We thank teachers of S.O.C.L. for organizing the Easter egg hunt. The children enjoyed hunting for over 100 eggs inside and outside of the church premises. Snacking on many food items which were donated were enjoyed by all in the parish hall.
Thank you S.O.C.L. teachers Read More »
Below is the text of the speech which Lech Kaczynski, who died on Saturday, was going to deliver at the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Katyn massacre.
“Dear Representatives of the Katyn Families. Ladies and Gentlemen. In April 1940 over twenty-one thousand Polish prisoners from the NKVD camps and prisons were killed. The genocide was committed at Stalin’s will and at the Soviet Union’s highest authority’s command.
The alliance between the Third Reich and the Soviet Union, the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact and the Soviet attack on Poland on 17 September 1939 reached a terrifying climax in the Katyn massacre. Not only in the Katyn forest, but also in Tver, Kcharkiv and other known, and unknown, execution sites citizens of the Second Republic of Poland, people who formed the foundation of our statehood, who adamantly served the motherland, were killed.
At the same time families of the murdered and thousands of citizens of the eastern territory of the pre-war Poland were sent into exile deep into the Soviet Union, where their indescribable suffering marked the path of the Polish Golgotha of the East.
The most tragic station on that path was Katyn. Polish officers, priests, officials, police officers, border and prison guards were killed without a trial or sentence. They fell victims to an unspeakable war. Their murder was a violation of the rights and conventions of the civilized world. Their dignity as soldiers, Poles and people, was insulted. Pits of death were supposed to hide the bodies of the murdered and the truth about the crime for ever.
The world was supposed to never find out. The families of the victims were deprived of the right to mourn publicly, to proudly commemorate their relatives. Ground covered the traces of crime and the lie was supposed to erase it from people’s memory.
An attempt to hide the truth about Katyn – a result of a decision taken by those who masterminded the crime – became one of the foundations of the communists’ policy in an after-war Poland: a founding lie of the People’s Republic of Poland.
It was the time when people had to pay a high price for knowing and remembering the truth about Katyn. However, the relatives of the murdered and other courageous people kept the memory, defended it and passed it on to next generations of Poles. They managed to preserve the memory of Katyn in the times of communism and spread it in the times of free and independent Poland. Therefore, we owe respect and gratitude to all of them, especially to the Katyn Families. On behalf of the Polish state, I offer sincere thanks to you, that by defending the memory of your relatives you managed to save a highly important dimension of our Polish consciousness and identity.
Katyn became a painful wound of Polish history, which poisoned relations between Poles and Russians for decades. Let’s make the Katyn wound finally heal and cicatrize. We are already on the way to do it. We, Poles, appreciate what Russians have done in the past years. We should follow the path which brings our nations closer, we should not stop or go back.
All circumstances of the Katyn crime need to be investigated and revealed. It is important that innocence of the victims is officially confirmed and that all files concerning the crime are open so that the Katyn lie could disappear for ever. We demand it, first of all, for the sake of the memory of the victims and respect for their families’ suffering. We also demand it in the name of common values, which are necessary to form a foundation of trust and partnership between the neighboring nations in the whole Europe.
Let’s pay homage to the murdered and pray upon their bodies. Glory to the Heroes! Hail their memory!” (mg)
President Kaczynski’s last speech Read More »
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Yesterday April 15, 2010 Ś.P. Peter Pwowar died at age 89. He was the member of our parish. He is survived by Mark P. Piwowar and his wife Susan of Manalapan and Denise Olsen and her husband Eric of Totowa. Denise, Eric and their son Jake are members of our parish.
The Funeral Mass will take place tomorrow Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 10 AM. The Wake Service is held today 2-4 and 4-7 Pm at Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, NJ.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.
Fr. Joseph R. Cyman, Pastor
Piwowar, Peter H. age 89 of Totowa at rest in Long Branch on April 15, 2010. Beloved husband of the late and former Dorothy Godleski (2001). Loving Father of Mark P. Piwowar and his wife Susan of Manalapan and Denise Olsen and her husband Eric of Totowa. Doting Grandfather of Keith and Ryan Piwowar; and Jake Olsen. Adoring Brother of Frances and Josephine Vitale both of PA and the late John, Laura and Joseph. Born in Saltsburg, PA he was a lifelong Totowa Boro resident. Peter was a Aerospace Engineer for Singer-Kearfott Corp., Wayne, for thirty-five years before retiring twenty-two years ago. Mr. Piwowar was a member of the Totowa Seniors and an Army veteran during peacetime. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Saturday at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, Woodland Park at 10:00 AM. Interment at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa. Calling hours will be on Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM.
