Saint Cecilia Parish Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 90 Church Street · 2019-09-19 · PARISH EVENTS...

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Rev. Sigmund Peplowski, Pastor Rev. Marcin Michalowski Rev. Mateusz Jasniewicz Parochial Vicars Rev. James Bono Weekend Assistant Deacon Paul Willson Dn Slawomir Tomaszewski Mr. Paul Daher Director of Music Mrs. Janet Maulbeck Business Administrator Mr. James Clancy, Director of Faith Formation Mrs. Ann Mitchell, Principal Tanya Nellen Parish Secretary MASSES Weekends: Saturday: 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:15 am, 10:45 am and 12:15 pm 5:00 pm (Vietnamese) Holydays: 8:00 am and 7:00 pm Weekday Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am Saturday : 8:00 am followed by Novena Confessions: Saturdays 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm Any time by appointment Holy Hour: Will resume in September Monday: 7-8pm (Sacrament of Penance Available) Trustees: Gerard Duphiney Robyn Hornstein 90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 Saint Cecilia Parish Parish Office: 973-627-0313 internet: www.st-cecilia.org FAX: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig, Ext. 12 or [email protected] Fr. Marcin Ext. 15 or [email protected] Fr. Mateusz Ext 14 or [email protected] Convent: 973-627-6533 School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptismal Class is held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. To register for the class, please call 973-627-0313 . The next class is Monday, August 17th. Both parents are encouraged to attend the class before the birth of the baby. The Sacrament of Bap- tism is administered weekly at the 12:15 pm Mass, and a Baptismal Ceremony at 1:30 pm. To schedule a Baptism please call Fr. Marcin at 973-627-0313 Ext. 15. New Parishioners must wait 2 months for a Baptism. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Arrangements are to be made at least ONE YEAR in ad- vance. The date should not be set until the priest has been consulted. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. If there is anyone at home or in the hospital who cannot get to Mass and the Sacraments because of illness or old age, please inform one of the priests or call the Parish Office. PARISH PRAYER LIFE : NOVENA: OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA : Saturday morning after the 8:00 am Mass. BIBLE STUDY : Bible Study—Tuesday 9:30 am Will resume in September Monday Night Bible Study 7:30 pm Will resume in September CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP: Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Mon.—Sat., 7:30 am PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: Will resume in September HOLY HOUR : Monday—Will resume in September ADULT FAITH FORMATION Will resume in September RCIA – Sundays, Starting October 4— 9:00am for children & parents, 11:45am for adults, also at Sacred Heart Church— Suchon Hall, Saturdays at 3:15pm starting October 3. Send email to [email protected] for further information or call 973-551-4161 PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am—5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am—1:00pm - July/August only CLOSED SATURDAYS CLOSED FOR LUNCH: 12:45 pm—1:30 pm

Transcript of Saint Cecilia Parish Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 90 Church Street · 2019-09-19 · PARISH EVENTS...

Rev. Sigmund Peplowski, Pastor

Rev. Marcin Michalowski Rev. Mateusz Jasniewicz

Parochial Vicars

Rev. James Bono Weekend Assistant

Deacon Paul Willson

Dn Slawomir Tomaszewski

Mr. Paul Daher Director of Music

Mrs. Janet Maulbeck

Business Administrator

Mr. James Clancy, Director of Faith Formation

Mrs. Ann Mitchell,

Principal

Tanya Nellen Parish Secretary

MASSES

Weekends:

Saturday: 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:15 am,

10:45 am and 12:15 pm 5:00 pm (Vietnamese)

Holydays:

8:00 am and 7:00 pm Weekday Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:00 am

Saturday: 8:00 am followed by Novena

Confessions:

Saturdays 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm

Any time by appointment

Holy Hour: Will resume in September

Monday: 7-8pm (Sacrament of Penance

Available)

Trustees: Gerard Duphiney Robyn Hornstein

90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 Saint Cecilia Parish

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 internet: www.st-cecilia.org FAX: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig, Ext. 12 or [email protected] Fr. Marcin Ext. 15 or [email protected] Fr. Mateusz Ext 14 or [email protected] Convent: 973-627-6533 School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM A Pre-Baptismal Class is held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office. To register for the class, please call 973-627-0313 . The next class is Monday, August 17th. Both parents are encouraged to attend the class before the birth of the baby. The Sacrament of Bap-tism is administered weekly at the 12:15 pm Mass, and a Baptismal Ceremony at 1:30 pm. To schedule a Baptism please call Fr. Marcin at 973-627-0313 Ext. 15.

