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
Save the Date
Please join us Sunday - August 2, 2026 as we welcome to our parish Bishop Michael Saporito, Episcopal Vicar for Bergen County. He will be the celebrant for the 11:30 am Mass. All are welcome.
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 July
Respect for Human Life
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
POSTER BOARD
July Month of the Precious Blood
One of the great devotions in the Catholic Church is the honoring of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. This devotion is deeply connected to the Passion of Jesus and recognizes the immense sacrifice He made for the salvation of humanity. The shedding of His blood is central to Christian faith, symbolizing redemption and eternal life. This devotion is also intimately linked to the Eucharist, where Catholics believe the blood of Christ is made present and is consumed during Mass under the appearance of wine.
Historical Development
The celebration of the Precious Blood of Jesus has a rich history within the Catholic tradition. Various feasts were dedicated to this devotion over the centuries, but it was not until the 19th century that a universal feast was established. The pivotal moment came during the First Italian War for Independence in 1849, when Pope Pius IX was forced into exile in Gaeta. Accompanying him was Don Giovanni Merlini, the third superior general of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood.
In the midst of the conflict, Merlini proposed to Pope Pius IX the creation of a universal feast dedicated to the Precious Blood to seek divine intervention for peace. On June 30, 1849, Pope Pius IX announced his intention to establish such a feast. Remarkably, the war concluded soon after, and the Pope returned to Rome. On August 10, he formally proclaimed that the first Sunday of July would be dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Later, Pope Pius X assigned July 1 as the fixed date for this celebration.
Post-Vatican II Changes
The Second Vatican Council brought numerous changes to the liturgical calendar, and the feast of the Precious Blood was removed. However, a votive Mass in honor of the Precious Blood was established, allowing it to be celebrated not only in July but also in other months throughout the year.
A Month for Meditation
The entire month of July is traditionally dedicated to the Precious Blood, encouraging Catholics to meditate on Jesus’ profound sacrifice and the pouring out of His blood for humanity. This period invites deeper reflection on the mysteries of redemption and the Eucharistic celebration.
Prayers for the Month of July
Here is the opening prayer from the votive Mass in honor of the Precious Blood, which can be used for personal meditation and prayer throughout July:
Opening Prayer:
Father, by the blood of your Son you have set us free and saved us from death. Continue your work of love within us, that by constantly celebrating the mystery of our salvation, we may reach the eternal life it promises. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Why did Pope Leo XIII consecrate the world to the Sacred Heart
and the USCCB just consecrate America to the Sacred Heart on June 11, 2026?
It is powerful to think about the pope entrusting the whole world to the Heart of Jesus at the end of the nineteenth century. On June 11, 1899, Pope Leo XIII consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Not just Catholics. Not just Christian nations. Not only those who already loved and honored Christ. It was this pope who gave the Church Rerum Novarum, one of the most influential papal encyclicals in modern history. He guided the Church through enormous social, political, and cultural change, yet he saw this act of consecration to the Sacred Heart as one of the most important things he had done.
The story is tied, in part, to Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart, a religious sister who believed Our Lord was asking that the whole world be consecrated to His Sacred Heart. She wrote to Pope Leo XIII, urging him to consider the request. The pope took the matter seriously and, after reflection, issued Annum Sacrum, preparing the Church for this extraordinary act. It is powerful to think about the pope entrusting the whole world to the Heart of Jesus at the end of the nineteenth century. The modern world was changing quickly. Industry, politics, science, and new ways of thinking were reshaping society. Many believed humanity was moving into a new age of progress. But Pope Leo XIII pointed the world back to something much more essential: the love of Christ. Devotion to the Sacred Heart was not new. Anyone who visits older churches in Rome or throughout Europe will often see images of the Sacred Heart on side altars, in chapels, and in sacred art. This devotion had already been loved by saints and the faithful for centuries. But Leo XIII’s act gave it a universal emphasis. He was reminding the world that Christ’s Heart is the answer to the deepest needs of humanity.
Today, those needs are just as deep. We still deal with wars and division in the world. Many people feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of news, social media, political debates, and endless distractions competing for their attention.
On June 11, 2026, the bishops of the United States consecrated our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. More than a century after Pope Leo XIII consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart, the Church in America is making a similar act of trust. At a time when our nation faces divisions, anxieties, and uncertainty about the future, the bishops are inviting Catholics to place their hope not in politics or programs, but in the love and mercy of Christ Himself. Even in our own spiritual lives, we can forget that Jesus Christ is at the center of our faith. We can forget how much Christ loves us. In fact, our Savior loves us with a burning heart.
And the image of the Sacred Heart makes that love visible. The flames, the wound, the crown of thorns, and the cross all speak of Christ's love for us. Devotion to the Sacred Heart seems to be experiencing a renewed interest, along with devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Sacred Heart reveals the love of Christ poured out for the world. The Immaculate Heart of Mary shows the perfect human response to that love. Her heart received His love, suffered with Him, and remained united to Him.
