Dear Parishioners:

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and that it is restful and relaxing for you all and your families.  It is important that we do relax these days because September promises to be a very busy time as we all hope to return to normal.

One of the things that I ask you to be aware of is that once summer is over, we have a number of celebrations and events that are being scheduled.  For instance, the Mass of the Feast of St. Cassian will be on September 26^th at the noon Mass.  Fr. Tom Nicastro, administrator of St. Mary’s Church, Nutley, will be the main celebrant and homilist.  Fr. Nicastro is excited to be celebrating our great saint’s liturgical feast and loves the history of saints, especially from the early Church.  I am happy that he will be coming to celebrate with us.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to have the regular events that we usually do, but I am hoping that we will have a small get-together in the lower church and on the back patio.

Other events worth noting are the “Welcome Back” weeks of October 10 through November 7 where all the faithful are encouraged to not only make their return to church, but also to jumpstart the “new church year.”  Each of the 10:30 Masses during the weeks of that span will have a different musical theme: Welcome Back, Joy in the Lord, Traditional Spiritual, Thanksgiving for God’s Blessings on our Parish, and the Solemnity of Mass.  Mr. Powers, our musicians, and the staff have already begun planning the music and the themes and will undoubtedly be a wonderful way of emphasizing the joy of returning to church, but also to build momentum for us to not only return to normal, but to be even better than ever in our ministries, activities, and building the Kingdom of God.  I look forward to those celebrations.

After over ten years of being Pastor here, I think you all recognize how much I dislike dealing with various campaigns.  Recall a couple of months ago, I encouraged everyone to give to this year’s Annual Appeal and that if we reached our Parish goal in collected monies before June 30^th, we would receive a 2% reduction in next year’s assessment rate.  At the same time, the Appeal would be helping those who are on the margins of society.  I am happy to announce that we did reach our goal before June 30 and we will receive that reduction, which amounts to a savings of about $15,000!  Even better news is that everything contributed above our goal of $83,000 will be returned to the Parish this year.  In short, if you have not yet contributed to the Annual Appeal and would like to, 100% of your donation will come back to St. Cassian Parish.  I thank those of you who have given and have helped us reach our goal and thank you to those who will still contribute.

Lastly, this weekend, Fr. Gil Noriega, a Franciscan Missionary will speak at all our Masses and talk to us about the important work that missionaries do in spreading the Gospel and building the Kingdom of God.  Fr. Noriega will be available after all the Masses as well in case anyone has questions for him and the work the Franciscans do.

Please continue to pray for our Parish and for the success of our return to church, as well as God’s blessings and the safety of all this summer.

Prayers and blessings,
Fr. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

Sunny, hot, humid days and pop-up thunderstorms let us know that summer in New Jersey has arrived in full force. But unlike last year, this summer we are able to ‘beat the heat’ somewhat by escaping to the shore or perhaps even the mountains. Best of all, we are able to make our escape with family and friends in person. What a gift to be able to get away, rest and enjoy their company!

In this week’s gospel we hear the familiar story about Jesus’ concern that the thousands of people that followed him didn’t have anything to eat. Can you imagine if you were one of the disciples hearing Andrew say, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish….” Granted he followed up with “…but what good are these for so many?”  We all know that the story ends well with everyone having more than enough to eat and even leftovers to take with them for another day and the people in the crowd realizing that Jesus was much more than another man. But who would even begin to think of feeding all those people with so little food?

In reflecting on this week’s gospel and the tremendous impact the sharing of five loaves of bread and two fish had on a thousands of people, let’s remember how different life was this time year and how the willingness of so many to give of their time, talents and moral support had such a positive impact on thousands in need and changed all of us forever. So, as you are enjoying yourselves this summer (and I hope you are) don’t forget to share a kind word, overlook something that usually annoys you or perhaps even give up a parking space to someone with a car full of kids.

It is great continuing to seeso many new faces as well as familiar facesback each weekend. I’m looking forward to fall when we will celebrate together the reopening of our church and all churches in the Archdiocese. In the mean time, enjoy your summer and have fun!

