Dear Parishioners:

At the Masses this Saturday night and Sunday, the priest celebrating the Mass will be blessing married couples and their wedding rings if they have them on. Ordinarily, we would be celebrating World Marriage Sunday this weekend as a way of blessing Christian marriage and renewing the grace that married couples received on the day of their wedding. Unfortunately, we will not have this celebrations like we had in the past, which have always been great fun.  Instead, we will simply be blessing our faithful Christian married couples.

We always do this on the weekend closest to St. Valentine’s Day and coincidentally, this year St Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday. There is not much known about the saint, but what we do know reinforces why he is the patron saint of Christian love. Legend has it that Valentine was a priest in the city of Rome during the Roman Empire. He probably lived in the middle of the third century, when Christians were being persecuted terribly. As a priest, Valentine would often times help Christian couples who wanted to be married.  The problem was that it was illegal to be a Christian in the Roman Empire, therefore, they were not permitted to get married and it was also illegal simply to help Christian. Valentine thought this was unjust as Christian men and women who were in love should be able to marry, so he would secretly celebrate matrimony with Christians. 

It was also illegal for Roman soldiers to be married because the emperor, Claudius, and prior emperors believed it was a distraction from their military service. Valentine would also celebrate soldiers’ weddings, too, but when the authorities, especially Emperor Claudius found out, he was severely punished and, and ultimately, executed. The color red has always been associated with St Valentine because it is the color of Martyrs, especially because of the blood that had been spilled by their martyrdom.  This is probably why see so many red hearts on St. Valentine’s Day, as it is a symbol of hearts in love with each other.  Because of Saint Valentine’s willingness to celebrate Christian love, even though it was illegal at the time, over the ensuing years he has become the patron saint of couples in love universally. So, Happy St. Valentine’s Day, everyone!

While this Sunday is the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary time, it is the last we will see the green of Ordinary Time for a while.  Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and it begins our Lenten season.  Please read the Lenten regulations that are published in the bulletin. These regulations are similar to what we have printed in the past. This Ash Wednesday, will be different than in the past. As I mentioned last week, the ashes will be blessed and the formula, “Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return,” will be said just once. Then, those who are receiving ashes, will come forward and the ashes will be simply sprinkled on the top of each person’s head and no words will be spoken. This is different than in the past, as no ashes will be placed on anyone’s forehead. This Ash Wednesday restriction comes directly from the Vatican, so throughout the world this is how ashes will be distributed in the Catholic Church.

I look forward to this year’s holy season of Lent and celebrating it with you all. Last year, our Lenten Season was abbreviated because of the outbreak of the virus, but hopefully this year it will be celebrated uninterrupted straight through until Easter Sunday.  Lent is such an important season because it helps us to refocus on the wonderful saving work that Our Lord has done for us and the great sacrifice he has made for us. We highlight all this during Lent as we prepare for Easter Sunday and that is one reason we make our “Lenten sacrifices.”   These sacrifices are usually in the form of “giving something up,” praying more and being more charitable which will help the poor.

I know many of you are beginning to come back to the church and it is wonderful to see. None of our church restrictions has been lifted, so remember that we need to continue to socially distance, wear our masks when we are in the church building and follow the protocol for moving within the church. You all have been so wonderful in following the restrictions, so thank you.

Have a wonderful St Valentine’s Day and an even more wonderful Lenten Season.

Blessings,

Fr. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

Last week, one of our very dedicated CCD teachers sent me an email with a question. One of her students said that he had watched Mass on the live stream but that during the Mass he, “heard another language.” The teacher believed that it was Latin that he heard, but asked me to explain why we use “another language” during Mass. Some of you may have the same question, so included is the question and my response just in case you, too, are curious

Question:

Hi Father Marc,

I was posed a question from one of my students in CCD regarding the use of another language (Latin) in the Mass.  He explained to me that when he watched the Mass on his computer, he heard “another language.”  His mother told him it was Latin, but didn’t know why it is said in Latin.  I guess he is referring to the “Agnus Dei.”  At times, I questioned it in my own mind, but never thought to ask.  I tried looking it up, but no answer.  Can you help me to help this little boy know “why?”  I am grateful he is curious enough to ask.  Have a great day!