New Parishioners must wait 2 months for a Baptism. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Arrangements are to be made at least ONE YEAR in ad-vance. The date should not be set until the priest has been consulted.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Urgent calls will be attended to at any time of the day or night. If there is anyone at home or in the hospital who cannot get to Mass and the Sacraments because of illness or old age, please inform one of the priests or call the Parish Office.

PARISH PRAYER LIFE: NOVENA: OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL AND OUR LADY OF FATIMA: Saturday morning after the 8:00 am Mass. BIBLE STUDY: Bible Study—Tuesday 9:30 am Will resume in September Monday Night Bible Study 7:30 pm Will resume in September CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP: Tuesday evenings at 7:45 pm (Hayes Hall ) ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Mon.—Sat., 7:30 am PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP: Will resume in September HOLY HOUR: Monday—Will resume in September ADULT FAITH FORMATION Will resume in September RCIA –Sundays, Starting October 4— 9:00am for children & parents, 11:45am for adults, also at Sacred Heart Church—Suchon Hall, Saturdays at 3:15pm starting October 3. Send email to [email protected] for further information or call 973-551-4161 PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am—5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am—1:00pm - July/August only

CLOSED SATURDAYS CLOSED FOR LUNCH: 12:45 pm—1:30 pm

The people of St. Cecilia Parish are asked to pray for the following people serving our coun-try in the armed services: Pfc Aleksandr Killeen, Joseph Giannetti US Navy, Lance Cor-poral Dennis Wuest, Sgt. Zhenya Killeen,

Capt. Kelley E. Robbins, Pvt USMC, Diego Usma, Major Glenn E. Martinez, Sgt. Brian Whalen, General Raymond Odierno, Capt. Anthony Odierno, Cpl. Kong V. Nguyen, Cpl. Jim Van Valen, LCPL Anthony Eresman, Sgt. Paul J. Willson, PFC Cano Janeth, Sgt. Bob Autrey, Col. William Paliwada, Sgt 1st Class (E7) Sam Colon, PFC Marylyn Rivera-Sachez, Cpl. Edward C. Thompson, Major Kevin M. Nash, Lt. Amy Cronin, Lt. Col. John L. Medeiros, Jr., Sgt. Daniel Healy, Ma-rine Keith Leitner, Sgt. Spencer Lopez, PFC Taryn Kemp, Jeffrey Braunhausen, E7 Joseph Grimsey, Bill Maloney, Greg Bloete, Gian Carlo Bruzzese, Spc. Christopher Little, PFC Brittany Martindell, T4 Matthew Fitzgerald, SA Justin C. White, Matthew & Daniel Rosica, Mark Leonard, Sr. Armn. Ashley Valetta, Sgt. John Wisnofsky, Cpl. T.J. Finn, Sgt. Kris-topher Faber, Capt. Vincent Presto, and Airman First Class William Kussler . We ask God the Father of us all, through the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, to protect all the men and women in our Armed Forces, to bless them in their efforts toward bringing peace and justice to our world. May they be brought back safely to those they love.

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Adaline Maddaloni, Emila Cichon, David Cicchine, Teresa D’Atria, Derek Bascharow, John Brinkman, Julie Lawson,

Debbie Malc, Grace McDermott, Joe Horvath, Jr., Edward O’Dowd, Elvira Bugaoan, Pat Heady, Owen Peter Byrne, Tia Maddaloni, Mary Reynolds, Mason Walker Steussing, Tom Cuskie, Susan Mejia, Derek Bascharow,

Isabel Rattay, Theodora Maulbeck, Donna Cooke, Tom Hull, Kathleen Fazio, Kristin Wich, Kyle Johnson, Betty Golden, Kate Darlington, Jake Michael Miraldi, Scott Bornemann, Rosemary Woodring, Sharon Augenti, Sean Nolan, Peg Norman, Eileen Sutherland, Maryann Hughes, Peggy Eileen Miars, Ray Kennedy, Richard Corcoran, Adam Rosowicz, Madison Rose Leslie, Norman Rodriquez, Demetrius Barbee, Lucille Bardi, and Frances Finn.