Blessings,
Fr. Marc
Rev. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

Last month we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate some of the long-time employees who were retiring from St. Cassian Parish. Included in that group was Mrs. Regina Sammon, our Director of Religious Education (DRE) here at the parish for some 20-plus years. Mrs. Sammon’s departure left a great void in the Parish staff and Religious Ed program, but in the last months I have been searching for her replacement and a few weeks ago I found her. Miss Mary Flanagan will be replacing her and will be the new DRE. I warmly welcome her to the Parish, the program and I introduce her to you all.

Miss Flanagan has vast educational and parochial volunteer experience. She has helped her own parish and its catechetical program before coming to St. Cassian. She also comes with a great technological background, which no doubt will help our Parish office and religious education program. So, welcome Mary Flanagan, and with the Parish’s support, I am sure you will do well!

Over the past few weeks, some people have asked me about when we will begin to return to the way we did things “pre-pandemic,” like use the “cry room,” sing from the red Worship hymnals, take up the collection by hand, have the children’s Liturgy of the Word, and return to the regular daily Mass schedule.  These are all very good questions.  My intention is that come September, we will be back to our regular liturgical and church practices.

During the summer we will continue to use the weekly Mass program for the music, as opposed to our Worship hymnals. The hymnals will be kept in the cry room until then, and the cry room will reopen after Labor Day. Our Mass schedule will remain what it is now, with Masses at 8:15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings, also until after Labor Day. The other days of the week, the Church building will be open for quiet prayer from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.  Again, we will return to our regular daily Mass schedule after Labor Day with the one exception: Because it is nearly impossible to have a steady substitute priest for Monday Masses, we will not continue the Monday morning Mass here at our Parish. Many who attend daily Masses now, know the times of daily Masses in the neighboring parishes and I encourage you to attend Mass there.   Please know, however, that while the Church has not and will not be open for Mass some of the days of the week, all Mass intentions have been satisfied and will continue to be.  Throughout the beginning of the pandemic to now, every Mass intention has been celebrated, even if it was done privately. 

Separately, the Parish Council has been working on many events and activities for the full re-opening and return to Church for September and the fall months.  These activities will continue throughout the year, but I just want everyone to be aware that we are excited about the great return to Church that we will see come the fall.  Stay turned to hear more details about the re-opening and return that we are prepping for; it will be exciting, for sure.

As we get into the full swing of summer and vacations and time away, I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy summertime and may it be a time of relaxing your body and mind and recharging your spirit.

Blessings,
Fr. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

Last month we had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate some of the long-time employees who were retiring from St. Cassian Parish. Included in that group was Mrs. Regina Sammon, our Director of Religious Education (DRE) here at the parish for some 20-plus years. Mrs. Sammon’s departure left a great void in the Parish staff and Religious Ed program, but in the last months I have been searching for her replacement and a few weeks ago I found her. Miss Mary Flanagan will be replacing her and will be the new DRE. I warmly welcome her to the Parish, the program and I introduce her to you all.

Miss Flanagan has vast educational and parochial volunteer experience. She has helped her own parish and its catechetical program before coming to St. Cassian. She also comes with a great technological background, which no doubt will help our Parish office and religious education program. So, welcome Mary Flanagan, and with the Parish’s support, I am sure you will do well!

Over the past few weeks, some people have asked me about when we will begin to return to the way we did things “pre-pandemic,” like use the “cry room,” sing from the red Worship hymnals, take up the collection by hand, have the children’s Liturgy of the Word, and return to the regular daily Mass schedule.  These are all very good questions.  My intention is that come September, we will be back to our regular liturgical and church practices.

During the summer we will continue to use the weekly Mass program for the music, as opposed to our Worship hymnals. The hymnals will be kept in the cry room until then, and the cry room will reopen after Labor Day. Our Mass schedule will remain what it is now, with Masses at 8:15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings, also until after Labor Day. The other days of the week, the Church building will be open for quiet prayer from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.  Again, we will return to our regular daily Mass schedule after Labor Day with the one exception: Because it is nearly impossible to have a steady substitute priest for Monday Masses, we will not continue the Monday morning Mass here at our Parish. Many who attend daily Masses now, know the times of daily Masses in the neighboring parishes and I encourage you to attend Mass there.   Please know, however, that while the Church has not and will not be open for Mass some of the days of the week, all Mass intentions have been satisfied and will continue to be.  Throughout the beginning of the pandemic to now, every Mass intention has been celebrated, even if it was done privately. 