Ś.P. +Peter H. Piwowar Read More »
To All Parishioners and Friends,
In front of the main altar in the sanctuary of Holy Cross Church, Woodland Park, NJ, ninety eight candles; flowers; and pictures of the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria were placed in the center of other prominent members of the Polish government, parliament and family members (victims of Katyn) who died in the air crash on Saturday April 10, 2010 near Smolensk Airport, Russia.
This Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 9 and 11 AM Masses, Father Joseph R. Cyman, his family and parishioners will continue to pray for all 98 victims of that unprecedented tragedy. Please join us. It is a great loss for the people of Poland as well as for those who moved in the past to live in other countries as members of Polonia. Father Joseph and his wife, Renata, originally born in Poland, are touched by this tragedy. Their two children who were born in USA are very sad as well. The Holy Cross Church was established mainly by the Polish immigrants in 1926 in Paterson. Many of them moved to surrounding areas and built the second church in 1965-66 in Woodland Park, formerly West Paterson.
During the past few decades the Polish ethnic beginning of the Parish has grown into a multicultural community. The members of the Parish remember their forefathers’ roots and have a great compassion and sympathy for Polish people. They feel the same as many nations who are expressing their prayers and sympathy to Poland.
There was no miracle in Smolensk. All died. However, the people of Russia and Poland are closer than ever before. It is a miracle of forgiveness. The Russians feel sorry for what did happen 70 years ago in Katyn. They also feel sympathy for the loss of members of the Polish government delegation who were going to commemorate Katyn 70th Anniversary. Spontaneously they feel closer to the people of Poland. Similarly it was uplifting to hear the family of victims of Katyn who said we (the People of Poland) forgave the Germans formerly German Nazis; now it is the time to forgive the Russian Federation, formerly Soviet Union.
Please join us Sunday.
Father Joseph R. Cyman, Pastor
Commemorating Poland’s Tragic Loss Read More »
The Parish Committee Members made an oath to serve the Holy Cross Church to the best of their abilities on Palm Sunday March 28, 2010 after the 9AM and 11AM Holy Masses. Congratulations!
New Parish Committee Installed Read More »
I would like to thank the St. Nicholas Ministry who donated Easter flowers for the sick and homebound of our parish. All home bound greatly appreciated the fact that they are remembered by the Holy Cross Church family. Special thanks are extended to Lucy and Richard Daum, who made arrangements to purchase flowers and delivered them to the church. I thank also Alfreda Bazanowski for sending cards to home bound, and for special occasions to our parishioners on behalf of Holy Cross Church. – Fr. Joseph.
During the 50 day season of Easter we commemorate the life giving resurrection of our Lord. Fasting does not take place during this time. We say our prayers standing rather that kneeling. We stand during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. We greet one another with the words, “Christ is Risen! Indeed, he is Risen! This is the time of great rejoicing!
On Tuesday of the Holy Week, the Clergy Conference of the Central Diocese PNCC took place in Youth Center of St. Stanislaus Cathedral Parish Scranton, PA. The Holy Mass of Chrism followed in the cathedral. It was presided by Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, Bishop of the Central Diocese with co celebration of the clergy of our diocese. During the Mass the blessing of Holy Oils and Chrism took place.
Holy Mass of Chrism Read More »
Wednesday of Holy Week, March 31, 2010
Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010
Good Friday, April 2, 2010
Holy Saturday, April 3, 2010
Easter SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2010
Holy Week and Easter Schedule Read More »
The members of the Parish Life Committee organized St. Patrick’s Dinner. Deacon David and Laurie Gaydos prepared and donated all the food and some new decorations for the dinner; Merry and Bob Sleece donated $100; Dominick and Angela Bucci donated a Basket of Cheer, soda, and bread; Edward and Beverly Obssuth donated gifts for the “green gifts” raffle.
We thank other members of the Parish Life Committee who decorated the hall – Renata Cymana and Penni Lazor; Michael Merson helped in the kitchen, our youth helped to serve and did clean up after the event. In addition to tasty food, there was an interesting presentation about pre-paid legal services provided by Julie Shepherd and Lynn Imperiale. We not only enjoyed the food and Irish music, but our parish received a net profit of $1,516. St. Patrick’s Dinner was an Irish luck for our parish!!!
