holy Mass on the vigil, Wednesday August 14th at

4:30 p.m. Holy Mass on Thursday will take place at 6:30

and 8 o’clock in the morning and 7 o’clock in the eve-

ning. This is a holy day of obligation which means that

we are bound to attend Holy Mass for this feast just as

we would for a Sunday.

PARISH EVENTS

ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS

580-St. Cecilia

Page 3 August 11, 2019 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our Condolences to the Family of:

Gladys Slusser

Eternal Rest Grant to them O Lord

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

St. Cecilia & Sacred Heart Parishes!

Regular Meetings— August 20th Tuesday, August 13th—Mohegan Sun Casino

Price $30—Slot Play $25—Food Coupon $5 Info: Call Carol @ 973-366-6871

September 3-8 Motorcoach trip to beautiful Island of Coudres

& Quebec City, Canada includes guided tours plus a visit to St. Ann DeBeaupre Shrine. All breakfasts & dinners

included. September 26—Hotel Antracite, PA

Lunch, Show, Train Ride– Cost: $76.00 For more info on trips, call Carol @ 973.537.5529.

MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - Have you ever won-

dered about the origin and meaning of the Responsorial Psalms

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

the Monday Night Bible Study for a 10 week study beginning

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

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

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

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

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

cilia. Thank you!

ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS – I remind you that with

this week’s Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Vir-

gin Mary on Wednesday and Thursday, please note that you

must park legally on Church Street (County Route 513). The

ONE WAY on Church Street is only possible on Saturday

and Sunday NOT DURING THE WEEK DAYS! You must

park legally, that is, Church Street functioning as a 2 way

road in both directions. PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

PARKING IN OUR CHURCH PARKING LOTS. Please use

the parking spaces near the rectory even those spaces which

say “clergy parking only,” they are available for you to use!

ALSO, we have had two cars recently damaged in our

church parking lot. Please be careful when you open your car

door, be careful pulling out of your parking space, be courte-

ous of one another-we are members of the same family-Saint

Cecilia Parish!!! FATHER ZIG

BISHOP BARRON BOOK – 50 copies of the recent book

by Bishop Robert Barron entitled, “Letter to a Suffering

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

information. Bishop Barron, highly regarded in his evangeli-

zation ministry and Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of

Los Angeles, wrote this book for all Catholics suffering from

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

tive, consoling and encouraging. Please take a copy and

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

bule for someone else to read.

CEMETERY BENCHES – I am happy to report that the

appeal for donors to memorialize two benches which have

been ordered for the parish cemetery columbarium has been

met. Giving me much hope is that I have had a least 5 others

come forward seeking to make the donation for a bench

which costs $1,600. Further information regarding the instil-

lation of the granite benches at the columbarium and their

dedication will be forth coming in the bulletin. Please know

that other memorials will be announced in the bulletin and

your generosity is a sign of both your love and faith! – Father

Zig

CHURCH ROOF UPDATE – The scaffolding has come

down around the cupola as a sign that the work to address the

leaks has been completed. The final phase of the work will

be to re-point the chimney on the church roof and to “bird

proof” the chimney. I am most grateful to all those who

made a contribution toward this project. We want to make

sure that our church is in good shape and that it remains as a

witness to our faith and love for Christ. – Father Zig

BEREAVEMENT SESSIONS TO BEGIN—The passing of

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

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

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

both parishioners and non parishioners. The six week program

begins on September 25 and will meet for the next five

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

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

tration is required by calling the parish office at 973.627.0313

prior to September 20th.

SAVE THE DATE

The Men’s Society is sponsoring its

3rd Annual Beefsteak Dinner Dance

Catered by Giresi’s Catering

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

More info to follow in future bulletins

Any questions, call Ralph DiMarcantonio @

856-952-5657—Hope to see you there!

580-St. Cecilia

Page 4 August 11, 2019 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

BAPTISM CLASS – A meeting of all those wishing informa-

tion and scheduling for a baptism will meet on Monday eve-

ning, August 19th in the Saint Cecilia Parish office at 7 pm.

Father will be present to conduct the information session and

answer questions regarding the celebration of the sacrament.

