The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments has directed priests to take special anti-COVID 19 precautions this year when distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, February 17, including sprinkling of ashes on the top of the head rather than making a cross on the person’s forehead. The Vatican document further says that the priest sprinkles the ashes with holy water without saying anything, says only once to the entire congregation – “Remember that you are dust and unto dust shall you return,” cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and sprinkles the ashes on the top of the head of those who come before him without saying anything. Sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads, rather than marking the foreheads with ashes, is the customary practice at the Vatican and in Italy. Given the spread of the coronavirus, the practice has the advantage of not requiring the priest to touch multiple people.

A holy card commemorating the YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH is available for your devotional use and can be found on the table located in the church vestibule. The prayer located on the card will be recited at the conclusion of the daily Masses, Monday thru Saturday. Daily Mass communicants should bring their card to Mass for the prayer.

The Thursday evening faith formation class will resume on February 18th and will meet every Thursday evening during Lent in Hayes Hall from 7 to 8:30. Father Zig will announce the topic for the program within the next week.

Saint Cecilia’s continues to support the ROCKAWAY FOOD CLOSET which is an ecumenical food pantry serving our community located at the First Presbyterian Church, our neighbors across the street. Your donation of food may be brought to Hayes Hall when you come to church. Your generosity is a blessing to those who are unable to adequately feed their families. May God bless you.

The annual blessing of the throat in commemoration of the Feast of Saint Blasé, Bishop and Martyr, will take place at the Masses on February 6 and 7. Due to the pandemic the faithful will not receive an individual blessing but rather a “community blessing” this year.

A Holy Hour for Life will take place on January 22nd at St. Mary's in Denville from 12:30 - 1:30, following the noon Mass.