About Church of the Epiphany · Cliffside Park, New Jersey
The Church of the Epiphany is a Roman Catholic parish in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, serving the Catholic faithful of southern Bergen County for over a century. Founded in 1916 as a parish of the Archdiocese of Newark, it was the first parish in the archdiocese to bear the name 'Epiphany' — chosen because the church property was purchased on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1915. Perched atop the Palisades just three miles south of the George Washington Bridge, between Bergenline Avenue and Palisade Avenue, Epiphany has long been a spiritual anchor for the Grantwood neighborhood and surrounding communities, offering daily and Sunday Mass, religious education, music ministry, devotions, and outreach through a food pantry.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Reineiro Agaloos (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Newark
Why belong here
Epiphany is a welcoming, century-old parish family rooted in the Grantwood neighborhood of Cliffside Park, where generations of Catholic families have worshipped together since 1916. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on First Fridays, a full Religious Education program from grades 1–8 (First Communion in 2nd grade, Confirmation in 8th), an adult and children's choir under a music director, RCIA for adults seeking full initiation, and active outreach through its Food Pantry. As the parish's mission statement puts it, members follow the light of Christ in daily life, offering their own unique gifts in a community of faith, hope, and charity.
Mass times at Church of the Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- By appointment at the rectory anytime
Adoration times
- First Fridays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration, concluding with Benediction)
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (in Chapel, with Benediction and Divine Mercy Chaplet)
- Monday: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (in Chapel, with Benediction and Divine Mercy Chaplet)
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (in Chapel, with Benediction and Divine Mercy Chaplet)
Welcome and Parish Identity
For over one hundred years, the Church of the Epiphany has been serving the Catholic Christian faithful of southern Bergen County, New Jersey. Founded as a parish of the Archdiocese of Newark in 1916, Epiphany has always been the center of the local community, welcoming all from near and far. The parish's mission, drawn from the Gospel account of the Magi, calls its members to follow the light of Christ in daily life, offering their own unique gifts and talents in a community united in faith, hope, and charity.
- Address: 247 Knox Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
- Phone: 201-943-7320 | Fax: 201-943-1779
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Online Giving: www.parishgiving.org
Parish History — A Century with Christ and Community
Epiphany's history was published in 2016 as 'A Century with Christ and Community: 1916–2016,' documenting a century of Catholic life atop the Palisades. The parish was established by Msgr. Anthony J. Ferretti, ordained in 1896 by Bishop Winand Wigger, who had previously helped found parishes in Edgewater, Fairview, and North Bergen. After Bishop John J. O'Connor approved a mission for the Grantwood neighborhood, Fr. Ferretti purchased nine lots at Knox Avenue and the Public Service Railroad on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1915 for $3,310. The parish was formally incorporated on August 31, 1916; construction began in September 1916; the cornerstone was laid December 16, 1916; and the first Mass was celebrated in May 1917, after a procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament from St. John's in Fairview.
- Founded 1916; property purchased January 6, 1915
- Cornerstone laid December 16, 1916 by Vicar General Rt. Rev. John A. Sheppard
- First permanent pastor: Msgr. Anthony J. Ferretti, 1921
- First assistant: Rev. John Henry Banks, 1927
- Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth staffed Epiphany School (from 1929)
- First collection: $33.00; first Christmas collection: $300.00
Mission Statement
The parish mission draws on the Gospel of Matthew: 'We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage… Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.' Just as the Magi followed Christ's star, the people of Epiphany follow the light of Christ in their daily lives, bringing the gifts of their own unique treasures and talents. United as a parish community in the spirit of faith, hope, and charity, the parish strives to make Christ manifest in the world through Catholic beliefs and traditions.
Sacraments
Epiphany celebrates all the standard Catholic sacraments, organized on the parish website into Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing the Sick) and Sacraments of Vocation (Marriage, Holy Orders). Reconciliation is heard Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, or by appointment at the rectory. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are invited to join the parish RCIA program, directed through Fr. Bruce Harger.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 12:00–1:00 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick
- First Holy Communion (Grade 2)
- Confirmation (Grade 8)
- RCIA — contact Fr. Bruce Harger
- Marriage and Holy Orders inquiries via the rectory
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish Religious Education / CCD / Catechism Program runs from grades one through eight, with classes held during the school year from September through May. Children make their First Holy Communion in second grade and Confirmation in eighth grade. CCD classes for grades 1–7 are held on Sundays in the old Epiphany School Building, beginning at 10:30 AM and ending at the 12:00 noon Mass. Confirmation classes are held once a month — check the bulletin for specific dates. Lucinda Sariti serves as Director of Religious Education.
- Grades 1–7: Sunday 10:30 AM in the old Epiphany School Building
- First Holy Communion: Grade 2
- Confirmation: Grade 8 (monthly classes)
- Director of Religious Education: Lucinda Sariti
Music Ministry
Under the direction of Dr. Sunny Son, the parish fields two choirs — an adult choir and the Epiphany Children's Choir. Both choirs perform regularly between September and June and participate in Holy Day and Holiday liturgies. Practice is held on Wednesdays. Those interested in joining are invited to contact Dr. Son at the Rectory.
- Adult Choir and Epiphany Children's Choir
- Director: Dr. Sunny Son
- Rehearsals: Wednesdays
Parish Staff and Clergy
Epiphany is currently led by Parish Administrator Rev. Reineiro Agaloos and Parochial Vicar Rev. Boniface Anusiem, with the assistance of Fr. Bruce Harger. Rev. Ken Evans and Rev. Donald J. DiPasquale serve as Pastors Emeriti. Dr. Sunny Son directs music; Lucinda Sariti directs religious education; Cathy Eichler is Administrative Assistant; Sarah Romano is Parish Secretary; Nicholas Sertich directs the Food Pantry; Julio Palma handles maintenance; John Mitchell is Parish Council President.
- Parish Administrator: Rev. Reineiro Agaloos
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Boniface Anusiem
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Ken Evans
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Donald J. DiPasquale
- Director of Music: Dr. Sunny Son
- Director of Religious Education: Lucinda Sariti
Outreach and Community Life
Epiphany continues its century-old tradition of local outreach, most visibly through the parish Food Pantry under the direction of Nicholas Sertich. The parish welcomes newcomers and old friends alike into what it calls the 'Epiphany Parish Family,' and offers RCIA, Children's and Adult Choirs, and faith formation for all ages as ways to get involved.
- Food Pantry — directed by Nicholas Sertich
- Parish Council — President John Mitchell
- RCIA for adults entering the Church
- Children's and Adult Choirs
- Youth Mass and Fellowship (3rd Sunday monthly)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Anthony J. Ferretti1916–1951
Founder and first pastor (permanent pastor from 1921). Born 1864 in NYC, ordained 1896. Pioneer of Catholicism in lower Bergen County. Oversaw construction of the original 1916 church.
- Fr. Robert F. Grady
Wrote a 1953 parish history in which he recounted Fr. Ferretti's pioneering years.
- Fr. Kenny1952
With the Holy Name Society, began a Release Time religious instruction program for public school students, approved by the Cliffside Park Board of Education.