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.

Catholics of Rockaway will gather at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main Street on Saturday, October 16th at 12 Noon to pray the Rosary outdoors, weather permitting (if not in the church). This is a nationwide event sponsored by the “America Needs Fatima Foundation.”

Come join us for ALPHA every Thursday evening beginning at 7 o’clock in Hayes Hall. We begin with food, fellowship and good conversation regarding topics of faith. All are welcome age 18 and up. You won’t regret the experience!

This year’s blessing of pets in commemoration of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi will take place on Saturday, October 2nd at Sacred Heart of Jesus Churchyard on East Main Street. This ceremony, combining both Sacred Heart Parish and Saint Cecilia Parish, will begin at 12 Noon with Father Matt and Father Pawel officiating.

SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT SUNDAY – His Excellency, Bishop Kevin Sweeney is inviting us to participate in a special collection next Sunday, September 4-5, to assist those in Haiti who continue to suffer from the recent earthquake and hurricane. Also included in this collection will be assistance to the people of Cuba. The collection will go to Catholic Relief Services and organizations that can assist the Haitian people as well as the Cuban people in their struggle for liberty and emergency relief. Please make your check payable to: ST. CECILIA CHURCH and in the memo: SECOND COLLECTION.

Father Zig will serve as the spiritual director for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land sponsored by 206 Tours, February 28 to March 9, 2022. There are about 9 parishioners who have already registered for this pilgrimage which will be made up of people from throughout the United States. All information and registration must be done through 206 Tours and not the parish office. Please see the website at: www.pilgrimages.com/frpeplowski. This 10 day pilgrimage is entitled, “Explore the Holy Land From Jerusalem” and is a Catholic tour with daily Mass and devotions at the holy sites.

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 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated on Saturday (evening) and Sunday, August 14 and 15. The green vestments of Ordinary Time are placed aside for the color white. The reading from the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John is interrupted for the lections for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Mother of God.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated next Sunday, WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY. This annual observance will take place near the feast of Saints Joachim and Ann, Grandparents of the Lord Jesus, which is celebrated on July 26th. A special blessing will be given to all grandparents and seniors at the Masses next Sunday, July 25th. Copies of the Holy Father’s message will be available next weekend on the bulletin table located in the church vestibule.

I have been informed that Sister Marlene Weitzel, SCC has been assigned to live in our parish convent joining Sister Diane and Sister John Paul. Sister Marlene was stationed at Saint James Parish in Basking Ridge (Diocese of Metuchen) prior to coming to Rockaway. Sister will be tutoring the students at Assumption College for Sisters in Denville and doing some part time ministry at Saint Cecilia’s. Welcome, Sister Marlene! - Father Zig

Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend your summer nights? Come to the parish for our new Summer Community Nights! A casual community event that includes a fire pit and free hot dogs, water, and ice pops. Bring your own lawn chair and other food / drinks. If available, children can use the field or the open gym. Join the 7:00 pm Mass at the cemetery, then go to the parish for Community Night. Saturdays from 7:30 – 9:00 pm in the parish parking lot. Starting on July 10th and continuing through August 21st. Weather permitting. This is a free event and is open to ALL PARISHIONERS!

Holy Mass in observance of the Lord’s Day will be celebrated in the church and the parish cemetery. Our schedule is as follows: SATURDAY – The 4:30 Mass will be celebrated in the church. The 7 o’clock Mass will be celebrated at the parish cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the Mass will be celebrated in the church. SUNDAY – The 8 o’clock, 9:15 and 10:45 Masses will be celebrated in the church. The 12:15 Mass will be celebrated at the parish cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the Mass will be celebrated in the church. A FLOCKNOTE will be sent out at Noon on Saturday to provide information regarding the outdoor Masses if the weather is inclement. (Sign up for FLOCKNOTE, go to the parish website for information.)

I am so grateful to all those who volunteered their time and labor last Saturday morning in “tidying up” our parish property. Please know that your pastor appreciates your hard work which was done on a very hot morning. Special thanks to Jim Clancy who organized this event. God bless you all! – Father Zig

After consultation with the diocese and my advisors I would like to inform you of the following items. A limited amount of PEW SONG BOOKS will be returned to the pews. I am trying a one volume book which contains Mass parts, Scripture readings and hymns. This text will be in use until November 27th. (I would be interested in hearing your comments regarding the one book as compared to the two books which we have had in the past.) COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE which is the traditional way of receiving the Holy Eucharist will resume on Corpus Christi, Sunday-June 6th. I ask that those who would like to receive the Blessed Sacrament in this manner approach only the priest (not an extraordinary minister) and to do so as the last on the Communion line. MASSES IN HAYES HALL will continue only until the end of the month of May. Beginning June 6th all Masses will be celebrated in the church with an increase of worshippers as allowed by protocols. LIVE-STREAMING OF SUNDAY MASS will continue only until the end of the month of May. Beginning June 6th all live-streaming will end as a result of low viewership. All of these are welcome signs that we are gradually returning to normal in church. I look forward to the lifting of even more restrictions within the coming weeks. Let us continue to pray that the Lord will bring an end to the pandemic and heal those still suffering from it. – FATHER ZIG

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be observed on Sunday, June 6th with a joint service which will take place at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main Street. The service of Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and outdoor procession with the Most Holy Eucharist will begin at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Both adults and children of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Saint Cecilia Parish are invited to participate. Assistance will be needed in altar serving and the strewing of flower petals during the procession. LET US JOIN TOGETHER TO WORSHIP OUR LORD IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT.

Join us on Thursday evening, May 13th at 7 o’clock for the praying of the Holy Rosary in celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. The service will take place at the parish cemetery. In the event of rain the service will take place in the church. A FLOCKNOTE will be sent out during the day on Thursday with the latest information.

The Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Newark have decided that the Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension into Heaven will be transferred to next Sunday, May 16th rather than on Thursday, May 13th (the 40th day after Easter). This coming Thursday is not a holy day of obligation this year!

On Monday, Memorial Day, May 31st only one Mass will be celebrated at 9 o’clock in the morning at the parish cemetery. Please bring a lawn chair for Mass and know that in the event of rain the Mass will be celebrated in the church. (The 6:30 and 8 o’clock Masses will not be celebrated in the church on Memorial Day.)

The monthly Saint Joseph Holy Hour for May will take place on Wednesday, May 19th beginning at 8 o’clock in the evening. The service begins with a presentation from “In the Breach,” regarding male spirituality followed by 20 minutes of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament. All men, fathers and their sons, are especially encouraged to attend as we spend time in prayer through the intercession of Saint Joseph.