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Due to the closure of the church during Holy Week the annual Chrism Mass was cancelled. His Excellency, Bishop Kevin Sweeney has rescheduled the Chrism Mass for Wednesday evening, July 22nd at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson. Due to restrictions this liturgy is by invitation only. Holy Oils will be distributed to all the parishes to be used for sacramental purposes until Holy Week 2021.

By Mandate of the Apostolic Administrator Public Celebration of the Liturgy Resumes on the Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ On the weekend of June 13-14, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the churches and institutions of the Diocese of Paterson are to resume publicly celebrating the Sacred Liturgy with the faithful. Public celebrations of Holy Mass and all of the Sacraments must be in accord with previously issued Health and Safety Protocols which remain in effect until further notice. The Protocols for the Reopening of Churches to Public Liturgical Celebrations issued on May 18, 2020 by the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese are to be followed for the safety and health of all. Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L, .D.D. Apostolic Administrator

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi and Bishop Serratelli is asking all parishes to participate in our Diocesan-wide Corpus Christi Food Drive. This year, the drive has gone virtual, and you can shop online and have items directly shipped to Catholic Charities Food Pantries. Visit www.ccpaterson.org/corpus to make a monetary donation or for more information about this important effort. Visit www.yougivegoods.com/ccpaterson-fooddrive2020 to find our parish, and shop for our pantries in need. You may also email: Info@ccpaterson.org or call (973) 737-2077 ext.403 with any questions or to donate food directly to Catholic Charities Food Pantries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted those living in poverty the most and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson's 3 Food Pantries (Father English Center, Paterson; Hope House, Dover; and Partnership for Social Services, Franklin) are giving out more food than ever before. Most months, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson gives out food to 5,000 - 7,000 people at their 3 food pantries. In April of 2020, this number practically doubled, as they helped over 11,000 individuals who are feeling the direct economic impact of COVID-19. Bishop Serratelli has authorized a Catholic Charities Diocesan-wide food collection in all parishes. This year, the drive has gone virtual, and you can shop online and have items directly shipped to Catholic Charities Food Pantries. Visit www.ccpaterson.org/corpus for more information and visit www.yougivegoods.com/ccpaterson-fooddrive2020 to find our parish, and shop for our pantries in need. You may also email: Info@ccpaterson.org or call (973) 737-2077 ext.403 with any questions or to donate food directly to Catholic Charities Food Pantries.

The clothing bins in St. Cecilia Church parking lot that support the work of Catholic Charities have been re-open! Your support is appreciated!

Good and gracious God, we stand on the threshold of a new time for our diocese. As we cross that threshold in thankfulness, we ask you to pour out an abundance of grace on our Bishop-elect Kevin Sweeney that he may faithfully assume his ministry among us and that, together with him, we may work for the building up of our local church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“All Catholic cemeteries in the Paterson Diocese will be open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning this Sunday, Mother’s Day, and remain open for visitation every Sunday thereafter. Beginning on Monday, May 11th, visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, allowing the public to visit the cemeteries after all interments are completed. This is to allow cemetery staffs the time to handle internments earlier in the day. Those who visit the graves of their loved ones must observe the requirements of social distancing and maintain a group of no more than 10 persons. These changes will remain in effect at each cemetery as long as health and safety regulations are observed.”

Unfortunately evil is always at work and so I share with you a matter that has recently been brought to the attention of churches live streaming liturgical services. There have been reports of hackers breaking into live streaming services and interrupting with obscene language and images. Please know that we are doing everything possible to maintain the integrity of our parish broadcasts. Parents should stay vigilant. May St. Michael the Archangel protect us from this evil. – Fr. Pawel

The Mayors of Rockaway Borough and Township have requested that all churches ring their bells each Sunday at 10:00 am to draw attention to the need of prayer for relief from Coronavirus. Please remember to pray each Sunday at 10:00 am by saying the “Hail Mary”.

Holy Thursday, April 9: Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 7:00 pm. Good Friday, April 10: 3:00 pm. On Holy Saturday, April 11: The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night will be celebrated on Saturday at 8:00 pm. Easter Sunday, April 12, Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am. EVEN THOUGH OUR CHURCH IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED, PLEASE JOIN US LIVESTREAMING THE SOLEMN RITES THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK LINK WHICH IS ON THE FRONT OF OUR WEB-SITE BELOW THE WESHARE (ELECTRONIC GIVING) LINK.

Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to celebrate Holy week all together in our church. All the celebrations are going to be live streamed on our facebook page. The "Facebook" link is on the front of our web-site below our electronic giving link "WeShare". Stay healthy and hope to see you soon in the church. Fr. Pawel

Bishop Serratelli has closed all churches and chapels in the Diocese of Paterson as a result of the spread of COVIT 19. Please continue to visit our web-site and Facebook for the latest information.The "Facebook" link is on the front of our web-site below our electronic giving link "WeShare"

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has postponed the annual Holy Land collection to October 3rd & 4th. This collection traditionally held on Good Friday supports the Christians living in the Middle East.

Knights of Columbus offered their help with getting food for the parishioners. People who need help with grocery shopping can contact Dennis Corbisero at 973-945-9467.

His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli has informed us that we have a wonderful opportunity to join our voices in prayer with our Holy Father Pope Francis this week. On March 25, Wednesday, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, you are invited to say the Our Father at the time of the Angeles (12 noon). Bishop Serratelli wrote: "At 1:00 in the afternoon, (6:00 in the evening Rome time - FRIDAY, MARCH 27) when the Holy Father will be praying in Saint Peter's Basilica, ring the bells of your church or chapel, or participate in a virtual ringing of the bells through your social media platform. I invite all the faithful to recite an OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY and GLORY BE at this time as they join the Holy Father via television or the internet on the Vatican YOUTUBE channel. When the Holy Father imparts the blessing, those who intend to make a sacramental confession, receive Holy Communion, and offer a prayer for the Holy Father, as soon as possible again, will receive a Plenary Indulgence."

Sacred Heart of Jesus will be open for Adoration Monday through Saturday from 11:45 am to 12:30 pm. Adoration on Sunday will be from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. The church will remain open until 3:00 pm for private prayer 7 days a week.

All Liturgical Ceremonies including Sunday Masses, Daily Masses, Monday Night Confessions and other Devotions have been cancelled until further notice.

Due to the coronavirus, all classes and parish meetings are cancelled until further notice. However, all Masses and Devotions will remain as scheduled. All sacramental activities will continue as normal.

Bishop Serratelli extends an invitation to all of us to join with him and all the priests of the Diocese of Paterson in the celebration of the annual Chrism Mass which will be held on Holy Monday, April 6th in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson. The liturgy begins at 7 o’clock in the evening at which time the Bishop blesses the oils which will be used in the parishes of the diocese for the administration of the sacraments. Free parking is available in the county garage located adjacent to the cathedral located on Grand Street in Paterson. The cathedral is located on the corner of Grand and Main Streets.

The clergy of the Rockaway Ecumenical Association will once again sponsor the Fridays of Lent lunches at the First Presbyterian Church in Rockaway beginning on February 28th. The lunch begins at 12 Noon followed by a Lenten presentation given by the clergy of the host congregation. The schedule is: February 28 – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, March 6 – United Methodist Church of the Rockaways, March 13 – Teabo United Methodist Church, March 20 – St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, March 27 – First Presbyterian Church, April 3 – St. Cecilia Catholic Church. A free will offering is accepted for the lunch.