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
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!
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 September
For Our Relationship with All Of Creation
Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
POSTER BOARD
September: A Month Dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows
Catholic Heroes Editor
The Catholic Church dedicates the month of September to Our Lady of Sorrows, a devotion that focuses on the profound sufferings and sorrows of the Virgin Mary. This devotion, which finds its roots in the 12th century, serves as a powerful reminder of Mary’s deep connection to the Passion of Christ and her unique role in salvation history.
Origins of the Devotion
The devotion to the Sorrows of Mary began in monastic circles under the influence of saints like St. Anselm and St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Their theological reflections on Mary’s participation in the sufferings of Christ inspired the Cistercians and later the Servite Order (the Order of the Servants of Mary) to propagate this devotion. The Servites, founded in the 13th century, made it their mission to promote the devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
The devotion became particularly widespread in the 14th and 15th centuries, especially in the Rhineland and Flanders, where Confraternities of the Sorrowful Mother were established. These Confraternities provided a communal way for the faithful to meditate on Mary’s sorrows and to participate in acts of reparation. The devotion gained further liturgical recognition when a provincial council in Mainz, Germany, in 1423, instituted the “Feast of the Sorrows of Mary” as a means of atoning for the desecration of her images by the Hussites
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
The Seven Sorrows of Mary, also known as the Seven Dolors, are key events in the life of the Virgin Mary that caused her immense sorrow. These events are deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition, and they invite the faithful to meditate on Mary’s suffering, offering a path to deeper compassion and spiritual growth.
1. The Prophecy of Simeon
Luke 2:34-35
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple, the prophet Simeon foretold that Jesus would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul. This prophecy revealed the future suffering of both Jesus and Mary, setting the stage for Mary’s participation in her Son’s redemptive mission.
2. The Flight into Egypt
Matthew 2:13-14
After the visit of the wise men, an angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child Jesus to escape King Herod’s wrath. The Holy Family’s sudden departure and the uncertainty of life in a foreign land brought great sorrow to Mary, who feared for the safety of her Son.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:43-45
When Jesus was 12 years old, He remained behind in the Temple after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph, unaware of His whereabouts, searched for Him anxiously for three days. This experience of losing her Son, even temporarily, caused Mary great distress.
4. Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
Luke 23:27
As Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, He encountered His mother along the way. Their eyes met, and Mary saw the agony and suffering of her beloved Son. Despite her sorrow, she remained steadfast, accompanying Him in spirit to His crucifixion.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
John 19:25-27
Standing at the foot of the cross, Mary witnessed the brutal execution of her Son. She heard His final words, entrusting her to the care of the Apostle John and, in doing so, giving her as a mother to all of humanity. Mary’s heart was pierced with sorrow as she watched Jesus breathe His last.
6. The Body of Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
Mark 15:43-46
After Jesus’ death, His body was taken down from the cross and placed in His mother’s arms. This poignant moment, often depicted in art as the Pietà, symbolizes Mary’s deep grief and her profound love for her Son. She held the lifeless body of the one she had brought into the world, mourning the loss of her child.
7. The Burial of Jesus
John 19:41-42
Mary followed Jesus to the tomb, where His body was laid to rest. This final act of sorrow marked the end of her earthly relationship with Him, but it also held the promise of the Resurrection. Mary’s faith in God’s plan remained unshaken, even in the face of death.
The Liturgical Celebration
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15th, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This proximity in the liturgical calendar highlights the inseparable connection between the Passion of Christ and the sufferings of His mother. The feast day invites the faithful to meditate on Mary’s sorrows and to offer prayers of reparation for the sins of the world.
In the liturgy, the Stabat Mater, a 13th-century hymn that reflects on Mary’s sorrows at the foot of the cross, is often sung. This hymn, which has inspired countless musical settings, beautifully expresses the depth of Mary’s sorrow and her solidarity with her Son’s suffering.
The Resurgence of Devotion
In the 20th century, devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows saw a resurgence, particularly after the apparitions of Our Lady of Kibeho in Rwanda. In the 1980s, the Blessed Virgin appeared to a group of young people, urging them to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary and to reflect on the Passion of Christ and the sufferings of His mother. The apparitions, recognized by the Church, have reignited interest in this ancient devotion, reminding the faithful of its relevance in contemporary times.
Spiritual Significance of the Devotion
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is not merely a reflection on the past but a powerful spiritual practice that invites the faithful to unite their own sufferings with those of Mary. By meditating on her sorrows, believers can find strength and consolation in their trials, knowing that Mary understands their pain and accompanies them on their journey of faith.
This devotion also deepens one’s understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation and the redemptive suffering of Christ. Mary’s sorrows are a testament to her unwavering faith and her participation in the salvific work of her Son. Through this devotion, the faithful are drawn closer to the heart of the Blessed Mother, who leads them to a deeper relationship with Jesus.
