Join us for the “5th Sunday of the Month Rosary” which will take place on Sunday, January 30th at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on 63 East Main Street. We begin at 3 o’clock with the praying of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council 3359. All are welcome!

Wednesday, February 2nd, is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple also known as Candlemas Day. It is on this day that candles are blessed prior to the Holy Mass to commemorate the words of the Prophet Simeon who said that Jesus is “A light to the Gentiles.” This is also the 40th and final day of the Christmas season. The outdoor nativity crèche and lights will be taken down with the coming of this Feast day.

Thursday, February 3rd is the Feast Day of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr. St. Blaise lived in Armenia in the 4th century and according to tradition healed a choking boy from death and restored him to health. In commeration of this event, the blessing of the throat takes place on his feast day. The blessing of the throat of the faithful will take place at all the Masses on Saturday, February 5th and Sunday, February 6th. ST. BLAISE, BISHOP AND MARTYR -Pray for Us.

Friday January 21st to Saturday January 22nd “Come Follow Me!” on a 24-hour experience that Brings our faith to life. Come listen to and reflect upon How Christ is calling you, and how he is the cornerstone. Register online: https://www.ndcarmel.com/mens-cornerstone-retreat

The faith formation program in our parish has been suspended for the month of January. (This includes CCD classes, Confirmation classes, Generations of Faith and the Catacombs Youth Ministry.) Start up for faith formation will be in February.

Christmas Caroling for tonight, December 28th, has been postponed.

The annual Rockaway Right to Life March will take place on Saturday, January 29th. The event begins with the celebration of the Holy Mass in church at 8 o’clock in the morning followed by coffee and a brief program in Hayes Hall. Participants will then walk around Park Lake praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and return to Hayes hall for a final prayer. Each year this event grows with young people, families and people of good will from other communities. Please join us in promoting the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death by participating in this local event.

The Saint Monica Guild will conduct a bake sale on Saturday and Sunday, December 18 & 19 in Hayes Hall following the Holy Masses. The ladies provide a wide variety of cakes, cookies and candy – all homemade! This could be a great gift as you visit with family and friends. Your support assists this parish society in its work for our parish.

Join us for an outdoor night of Christmas carols around a fire pit with hot chocolate and cookies too on Tuesday, December 28th from 7 to 8 pm at the parish parking lot (behind the rectory). A suggested donation of $5 per family will benefit the Rockaway Food Pantry. What a great way for us to come together as a family of faith to sing the Lord’s praises and to enjoy one another’s company. I think the kids will love it! – Father Zig

Our annual parish Christmas Concert will take place on Sunday, December 19th in the church beginning at 7 o’clock in the evening. Our music minister, Chuck Linnell has prepared a wonderful program of Christmas music which will be performed by our choir and a number of guest singers and instrumentalists. Come join us in a beautiful program of sacred song as we ready ourselves for the upcoming feast.

Once again we will observe an Italian tradition known as “Bambinelli Sunday.” This will be held on Sunday, December 12th (and Saturday eve Masses on December 11th). The faithful are encouraged to bring to Mass the “Bambinelli”, that is the statue of the Christ Child, from your home Christmas Nativity set for a blessing. What a wonderful sacramental to have in your home for the Christmas celebration!

A parish wide penance service will be held on Tuesday evening, December 21st at 7 o’clock. 8 priests will be available that night for confessions for both adults and children. All of us should prepare a “soul clean of sin” for the feast of the Lord’s Nativity.

During the Advent season the 6:30 a.m. weekday Mass will be celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first Mass during Advent recalls Our Lady’s special role in salvation history as the Mother of God who gave birth to the Eternal Word, Christ our Savior.

After consultation I have decided to end our outdoor 12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass at the parish cemetery for the season. We will resume the outdoor Masses at the cemetery in the spring. – Father Zig

We will be having our Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 20th from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm in St. Cecilia Church Hayes Hall. For further information, please email saintceciliarosarysociety@gmail.com

The feast of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr, is Monday, November 22nd. Join us for the 8 o’clock morning Mass which will feature music and the blessing with the relic of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of church music.

The 6:30 a.m. Mass will not be celebrated on Friday, November 26th. Only one Mass will be celebrated on this day at 8 o’clock. The 6:30 a.m. Mass will resume on Monday, November 29th.

Holy Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25th will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Only one Mass will be celebrated on this day. The blessing and distribution of bread for your holiday dinner will be distributed at the Mass.

We will observe the Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary on the vigil of the feast, Wednesday, October 6th at 7 o’clock in the evening. Weather permitting, we will gather to pray the Rosary in front of the church before the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary (in the event of inclement weather we will pray the Rosary in the church).

The Rockaway-Denville Catholic Respect Life Ministry is sponsoring a pro-life evening on Friday, October 8th in Hayes Hall beginning at 7 o’clock. The featured speaker will be our retired Bishop, the Most Reverend Arthur Serratelli who will address the abortion-euthanasia culture. Mrs. Jennifer Nelson will also give a presentation on Saint Gianna Molla. Refreshments will be served. Please join us in a thoughtful and prayerful reflection on the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.