Events

Blessing of our Rectory expansion

The celebration of the rectory expansion was an important and enjoyable celebration at Holy Cross Church. We cherished the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, Bishop of the Central Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church. He presided over the Mass with co celebration of available Sunday morning clergy of NY / NJ Seniorate. The Bishop’s inspirational homily invited us to witness our faith in building the Holy Cross Church as our testimony of God’s presence in our community.

The celebration of the Mass with the presence of the Bishop Anthony Mikovsky was spiritual nourishment for us all. The beautiful liturgy with the youth and congregation participation was remarkable. The Adoration Society took part in the procession, the youth read the prayers of the faithful, the children sang an offertory hymn – “The Prayer of St. Francis – Make me a channel of your peace.” The lectors, altar servers and ushers took part in the celebration.

Following the Mass, on this beautiful day, the blessing of the rectory took place. The blessing of engraved pavers with the family names of generous donors took place in the parish hall.

A delicious dinner was sponsored by the Cyman family in their appreciation for the rectory expansion. Delightful food was prepared by Mrs. Renata Cyman with the help of volunteers Hughie and Beverly Vickerilla, Angela Bucci, Tatiana Mludzik. During the reception, Dominick Bucci, the rectory expansion project coordinator, commented on the power point presentation, prepared by Fr. Joseph. Several pictures described the progress of the building expansion. A list of the generous donators was included at the end of the presentation. Our heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed toward the Building Fund, especially: The Bucci – Gulla Family; The Cabrejos Family; The Cyman Family; The Daum Family; The Hitchcock Family; The Holy Cross Church, Commack, Long Island; Katinsky Family; The Kiame Family; The Lazor Family; The Ludkiewicz Family; The Merson family; The Michinski Family; The Obssuth Family; The Peano-Asbaty Family; The Pellegrini Family; The Plaxa Family; The Rotsaert Family; John Ruyzam Family; Joseph Ruyzam Family; Stella Skawiski; Helen Skawinski; The Sleece Family; The Suhok Family; The Yuswacks Family;

My family would like to thank the Parish Committee who not only initiated the rectory expansion in 2007 but made important decisions to help finalize the project. We would like to thank each and everyone who in any shape or form supported and helped to build the rectory expansion. We thank also those who were part of dedication ceremony on Sunday Nov. 15, 2009.

God bless you and your loved ones,

Father Joseph, Mrs. Renata, Michael and Natalie Cyman

Blessing of our Rectory expansion Read More »

Christmas Dinner

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, Sunday School (SOCL) / admin

The Parish will hold a Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 6th (St. Nicholas Day) after 11 A.M. Holy Mass.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for an enjoyable afternoon with great food and Christmas Program by the children of our School of Christian Living. The Menu will be provided in upcoming Sunday bulletins. Please reserve your tickets earlier. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday, November 29, 2009.

Christmas Dinner Read More »

Advent Tree

Events, Parish Life / admin

Our Annual Advent Tree project will be co-ordinated by Pat Olsen and will begin on Sunday, November 22, 2009.

Through our efforts it will be benefiting the less fortunate of our society. On Sunday November 22 you will be asked to take a tag from the tree and write your name in the registry located near the tree. Please affix the copy of the tag you take from the tree to your gift so that the present may be given to the proper individual. All gifts will be due on Sunday, December 13, 2009.

Your generosity will be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord who asks us to take care for the needy.

Advent Tree Read More »

Food Collection for the Needy – Thanksgiving Meals

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, Sunday School (SOCL) / admin

Our Class of the School of Christian Living would like to donate baskets of Thanksgiving Meals (non-perishables) to those in Woodland Park who are less fortunate than we are. Please bring your items (listed options below) to church on Sunday, November 15 and 22, 2009 so baskets can be put together and delivered for the holiday. Thank you, Alissa, Matthew, Brianna & Michael

Items Needed: $25 Gift Cards for supermarkets (to be used for turkeys), Canned Goods (vegetables), Cranberry Sauce, Canned Pumpkin for pies, Pie Crust Mix, Boxed Stuffing Mix, Canned gravy, Boxed Potato Mix, Paper Products, and anything else you think of.

Food Collection for the Needy – Thanksgiving Meals Read More »

Reminder: Tomorrow’s blessing of our rectory addition

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, Pastor's Update, PNCC / admin

On Sunday, November 15, 2009 we host Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky the Bishop of the Central Diocese.

After the 11:00 A.M. Mass the blessing of the rectory addition will take place followed by a reception in the parish hall. The buffet dinner style will be provided and sponsored by the Cyman Family as a token of appreciation for rectory expansion. Let us take the opportunity to meet Bishop Anthony Mikovsky, the Shepherd of our diocese.

