5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,

Our assembly today marks the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time as we celebrate the LORD’S DAY . On this day of rest and worship the scriptural texts tell us of those whom the Lord sent to proclaim His Kingdom. Those sent go with the Lord’s blessing but are also burdened because this task is challenging. The work of evangelizing is not an easy task. Sacrifice, commitment, resilience, trust are but only a few of the virtues one needs to possess in proclaiming the Kingdom of God in a world where secularism and indifferentism are prominent. All of us, the baptized, have been chosen to proclaim God in all of our words and deeds. In today’s second lection the Apostles Paul reminds us: “In Him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of His will, so that we might exist for the praise of His glory, we who first hoped in Christ.”(Ephesians 1:11-13)

Parents in a very special way are chosen by the Lord, by virtue of their vocation, to evangelize their children. They are the primary theologians who speak and demonstrate the ways of God in the intimacy of the family home. They make their home into the “domestic church” where worship of God occurs each day. In the home is to be found prayer, fasting, corporal and spiritual works of mercy and the coaching necessary to “…know what is the hope that belongs to our call.” (Ephesians 1:18) This is not so easy because the power of Satan continually tries to dissuade parents from this holy task.

The evil is found in the sarcastic comments, laziness, selfishness (just to name a few) which parents encounter in their effort to be good Christian parents. As your father, I encourage you (the parents of our parish family) to use every opportunity available to you in strengthening the domestic church, YOUR HOME. One of these opportunities is the SUMMER BIBLE CAMP which begins next week, Tuesday July 21st and runs through Saturday, July 25th. This faith formation program for children ages 4-14 is an annual program of both Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and Saint Cecilia Church.

Children and adults from both parishes have come together for many years for this summertime faith formation experience. Saint Cecilia School is the location of the event which meets each evening from 6 to 8 o’clock. The children have great fun in learning about the Lord Jesus and His Holy Church. This year’s topic is: ‘SOARING THRU THE SACRAMENTS.’ Registration for this event is a must. Please call either Jim Clancy at 973.627.0313 ext. 17 (St. Cecilia Parish office) or Denise Montalto-Rook at 973.625.2056.

MOM AND DAD – Please don’t overlook this opportunity I am offering to assist you in the task of evangelizing and catechizing your children. The Lord holds you responsible for their faith formation while they are under your care. As they mature, they will become individually responsible and accountable. Our summer program is FUN and CATHOLIC!!

One last thing, just a reminder that the summer season could also be tempting in excusing oneself from the Sunday celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I look forward to seeing all of you in church praising God for all the blessings He bestows upon us. I also thank you for your offerings which pay our bills and allow our parish to exist in a material world!

God bless you!
Father Zig