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
2026 Archdiocese of Newark Annual Appeal
The Vatican officially announced March 25 that Ven. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis, Missouri, bringing to fulfillment a moment Catholics have awaited for years and confirming what many faithful long
believed: that one of the 20th century’s greatest evangelists will soon be counted among the “blessed” and move one step closer to canonization.
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.
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!
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.
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 evangelization in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel,
discovering creative paths to build community.
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.
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.
What Does Your Breathing Have to Do with Prayer?
Our breathing does more than sustain life it can also become a prayer. For centuries, Christians have prayed the Jesus Prayer in rhythm with each breath, gently turning their hearts back to Christ.
Catholic inspiration
Most of us don't think much about our breathing.
Yet researchers have found that the way we breathe affects our nervous system. Rapid, shallow breathing often accompanies stress and anxiety. Slower, more deliberate breathing—especially a slow exhale—can help calm both the body and the mind.
That shouldn't surprise us.
Long before scientists began studying the effects of breathing, Christians were already incorporating it into prayer.
One of the oldest examples is the Jesus Prayer, a simple prayer that has been prayed for centuries in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Traditionally, it is prayed in rhythm with the breath:
On the inhale:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God..."
On the exhale:
"Have mercy on me, a sinner."
Sometimes called the Prayer of the Heart, this simple prayer invokes the Holy Name of Jesus while gently drawing our attention back to His presence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church even highlights the Jesus Prayer as a beautiful expression of continual prayer (CCC 2665-2669).
The very breath God has given us becomes an opportunity to return to Him.
When anxiety begins to rise, when the mind becomes distracted, or when life simply feels overwhelming, we don't always need long prayers or elaborate words. Sometimes we simply need to slow down, breathe, and whisper the Holy Name of Jesus.
The Psalmist reminds us:
"He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul." (Psalm 23:2)
Perhaps those "still waters" can begin with stillness in our own hearts.