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) 641-0664
Welcome to the Parish Family of St. Margaret of Cortona
in Little Ferry
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time July 24
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Statement from the Archdiocese of Newark May 25, 2021
Updated Directives During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Given the reinstatement by Cardinal Tobin and the Bishops of NJ of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass effective June 5/6, (To read the official statement, please visit: https://www.rcan.org/) and the lessening of restrictions from the state, the following is provided as an immediate update to the May 4 directives.
Effective May 28, masks will no longer be required for fully vaccinated persons. If not fully vaccinated, persons are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidance and wear a face mask in public settings. Masks are still required on public transit and in health care settings, prisons, child-care facilities and schools, among other places. People will no longer be required to socially distance indoors or outdoors, (May 28), although unvaccinated persons should continue to maintain a safe distance from others.
Effective June 4, all indoor gathering limits will be removed. Although these directives represent a reduction of pandemic restrictions, the local pastors/administrators/chaplains can impose stricter regulations as needed. These may include wearing masks, social distancing, and signing in for Mass or activities.
Please click here to view the complete directives in pdf form
At St. Margaret’s, we are following the directives mentioned in the document with some updates:
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Livestreaming Mass - we will continue to place the Saturday evening mass on our website but it will not be every weekend as has been the case.
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Opening Rites - we will continue to begin Mass without a procession. The Easter season is over so the need for the sprinkling rite is not needed. As you know, we now have touch-less holy water fonts.
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Preparation of the Gifts - we will continue using the baskets at rear of the church and while we will continue to have the bread and wine in the sacristy, if anyone wants to bring these gifts up in the offertory procession, please notify the ushers or the priest.
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Music - we are attempting to bring back the choir and have them sing bringing back the choir before the usual summer break.
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Hymnals & Bulletins - we have ordered the hymnals & missalettes. They should be here for our use mid-June.
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Confessionals - we will resume the use of our reconciliation rooms. However, any penitent can request to celebrate the sacrament in the body of the church.
All are Welcome to Become a Parish Cantor and to join the Choir
Please see Eileen after mass or call her at 202-843-1097
Returning to Grace , a Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist from Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
When church historians write about the Year of Our Lord 2020, I predict they will call particular attention to the “Great Eucharistic Fast.” COVID-19, the pandemic that has taken the lives of millions, obliged dioceses throughout the world to take the unprecedented action of closing our churches and effectively denying our people the opportunity to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Some scholars may point out that, as a result, Catholics in Europe and North America experienced what others have suffered for many years due to a shortage of priests or outright persecution, namely, the absence of the sacraments... Click here to read Cardinal Tobin's complete pastoral letter or click below to watch an introduction from Cardinal Tobin.
News Site for the Archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Newark has launched a news website for the entirety of the faithful of the Archdiocese. It strives to inform, inspire and educate readers by sharing stories of our Church and mission in an effort to build our communities of faith.
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children
2021-2022 Tuition Assistance Application NOW OPEN
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children is trying to assist families who would like to send their children to one of the Catholic schools in our parishes. Our tuition assistance application is now open for new and re-applying families.
Click here to go to our website and donate now!
Thank you for your assistance!
Jasmin Roman
Director of Scholarship Programs
Latest edition of Cardinal Tobin's Rejoice in the Lord newsletter available (Vol. 2, No. 6)
Click here to view the pdf
Statement of the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey on the Reproductive Freedom Act
Click here to go to the website and read the statement
Donate to St. Margaret's
Here are some ways that you can help our Parish during these trying times:
GoFundMe - Click here to go the GofundMe website
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.
Amazon Smile - you can also donate to St. Margaret’s whenever you make a purchase.
1. Go to https://smile.amazon.com, it uses the same account that you have on Amazon.com.
2. Go to Your Account and under Account settings select St. Margaret of Cortona Church as your preferred charity and you’re all set.
3. Every time you make a purchase the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of the eligible item to St. Margaret’s. Just make sure to make all your future purchases on Amazon Smile so that donations are made
SCHEDULES
Regular Masses
Sunday:
8:00AM, 10:00AM, 12:00PM
Weekdays:
Monday through Friday:
12:05 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
Mass followed by Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Benediction every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm
Confessions
Saturdays 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Experience God’s Mercy. Celebrate the Grace-Filled Sacrament of Reconciliation
Contact Us
Parish Center (Monday to Friday):
Tel: 201-641-2988
Fax: 201-641-0664
Rectory (By appointment only):
201-641-2988
Religious Education (Sunday to Thursday):
201-641-3937
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention
For July 2021
Social Friendship
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.
Pope Francis proclaims 'Year of St. Joseph
With the Apostolic letter 'Patris Corde' ('With A Father's Heart'), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a 'Year of St. Joseph' from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021.
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
POSTER BOARD
The Month of July
One particular devotion in the Catholic Church connected to the Passion of Jesus Christ is the honoring of his Precious Blood. It is a recognition of Jesus’ sacrifice and how he spilled his blood for the salvation of humanity. Furthermore, this blood is made present through the gift of the Eucharist and is something we can consume at Mass,
along with the body of Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine.
Over time the Church developed various feasts of the Precious Blood, but it wasn’t until the 19th century when
a universal feast was established.
During the First Italian War for Independence in 1849, Pope Pius IX went into exile to Gaeta. He went there with Don Giovanni Merlini, third superior general of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood.
While the war was still raging, Merlini suggested to Pope Pius IX that he create a universal feast to the Precious Blood to beg God’s heavenly aid to end the war and bring peace to Rome. Pius IX subsequently made a statement on June 30, 1849 that he intended to create a feast in honor of the Precious Blood. The war soon ended and he returned to Rome shortly thereafter.
On August 10 he made it official and proclaimed that the 1st Sunday in July will be dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Later, Pope Pius X assigned July 1 as the fixed date of this celebration.
After Vatican II the feast was removed from the calendar, but a votive Mass in honor of the Precious Blood was established and can be celebrated in the month of July (as well as most other months of the year).
For these reasons the entire month of July is traditionally dedicated to the Precious Blood, and Catholics are encouraged to meditate on the profound sacrifice of Jesus and the pouring out of his blood for humanity.
Below is the opening prayer of the votive Mass, as well as an additional prayer that can be used as our own personal meditation or prayer during July.
O God, who by the Precious Blood of your only Begotten son have redeemed the whole world,preserve in us the work of your mercy,so that, ever honoring the mystery of our salvation,we may merit to obtain its fruits.Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Admitted to your sacred table, O Lord, we have with joy drawn water from the fountains of the Savior: O may his blood, we beseech thee, become within us a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.