The month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, offers Catholics a unique opportunity to reflect on the profound sufferings of the Virgin Mary and their connection to the Passion of Christ. Through this devotion, the faithful are invited to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary, to seek her intercession in their own trials, and to grow in compassion and understanding of the mystery of suffering. As they journey with Mary through her sorrows, they are drawn closer to her Son, who is the source of all hope and redemption.
St John Henry Newman set to become newest Doctor of the Church
Pope Leo paves the way for St John Henry Newman to be formally declared a “Doctor of the Church”
By Alessandro De Carolis
One of the great modern thinkers of Christianity, a key figure in a spiritual and human journey that left a profound mark on the Church and 19th-century ecumenism, and the author of writings that show how living the faith is a daily “heart-to-heart” dialogue with Christ. A life spent with energy and passion for the Gospel—culminating in his canonization in 2019—that will soon lead to the English cardinal John Henry Newman being proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.
The news was announced today, July 31, in a statement from the Holy See Press Office, which reported that during an audience granted to Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Pope Leo XIV has “confirmed the affirmative opinion of the Plenary Session of Cardinals and Bishops, Members of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, regarding the title of Doctor of the Universal Church, which will soon be conferred on Saint John Henry Newman."
“From Shadows and Images into the Truth”
“Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on.
The night is dark, and I am far from home—
Lead Thou me on…
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile"
John Henry Newman was 32 years old when this poignant prayer rose from his heart during his return to England after a long journey through Italy. Born in 1801, he had already been an Anglican priest for eight years and was widely recognized as one of the most brilliant minds in his church—a man who captivated with both spoken and written word.
The 1832 trip to Italy deepened his inner search. Newman carried within him a thirst to know the depths of God, His “kindly Light,” which for him was also the light of Truth—truth about Christ, the true nature of the Church, and the tradition of the early centuries, when the Church Fathers spoke to a still undivided Church. Oxford—epicenter of his faith and the place where the future saint lived and worked—became the road along which his convictions gradually shifted toward Catholicism.
In 1845, he distilled his spiritual journey into the Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, the fruit of a long pursuit of that Light, which he came to recognize in the Catholic Church—a Church he saw as the very one born from the heart of Christ, the Church of the martyrs and the ancient Fathers, which, like a tree, had grown and developed through history. Soon after, he asked to be received into the Catholic Church, which took place on October 8, 1845. He later wrote of that moment: “It was like coming into port after a rough sea; and my happiness on that score remains to this day without interruption.”
Devoted to Saint Philip Neri
In 1846, he returned to Italy to enter, as a humble seminarian—despite being a theologian and thinker of international renown—the Collegio di Propaganda Fide. “It is so wonderful to be here,” he wrote. “It is like a dream, and yet so calm, so secure, so happy, as if it were the fulfilment of a long hope, and the beginning of a new life.” On May 30, 1847, the circle of his vocation was completed with his ordination to the priesthood.
During these months, Newman was deeply drawn to the figure of St. Philip Neri—another soul, like himself, “adopted” by Rome. When Blessed Pope Pius IX encouraged him to return to England, Newman went on to found an Oratory there, dedicated to the saint with whom he shared a joyful disposition. That good humor remained intact even through the many challenges he faced in establishing Catholic institutions in his homeland, many of which seemed at first to falter. Still, his mind continued to produce brilliant writings in defense and support of Catholicism—even under fierce attack.
In 1879, Pope Leo XIII made him a cardinal. Upon hearing the news, Newman wept with joy: “The cloud is lifted forever.” He continued his apostolic work with undiminished intensity until his death on August 11, 1890. On his tomb, he asked that only his name and a brief phrase be inscribed, one that encapsulates the extraordinary arc of his 89 years of life: Ex umbris et imaginibus in Veritatem, “From shadows and images into the Truth.”
Benedict XVI beatified him in 2010, honoring a man of deep prayer who, in the Pope’s words, “lived out that profoundly human vision of priestly ministry in his devoted care” for people: “visiting the sick and the poor, comforting the bereaved, caring for those in prison.
'Cor ad cor loquitur'
Newman was canonized in 2019 by Pope Francis, who, in the encyclical Dilexit nos, explained why the English cardinal had chosen as his motto the phrase Cor ad cor loquitur—“Heart speaks to heart.” Because, the Pope noted, beyond any dialectical argument, the Lord saves us by speaking from His heart to ours: “This realization led him, the distinguished intellectual, to recognize that his deepest encounter with himself and with the Lord came not from his reading or reflection, but from his prayerful dialogue, heart to heart, with Christ, alive and present. It was in the Eucharist that Newman encountered the living heart of Jesus, capable of setting us free, giving meaning to each moment of our lives, and bestowing true peace.”
