St. Margaret of Cortona Parish
Serving the Catholic Communities of Little Ferry and Moonachie
in Ministry, Education and Service Since August 24, 1912
31 Chamberlain Ave Little Ferry, NJ 07643
Phone: (201) 641-2988 Fax: (201) 322-0172
Welcome to the Parish Family of
St. Margaret of Cortona
in Little Ferry
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
AUGUST 15, 2025
Holy Day of Obligation
Masses are: 8 am • 12 noon • 7pm
We Are His Witnesses: A Pastoral Letter from Cardinal Tobin
As we welcome the New Year, Cardinal Tobin invites all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Newark to read We Are His Witnesses, his pastoral letter outlining new pathways for the future of the Archdiocese. Rooted in Pope Francis’ call for pastoral conversion, missionary discipleship, and synodality, the letter reflects on our shared journey of faith and calls us to embrace renewal, collaboration and missionary outreach. This multi-year initiative will guide us in shaping a vibrant, hopeful future for our Church community.
Click to read We Are His Witnesses and join this journey of faith as we respond to Christ’s call to be His witnesses in the world.
Official Hymn for the 2025 Jubilee Year
Lyrics by Msgr. Pierangelo Sequeri
Music by Maestro Francesco Meneghello
Recording performed by the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC - Peter Latona, Director
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities USA supports a national network of agencies committed to encountering those along the margins, regardless of their faith.
Want to help victims of recent hurricanes? Click on this link: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Welcome New Parishioners
Register with us by filling up this form and dropping it in the collection basket or at the Parish Office. Click on the form below to download.
Music is an extremely important part of liturgy at the Parish of St. Margaret of Cortona and we are looking for enthusiastic music lovers and musicians to join our music ministry.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
St. Margaret of Cortona’s choir sings at the 11:30 Mass every Sunday and at other liturgies throughout the year. Rehearsals are held every Thursday at 7:30 pm beginning in September and through the month of June. No experience is necessary. Let us make a joyful noise to the Lord! Call Eileen - 201-843-1097 or see her after Mass!
Jubilee countdown: Preparations for 2025 Holy Year
Click on the link to learn more: https://jerseycatholic.org/jubilee-countdown-preparations-for-2025-holy-year-move-into-high-gear
2025 Archdiocese of Newark Annual Appeal
Jersey Catholic
Jersey Catholic is the news site of the Archdiocese of Newark and brings you top news from around the Archdiocese, our Catholic schools throughout the U.S., and the Vatican.
Visit https://jerseycatholic.org/ for the latest local and global Church news.
Saint of the Day Podcast ~ A brief story about a Saint each day.
Donate to St. Margaret's
Here are some ways that you can help our Parish during these trying times:
ParishSoft - Click here to go to the giving site.
You can also give via text to (201) 689-5641, just enter the amount you want to donate in the message. You will need to create an account if you haven't done so yet. Click here if you need help creating an account.
Step-By-Step Walk Through the Mass
Click on this link to go the website: https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/blog-categories/series-on-the-mass
SCHEDULES
Mass Schedule
Saturday ~ 5:30 pm
Sunday ~ 9:00 am and 11:30 am
Weekdays:
Monday through Friday:
12:00 PM
First Saturday Mass
12:05 PM in the Church
Holy Days
(Except Christmas and Easter): 8:00 AM, 12:05 PM, 7:00 PM
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Saturdays 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Experience God’s Mercy. Celebrate the Grace-Filled Sacrament of Reconciliation
Contact Us
Parish Center (Monday through Thursday 10 am till 4pm. Closed on Fridays)
Tel: 201-641-2988
Fax: 201-322-0172
Rectory (By appointment only):
201-641-2988
Religious Education (Sunday to Thursday):
201-641-3937
New in the Area?
If you are new in the area, why not join our ever-growing Parish family. Stop by the Parish Center any weekday and register. Click on this link to download the form or call us at 201-641-2988
Pope Leo's Prayer Intention for August
For Mutual Coexistence
Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious, or ideological reasons.
