Due to Covid 19 restrictions this year’s Advent Tree project will take on a different format. You are asked to participate and help those who come to the Father English Community Center, run by Catholic Charities, for assistance. Please check the needed items and bring them UNWRAPPED to the designated areas in the church (or bring them to the parish office) prior to December 20th. May the Lord bless your generous Christmas spirit!
“Advent with Mary: Virgin and Mother” is the title of this year’s Advent retreat which will take place on Saturday, December 5th. The morning retreat will be presented by Sister Diane, Sister John Paul and Sister Paulina. This year’s retreat will be virtual with participants viewing the retreat on our parish website from 9 to 11 a.m. Retreatants are invited to attend the 8 o’clock morning Mass in church and then return home for the retreat program on line. The Sisters have prepared a wonderful morning of prayer, presentations, videos and in-house discussions which will ready you for the holy season of Advent and beyond.
The Knights of Columbus, Council 3359, will conduct a food drive to benefit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson on Sundays, December 6th and 13th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Knights will accept the donations at the table located outside of the church. The food pantries of Catholic Charities are in desperate need of our help. May God bless you for your generosity and kindness.
Join us for the 6:30 morning Mass, Monday through Friday, for the “Rorate” Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This traditional Mass during the Advent season is celebrated in the early morning before the sun rises recalling the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role in our salvation.
Oplatek, Christmas wafers used for the traditional Christmas Eve Supper, are available at the altar of Saint Joseph. Your offering will be appreciated and can be placed in the basket located near the oplatek.
The sacrament of penance will be celebrated in the church on Saturday morning, December 12 and 19, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Our priests will be available for confessions at this time in addition to the afternoon schedule beginning at 3:30. Let us prepare our souls for the coming of Our Lord at the Christmas celebration.
Next Sunday, November 22nd, the 12:15 p.m. Mass will be live-stream AND NOT THE 10:45 A.M. MASS AS NORMAL. This change will allow more parishioners to view the Mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Kevin Sweeney. This will be our new Bishop’s first visit to Saint Cecilia’s. The live-stream of the 10:45 a.m. Mass will resume the following Sunday, November 29th.
Next Sunday, November 22nd is the feast of our patroness, Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr. Next Sunday is also the Solemnity of Christ the King which takes prominence over our patronal feast. However, we will pay tribute to Saint Cecilia with an instrumental presentation which will take place in the church prior to the Mass beginning at 11:45 a.m. come early to hear the beautiful sounds which will be raised for the glory of God and in honor of Cecilia. (Saint Cecilia is the patroness of church music.) At the conclusion of Mass Bishop Sweeney will bless us with the relic of Saint Cecilia.
Holy Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th, will be celebrated in the church at 9 o’clock in the morning (if warranted, Mass will also be celebrated in Hayes Hall at the same time). The 6:30 and 8 o’clock Masses will not be celebrated on Thanksgiving. ALSO, THE 6:30 AM MASS WILL NOT BE CELEBRATED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH! Only one Mass that day at 8 a.m.!!
“Advent with Mary: Virgin and Mother” is the title of this year’s Advent retreat which will take place on Saturday, December 5th. The morning retreat will be presented by Sister Diane, Sister John Paul and Sister Paulina. This year’s retreat will be virtual with participants viewing the retreat on our parish website from 9 to 11 a.m. Retreatants are invited to attend the 8 o’clock morning Mass in church and then return home for the retreat program on line. The Sisters have prepared a wonderful morning of prayer, presentations, videos and in-house discussions which will ready you for the holy season of Advent and beyond.