The Novena to Saint Monica will be prayed at the conclusion of the 8 o’clock Mass on Saturday, January 28th. Join us as we pray especially for those who have left the Church or who are suffering from an addition.

FIFTH SUNDAY ROSARY – The 5th Sunday of the month Rosary will be prayed on Sunday, January 29th in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main Street beginning at 3 o’clock. In addition to the Holy Rosary the Divine Mercy Chaplet will also be prayed. This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council 3359. All are welcome to join in prayer!

The blessing of the throat in commemoration of the feast of Saint Blasé, Bishop and Martyr will take place on his feast day, Friday, February 3rd and at all Masses for the weekend of February 4-5. HOLY MARTYR BLASÉ-PRAY FOR US.

The annual Rockaway March for Life will take place on Saturday, January 21st. We begin with the 8 o’clock Morning Mass followed by a brief program in Hayes Hall. The March around Park Lake begins about 9:30 with the praying of the Holy Rosary for the defense of human life from conception to natural death. Join us in this witness to the sanctity of human life in Rockaway!

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the patronal feast for the Church in the United States and is observed on December 8th. The Vigil Mass for this feast will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 7th at 4:30 pm. Holy Masses on Thursday, December 8th will be celebrated at 6:30 and 8 o’clock in the morning and at 7 o’clock in the evening. The parish office is closed for the feast. Divine Mercy Academy is also closed for the feast.

Let’s prepare our soul to welcome the Lord Jesus this Christmas by celebrating the sacrament of penance on Monday, December 19th at 7 o’clock in the evening. I have invited a number of priests to be with us as confessors and hope that you will come to make your soul a grace-filled place where the Christ may dwell. Adults and children are encouraged to attend! – Father Zig

Our parish choir will present a CHRISTMAS CONCERT OF SONG AND ORCHESTRAL PRESENTATION on Sunday, December 11th in our church beginning at 7 o’clock in the evening. Join us for a beautiful music program which will stir our hearts for Christmas! See you there!

You are invited to bring your crèche statue of the Baby Jesus for the traditional Italian Bambinelli blessing on Sunday, December 11th. The blessing will take place at all Masses following the homily. Let’s keep this beautiful tradition alive in our parish homes. The children especially love this event which brings holiness into our homes this Christmas.

Great time to do a little Christmas shopping - Saturday, November 19th - 9:00 am until 2:00 pm—St. Cecilia Church Hall - 90 Church Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866 For more information: [email protected]

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – The Solemnity of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation, will be celebrated on November 1st. A Vigil Mass will take place on Monday, October 31st at 4:30 pm. (Please note that Church Street is a two-way street during the week, unlike the weekend. Better to park in the lot.) Three Masses will take place in the church on Tuesday, November 1st at 6:30 and 8 o’clock in the morning and at 7 o’clock in the evening.

November is the month of the faithful departed. All Souls Day is Wednesday, November 2nd and Holy Mass for the departed will take place in the church at 6:30 and 8 o’clock in the morning. Weather permitting, Holy Mass will be celebrated at the parish cemetery at 12 Noon. A FLOCKNOTE will be sent out on Tuesday to give information about the cemetery Mass. You are encouraged to remember your departed loved ones at the Masses to be celebrated in the church during November by submitting the ALL SOULS DAY OFFERING ENVELOPE. The Mass requests will be placed on the altar during the month of November and will be remembered at each Mass. The Book of the Dead and the deposit of All Souls Day Offering Envelopes may be found at the altar of Saint Joseph. ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THEM, O LORD!

The Men’s Society will be conducting a winter coats drive for the needy in commemoration of the feast of Saint Martin of Tours. You are asked to bring a coat (adult or child) to Hayes Hall on Saturday/Sunday, November 12/13. The coats will be distributed to the homeless and those in need through the Market Street Mission in Morristown and the Father English Community Center in Paterson. Your generosity will be a blessing for someone in need during the upcoming cold days of winter. May God bless you!

DUE TO THE WEATHER, BLESSING OF THE PETS IS RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH @ 12:00 NOON

A Eucharistic Revival Retreat will be held on October 22 in Hayes Hall. This event will be part of the Eucharistic Revival activities in the parish.  The speaker will be Bishop Emeritus Arthur Serratelli who will address aspects of the holy Eucharist.  The event will start with mass at 8 AM and include a breakfast while ending before noon.  Registration will be $25 - further info and flyer in the next weeks in our bulletin. 

In commemoration of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi the traditional blessing of pets will take place on Saturday, October 1st beginning at 12 noon in the Sacred Heart of Jesus churchyard located at 63 East Main Street. Bring your pets for the blessing which will be bestowed by Father Matt and Father Pawel.

Holy Mass on Labor Day, Monday, September 5th will be celebrated at the parish cemetery at 9 o’clock in the morning, weather permitting. In the event of rain the Mass will take place in the church. The 6:30 and 8 o’clock Masses will not take place on Labor Day but will resume of Tuesday, September 6th.

Due to the sun setting earlier and no lighting at the parish cemetery, the final Saturday evening Vigil Mass at 7 o’clock will take place on Saturday, September 3rd. Outdoor Masses at the parish cemetery for the Lord’s Day will return in the spring.

As we approach the beginning of a new Faith Formation year we again have a need for volunteer catechists and building aides. A catechist is someone who is a teacher of the faith. We have a need for volunteers to help with classes for children of all ages and on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry and how God might be calling you to share the Gospel, please contact Jim Clancy in the parish office @ 973-627-0313 or [email protected]

Save the Date – Saturday, November 20th - 9:00 am until 2:00 pm St. Cecilia Church Hall, 90 Church Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866 For more information: [email protected]

Save the Date!! The next Alpha program begins September 15th. More information to follow in the coming weeks