Our regular schedule 7:00 pm meeting for Thursday, November 15th, has been canceled due to the impending bad weather.

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – December 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation and the patronal feast for the United States. Holy Mass for this feast will be celebrated on Friday, December 7th at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm. On Saturday, December 8th, one Mass will be celebrated at 8 o’clock in the morning.

OPLATEK – The traditional Christmas bread, oplatek, will be available for the Christmas Vigil Supper, if this is your tradition. The oplatek may be found on the altar of Saint Joseph. An offering for the oplatek may be placed in the basket located for this purpose.

ADVENT CONFESSION – 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.

TAX SAVING BENEFIT FOR SENIORS AGE 70 1/2 OR OLDER As a result of income tax reform last year, many seniors when filing their tax return may be able to benefit from using the “standard deduction” ($24,000 for married filing joint, $18,000 for head of household status and $12,000 for all others) in lieu of itemizing their deductions.  If you are age 701/2 or older, a special tax rule allows you to make a “qualified charitable distribution” (donation) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) directly to the parish (electronically or a check made payable to the parish by the IRA).  The donation from the IRA is excluded from your income (even if you use the standard deduction) and applies toward your “minimum required distribution” (MRD) thereby reducing your taxable income.  Each eligible person can make an IRA donation up to $100,000 per year.  This is a general overview and you should discuss it with your tax advisor.

  We wish to sincerely thank all who made donations and supported our Pro-Life Run and Walk A+Cross the Brooklyn Bridge on Ash Wednesday, and our 5K in Morristown, NJ., this year. We were delighted to welcome the large number of runners and walkers who joined this LIFE Runners’ project this year in support of human life from conception until natural death, and as we prayed together for the end of legalized abortion. Our chapter is part of the pro-life ministry at St. Cecilia’s Church. This Annual Fundraiser supports operations of the pro-life ministry in our parish, as well as various other pro-group groups, including the LIFE Runners national organization and Students for Life of America. A total of $2,482.00 was raised this year and the project was an outstanding success. More Info: 973-664-9460 Website: https://www.liferunners.org/

Annual Fish & Chips dinner - The Men's Society will be holding their annual Fish & Chips dinner Saturday night in Hayes Hall on December 8 for 5 PM to 7 PM.  The price is Adults - $16, Seniors - $15 and Children - $8.  Eat In or Take Out. Catering is by Tastefully British. Sign up after all masses or call Jim Gallagher (973-366-9699) Jack Zayac (973-625-4572) or Jeff Zuber (973-983-1272).

PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP CHANGES—Due to scheduling conflicts, the Padre Pio Prayer Group will meet on the following days: Wednesday, November 14th in the Parish Office AND on Wednesday, December 12 in the church and Hayes Hall. The gathering begins with Holy Mass at 7:00 pm. Please take note of these changes!!!

SIMBANG GABI The lst night of the traditional novena of Filipino Masses before Christmas will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish church on Saturday, December 15th @ 7:00 pm. Fr. Cerilo Javinez will be the main celebrant. Fellowship and Filipino refreshment immediately follows Mass. This traditional Filipino Mass is sponsored by the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Ministries (DCCFM) of the Diocese of Paterson. For more information or if you wish to help, please contact DCCFM Vice President, Elmer Maximo at 973-664-1949.. Maraming salamat po.

ALL SOULS MONTH – November is the Month of All Souls. During this month the Saint Joseph Altar will be the location of the Book of the Dead and where the All Souls envelopes may be deposited. The names of the newly departed who have passed on to eternal life since last November are also displayed there. The names of those inscribed on the All Souls envelopes will be placed on the altar during the month of All Souls and will be remembered at all the Masses.

ANNULMENT INFORMATION – The Diocese of Paterson is sponsoring an information evening regarding the marriage annulment process on Wednesday, November 7th at Saint Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center in Madison. The presentation will be held from 7:30 to 9 o’clock. Holy Mass will preceed at 7 o’clock. Monsignor Edward Kurtyka, Judical Vicar for the matrimonial tribunal will make the presentation and be available for questions.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP TO MEET AT SAINT CECILIA’S – Our parish bereavement ministry is up and running once again. A six week program for those who have lost a spouse, sibling or friend will begin on Wednesday, November 28th in the parish office at 7 o’clock. The sessions will take place on December 5 and 12 AND January 9, 16 and 23 (ALL WEDNESDAY EVENINGS). The program is open to both parishioners and non parishioners. Please call the parish office for additional information (973.627.0313).

ACROSS THE COUNTRY – You are invited to participate in an event which is taking place in 177 dioceses around our nation on Monday evening, October 29th at Our Lady of the Magnificant Church in Kinnelon. Due to limited seating, tickets (which are free) are required for this event at The 177 PROJECT.COM. or by calling the church at 973.838.6838. Doors open at 6 p.m. At 6:45 the Rosary will be prayed, 7:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration, 8:15 pm a concert will take place by nationally acclaimed Jon Nevin and Dana Catherine. RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKETS TODAY!!!

Respect Life Corner Project 20-20 Respect Life Post Card  Project Please sign our post cards and tell one NJ State Senator and two NJ Assembly Members to support the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection act" (A-1686-S-537). Post cards are available for your signatures in the lobby and outside the church doors this weekend. Thank you for your support and your  prayers. 

COAT DRIVE: On October 13th & 14th we will have a “drop off” in Hayes Hall for any new or gently used men’s, women’s or children’s coats. We will gladly accept scarves and gloves too! Donations will go to the Market Street Mission for their “Coat Giveaway” program. Coordinated by St. Cecilia Men’s Society

MEN OF THE PARISH The Men’s Society will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Saturday October 13th after the 8:00 am Mass in Hayes Hall—all members and Interested men of the parish are invited to attend. Coffee and bagels are provided. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Gallagher @ 973-366-9699.

We welcome His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli to Saint Cecilia’s for a pastoral visit on Saturday, October 27th. The Bishop will celebrate the 4:30 Vigil Mass.

RCIA: Registration and 1st class will begin October 7th @ 11:45 am in St. Cecilia Parish Office!

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA COMES TO ROCKAWAY – The relics of Saint Anthony of Padua will come to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main Street on Sunday, October 14th. The relics of this 13th century Franciscan saint will come from his shrine in Padua, Italy and will be accompanied by Father Mario Conti, a Friar from the shrine. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 3 o’clock followed by veneration of the two and precious relics from the Pontifical Basilica in Padua, Italy.

All Souls and Cemetery: The projects undertaken by the cemetery committee for this season have been completed. Paver stones around the Columbarium and the erection of the altar are done. Also completed is the walkway to the Crucifix Shrine. This work will be blessed at the All Souls Cemetery Service which will be held on Sunday, October 28th @ 1:30 pm. Join us as we pray for the faithful departed and bless the newly accomplished cemetery projects.