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.

MASSES BEING OFFERED—Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish on

East Main Street is offering the following Masses each month:

POLISH MASS on the second Sunday of every month at 11:30

a.m. and LATIN MASS IN THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM

on the third Sunday of every month at 12 noon.

BEWARE: Its come to our attention that some

people have received “scam” emails from Fr.

Zig or one of the priests. Please know these

messages 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)

Faith Formation - 2019-2020—Registration is now open for

the below programs. Registration forms and details are avail-

able on the parish website or by stopping into the parish of-

fice. In person registration will be available on Tuesday, May

7th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in Divine Mercy Academy. Forms can

be submitted directly to the parish office before or after the May

7th registration.

Please contact Jim Clancy with any questions.

StCecilia.FaithFormation@gmail.com

K-6th Grade Traditional CCD (Sundays from 10:30-11:30)

7th-9th Grade Confirmation Prep

(Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00)

Generations of Faith - (Fridays from 6:30-8:15)

Craft and Vendor Fair

St. Cecilia Church Hall

90 Church Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866

Saturday, November 2, 2019

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

For more info:

saintceciliarosarysociety@gmail.com

or 973-886-8023

RESPECT LIFE CORNER

About the New Jersey Safe Haven Law:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ann. Statutes 30:4C-15.7,8

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

Jersey. For more information see:

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

or call 1-888-510-2229

SUMMER OFFERINGS—The summer season is one

which notes a reduction in Mass attendance due to vaca-

tions. Please remember that your regular and generous of-

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

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

our parish which is a sign of your love for Christ our Savior!

God Bless you!!! - Father Zig

ATTEND MASS AS YOU VACATION—Attending the

Holy Mass each Sunday is important in our observance of the

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

place you are vacationing by visiting the website:

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

580-St. Cecilia

Monday, August 12 Tuesday, August 13 7:00 pm—Italy Tour Meeting (Hayes Hall) 7:45 pm—Charismatic Prayer Group (Church) Wednesday, August 14 8:30 am—Soup Kitchen (Hayes Hall Kitchen) 7:00 pm—Men’s Society Meeting (Hayes Hall) Thursday, August 15 Friday, August 16 Saturday, August 17 Sunday, August 18

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY NEWS

Page 5 Page August 11, 2019 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thank you to everyone who supports our Gift Card and

Scrip programs. Cards will still be available for purchase

over the summer from the school office during business

hours, from the St. Cecilia Parish Office, Sacred Heart Rec-

tory and after weekend Masses when volunteers are avail-

able. Purchases over the summer will be credited toward our

2019/2020 fundraising efforts. As always, thank you for

your support of this very easy, painless fund raiser. Example:

You buy $100 a week in grocery cards for 52 weeks—we

make a profit of $260.00—its that easy! If you have any

questions, please call us: 973-627-6003, 973-627-0313, or

973-627-0422.

DOYLESTOWN SHRINE CELEBRATION – The coro-

nation of the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa will take

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

12:30 pm Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Charles

Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia. The icon was blessed by

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

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

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

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

ber a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. The

Pauline Fathers who staff the shrine invite everyone to pre-

pare spiritually for this blessed occasion through novenas,

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

tion of the sacrament of penance. Additional information can

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

coronation/.

DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY Pre-K through 8th Grade

Come see the difference an academically excellent Catholic edu-

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

ment with a high level of individualized attention; certified

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

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

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

technology integrated throughout the curriculum. Before-care/

aftercare/extracurricular activities available.

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

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

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

children: $10,300 per year.

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

to offer! Currently accepting applications.

87 Halsey Ave., Rockaway, NJ

www.dmarockaway.org

973-627-6003

CAN YOU HELP A CHILD? - Divine Mercy Academy is

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

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

tion is a wonderful work of mercy and compassion. YOU

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

tance OR making a contribution to our Divine Mercy Scholar-

ship Fund. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.

Your generosity promotes the faith values of the Church

which are school children are immersed in every school day.

Please contact our principal, Mrs. Ann Mitchell at

973.627.6003. May God richly bless you for supporting our

young people and Catholic education!