My response:

Dear CCD Teacher:

Thanks for the note and the question and I hope this finds you and your students well!

That is such a good question.  Remember that the Mass was in Latin in the Roman Catholic (aka Latin Rite) Church until it switched to the vernacular after the 2nd Vatican council (1962-1965).  For centuries the Mass and all liturgies (baptisms, weddings, etc.) were in Latin because it was the universal language of the Church.  Masses were in Latin in China, South America, North America, Europe and all throughout the world because it was the common language for all worshippers.  There was great value to this at the time because regardless of where a Catholic attended Mass, he/she would understand what was going on and be able to respond.

When the Mass was changed to the local language of the people, the Church (and the documents of Vatican II) encouraged liturgies to maintain some of the Latin, which we do.  That is why sometimes we have the choir sing certain pieces in Latin and we have some responses in that language.  The “Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy)” and the “Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)” are perfect examples of maintaining some of the language and realize that the translation from Latin is the exact same response as we say in English.  So we are not “saying” anything different; we are just saying it in a different language.

Now, just one slight difference is that the “Kyrie Eleison” which translates into “Lord, have mercy,” is what we sometimes say in the Penitential Rite, as we “call to mind our sins.” This is Greek, not Latin.  We probably do this because Greek was one of the original languages that Mass was celebrated in, among a couple other reasons.  Therefore, “another language” is probably Latin, but there might be some Greek, too.

Fr. Marc

In another week and a half we will be starting the Lenten Season a penitential season. Ash Wednesday is on February 17th. Please check the bulletin and announcements about the schedule for Ash Wednesday. We will have one Mass at 8:15 and two services with only ashes distributed. This year, because of the pandemic, we will be doing things a bit differently and I want you all to be informed of it. For the distribution of ashes, the Vatican has given directives on how they are to be distributed in all Catholic churches throughout the world. As we usually do, we will bless the ashes at the beginning of the Mass or service. Before the ashes are distributed, the formula will be said just once (“Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return” and then those who are receiving ashes will come forward as if they were receiving Holy Communion. The assisting minister or I will not say the formula for each person, but will instead only sprinkle ashes on the head of each person. Obviously this will be contactless distribution of ashes. The method of sprinkling the ashes as we will do it is much more popular in Europe and other nations than here in the United States. After the distribution of ashes, people will return to their pews for the rest of the Mass or service.

Obviously, this will be a bit different this year, but it is the best way to go about it and I appreciate both your flexibility and your understanding.

The Lenten regulations are also in this week’s bulletin, as it is a reminder of what both days of abstinence and days of fasting means, as well as who is bound by the regulations. Please be sure to read them. At the same time for any serious reason, if someone who falls into the group of regulation needs to be dispensed from fasting or abstinence, the law of the Church (Canon Law) requires that that person contact his or her pastor for a dispensation. Therefore, if you believe that you need to be dispensed from a particular Lenten regulation, please call the parish to speak with me.

Next, as far as Palm Sunday and Holy Week go, we are still waiting for directives from both the Archdiocese of Newark as well as, possibly, the Vatican. I will keep everyone informed about what we are doing as I find out.

Finally, a few weeks ago you probably received a letter from Cardinal Tobin about the Annual Appeal and inviting you to contribute to this most worthy campaign that Proclaims the Gospel, Passes on the Faith, and Helps those who are Marginalized in our Society. Since Lent is a time of both sacrifice and almsgiving (charity), I would ask you to consider making your Annual Appeal contribution during the Lenten Season. In particular, as the Cardinal mentioned in his letter, Commitment Sunday will be March 6th and 7th, and all parishioners are asked to drop off their Annual Appeal envelope in the basket during that weekend. If you didn’t receive an envelope or can’t find yours, we have them in the church as well as the Parish office.

