A Word From Our Pastor

Dear Friends:

The psalmist yearns for the face of God and expresses our most profound hope: to behold the face of our Creator at the end of our pilgrimage here on earth. Jesus taught us that we can see God’s visage in our brothers and sisters in our midst when we behold one another with the eyes of faith.

It is a joy and a thrill to introduce  Saint Cecilia parish through this website. Even if you are already familiar with many of the aspects of  our parish, this website will enable you to become familiar with even more.

This website will also help us to communicate with one another by providing useful information. Our Parish has a remarkable history and a well-deserved reputation thanks to the countless number of parishioners and priests who have come here before us.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to our two Pastors Emeriti , Msgr. Denis A. Hayes and Msgr. Charles F. Powers.

Here are some facts about the early history of Saint Cecilia’s:

1863 – Saint Mary’s, Dover began offering mass in Rockaway.
1869 – Cemetery land purchased and small mission church opened.
1875 – The Dover pastor relinquished the mission to chaplains of the "Protectory" at Denville. This was the antecedent of New Jersey Bowstown which was located where St. Clare’s is now. With this change, St. Cecilia’s began keeping its own books.
1881 – Just days after his consecration, Bishop Wigger appointed a resident pastor for Rockaway and Hibernia. This coincided with the removal of the "Protectory" to Kearny the following year.
1882 – Saint Cecilia parish was civilly incorporated.
1893 – Church Street property was purchased and the church was moved.
1928 – Saint Patrick’s, Hibernia was formally suppressed, and merged into Saint Cecilia’s –additional property was purchased on Church Street.

As we move toward the future and continue the outstanding tradition of dedication to the Lord Jesus and the Gospel, I pray that you and your family will enjoy this website for many years to come.

Sincerely yours in Christ,