On Saturday, March 20, 2010 District #2 of the Polish National Union of America, our fraternal organization had a quarterly meeting at Holy Cross Church. The discussion concerned support of the youth of our Seniorate for their participation at CONVO 2010, PNU national convention in September 2011.
My Dear Parishioners and Friends during the celebration of the Holy Week particularly on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday April 1 – 3, 2010, I invite everyone to participate in these liturgies as final preparations for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord on Sunday April 4, 2010. The schedule of services for Holy Week and Easter Sunday is enclosed. If you search for a spiritual renewal, the Holy Week – is the place to be, pray and reflect on the redemptive sufferings of Jesus that brought us salvation.
THE LITURGY OF THE HOLY WEEK
The services of the Holy Week are very significant and important for each parishioner to participate.
ON WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK – March 31, 2010. The decoration of the church will take place at 12 P.M. Especially ANS members are asked to help. The celebration of the Sacrament of Penance – General Confession will take place at 7:00 P.M. The youth who have received First Holy Communion and are under 16 years are strongly encouraged to attend the private forms of confession at 7:30 PM. Adults also if they wish can attend private form of confession.
ON HOLY THURSDAY – April 1, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. we will commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus in the Upper Room and the institution of the Sacraments of Holy Orders, Holy Eucharist and Penance. On that day we will celebrate the Holy Mass in white vestments. On Holy Thursday we will ring bells during the Gloria. The bells will not be used until the liturgy of Resurrection. At the end of Holy Thursday Mass, the Holy Eucharist will be taken to the side altar to signify that Jesus was taken at night from the Garden of Olives and imprisoned by Sanhedrin. The exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be until 9:00 P.M. Please sign up for the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the list located in the parish hall.
ON GOOD FRIDAY – April 2, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. the liturgy of the Stations of the Cross with children and youth participation will take place. We will meditate for the last time during this Lent, about the passion and suffering of our Lord. The opening of the Lord’s tomb will take place. A simple reception will take place consisting of coffee and juice with crackers.
The Liturgy of Good Friday this year will take place at 4:15 P.M. In the previous years the liturgy of Good Friday was not well attended. That is why I change the time of service hoping that more people will attend. The Liturgy of Good Friday consists of the Passion of Jesus according to the Gospel of St. John. The main purpose of the liturgy will be veneration of the Cross, the symbol of victory over death and sin. On that day the Holy Communion will be distributed (consecrated on Holy Thursday) and the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament will take place until 6:30 p.m. Please sign up for the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the list located in the Parish hall.
ON HOLY SATURDAY – April 3, 2010
On Holy Saturday you can bring the Easter baskets with festive food to be blessed at 4:00 p.m. Easter baskets will be blessed also after the Liturgy of Holy Saturday. Since the ancient times the Holy Saturday was a day for the new catechumens to be baptized. Our Liturgy will begin at 6:00 P.M. with the blessing of fire and the Pascal candle. The Liturgy of the Word with the history of salvation will take place. The Holy Water will be blessed which we use during the upcoming weeks to bless ourselves in the church, to baptize children and for the Asperses on Sundays. The Easter Vigil will take place at the end of the celebration.
EASTER – SUNDAY APRIL 4, 2010
THE LITURGY OF EASTER – RESURRECTION OF THE LORD will be celebrated on Easter Sunday at 8:00 a.m. preceded with the procession around the church. The solemn Mass will follow. The second Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.
My Dear Parishioners and Friends, each and everyone is welcomed to attend these beautiful celebrations in order to more completely understand the meaning and important events of the life of Jesus especially His passion and glorious resurrection.
THANK YOU – I would like to thank the St. Nicholas Ministry who donated Easter flowers for the sick and homebound of our parish. All home bound greatly appreciated the fact that they are remembered by the Holy Cross Church family. Special thanks are extended to Lucy and Richard Daum, who made arrangements to purchase flowers and delivered them to the church. I thank also Alfreda Bazanowski for sending cards to home bound, and for special occasions to our parishioners on behalf of Holy Cross Church.- Fr. Joseph.
EASTER EGG HUNT – will take place on Sunday April 11, 2010 at 10:10 a.m. All children from our parish are invited to enjoy this event. The party in the parish hall will follow. Please invite your friends.
Wishing you a Happy and blessed Easter,
Christ has risen! Indeed He is risen!
Father Joseph R. Cyman, Pastor