In the meantime, I pray that you all stay well and healthy. I look forward to seeing you all, especially during the holy season of Lent.  Please don’t forget to continue to sign up for Masses as well as Ash Wednesday services.

In Christ,

Fr. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

I am so happy to be celebrating Catholic Schools Week this Sunday, as it gives us an opportunity to not only celebrate the blessing of Catholic Schools and their importance in our culture, but in particular, we can celebrate our very own Catholic school and our school really is worth celebrating!

St. Cassian School would not be the success that it is if it were not for so many people, especially our principal, Mrs. Maria Llanes, who has done such a wonderful job since she began about seven years ago, but especially has done a miraculous job this year in not only preparing the school with live stream cameras in every classroom, rotating schedules, nightly sanitizing, building upkeep and so many other things just this year in order to keep the school running in the midst of the pandemic.  I did not even mention everything else she has done to make our school so great and qualified to be awarded the National Blue Ribbon award a few years ago.  Thank you so much, Mrs. Llanes!

Included in making the school so great are all the staff and faculty of St. Cassian School.  Our teachers are so dedicated and enormously sacrificial in teaching our schoolchildren not just the core subjects, but the arts and religion.  You will never find a greater faculty staff and part of that teaching staff is Ms. Amanda Bordogna, our fifth and sixth grade teacher who was nominated and won the Archdiocesan Teacher of the Year (see more at https://www.rcan.org/qa-2020-teacher-year-amanda-bordogna).  Congratulations to Ms. Bordogna and all the teaching staff, as I believe all of our teachers are fine enough to win the award.

Our office staff and support staff, the “face” of our school are wonderfully cheerful and competent in dealing with teachers, parents, staff and especially students.  They “fly under the radar” oftentimes, but are truly essential for the success of the school.  I would be remiss if I did not brag about our maintenance staff who not only keep the building sanitized and safe, but incredibly immaculate!  Thank you Ms. Olivia, Mr. Cosmo and Mr. Shawn.

Finally, the school would a school without students and their parents who sacrifice in order to have them come here.  Our students continue to learn and thrive even during these tough times.  They have been adjusting to the rotating schedules and both the in-person and remote learning, but it is always best to see them in person, whether it is in the classroom, in the playground or in a “Google Meets” Mass or gathering.

Our principal, our students, faculty and staff members are only able to do all this, especially during these days, because of God’s goodness and His grace, therefore, we praise God always, but especially during this Catholic Schools Week.  The theme of the week is: Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.  We see all these in our little parish school of St. Cassian and it is no wonder that our school is so full and thriving!

Please excuse me for bragging about the School so much, but know that I brag just as much about the parish and all you parishioners just as much to anyone who will listen!

Please stay well everyone and I am enjoying seeing you coming back to church little by little.   I hope to see you all again soon.

Blessings,

Rev. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Please be aware that we will be able to distribute Ashes on Ash Wednesday, but there are restrictions that must be followed.  I will include them next week in the bulletin and in our announcements.

Dear Parishioners:

I write this to you with the hope that everyone is doing well.  I wish I could say that life is returning to normal, but, unfortunately, that seems like it might be a little while for that.  We all keep doing the best we can, I’m sure.

This past weekend, we kicked off our Annual Appeal Campaign.  If you attended Mass in person, you saw the video and heard me say a few words about the Appeal.  If you were on the livestream, you would have seen it, too.  I want to use this as an opportunity to goes over a few things regarding the Appeal.

Our goal is $82,300 and this number is based on our ordinary revenue from 2019.  We are encouraged by the Archdiocese to reach our goal this year by June 30, 2021 and if we do, we will have we will have a 2% reduction in our assessments for the next year.  We already pay 18% in assessments, so the reduction would certainly be helpful. And on top of that, once we reach our goal, all the money collected will return to the Parish!

