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.

Many thanks to the Rosyglo Foundation for their donation of $1,000 to Divine Mercy Academy for the scholarship fund which will assist a needy student to attend our Catholic school in Rockaway. The Rosyglo Foundation honors the life and good works of Sister Thomasine Smith, SCC. Sister resided in our convent for many years and we pray that she will now be numbered among the saints in God’s Kingdom.

Confirmation Classes are cancelled for tonight, Tuesday, December 17th, due to the inclement weather!

DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER, DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY & THE PARISH OFFICE ARE CLOSED FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 2nd. ALL PARISH & SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED AND THIS DOES INCLUDE BIBLE STUDY AND HOLY HOUR! STAY SAFE AND GOD BLESS!

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated that this year’s celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary IS NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION. Therefore, Holy Masses for this feast, which has been transferred to Monday, December 9th, will be celebrated in the morning at 6:30 and 8 o’clock only!

The 6:30 morning Mass during the season of Advent will be the RORATE MASS in honor of the Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary. This Mass dates from the Middle Ages in Europe when the faithful gather before dawn to celebrate Holy Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin who welcomed the Christ Child into her life and into our world. A single candle is lighted before the image of Our Lady at the altar dedicated to her during this Mass,

The final opportunity to go to confession prior to Christmas will be on Wednesday evening, December 18th at 7 o’clock. Eight priests will be available for the sacrament of penance so that our hearts may be ready to receive our Lord in the celebration of His Nativity.

A wonderful program of Christmas music will be presented in our church on Friday evening, December 13th at 7 o’clock. Please invite your family and friends to enjoy the beautiful sounds which will fill our parish church, the house of Cecilia, Patron Saint of music!

Bishop Serratelli is inviting you to the annual diocesan Christmas concert which will be held on Sunday, December 8th in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist located on Main and Grand Streets in Paterson. The concert begins at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Free indoor parking is provided at the County Garage located adjacent to the cathedral.

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.

Our Bishop cordially invites all the faithful of the Diocese of Paterson to join with him in the Annual Respect Life Mass which will take place on Saturday, November 16th in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson. The liturgy begins at 10 a.m. and is cosponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Please join us as we pray for the protection of human life from conception to natural death.

Advent Retreat Saturday, December 7, 2019 - 8:30 am—1:00 pm St. Francis Resort, Denville - Reservations Required Questions/Information, please call - Pat Zayac—973-625-4572 - Sponsored by The St. Monica Guild

Join Father Zig on this trip September 29th to October 12th, 2020 which will begin with a visit to the site which is traveled to by thousands of pilgrims every year and is associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. An information meeting for all those interested in this trip will be held in Hayes Hall on Tuesday evening, November 12th at 7:00 pm. Information brochures can be found in the church vestibule. Join us on this once in a lifetime visit to a most beautiful part of the world!

DUE TO THE WEATHER, PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16th IS CANCELLED!

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – Friday, November 1st is ALL SAINTS DAY and a holy day of obligation. This solemnity will be observed in our parish with a vigil Mass on Thursday, October 31st at 4:30 in the afternoon. On Friday, November 1st, Holy Mass will be celebrated in the morning at 6:30 and 8 o’clock. The evening Mass will be celebrated at 7 o’clock. Please remember to obey all traffic and parking regulations for these Masses since Church Street remains a two-way road during the week. One way parking is available only for the weekend Masses.