Fifth Sunday of Lent.

My Dear Parishioners,

We gather on the Lord’s Day to celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel Acclamation for the liturgy is “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” We see the mercy of God displayed in the Gospel reading of the “woman caught in adultery.” The Lord Jesus tells the self-righteous men who have brought the woman before Him for stoning, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one the sinful men leave until only the sinful woman remains before Jesus. He says to her, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

YES, God is merciful to us sinners! This graciousness is shown us when we come before Him acknowledging our sins and resolving to avoid sins in the future. This mercy is demonstrated every time we receive the sacrament of penance, when we confess our sins before the priest. Why would we want to avoid experiencing this mercy? Why would we want to remain in the despair of our sins rather than experience the joy of forgiveness? So why not go to confession in these remaining days of Lent? Monday evening is the final day of the Monday evening confessions in the Diocese of Paterson, so please join us from 7 to 8:30 for confessions, adults and children. We will have a LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY EVENING OF HOLY WEEK AT 7 O’CLOCK (in Saint Cecilia Church). Please join us for this final opportunity before Easter.

We see how Lent is drawing to its conclusion as we enter the church. In Rockaway we follow the optional practice of covering statues and crucifixes with purple cloth. The Third Edition of the Roman Missal states that the practice of covering holy images is done from the Fifth Sunday of Lent until the Easter Vigil. This practice reminds us of the somber nature of these remaining days of Lent. The covering of holy images originated in the 12th century in Germany.

Next Sunday we begin HOLY WEEK with the celebration of Palm Sunday. All the faithful are called during this solemn time to keep watch with Christ as we recall His Passion, Death and Resurrection. Indeed, His disciples will respond to this invitation. All of us are disciples, life-long students of the Lord. Next Sunday the younger members of our parish will have the opportunity to enroll in next year’s “CCD PROGRAM (at St. Cecilia’s). Parents are especially reminded of this opportunity next Sunday and are called upon to encourage and lovingly direct their children to the faith formation program which is open to all young people of Saint Cecilia and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parishes.

Recalling all the God has done for us in Jesus, His Only Begotten Son, we can sing: THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US; WE ARE FILLED WITH JOY!

God bless you!
Father Zig