If you heard my very brief homily and mention of the Appeal, then you heard me speak of how sharing in the Appeal is sharing in the work of the Archdiocese, but more importantly, sharing in the work of Jesus who asks us to take care of the hungry, naked, the prisoner and the needy.  The Appeal gives us a vehicle as a Parish to share in this work of Christ.  As the Cardinal stated in his message, all the monies collected go directly to the ministry that provides help for those in need.

Also, the purpose of the Appeal is to proclaim the Gospel, pass on the Faith and help those on the margins of society.  While the pandemic has crippled many of us: parishes, businesses, individuals, etc., it was been especially difficult for those who were already needy.  This Annual Appeal targets them in a special way.  Please consider you gift to this most worthy campaign.

As registered Parishioners, you should have received an initial letter from Cardinal Tobin, asking your help in the Appeal.  If you need an Appeal envelope, we have plenty in the back of the church and I ask you to please take one.  Our official “in-pew” Commitment Sunday will be on March 6/7 when we will ask everyone to drop off their Appeal envelopes, but if you would like to drop your gift off earlier, feel free to put the designated envelope in the basket at any time (that is what I did last week).  Please know how much I appreciate your kindness and generosity with this important Christian mission.

On a separate note, with the upcoming Lenten Season approaching on Ash Wednesday on February 17, we will be doing some things a bit differently because of the restrictions.  This includes distribution of ashes and palms on Palm Sunday.  We will do everything in accord with our directives from the USCCB. I will keep everyone informed of the procedures as I receive them.

In the meantime, please stay safe and resilient as we, hopefully, begin to see the end of this crisis, especially with the vaccine becoming more available.  It is so encouraging to see some of you safely returning to Mass.  There is no substitute for the Eucharist!

Please be well and assured of my prayers for you all, the wonderful Parishioners of St. Cassian.

Blessings,

Fr. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

Since this past Sunday when we celebrated the Baptism of Our Lord and brought the Christmas season to its completion, now we begin the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.

When we think of Ordinary Time, we often times think of the green investments that the clergy wear and a toneddown sense of solemnity that we have in the church. For many people it just seems like an “ordinary” time of year, where there is nothing special going on. That’s not the truth, however.

There are two significant items about this season that are particularly worth knowing. The first is that the reason why it is called “ordinary” is because the year is ordered by weeks: from the First Sunday and week to the 34th week of Ordinary Time. It gives us a sequence, an order to our church calendar. It is practical like that.

Secondly, and probably more importantly, though, is that Ordinary Time is when we focus on many of the teachings of our Lord. It’s when at Mass we read and study things like the parables and the miracles and the lessons that our Lord taught to his disciples and to us. All of these point toward the Kingdom of God that Jesus began forming when He began his public ministry that began after His baptism.

Think of this: What Solemnity concludes the season of ordinary time? It is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the King of the Universe. This may seem so far away, but we simply focus on Jesus’ teachings in order to learn the lessons again on how to build the Kingdom of God and we conclude it with recognizing him as the King of the Kingdom of God on earth universally, as well as in heaven. We would do well, to keep this in mind as we go through Ordinary Time both now and then again after the Easter Season. Through it all we are focusing on a primary responsibility as Christians: to build the Kingdom and to serve Christ the King!

I want to take a moment to say what a beautiful Christmas Season we just concluded. It was wonderful to see so many people at Mass (as permitted by the restrictions), both new parishioners and regulars, as well as faces I have not seen in a while. Thank you for your generosity as well as your participation in the church as well as at home. I am looking forward to each week when I see more and more coming. Thanks so making Christmas so wonderful even in trying times.

