First Sunday of Lent

My Dear Parishioners,
 
Today we mark the First Sunday of Lent as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. As per tradition on this first Sunday we hear the Gospel account of the Lord Jesus’ 40 days at prayer and fasting in the wilderness where He is confronted by Satan but emerges victorious over his assaults.
 
We too have begun our 40 days of prayer and fasting. Along with almsgiving we strive to be victorious over the evil forces which will try to entice us to be selfish, faithless and indifferent. We will be tempted throughout this holy season to give up on our Lenten lifestyle and return to former and sinful ways. Our love for the Lord and thanksgiving for salvation won for us by Jesus’ suffering will make us rejoice in the words of today’s Responsorial Psalm, “ Your ways, O Lord are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.”
 
The season of Lent is our time of spiritual training. As with all training, Lent calls for commitment and discipline. We have to be tough and focused on the disciplines of PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING. Parents need to be good role models for their children in this Lenten lifestyle. Parents must introduce their children to the Church’s practices which have come down to us from the Apostles. The encouragement and direction parents provide for their children help to form them into practicing Catholics who live the faith.
 
During the season of Lent the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is present at the principal  (High) Mass each Sunday at Saint Cecilia Church.  There are 4 catechumens who will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Holy Communion at the Vigil during the Great and Holy Night of Easter, Saturday, March 31st. These catechumens along with candidates who are already baptized but are preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist will be prayed over each Sunday at the 10:45 AM Mass. This afternoon the 4 catechumens will travel to the Cathedral in Paterson to have their names enrolled in the Book of the Elect and presented to Bishop Serratelli. This is indeed a special Sunday for them.
 
This Sunday we welcome Seminarian Angel Torres to Rockaway. Angel is from Ecuador and is beginning his formation for the diocesan priesthood. Angel resides at the seminarian residence in Boonton and will come to Rockaway for the weekends. We welcome him to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Saint Cecilia Parish and we pray that his time with us will be a blessed one for all.
 
Remember: PRAY, FAST , and GIVE ALMS during these Lenten days!
Father Zig