THE WORD OF GOD Here are the readings for next Sunday

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Psalms 34:2-3, 16-21 Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32 John 6:60-69

MONDAY—August 17, 8:00 am John & Margaret Holleran TUESDAY– August 18, 8:00 am The Holy Souls in Purgatory WEDNESDAY–August 19, Saint John Eudes, Priest 8:00 am Vocations THURSDAY, August 20, Saint Bernard, Abbot & Doctor of the Church 8:00 am Steven Parillo r/b Carol Parillo Joanna & Walter Lech r/b John & Dianna Sullivan FRIDAY– August 21, Saint Pius X, Pope 8:00 am Bill Gallagher r/b wife, Jeanne Roza Guzman r/b The Franqui Family SATURDAY—August 22, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:00 am Special Intention—Gene Parochniak SUNDAY, August 23, The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:30 pm Special Intention—Robert & Dorothy Nielsen 51st Wedding Anniversary Jim Pringle r/b Ellen Drive Bus Stop 7:00 pm Agostino Barletta—1st Anniversary r/b Virgina & Louie Bellardini& Family Christopher DeFillipis—1st Anniversary r/b Valerie & Matt Kuglin & Family 8:00 am Margaret Potts r/b Anthony Gold & Janine O’Brien 9:15 am Magaret Nadler r/b Stella Rychlicki 10:45 am Roza Guzman r/b Fariba & Shamoun Mangereteh & Family Mary & Felix Belfiore r/b Margaret Kubilus 12:15 pm Jim Pringle r/b Judy Swiatlowski

We are online: www.st-cecilia.org

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ST. CECILIA CHURCH COLLECTION GOALS 2015/2016

Week Ending - August 9, 2015 Collection—Checks $ 8,391.25 Collection– Cash $ 2,394.00 ParishPay Electronic Giving $ 1,752.50 Total Weekly Collection $12,537.75 Yearly Collection Goal (BUDGET) $746,000.00 Weekly Goal $ 13,725.49 Weekly Collection Surplus (Deficit) ($1,187.74) Year To Date Surplus (Deficit) ($6,071.69)

John Borris

Requested by: Dot Staskus

PARISH EVENTS

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ST. CECILIA SENIOR CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS

August 18—Regular Meeting 11:00 am Set Up, 12-1 pm Social Hour,

1-2 Meeting Bingo & Cards after Meeting September 8 (Tuesday) Mohegan Sun Casino (Wilkes

Barre, Pa.) - Cost: $25.00 incl. $25.00 Slot Play plus $5.00 Food Coupon

For more info call Lorraine at 973-366-6871

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The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be sung every Friday beginning July 10th and ending August 28th at Sa-cred Heart of Jesus Parish at 3:00pm. There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for the half an hour that the Chaplet is sung. Please contact music director, Derek Nel-

son, for any questions at [email protected].

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which non-Catholics

learn and normally enter the Catholic Faith. RCIA is also for baptized Catholics who

missed receiving Eucharist or Confirma-tion. Consecutive RCIA Lessons will be held at 9 am for children with their parents and at

11:45 am for adults on Sunday in the St. Cecilia Office building starting October 4. Consecutive RCIA les-sons will be held at 3:15 pm on Saturday at Sacred Heart Church Hall starting October 3. For further information send email to [email protected] or telephone

973-551-0749 leaving a message.

Care to help distribute extra food from those who “have” to those who “have not?”

For almost 10 years, parishioners from St. Cecilia ac-cept bread donations from a local restaurant and distribute it to the needy. Currently, there is a need for pick-up at closing on Friday night (10:30 PM) and distribution the next day, Saturday morning (9AM) to a location near the Trade Zone. If you could help even for a few weeks or have any questions, please call (973-625-3589.) Thank you!

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ALTAR SERVERS St. Cecilia Church is having a MOVIE NIGHT August 23 from 7pm to 9pm for all Altar Servers and their families in Hayes Hall. Please email Deacon Paul Willson at [email protected] confirming your attendance and the number of persons com-ing. Let me know if you want to bring something to share, such as soda, homemade goodies, etc. Mrs. Deacon will provide pop-corn and Grandpa Deacon pizza and the movie.