Reminder: Tomorrow’s blessing of our rectory addition Read More »

October 2009

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, Pastor's Update, Sunday School (SOCL) / admin

Please enjoy the following pictures and notes reflecting important events which took place in October 2009

SOCL FIELD TRIP – Picture perfect weather, a great turnout of parishioners, and a tremendous amount of fellowship and fun led to a very successful event on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. After 11:00 A.M. Mass and a hot dog lunch at the parish hall, Sunday school students, families, and friends, participated in this fall outing at “Farms View Roadstand” – Wayne, N.J. A hay ride through the farms, pumpkin picking, fresh apple cider, homemade donuts, a farmer’s market, and a petting zoo were enjoyed by many families. Grandparents, parents, and their children (three generations) participated in this event.

The Ladies of the Adoration Society took a group picture which will be included in the new church pictorial directory. We thank them for their service for the good of our parish.

Fr. Joseph participated in The National Clergy Conference held in Lancaster, NY October 20-21-22, 2009. On the picture are bishops and the clergy seated in the sanctuary of the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Lancaster, NY. The cathedral has several beautiful wood carvings in the main altar, side altars, stations of the cross and other items which were diligently done by Very Rev. Walter Madej. The statues of St. Helen and St. Stanislaw Bishop and Martyr in the sanctuary of our church were also carved by Very Rev. Walter Madej.

Look for the Rainbow Tricky Tray 2009 – On Friday October 23, 2009 annual Tricky Tray took place at Three Saints Cultural Center, Garfield. Because of the generosity of many parishioners and several corporate sponsors we had sufficient amount of regular, super and special trays. There were over 300 people who enjoyed our fund raiser. Our net profit was over $12,000.00 (twelve thousand dollars).

Our Tricky Tray MC this year – Karen Hitchcock and Jason Cabrejos with the help of Eddie Obssuth. We thank Master of ceremonies for a wonderful job they did.

THANK YOU — Our successful Autumn Tricky Tray event, the biggest annual fundraiser since 1982, took place on Friday, October 23, 2009 at Three Saints Orthodox Church, 464 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ.

Our special thanks are expressed to those who:

Donated Special Prizes, Regular and Super Trays, and Door Prizes
Gave monetary donations / paid for TV tickets
Served as captains, sold tickets
Did advertisement and solicitations
Picked up donations
Numbered the trays for the Program
Set up the hall on Thursday
Delivered and set up trays on Friday
Were selling tickets at the event
Served as runners / Served in the kitchen
Served as MC / Served as security guard
Cleaned the hall and kitchen after the event
…and to anyone who in any shape or form helped to organize Tricky Tray 2009

According to our Treasurer, Richard Daum, we made over $12,000.00 (twelve thousand) of net profit.

More specifically: Thank You and God Bless you!

Our future events?

Election Day – Tuesday, November 3, 2009 – Please remember to vote and use your priviledge and rights of the United States of America citizens.

THE BLESSING OF THE RECTORY ADDITION will take place on Sunday November 15, 2009 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky the Bishop of the Central Diocese. On that Sunday there will be ONE Mass celebrated at 11:00 A.M. followed by the blessing of the addition. The reception will take place in the parish hall. The buffet dinner style will be provided and sponsored by the Cyman Family as a token of appreciation for needed rectory expansion. All are invited to attend this event with the opportunity to meet Bishop Anthony Mikovsky. Please write the name of your family and number of people attending on the sign up list located in the parish hall. Thank you.

November 22, 2009 (Sunday) – Advent Tree Project Begins

ADVENT TREE – Our Annual Advent Tree project will begin on Sunday November 22, 2009. Through our efforts it will be benefiting the less fortunate of our society. On Sunday November 22, 09 you will be asked to take a tag from the tree and write your name in the registry located near the tree. Please affix the copy of the tag you take from the tree to your gift so that the present may be given to the proper individual. All gifts will be due on Sunday December 13, 2009. Your generosity will be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord who asks us to take care for the needy.

THANKSGIVING HOLY MASS – Everyone is invited for a Thanksgiving Eve Mass on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Let us give thanks for the Almighty God for all His gifts which we so often take for granted.

CHRISTMAS DINNER – December 6, 2009 after 11:00 A.M. Mass – Don’t forget to mark your calendars for an enjoyable afternoon with great food and Christmas Program by the children of our School of Christian Living. The Menu will be provided in upcoming Sunday bulletins. Please reserve your tickets early. THE CHILDREN WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN CHRISTMAS PROGRAM ARE FREE OF CHARGE. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday, November 29, 2009.

ATTENTION BAKERS – We are asking all the bakers in our parish to please honor us with desserts such as cakes, cookies etc. for our Christmas Dinner which will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 after 11:00 a.m. Mass. A sign up list will be located in the parish hall. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

HEALING MASS – The next Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to attend this Mass especially if you have any health problems to present them to our Lord and please pray for those who are affected by any kind of illness. After the Mass the Bible study will be available for interested parishioners.

CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY – Last week we had pictures taken for our new church pictorial directory by Universal Church Directories, of Mansfield, Ohio. Those who were not able to attend can submit their pictures or tell the church office 973-256-4888 to use the pictures from the previous directory. The fee to submit the picture is $8 payable to Holy Cross Church. The parish will pay that fee to Universal Church Directories. For submitting the picture you will receive the copy of the church directory. Please be a part of our church project. Thank you.

YOUTH PICTURE – Sunday Nov. 15, 2009 At 10:15 A.M. – On Sunday November 15, 2009 the children and youth will have a choir practice at 10:15 A.M. At the beginning of the practice there will be a group picture taken of our youth in the church sanctuary. Dear parents, please bring your children for the choir practice and for the group picture. The picture will be included in the church pictorial directory – the youth are our future.

PARISH HALL PAINTING – We need more volunteers to paint our parish hall on Saturday November 7, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. You can sign your name in the parish hall or call Dominick Bucci, Maintenance Committee Chairman at 973-703-6473.

S.O.C.L.

TEACHERS and PARENTS MEETING – SUNDAY – November 8, 2009 at 10:10 AM

The S.O.C.L. teachers and parents of S.O.C.L. students will meet on Sunday November 8, 2009 at 10:10 A.M. for their monthly updates and planning. Please be reminded that students will be attending “choir practice” in lieu of classes. They will sing the Offertory Hymn at the Mass presided by the Bishop Anthony Mikovsky on Sunday November 15, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. Your support and cooperation is very important to the success of our new endeavor – A YOUTH CHOIR!!

FOOD COLLECTION FOR THE NEEDY – THANKSGIVING MEALS – Our Class of the School of Christian Learning would like to donate baskets of Thanksgiving Meals (non-perishables) to those in Woodland Park who are less fortunate than we are. Please bring your items (listed options below) to church on Sunday November 15 and 22, 2009 so baskets can be put together and delivered for the holiday. Thank you, Alissa, Matthew, Brianna & Michael

Items Needed: $25 Gift Cards for supermarkets ( to be used for turkeys), Canned Goods (vegetables), Cranberry Sauce, Canned Pumpkin for pies, Pie Crust Mix, Boxed Stuffing Mix, Canned gravy, Boxed Potato Mix, Paper Products, and anything else you think of.

Kids prayers and sayings

Dear God, I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions. –Ruth
Dear God, I think about you sometimes, even when I’m not praying. –Elliott
Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love all the people in the world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it. –Nan
Dear God, Of all the people who worked for you, I like Noah and David the best. –Rob

My Dear Parishioners, I thank all those who share their time, talent and treasure to build our parish family in different aspects of our ministry. I encourage all of you to serve in our parish and to work together so that the Holy Cross will continue to be a “second home” for each one of us.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Joseph

P.S. I keep you in my daily prayers. Please remember me in your prayers.

October 2009 Read More »

Look for the Rainbow – Tricky Tray 2009

Announcements, Events, Parish Life / admin

Sponsored by Holy Cross Parish, 220 Browertown Rd., Woodland Park, NJ on Friday, October 23, 2009.

6:30 p.m. – doors open
8:00 p.m. – calling begins

Tricky Tray 2009 will be held at Three Saints Orthodox Cultural Center, 464 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ.

About 100 Regular Trays –each value of $25 plus
About 100 Super Trays – each value of $50 plus
3 Special Trays – each value of $150 plus
win 50/50 raffle
win $750.00 cash
win 37” SHARP D44U TV (an $899 value)

ADMISSION – $15 – includes dessert & 26 regular prize chances

Deadline for tickets – Oct. 18, 2009. For tickets call: Karen at 973-423-3027 or the Parish Office at 973-256-4888, or by cell at 201-247-4832.

Look for the Rainbow – Tricky Tray 2009 Read More »

Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, Monk and Confessor

Events, Parish Life, Sunday School (SOCL) / admin

Holy Cross Parish celebrated Holy Mass and the blessing of pets with a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats,

birds, and a tortoise on Sunday October 4, 2009. Children were overjoyed by these pets and participated with great enthusiasm in the mass and the blessing at 11:00 A.M.

During S.O.C.L. classes students (all levels) were invited to see a video about the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The students also participated in activities related to the video. Not only did the students prepare treat bags for all pets, they threw bird seeds and bread on the parish lawn for the wild birds.

S.O.C.L. teachers provided animal crackers and beverages for the students. They were encouraged by their teachers (Claire Centralla, Michele Lazor, Karen Paulsen and Jamie Santos) to treat all the creatures of the earth as did Jesus and St. Francis.

Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, Monk and Confessor Read More »

Annual Halloween Party – Friday, October 30th

Announcements, Events, Parish Life / admin

Please join the fun on Friday evening October 30th from 6:30 to 10:30 P.M. for our annual “Halloween Party”. Food, refreshments, desserts, music, and Karaoke are all included. Costumes are greatly encouraged for children as well adults. Games, prizes, and fun are all in order for this popular event. DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN….. Bring your children. Bring your grandchildren.. Bring your relatives and friends… A good time is guaranteed !!! ADULTS $10.00 CHILDREN $5.00 UNDER 5 YRS – no charge. For reservations call Angela at 973-785-2299 or Fr. Joe at 973-256-4888.

Annual Halloween Party – Friday, October 30th Read More »

August-September 2009

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, Pastor's Update, Sunday School (SOCL) / admin

Welcome Back!

The beautiful calendar summer with its good adventures is almost ended. Our children went back to school to continue their education. The regular schedule of our parish ministry begins today, September 13, 2009. The School of Christian Living program starts as well and our teachers are eager to hear children’s summer stories. The teachers Mrs. Michele Lazor, Mrs. Karen Paulison, Mrs. Claire Centrella and Mrs. Jamie Santos, who joined the faculty are ready to serve our children for their spiritual benefit in school year 2009 – 2010.

For me and my family it was a unique and special summer. Two months of the rectory expansion took place from June 26 to August 21, 2009 and passed very quickly. It was a time filled not only with some noise, dust, and little discomfort but also a good time of witnessing all stages of the project. There were several meetings with many people that were involved in the construction. It was a time to observe the fruits of hard labor. Sometimes and my family and I were involved with making decisions and doing a little of the work as well. The Parish Committee accepted Dominick Bucci to be a coordinator for this building project. My family and our parish can’t thank him enough for his remarkable service he did and the time he spent to communicate with SRK General Contractor LLC, Garfield, NJ. Because of his involvement, the job was well done. At the end of the project according to our plans, the painting was done by the volunteers of the parish to defray the cost of the project. In addition to Dominick, we are thankful to his sons, Brian and David and Lenny Hrinuk who gave us a hand. I can’t forget my wife’s work and children who did their share too. After a couple of days of painting, my daughter had a question: father, you are a priest and you are painting? Yes my honey, I do it for you. Yes we enjoyed being part of this project.

In conjunction of this expansion there were other jobs done in our parish. The old ceiling tiles with leaking marks going to the choir loft were replaced with new one. The floor in the parish hall by the windows was fixed by Dominick Bucci. The old wooden floor in the Break Panel Room was replaced with the new tiles. The old electric outlets in the rectory were replaced with new ones. The old wooden floors in the rectory were refurbished. The cement ramp was poured and the double door to the parish hall was accommodated as handicap accessible. Men of the Parish Committee moved furniture from the tea room and church kitchen and the floor was cleaned and waxed. Bob Sleece moved the furniture back. The crack on the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary along Browertown Rd. was fixed, ASIES Group, Fairfield, NJ. The cement footing was poured for the “small” statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of the rectory. The patio in front of the rectory was completed. The old and cracked counter-top and old cabinets in the rectory kitchen were replaced with the generosity of SRK General Contractor. Many of these jobs were charitably done or done with a great discount in lieu of advertisement placed in our bulletin. Let us pray and support our benefactors. We thank all parishioners who supported our project and showed their generosity by giving donations toward Building Fund.

THE BLESSING OF THE RECTORY ADDITION will take place on Sunday November 15, 2009 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky the Bishop of the Central Diocese. On that Sunday there will be one Mass celebrated at 11:00 A.M. followed by the blessing of the addition. The reception will take place in the parish hall. A buffet style dinner will be provided and sponsored by the Cyman Family as a token of appreciation for the accomplished project. All are invited to attend this event with the opportunity to meet Bishop Anthony Mikovsky. Please write the name of your family and number of people attending on the sign up list located in the parish hall.

We are getting ready for Flea Market sponsored by combined efforts of ANS and Daughters of Holy Cross on Friday September 19, 2009,

Our Fourth Annual Beefsteak Dinner Saturday will be held on September 26, 2009

Our annual Tricky Tray on Friday, October 23, 2009.

In addition to that with the efforts of Parish Committee our parish will have new Parish photo directory taken
on October 27-28-29, 2009 by Universal Church Directories of Mansfield, Ohio.

Finally, we all have the responsibilities and a privilege to worship our God on Sunday – Keep Holy the Lord’s Day. We come to the church to present to the Lord many personal intentions and the needs of others. Each Sunday our Savior invites us and nourishes with His Word and His real presence in the Holy Eucharist. We all need Jesus, His guidance, support, and His love.

May God richly bless you. I keep you in my daily prayers. Please remember me in your prayers.

Yours in Christ,