POSTER BOARD
August: A Month In Honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
For centuries, the Catholic Church has designated specific months to honor particular devotions, enriching the spiritual life of the faithful. August, in particular, is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a devotion that has captured the hearts of many believers. This veneration is not about worshipping Mary as we do Christ, but rather acknowledging her heart as a symbol of her immense love, virtue, and inner spiritual life.
The Significance of the Immaculate Heart
The Immaculate Heart of Mary represents her pure love for God and her Son, Jesus Christ. It is an emblem of her maternal affection for all humanity and her sorrow over the sins of the world. This devotion calls us to emulate Mary’s love and virtue, fostering a deeper commitment to our faith and a greater love for our fellow man.
The Significance of the Immaculate Heart
The Immaculate Heart of Mary represents her pure love for God and her Son, Jesus Christ. It is an emblem of her maternal affection for all humanity and her sorrow over the sins of the world. This devotion calls us to emulate Mary’s love and virtue, fostering a deeper commitment to our faith and a greater love for our fellow man.
Historical Roots and Modern Emphasis
The roots of this devotion trace back to the early Church, but it gained particular prominence in the 16th century. It was further amplified by the revelations given to Sister Lucy dos Santos, one of the visionaries of Fatima. In 1925 and 1926, while in her convent in Tuy, Spain, Sister Lucy received visions in which Our Lady asked for the establishment of the Five First Saturdays devotion. This practice involves attending Mass, confessing, and meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary on the first Saturday of five consecutive months. It serves as a means to make reparations for the blasphemies and ingratitude shown towards Mary’s Immaculate Heart.
Parallels with the Sacred Heart Devotion
The Five First Saturdays devotion closely parallels the Nine First Fridays devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Both practices emphasize reparation and a deeper relationship with the divine. While the Sacred Heart devotion focuses on Christ’s love and mercy, the Immaculate Heart devotion highlights Mary’s compassionate intercession and sorrow for sin.
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart
On October 31, 1942, Pope Pius XII made a historic Act of Consecration of the Church and the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This act underscored the importance of this devotion and invited the faithful to seek Mary’s intercession for peace and conversion.
A Year-Round Devotion
While August is specifically dedicated to the Immaculate Heart, this devotion can and should be a part of our spiritual lives throughout the year. It invites us to reflect on Mary’s role in salvation history and encourages us to grow in holiness. By contemplating her heart, we find inspiration to cultivate a similar love for God and others.
A great way to begin this month’s journey is by consecrating ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us renew our dedication to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this month of August. May her example guide us in our daily lives, leading us closer to her Son and deepening our commitment to a life of virtue and love.
Who wrote Panis Angelicus?
There’s a reason this hymn sounds heavenly…it was written by a saint!
If you’ve ever found yourself misty-eyed during Mass, there’s a good
chance you’ve heard Panis Angelicus floating through the air.
This beautiful hymn, which translates to "Bread of Angels," is a favorite
choice for a Communion hymn. While many Catholics are familiar with
Panis Angelicus, most of us do not know the history of this stunning hymn.
You may have never heard of César Franck, but you have certainly heard his famous rendition of Panis Angelicus. Born in Belgium in 1822, Franck was a devout Catholic and a bit of a musical genius. In 1872, he composed Panis Angelicus as part of his larger work, Messe à trois voix (Mass for Three Voices). But here's the thing—Franck didn't write the words; he simply set them to music.
There is a reason the words of Panis Angelicus seem so profound, even to those of us who can’t understand the Latin: it was written by a saint, and maybe one of the smartest men who ever lived: St. Thomas Aquinas!
St. Thomas penned these words way back in the 13th century as part of his hymn Sacris Solemniis, written for the Feast of Corpus Christi. Aquinas had a deep love for the Eucharist and spent much of his life writing on Eucharistic theology. The specific stanza that begins with the words "Panis angelicus" beautifully captures the essence of the Eucharist as the bread of angels given to nourish us:
The angel's bread becomes the bread of men
The heavenly bread ends all symbols
Oh, miraculous thing! The body of the Lord will nourish
The poor, poor, and humble servant
The poor, poor, and humble servant
You may have known that St. Thomas Aquinas was a brilliant philosopher, but who knew he was responsible for one of our favorite Catholic hymns?
