PIZZA NIGHT WITH BISHOP: For young men in high school or college, or even older come join Bishop Serratelli and priests from the Diocese of Paterson for adoration, reflection, fellowship and of course, pizza!!! Tuesday, February 5th at Pope John, XXIII in Sparta from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. For more information, please contact the Vocation Office at 973-777-8818, ext: 711.

LUNAR NEW YEAR – His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli will come to Saint Cecilia Church on Sunday, February 3rd to join in the celebration of Vietnamese New Year. The Bishop will preside at the 3:30 p.m. Mass. The celebration will continue in Hayes Hall following the Holy Mass. To all those celebrating , HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LISTEN TO POPE FRANCIS… “Why it is so important to go to Mass on Sundays and why it is not enough to just live a moral life, loving others: We don’t go to Mass to give something to God, but to receive from Him that which we truly need. Sunday Mass is the time and place Christians receive grace and strength to remain faithful to His work, follow His commandment to love others and be credible witnesses in the world. Just like a plant needs the sun and nourishment to live, every Christian needs the Sunday Eucharist to truly live. Without Christ, we are condemned to be dominated by the fatigue of daily life with all its worries and the fear of tomorrow. The Sunday encounter with the Lord gives us the strength to live today with confidence and courage and to move forward with hope.”

Please be advised that we are still having our baptismal class on Monday, January 21st, at 7:00 pm in the parish office.

BLESSING OF THE THROAT – The traditional blessing of the throat in commemoration of the feast of Saint Blasé, Bishop and Martyr, will take place at the conclusion of Masses the weekend of February 2-3.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK will be commemorated at next Sunday’s 9:15 a.m. Mass, January 27th, with students from Divine Mercy Academy participating. Next Sunday’s second collection will be used to support our children. Please be generous!

The Women’s Cornerstone is hosted and facilitated by a team of women who have previously experienced Cornerstone. The team has been meeting, praying and preparing for many months to bring you this special event. It involves their sharing of personal stories and experiences of finding God amidst the challenges of the modern world. This event is Friday-Saturday, March 22-23 at Saint Joseph Parish in West Milford (Father Zig’s former parish). The offering is $75 per candidate. For more info, please contact: Pauline Anderson @ 973-728-2290 or Email: rags728@optonline.net or Mary Lucas @ 973-697-1158 or Email: mamajoph@optonline.net. Ladies, treat yourself to a wonderful spiritual experience—you won’t regret it!!

You are invited to join Catholics from Rockaway and around the country to participate in the NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE MARCH in Washington, DC on Friday, January 18th. Bus transportation is free with departure from Gardener Field in Denville at 6 a.m. For info and reservation, please call Jim Rizos @ 973-627-2596. The bus is financed by the Knights of Columbus.

On Saturday January 19th St. Cecilia’s Church will be hosting a special pro-life event. All those that support the culture of life are welcome to join us for a morning of prayer, public witness, and education of the dignity and beauty of all human life. If you are interested in joining us, we will begin at 8:00am for Mass followed by coffee, juice and other light refreshments in Hayes Hall. By 9:00 am all participants will make the short walk to the Rockaway Park Lake walking path. We will march, pray and witness for a culture of life in our community and country. By 10:00 we will return to St. Cecilia’s for our closing prayer. No registration is required. For more information please contact Jim Clancy at stcecilia.faithformation@gmail.com or at 973-627-0313.

Holy Masses in our parish for Holy Days of Obligation will be celebrated at the following times: Vigil (Day before the feast) Holy Mass at 4:30 pm. Holy Mass (the day of the feast) at 6:30 am, 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. This schedule is effective immediately!

Archangel Michael Icon: Many thanks and blessings to Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Agnes Maye on the donation of the Icon of the Archangel Michael that has been positioned at the altar of St. Joseph. Our Holy Father and Bishop have asked that the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel be recited at the conclusion of every Mass to defend the Church against the assaults of evil in our time.

WINTER POLICY - Now that we are in the midst of the winter season please be aware of the following: In the event of inclement weather and Divine Mercy Academy is closed, the parish office will be closed and the church will be open ONLY for the liturgical service scheduled.  Also, all evening events will be cancelled.

First Friday Devotions Friday, January 4th, is the First Friday and devotions to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will take place at Sacred Heart Church on 63 E. Main St. beginning at 6:30 pm with Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. From 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm the sacrament of penance will be celebrated. At 7:00 pm the Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus will be prayed followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass. The First Friday observance will take place each month at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Please join us in our worship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have a baptismal class this Monday, December 17 @ 7:00 pm in the parish office.

A memorial Mass for the newly departed, Bishop Frank J. Rodimer will be held on Saturday, December 22nd in our church at 10 o’clock in the morning. Bishop Rodimer was born and raised in our parish and became the first native son to be named Bishop of Paterson. Our condolences to the Rodimer Family.

Loyola Jesuit Center—Men’s Weekend Retreat An Invitation to Personal Discipleship February 1st—3rd, 2019 Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Lakes Council #3359 is hosting an Ignatian Silent Retreat for all men of the parish (18+). Non– K of C members welcome! For details please contact Damiano Servidio at dservidio@fordham.edu or go to www.kofc3359.org

FISH & CHIPS DINNER THANK YOU - The Men's Society would like to thank all those that participated in last weekend's Fish & Chips dinner.  It was a enjoyable evening for everyone and a chance to build on the community here at St Cecilia's.  Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas.

The sacrament of penance will be celebrated in our parish on Monday evening, December 17th beginning at 7 o’clock. A number of priests have been invited to join with us so that all will be accommodated in a timely manner. All Catholics, adults and children, should approach the sacrament of penance prior to the Christmas celebration as we prepare our hearts to receive the Prince of Peace.

The Mass schedule has been revised for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1st. Two vigil Masses will be celebrated on Monday, December 31st at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday, January 1st two Masses will be celebrated at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. No 6:30 a.m. Mass on either Monday or Tuesday.

Due to the inclement weather, Generations of Faith is canceled for this evening, Friday, November 16th. Thank you and stay safe!