Separately, the Parish Council has been working on many events and activities for the full re-opening and return to Church for September and the fall months.  These activities will continue throughout the year, but I just want everyone to be aware that we are excited about the great return to Church that we will see come the fall.  Stay turned to hear more details about the re-opening and return that we are prepping for; it will be exciting, for sure.

As we get into the full swing of summer and vacations and time away, I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy summertime and may it be a time of relaxing your body and mind and recharging your spirit.

Blessings,
Fr. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

I hope everyone is enjoying these beautiful summer days, especially as things wind down, as so many prepare for summer vacation. These past weeks have been wonderful in seeing so many people returning to church. It is very edifying to know that so many are coming now, which certainly raises the expectation of a grand return in September. I’m looking forward to it and we are certainly planning accordingly. As I mentioned in prior messages, we are going to have some great events to look forward to when we all return in September, including the St. Cassian Feast Mass on September 26th, among other great things.

Years ago, when I was a young seminarian, we had a Director of Formation, a priest who prepared seminarians for the priesthood by emphasizing spiritual, academic, and personal, formation (development). Just before we seminarians were going to be leaving for the summer, he would oftentimes use the phrase, “Don’t take a vacation from your vocation.” It always made us chuckle, but his message was clear: just because we were away from the seminary and the rigors of our priestly preparation, it did not mean that we take a break from our responsibilities.

While his words of advice applied to those preparing for the priesthood and priestly vocation, that phrase could translate and apply to all Christians, especially during the summertime. We should never take a vacation from whatever our Christian vocation is (parents, children, spouses, lay and single faithful, and even priests), especially in the summertime. Let’s make sure that we are saying our prayers, attending Mass, showing charity toward one another, taking part in the sacraments, extending ourselves in sacrifice, and doing all the things that Christ asks us to do in order to build the Kingdom of God. This is our common vocation as Christians, and we should never take a break from it.

Lastly, remember that until Labor Day weekend, we are now on our summer Mass schedule. Saturday evening stays the same at 5:30, but the Sunday morning schedule is Mass at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30.

Together, let’s all be grateful for having made it through the pandemic crisis, by God’s grace. Let’s also pray for our Parish and one another. That’s part of living our Christian vocation, too.

Blessings,
Rev. Marc A. Vicari,
Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

I hope everyone is enjoying these beautiful summer days, especially as things wind down, as so many prepare for summer vacation.

These past weeks have been wonderful in seeing so many people returning to church. It is very edifying to know that so many are coming now, which certainly raises the expectation of a grand return in September. I’m looking forward to it and we are certainly planning accordingly. As I mentioned in prior messages, we are going to have some great events to look forward to when we all return in September, including the St. Cassian Feast Mass on September 26th, among other great things.

Years ago, when I was a young seminarian, we had a Director of Formation, a priest who prepared seminarians for the priesthood by emphasizing spiritual, academic, and personal, formation (development). Just before we seminarians were going to be leaving for the summer, he would oftentimes use the phrase, “Don’t take a vacation from your vocation.” It always made us chuckle, but his message was clear: just because we were away from the seminary and the rigors of our priestly preparation, it did not mean that we take a break from our responsibilities.

While his words of advice applied to those preparing for the priesthood and priestly vocation, that phrase could translate and apply to all Christians, especially during the summertime. We should never take a vacation from whatever our Christian vocation is (parents, children, spouses, lay and single faithful, and even priests), especially in the summertime. Let’s make sure that we are saying our prayers, attending Mass, showing charity toward one another, taking part in the sacraments, extending ourselves in sacrifice, and doing all the things that Christ asks us to do in order to build the Kingdom of God. This is our common vocation as Christians, and we should never take a break from it.

Lastly, remember that starting this Sunday and lasting throughout the summer until Labor Day weekend, we begin our summer Mass schedule. Saturday evening stays the same at 5:30, but the Sunday morning schedule is Mass at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30.

Together, let’s all be grateful for having made it through the pandemic crisis, by God’s grace. Let’s also pray for our Parish and one another. That’s part of living our Christian vocation, too.

Blessings,
Rev. Marc A. Vicari
Pastor