Finally, it is that time of year that we will be showing the video at Mass this week for the Annual Appeal. I will say a few words about how the Appeal is so important for so many needy people in the Archdiocese. As important as reaching our goal is, I believe that it is equally important to have everyone in the Parish participate in giving. Feeding the hungry and clothing the naked is not an Archdiocesan mandate. It is what Our Lord asks us to do and there are plenty of people in this Archdiocese whom we can help.

As we begin the new year of 2021, I continue to pray for you all: that the Lord will help you all to stay safe and to be healthy and holy throughout the year.

Blessings,
Rev. Marc A. Vicari
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

Happy New Year and I pray this year will be a happy and healthy one!

This week is the last days of the Christmas Season and I think it is important to reflect on what we have celebrated during this brief, yet important, season of Christmas.  We celebrated that God became man and dwelled with us, as a little baby, the he honored by both shepherds and kings from far off lands.  The three Magi, honored Jesus as the newborn King and “light of the nations,” which was not simply an honorific, but more importantly, foreshadowed Jesus as the savior of the world and the King of the universe.  The Epiphany makes us think of the end of our Church year, when we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.  At Christmas, we nostalgically gaze upon the baby Jesus in the manger and the visiting shepherds and especially the Magi and think how beautiful that visit was, but it is important to recognize how prophetic it was at the same time: Jesus was born to be Our King, the King of the Kingdom of God and the King who would return to just us all.  The little baby would become our King.

Throughout history, many kings proudly believed that they were divinely appointed to their position and that their subjects were under them to serve them. Our newborn King never held that position; instead, God our King lowered himself to become one of us, to be in solidarity with humanity and to share in our human joys and sufferings.  God truly became one of us and not to be served by his subjects, but to serve us, by teaching us to love and to sacrifice and to offer himself for us.  This Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord: a very clear reminder that, although Our Lord was without sin, he joined humanity in a ritual specifically for sinners in order to reveal himself completely as one of us, just without sin.  How blessed we are to have a savior as we do in the Lord Jesus!

I want to use this as an opportunity to inform you all of a few important items: Next week, all registered parishioners will be receiving a letter from Cardinal Joseph Tobin, our Archbishop as an initial contact about this year’s Annual Appeal, so please expect a note from him asking for your generosity and cooperation in helping make it a successful Appeal for 2021, as we, the Archdiocese of Newark, use this Annual Appeal as a way of helping the neediest in the Church and at the same time to build up the Kingdom of God.

Next, there have been some changes in our parish office that I would like everyone to be aware of: Eileen Ziegler, after 23 years of being the Parish Secretary, retired on December 31^st.  We will miss her in the office, however, she will still be an active parishioner, so she will still be around.  Eileen is replaced by Jane Ryan our new Parish Secretary.  At the same time, the business office has seen some changes, as Walter Springer who was the Business Manager in the parish is now the Operations Assistant, assisting me in some of the day-to-day operations.  Nick Cofone is the new Parish Bookkeeper and will be working closely with me and the Finance Council to keep our finances running smoothly.  Lastly, many of you have asked about Stephen Powers, our Parish Director of Music.  Stephen has been out for nearly two months with some health issues and is recovering nicely and we expect him back in a few weeks.  In the meantime, I have hired Valerie Shondel to be the full-time temporary Director of Music until Stephen returns.  So far, everything is still running smoothly and I welcome our new employees and these changes.

I wanted to give a brief update on what is going on in Cite Soleil, Haiti and the St. Cassian Pediatric Nutrition Center that so many of you have so generously supported.  The demolition of the part of the building that is no longer being used has taken place and once that is complete and cleared away, the building that will be used as the Pediatric Center will begin to be constructed.  There are photos of this demolition here in the bulletin and I will keep you updated on the next stages.  Dr. James Morgan, our parishioner and co-founder of Lamp for Haiti, has been wonderful in keeping me abreast of everything and is very appreciative of all your support.

Again, Happy New Year everyone and how blessed this Parish is to have Parishioners like you!

Most sincerely,

Fr. Marc A. Vicari.
Pastor