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.

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY – 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.

Our parish has been asked to participate in a Rosary Rally on Saturday, February 22nd to commemorate the feast day of Saints Francesco and Jacinta, the children seers at Fatima. The intention is for the conversion of sinners and for our country. The outdoor demonstration will begin at 12 Noon in front of the church at the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the event of extreme cold or snow the prayers will be said in the church. Bundle up and join us for this public prayer service.

Our annual Rockaway March for Life will take place on Saturday, January 18th. We will gather in the church for the 8 o’clock morning Mass followed by refreshments and a brief program in Hayes Hall. The march will then begin around Park Lake with the praying of the Holy Rosary for the intention of the promotion and protection of human life from conception to natural death. Each year our march grows in number and especially among our young people and families. Please join us for this local demonstration of Catholics witnessing to the sacredness of human life!

Come to our Open House on Sunday January 26th, from 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM! Divine Mercy Academy in Rockaway is a Catholic elementary school offering a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade faith-based education. We offer full-day Kindergarten; full & half day Pre-K; before-care & after-care; STEM-based education; School Counselor; foreign language; music & art programs; extracurricular activities; and are AdvancED accredited. Our mission is to provide an academically excellent Catholic education, and to instill within our students the virtues of mercy and compassion, forming them as true disciples of Jesus Christ. Registration for the 2020-2021 school year begins during Catholic Schools Week, January 26th-February 1st.

Super Bowl 54 will take place on Sunday, February 2nd. This day will serve as the time when we will take a collection to benefit the INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY OF MORRIS COUNTY. Did you know that approximately 42,000 households in Morris County struggle to feed their families on a regular basis? Our donation on Super Bowl Sunday will support the efforts of the Interfaith Food Pantry. Why not make a donation representing some percentage of the food you will purchase for your Super Bowl party to help feed those in need? God bless you!!

“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out?” ~ Jeremiah 2:25. God doesn’t want us to be stressed out or so busy that we race through life. God longs to give us peace, rest, and repose. Please join men from our parish family for a quiet listening retreat on Friday, 01/31/2020 to Sunday, 02/02/2020 at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, NJ. Loyola is a welcoming, sacred place where you can slow down, be quiet and still with God, and experience His deep peace. The weekend includes preached talks on a theme, daily Mass, Reconciliation, a Healing Mass, optional private consultations with retreat leaders, outdoor stations of the cross and generous amounts of free time for personal prayer and reflection. It is truly a wonderful experience and the cost is a free will offering. All are welcome at Loyola regardless of financial status. For more information or to register, contact Damiano Servidio, damiano.servidio@gmail.com, (973) 407-0186 or visit www.kofc3359.org for on-line registration.

ATTENTION ALL MEN – Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church in Cedar Knolls will host a MEN’S CORNERSTONE RETREAT on Friday-Saturday, January 24-25. Join in this great opportunity to meet other men who seek a conversion of the heart and strengthening through the Holy Spirit. “Now is the Time!” to join in this 24 hour experience that brings faith to life. Come listen to and reflect upon experiences that demonstrate how God is present in our lives, how Christ is calling you, and how He is the cornerstone! Registration online: https://ndcarmel.com. You may also contact Erwin Dsouza 908.635.4135 or Matthew Cooney 973.832.5932.

The Knights of Columbus Councils 514 and 3359 invite you to join the bus trip to the 47th March for Life in Washington, DC on Friday, January 24th. The bus will depart at 6 a.m. from the Gardner Field Park and Ride in Denville. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 5:15 a.m. in Saint Mary Church in Denville prior to departure. There is no charge for the bus, but please bring $10 to cover the DC METRO cost and a tip for the bus driver. Please contact Deacon Jim Rizos at 973.627.2595 or jrizos10@gmail.com to reserve your place. If you are unable to join the march, please keep the cause for life in your prayers.