Bereavement Support Group Series St. Cecilia’s Bereavement Support Ministry invites those, who have suffered a loss and who are grieving, to a journey towards healing. A series of nine weekly sessions will begin on Tuesday evening, September 15th, 2015 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, at the Parish Office, 90 Church Street (the brick building to the left of the Church); Rockaway, NJ 07866. This group is lead by a trained facilitator certified by the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved and the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Newark. We pray that in this informative en-vironment, you will find understanding, suggestions for coping, practical help, people who care, and friendship. Please contact the Parish Office 973-627-0313 x10 for addi-tional information and to register. Advanced registration is re-quired at your earliest convenience, but no later than September 8th. There is no charge for this series. Confidentially will be ob-served at all times and sharing is optional.

Light refreshments will be served.

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Family Formation This fall we will be starting a new Fam-ily Formation program in our parish. We will have a planning meeting on Thursday, August 27th at 7:00 pm in Hayes Hall for anyone interested in helping with this new program.

Please let Jim Clancy know if you are interested. [email protected]

The Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries (DCCFM) is honoring two Filipino Saints—San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, on September 19, 2015, Saturday at Our Lady of the Valley Church located at 630 Val-ley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470. this year’s theme is “Pamilyang Philpino Nagkakaisa kay Kristo” (Filipino Famil United with Christ). Please come at 12:30 in the afternoon for the Rosary, Novena and Holy Mass. Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson Diocese, will be the principal celebrant at the Mass. Fellowship and a brief program will immediately follow at the parish hall.

Come and celebrate with us!

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On June 30, 2015, the feast of the Christians martyred under Nero in 64 A.D., our Holy Father, Pope Francis, remarked that there are more persecuted Christians in the world today than there were in the first centuries. Each month 180 Christians are being martyred. These sad statistics bear witness to the fact that Christians are among the most persecuted religious groups worldwide. In more than 60 countries, over 200 million Christians are be-ing denied their fundamental rights. In 41 of those countries, Islamic extremists are barbarically beheading, crucifying and killing men, women, young people and children. Tragically, in those areas of the world where Christianity once began, the Christian community is being wiped off the map. Islamic ji-hadists do not limit their violence to Christians alone. They spare no religious group, even killing those of their own Mus-lim faith. The Pope has urged us to pray for an increased awareness of the "drama of persecuted Christians in our day," for religious freedom as an "inalienable human right" and for the "end to this unacceptable crime." In response to our Holy Father's ur-gent request and united with him in concern for all those suf-fering religious persecution, our Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli is designating this August as a diocesan-wide Month of Prayer for Those Suffering Religious Persecution. After all daily masses in August we will pray the following prayer:

Good and gracious Father, whose own Beloved Son suffered violence and death for the salvation of the world, listen gra-ciously to our cry for all who are being persecuted for their faith. In your great mercy, comfort them with the Holy Spirit. Give them strength in the face of hostility and courage in theface of trial. Open the eyes of those who raise their hands in violence to see others as their brothers and sisters, children of the one Father of all. By your grace, turn their hearts from hatred to love. Through the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Queen of Peace, may justice and peace prevail so that all may have the freedom to worship you, the one true God and him whom you have sent, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

We ask you to use this prayer and pray for Those Suffering Religious Persecution with your families at your homes.

Every Friday in Sacred Heart of Jesus parish at 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet will be offered in the intention for Those

Suffering Religious Persecution. Please join us!!!

Our persecuted brothers and sisters need our prayer.

PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS PIN SALE On Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd, the Kolbe Krew Family Rosary group will be selling orange angel ribbon pins after all the Masses for a suggested donation of $3.00 per

pin. The pin is metal and will be affixed to a prayer card with the prayer composed by Bishop Serratelli. All proceeds will be do-nated to the Knights of Columbus Fund that was established to

aid persecuted Christians in the Middle East. For more information, please contact Kolbe Krew Family Rosary

Group at [email protected]

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Matthew: The King and His Kingdom will be the new topic of the Monday Night Bible Study. This is an exciting study from Ascension Press that explores the life and mission of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. The first 8 week session will begin on Sept.21st (the feast of St. Mat-thew) @ 7:30 in the Parish Center. Cost for the study guide is $29.00 and please make checks payable to St. Cecilia. For regis-tration/ information please contact [email protected] . Matthew demonstrates how the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testa-ment and how Jesus’ teachings are meaningful today. Hope you will consider this attending this enriching program and register by Sept. 7th.

