His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli has informed us that we have a wonderful opportunity to join our voices in prayer with our Holy Father Pope Francis this week. On March 25, Wednesday, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, you are invited to say the Our Father at the time of the Angeles (12 noon). Bishop Serratelli wrote: "At 1:00 in the afternoon, (6:00 in the evening Rome time - FRIDAY, MARCH 27) when the Holy Father will be praying in Saint Peter's Basilica, ring the bells of your church or chapel, or participate in a virtual ringing of the bells through your social media platform. I invite all the faithful to recite an OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY and GLORY BE at this time as they join the Holy Father via television or the internet on the Vatican YOUTUBE channel. When the Holy Father imparts the blessing, those who intend to make a sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, and offer a prayer for the Holy Father, as soon as possible again, will receive a Plenary Indulgence."

All Mass Intentions which have been received and scheduled will be celebrated privately by the priests. We assure all those who have given stipends for the celebration of the Holy Mass for the living and the deceased will be honored. We continue to encourage people to give stipends for the Holy Mass in the future by calling the parish office. During this critical time, all parishioners are encouraged to say the Rosary at home each day. Parents should gather their children for this devotion asking our Lord through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to come to our assistance during this time of trail and that healing and restoration will be a reality in our time. Please know that the church is open everyday for private prayer Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 12 noon and Saturday & Sunday 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. Also, Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will take place Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 9:30 am - Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and Sunday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

All Liturgical Ceremonies including Sunday Masses, Daily Masses, Monday Night Confessions and other Devotions have been cancelled until further notice.

Due to the coronavirus, all religious education classes and parish meetings are cancelled until further notice.

The Craft Fair scheduled for Saturday, March 21st, has been cancelled!

Generations of Faith for Friday, March 13th, is postponed. Our next event is April 3rd.

Our next baptismal class will be held Monday, March 16th, at 7:00 pm in the parish office. Our baptismal classes are always held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. Pre-registration is not necessary.

Bishop Serratelli extends an invitation to all of us to join with him and all the priests of the Diocese of Paterson in the celebration of the annual Chrism Mass which will be held on Holy Monday, April 6th in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson. The liturgy begins at 7 o’clock in the evening at which time the Bishop blesses the oils which will be used in the parishes of the diocese for the administration of the sacraments. Free parking is available in the county garage located adjacent to the cathedral located on Grand Street in Paterson. The cathedral is located on the corner of Grand and Main Streets.

The clergy of the Rockaway Ecumenical Association will once again sponsor the Fridays of Lent lunches at the First Presbyterian Church in Rockaway beginning on February 28th. The lunch begins at 12 Noon followed by a Lenten presentation given by the clergy of the host congregation. The schedule is: February 28 – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, March 6 – United Methodist Church of the Rockaways, March 13 – Teabo United Methodist Church, March 20 – St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, March 27 – First Presbyterian Church, April 3 – St. Cecilia Catholic Church. A free will offering is accepted for the lunch.

Each year during Lent the Catholic Church in the United States sponsors OPERATION RICE BOWL which serves as the alms giving project benefiting the hungry throughout the world. You are asked to take a rice bowl and place it on your supper table as a daily reminder of the need to remember those who are hungry because of a lack of food and clean water. You are asked to place your offering in the alms box and return it to church on Easter Sunday, not before that since our fasting does not end until Holy Saturday, April 11th. Checks should be made payable to St. Cecilia Church with the memo RICE BOWL and one parish check will be sent to Catholic Relief Services.

A retreat for men will take place in our parish beginning with Stations of the Cross at 7 o’clock on Friday evening, March 27th and concluding with Holy Mass at noon on Saturday, March 28th. Registration for the retreat can be done by calling the parish office prior to March 24th or can be done on line. The registration fee is $20 per person. The topic is “Real Life Perspectives on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Speakers will include Father Carmen Buono and Sam Chey. A wonderful opportunity for a spiritual recharge! Guys, you won’t regret participating in this event.

Confessions: “Welcome Home” is a diocesan initiative to invite all Catholics to experience the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is a wonderful opportunity to set aside our sinful ways and to draw closer to our Lord. Confessions will be held every Monday in March, from 7:00 pm—8:30 pm in every Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson. Don’t be afraid! Information will be provided. Ask the priest to help you. Experience the gracious mercy of God! www. WelcomeHomeToHealing.org

The passing of a loved one is the greatest hurt which we endure in life. If you recently lost a loved one to death we invite you to participate in our bereavement program here at Saint Cecilia’s, open to both parishioners and non parishioners. The six week program begins on March 25 and will meet for the next five Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm in the parish office. The last sessions with be a Mass & candle ceremony in church. Registration is required by calling the parish office at 973.627.0313 prior to March 18th.

A meeting of all those wishing information and scheduling for a baptism will meet on Monday evening, February 17th in the Saint Cecilia Parish office at 7 pm. Father will be present to conduct the information session and answer questions regarding the celebration of the sacrament.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY COLLECTION - $1,118.06 was collected last Sunday, Super Bowl Sunday, to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County. Many thanks to all those who gave an offering for this cause, May Christ the Savior bless you for your generosity to those in need!

The season of Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 26th with the distribution of ashes at the morning Masses at 6:30 and 8 o’clock and the evening Mass at 7 o’clock. Ashes will also be distributed at the Liturgy of the Word service which will take place at 4:30 in the afternoon. Let’s begin this holy time in the tradition which has been handed down to us from the Early Church.

Sunday, February 9th is “World Marriage Day”, a celebration of the covenant binding a man and a woman for life. In honor of this commemoration a blessing will be bestowed upon all married couples at the 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday, February 8th.

The season of Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 26th with the distribution of ashes at the morning Masses at 6:30 and 8 o’clock and the evening Mass at 7 o’clock. Ashes will also be distributed at the Liturgy of the Word service which will take place at 4:30 in the afternoon. Let’s begin this holy time in the tradition which has been handed down to us from the Early Church.

NEXT SUNDAY – CANDLEMAS – Next Sunday, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This feast marks the 40th day and leave-taking of Christmas. It is the feast which commemorates the day when the Baby Jesus was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem and was met by Simeon and Anna. At this meeting the Lord Jesus is recognized as the “light of revelation to the gentiles,” and for this reason candles are blessed on this day. A procession will take place at all Masses next weekend with the blessing of candles. Should you like to bring a candle from home to be blessed you are invited to do so.

The traditional blessing of the throat will take place next Sunday, February 2nd in honor of the feast of Saint Blasé, Bishop and Martyr, whose feast in Monday, February 3rd. The blessing will take place at the conclusion of all the Masses next weekend.