Lenten Penance Service
that was scheduled for
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 
The Penance Service
is cancelled
due to virus precautions, but please note the Pope's advice below.

I'm a Child of God...
I am Who You Say I am...


God's blessings abound in our parish family! Sarah, Sasha and Sean Salins uplift us with the song "Who You Say I Am" - just click the image above to watch the video.

Click *HERE* for the Sunday Readings
(Please read the readings beforehand so you can connect to the homily.)

Here is Fr. Charlie's Homily
for this past Sunday:
(Click the image below)



Fr. Charlie celebrates this past Sunday's Mass
(Homily included in this video)
(Click the image below)

Palm Sunday, Holy Week & Easter

Greetings everyone,
I received a telephone call from our dear Bishop last Thursday afternoon. He asked me how I was doing and how the parish was holding up given these terrible and unprecedented circumstances. I shared with him how sad and difficult it is for us to be without Mass and the ability to come together each week, (some of us each day), as a family. He promised that he was keeping us all in his prayers and I assured him that we are also keeping him in our prayers, that the Lord will keep him healthy and well, as he leads us through these trying times.

Bishop Checchio also indicated that he is issuing some new directives regarding the upcoming special days in our Church: Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. 
I am tremendously sad to have to confirm what I have suspected for some time: all of these celebrations will have to take place at Private Masses and Services, that is, without a congregation, at least through Easter Sunday and most likely beyond even that.

I will be pre-recording my private Masses & homilies for these special Holy Days and posting them here, so you can watch the Mass at any time of the day that is convenient for you and your family. This is one way I can have the opportunity to speak more personally with you as my parish family.

Please join me in praying to God for those who have tested positive and are struggling with this virus, for their families who are frightened and uncertain, and let’s all pray for those who have lost the battle with this illness and have gone home to God. May the good Lord receive them into the arms of his merciful love!

--Fr. Charlie

When this is over...

Just Click *HERE*

AND....a SPECIAL TREAT!
Mrs. Carla Lynch has recorded a
Song Video for our little ones.
Just click the image below and you can watch and listen (and join in singing) with her. 
Thank you, Mrs. Lynch!

The Parish Office will be closed to Walk-Ins until further notice in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
All contact must be by telephone (732-329-2893)
or by email parishsect@stceciliaparish.net

For Religious Education:
email: 
reledsect@stceciliaparish.net


THANK YOU for understanding and let's all STAY HEALTHY!

Bishop's Annual Appeal

Stepping Forward in Faith: Grace in Action

Click *here* to view
the short (6:35) video clip from the Diocese.

Through your support of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal you help those in our diocese whose needs are the greatest  — the poor, the homeless, and those struggling with illness or grief.

Among other needed pastoral ministries, your gift also supports the formation of seminarians and enhances the work of campus ministry through the Catholic Center at Rutgers University.  

The many pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen would not be possible without a generous contribution from every household.  Please be as generous as your means allow.

Stations of the Cross

The photo above was chalked on the driveway
of one of our parishioners by their  grandchildren, to remind them of church,
as they were not able to go to church on Sunday. 

Mass Intentions for the week
In the absence of a weekly bulletin, here are
the Mass intentions that Fr. Charlie will be
offering at his private daily Masses this week:

MONDAY  3-30-20
Barbara Rubin r/o Colleen McGeachy

TUESDAY   3-31-20
Domenico Mazzone r/o Lucy Mazzone

WEDNESDAY  4-1-20
Bob Bauman r/o Terry Doremus

THURSDAY  4-2-20
Chris Killmurray r/o Lynn & Frank Killmurray 

FRIDAY  4-3-20
Ethel Ellmer r/o Rich & Joanne Weller

SATURDAY  4-4-20
Chris Killmurray r/o Lynn & Frank Killmurray

PALM SUNDAY of the PASSION of the LORD
Mass for the People
Jim Butler r/o Barbara Butler

Confirmation/First Communion

Correspondence from Bishop Checchio’s office was sent to diocesan parishes including our Parish of St. Cecilia. In part, Bishop Checchio has postponed certain church events through May 2, 2020. The Bishop was saddened in mandating the postponements but with Federal Directives, State Directives from Governor Phil Murphy, States’ School Districts and Municipalities outlining regulations and protocol, his decision was already predetermined. 

Especially mindful of the requirement for “social distancing”, and therefore no group gatherings, the bishop wants us to do all that we can to prevent anyone, including priests, staff, religious, deacons, or parishioners from becoming infected, and that we do not spread the virus to others so we can remain healthy.

Therefore, in accordance with Bishop Checchio’s mandate, St. Cecilia will postpone the Sacramental celebrations of Confirmation and First Eucharist.  

These very special Sacraments will be celebrated at a later date. Details, once worked out, will be made known through a notice from the Office of Religious Education on the parish website or by means of an announcement at the end of Mass once we are back celebrating together.
 
Let us all take a moment to remember this is a global issue with many people suffering illness and death, people being furloughed from or losing their jobs, schools closed, the requirements of social distancing and extra precautions with hygiene. Let us also remember and pray for the great sacrifices of medical personnel, serving the public and placing our health above their own, in some case not even being allowed to go home to their families. Let us also remember and pray for our police officers, firefighters and EMS workers, our farmers, grocers and truckdrivers who go above and beyond to care for our needs.

Masses will be celebrated
PRIVATELY by Father Charlie every day
for the requested intentions and for
the entire St. Cecilia Parish Community.

Columbiettes Scholarship Opportunity

Every year the Columbiettes offer a scholarship to a young lady graduating from high school and going on to college.  In addition, whomever is chosen as our recipient is entered into the NJ State Columbiette "Student Good Citizen Award."
We are looking for students who are members of St. Cecilia Parish with good grades and a strong sense of faith, community and patriotism.
Applicants should send a resume or letter stating your academic achievements, involvement in clubs/organizations both in school and our community, and any service or volunteer work you have done.  Please share with us any awards or honors you have received and where you plan to attend college and what studies you wish to pursue.  
Please submit your letter/resume to Mrs. Bognar at bbognar@verizon.net no later than 3/31/20.
 

To watch Fr. Charlie's message and Homily for the 4th Sunday of  Lent, please click *HERE*