The Laundry love initiative consists of regular opportunities to help people who are struggling financially by assisting them with doing their laundry. For those living below the poverty line, washing clothes presents both a logistical problem and a financial hardship. Laundry Love partners with local Laundromats in cleaning the clothes of those living in shelters, motels, cars, ga-rages and on the streets. Please partner with us in providing care for the people in our com-munity. Your donation will sustain the Laundry Love effort. If you have questions, please contact me at [email protected] or at 973-625-2893. Please visit my web-site—https://purecharity.com/laundry-love-10. Tracy Dignam

Fire Retreat “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!” ~ St Catherine of Siena Last weekend 15 high school students attended our an-nual summer overnight retreat here at the parish. These teens spent time in prayer, hearing talks, and playing games. It was a great experience for everyone involved. A special thank you to our high school leadership team: Gabby Rodrigues , Justin Rodrigues, Shaun Montalto-Rook, Patti Knodel, Massimo Spataro, Matthew Graner, and Taylor Starks. Also, thank you to Ian Martin, Les-ley Graner, and our 3 priests who provided necessary support to the retreat.

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Monday, August 17 7:00 pm Baptismal Class (Parish Office) Tuesday, August 18 11:00 am Senior Set Up—(Hayes Hall) 12:00 pm Senior Meeting Begins 7:45 pm Charismatic Prayer Group (Hayes Hall) Wednesday, August 19 Thursday, August 20 Friday, August 21 3:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet (Sacred Heart Church) 6:00 pm St. Monica Gathering (Rectory) Saturday, August 22 Sunday, August 23 5:30 pm Family Rosary (Sacred Heart Church)

Quest for Truth: A Convert's David Currie is a former Evangelical mis-sionary whose upbringing was immersed in Evangeli-cal Protestantism. He can-didly shares how his strug-gles with the interpretation of many biblical passages led him on a dramatic search for truth. This mov-

ing testimony recounts his family's difficult journey into Catholicism and the great joy they experi-enced in finding the pearl of great price. Parishioner Comments Wow! This CD helped me understand why converts are such good Catholics! A cradle Catholic, I needed to hear about his jour-ney in order to continue to strengthen mine!

CD’S FOR SALE—KIOSK IN VESTIBULE $3.00 each or 7 for $20.00

SCHOOL NEWS

TRAVELING THIS SUMMER? Visit MassTimes.org the oldest and best place to find Mass

Times. You can also get the Mass Times app for your iPhone: Search “Mass Times for Travel”

Registration for the 2015-2016 school year at St. Cecilia School is now taking place.

St. Cecilia School is a Catholic elementary school offering a comprehensive pre-K through 8th grade faith-based education delivered by certified teachers. St. Cecilia’s faculty delivers a strong academic curriculum consisting of all core subjects as well as such special subject ar-eas as Technology, Physical Education, Music, Art, Spanish, and Library. Technology is

integrated into all areas of the curriculum through the use of SMART Boards in every classroom. A high level of indi-vidualized attention is offered, meeting the needs of stu-dents at all learning levels. At St. Cecilia School, we offer academic excellence in a nurturing Christian environment; preparing today’s children to become tomorrow’s leaders. Our students are excited about the learning that happens every day in a safe and secure environment where stu-dents are encouraged to make positive contributions to an ever-changing world. For more information, please con-tact the school office at 973-627-6003.

Join St. Margaret’s at their Annual Carnival

6 Sussex Avenue, Morristown, NJ August 27—30

Rides, games, Prizes Authentic American & Latin American Food

& 50/50 Raffle

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Rockaway Community Blood Drive In 2014 we collected enough blood to help save over 60 lives! Help save another life this summer & donate blood!

THURSDAY—AUGUST 20TH 1:30 pm—7:30 pm

Rockaway Pharmacy & Compounding Bloodmobile, 25 West Main Street, Rockaway

WALK-INS WELCOME!