MISSION APPEAL: During the weekend of August 10-11,

Rev. Huy Dinh, CSSp, will visit our parish to speak at the

Masses about the missionary work of the Church and in par-

ticular that of the Spiritans (Congregation of the Holy Spirit,

previously known as the Holy Ghost Fathers). To learn more

about the Spiritans, please visit their website at: http://

spiritans.org

This visit is part of a national program in which annually a

representative of one of the missionary groups visits parishes

of the Diocese to invite the parish to share in the mission

work of the universal Church. The Spiritans are an interna-

tional community engaged in a wide range of missionary

activity in over 60 countries throughout the world. Fr. Huy

himself is a missionary priest, originally from Vietnam,

where now the Spiritans are rapidly building a foundation for

the worldwide Church.

When Jesus said: “You shall witness to me in Jerusalem and

in Samaria and to the ends of the earth”, He made the spread

of the Gospel an essential part of our Catholic life. We urge

you to respond generously to Father Huy’s appeal.

580-St. Cecilia

MAXIMILIAN was born in 1894 in Poland and became a Franciscan. He contracted tuberculosis and, though he recovered, he remained frail all his life. Before his ordination as a priest, Maximilian founded the Immaculata Movement devoted to Our Lady. After receiving a doctorate in theology, he spread the Movement through a magazine entitled “The Knight of the Immaculata” and helped form a community of 800 men, the largest in the world. Maximilian went to Japan where he built a comparable monastery and then on to India where he furthered the Movement. In 1936 he returned home because of ill health. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he was imprisoned and released for a time. But in 1941 he was arrested again and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. On July 31, 1941, in reprisal for one prisoner’s escape, ten men were chosen to die. Father Kolbe offered himself in place of a young husband and father. And he was the last to die, enduring two weeks of starvation, thirst and ne-glect. He was canonized in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. PRAYER Lord, You inflamed St, Maximilian with love for the Immaculate Virgin and filled him with zeal for souls and love

for neighbor. Through his prayers, grant that we may work strenuously for Your glory in the service of others and so be made

conformable to Your Son until death. Amen.

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

Page 6 August 11, 2019 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ST. MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE, Priest and Martyr August 14

My dear parishioners,

Today is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. The gift of FAITH takes front and center

in today’s epistle reading from the Hebrews. Right at the beginning we are given a definition of faith, “Faith is the realization

of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” This Scripture passage goes on to speak of “our father in faith,” Abra-

ham. He and his wife Sarah put their faith in God and their trust in His word. These two senior citizens moved forward, not

knowing where they were going, but in obedience to God relocated themselves to a foreign place. The Lord was pleased in

their faith and thus brought forth from them innumerable children of faith.

Today we rejoice that we are the children of Abraham (and Sarah), sons and daughters who are also called, like the ancients,

to place our faith and trust in the Lord God. Faith is the gift which should influence every part of our life and all that we do.

Faith should accompany us to work and school each day, be by our side when we go into the market place, near us as we

spend time with peers and colleagues; in reality-we should never allow our faith to be absent from what we say and do!

The gift of faith must be nurtured and strengthened by us regularly. We do so through our daily prayers, our celebration of the

Sunday Eucharist, reading the Scriptures as well as religious literature which broadens our insights and our knowledge. Our

well formed faith is called upon to help others in better understanding Christ and His Church. Our faith needs to be continu-

ally “recharged” so as to give witness in our society which is becoming more and more secular, that is, without God.

Like Abraham and Sarah and all the saints which have followed them, we are “looking forward to the city with foundations,

whose architect and maker is God.” This is the heavenly Jerusalem, the place which the Lord God has prepared for all those

who love Him and serve Him in this life. Like Abraham and Sarah and all the saints which have followed them, with faith we

are able to say the same about the heavenly Jerusalem, we “saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to

be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been think-

ing about the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better

homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Faith is a gift to be celebrated and shared. Let us make strong our faith so that we may proclaim the Kingdom of God and thus

one day be welcomed into “the city whose foundations are eternal.”

God bless you!

Father Zig

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

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

Saint Cecilia Parish 90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866