To schedule an appointment: Www.tinyurl.com/RockawayPharmacyBloodDrives

16 year olds must bring signed NJBS Parental Consent Form

Please remember to eat, drink & bring ID! 800-933-2566/www.nyblood center. org

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My dear parishioners, We gather today to celebrate the Lord’s Day on this 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We continue in our reading on chapter 6 from the Gospel of Saint John, “the Bread of Life Discourse.” Once again, unlike the synoptic Gospels, the institution narrative is absent from the Last Supper event in John’s Gospel. But

chapter 6 of John’s Gospel gives us so much more regarding our understanding of the Eucharist which the Lord Jesus instituted at the Last Supper on the night of His Passion. In today’s periscope we read: “ I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The people “quarreled” when they heard Jesus speak these words. This quarreling has been going on ever since and reached the boiling point during the 16th century Protestant Reformation. The Apostles, present at the Last Supper, have handed down to us what we believe regarding the Lord’s Supper and the manner in which we celebrate it. Just the other day I had reread what Saint Justin Martyr wrote regarding the Lord’s Supper. He is writ-ing about the year 150 A.D., only 50 years after the death of the Last Apostle, Saint John. This is Saint Justin’s FIRST APOL-OGY which he wrote to the Emperor Antonius Pius in defense of Christianity. On the day called Sunday, all who live in the cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs o f the Apos-tles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of theses good things. Then we all rise together and pray; and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, ac-cording to his ability, and the people assent, saying “Amen;” and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each think fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who helps the orphans and widows, and those who, through sickness or any other case are in want. As you can see, the Lord’s Supper (the Holy Mass, the Divine Liturgy) has been celebrated in this manner from the first days of the Church. Christians have been coming forward to receive the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist from the successors of the Apostles in an unbroken tradition. As Catholics, this tradition is a sign of our fidelity to Christ who commanded His Apos-tles to “do this in memory of me.” The Sunday Holy Mass is our weekly practice, it is our time to do what the Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesians and us in to-day’s epistle reading of what our worship should reflect: …addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” I pray that attendance at the Sunday Holy Mass will always be the priority within the lives of our people. For it is at this sacred gathering that we receive Him, the Bread of Life which has come down from heaven. God bless you, Father Zig

ST. STEPHEN, King August 16—Patron of Hungary

The son of Geysa, the fourth Duke of the Hungarians, and of Sarboth, his wife, who had both been recently converted to Christi-anity, St. Stephen was born in 977 at Gran, then the capital of Hungary. After a Christian education under the care of St. Adalbert, Bishop of Prague, and of Theodatus, a virtuous Italian Count, he succeeded his father upon the latter’s death in 997. He established a solid peace with all neighboring nations and then turned his attention to rooting idolatry out of his country. His methods were those of persuasion and exhortation, but many of his subjects, on account of their attachment to the religion of their ancestors, rebelled and besieged their King in Vesprin. St. Stephen prepared himself for battle by fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, and though his forces were inferior in number to those of the rebels he nevertheless completely routed them. The work of propagating the Faith now went on with renewed vigor. Churches, monasteries, and Bishoprics were founded, and the King sent an embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Sylvester II the confirmation of his foundations; and, in order to gratify the wish of his subjects, he also besought for himself the title of King. The request was granted, and the Pope sent a rich crown to the holy King. The prelate who brought the crown from Rome anointed and crowned St. Stephen king in the year 1000 The devotion of St. Stephen toward the Blessed Virgin Mary was such that he placed all his dominions under her special patron-age. In war, which he never undertook without necessity, he was always victorious, nor was he ever the aggressor. His time was divided between the duties of religion and those of his station; he kept his soul constantly recollected in God, and in the midst of the world he practiced great mortification and humility. He died August 15, 1038. PRAYER: Almighty God, Your Church flourished through the efforts of St. Stephen when he reigned on earth. Grant that she may now be defended by him swelling gloriously in heaven. Amen Taken from, Lives of the Saints, Catholic Booking Publishing Company, 1999 New Jersey

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90 Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 Saint Cecilia Parish

Parish Office: 973-627-0313 internet: www.st-cecilia.org FAX: 973-627-4811 To Contact: Fr. Zig, Ext. 12 or [email protected]

Fr. Marcin Ext. 15 or [email protected] Convent: 973-627-6533 School: 973-627-6003 CCD Office: 973-627-0313 Ext. 17

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