Christmas dinner
Today’s Parish Christmas Dinner was one of the most enjoyable events we had at Holy Cross. Thank you to all who in any shape or form made this event possible and successful. — Fr. Joseph
Parish Life
November 2009
The main event in the month of November was the celebration of the blessing of the church rectory on Sunday November 15, 2009. 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 family 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 a beautiful day, the blessing of the enlarged rectory took place in front of the rectory. The blessing of engraved pavers with family names of generous donors took place in the parish hall. A delicious dinner was sponsored by my Cyman family as our little appreciation for the rectory expansion. Delightful food was prepared by my wife, Mrs. Renata Cyman with the help of volunteers Hughie and Beverly Vickerilla, Angela Bucci, Tatiana Mludzik and desserts donated mostly by the ladies of Adoration Society.
During the reception, Dominick Bucci, the rectory expansion project coordinator, commented on the power point presentation. Several pictures described the progress of the building expansion. We thank Dominick for his remarkable involvement throughout the time of preparation and expansion of the rectory.
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 this project. We would like to thank each and everyone who in any shape or form supported and helped to build the rectory expansion and who continue to support the Building Fund. We thank also those who were part of the dedication ceremony on Sunday Nov. 15, 2009.
Today on Sunday November 29, 2009, we begin the holy season of Advent. Four Sundays of joyful time of Advent are given by the Church as our preparations for the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord. I wish that we all prepare our souls to welcome Jesus once again into our hearts and into our lives. On this special Solemnity of Christmas, we need to let Jesus be born again in us and in our homes. Before this celebration takes place, there will be a lot of responsibilities that we must accomplish either in our homes, work places, or schools. In addition to that we need to set aside time for private prayer and Sunday worship with our parish family. Advent is above all time to set aside for our spiritual growth. Furthermore in this time we need to be aware about the needs of others, especially those who are less fortunate in our society. Therefore, we keep in our parish a wonderful program called the ADVENT TREE. This will help boys and girls of DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services), senior men from EVA’S SHELTER and women with babies from SHELTER OUR SISTERS. All gifts are due on Sunday, December 13, 2009. Next Sunday, December 6th the children of School of Christian Living will present a Christmas program during the dinner after 11:00 a.m. Mass. Let us invite our friends and enjoy together this spiritual event. We thank you in advance for your generosity toward our parish especially at Christmas time so that we can balance our annual budget. Soon we begin New Year “2010”. I strongly encourage all of you to make an important resolution to attend Christmas celebrations and attend regularly Sunday Masses in year 2010.
May we all keep Christ in our hearts at Christmas and throughout the New Year 2010.
May the Lord send upon you, and your dear ones, His abundant blessings in this Holy Season and throughout the New Year – 2010!
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – 2010!
- Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku – 2010!
- Joyeux Noël et Bonne Novell L’Année 2010!
- Feliz Navidad y Buen Ano Nuevo 2010!
- Froehliche Weinachten und ein gutes neues Jahr 2010!
Father Joseph with Family and the Parish Committee
P.S. I keep you in my daily prayers. Please remember me in your prayers. – Fr. Joseph
CONVO 2010:
CONVO 2010 will be held July 26-30, 2010. Cost will be $285. All payments must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2010. After June 1st, a $25 late fee will be required to be paid in addition to the initial $285. All late payments must be in by June 25th. No payments may be made after June 25th, 2010
Spaces are filling up!!!! Make your reservation before all rooms are gone!!!! For more information check out the CONVO 2010 website or send an E-mail.
Next Convo Meeting will take place on January 30, 2010 at 11:30AM (Inclement weather will cause a re-schedule to February 6th) at Holy Mother of Sorrows Parish in Dupont, PA. All who can please attend! Remember, this is Central’s year to bring the youth of Christ’s Church together at Convo, let’s make it the best yet!!!
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE PLANS:
At the last Stewardship Committee meeting the following plans have been made:
- We would like to restart our Prayer Chain (by telephone). We need ten members of the committee. We have six people. We need additionally four. The Payer Chain members would help by informing other member of the parish of someone who is ill or needs help. In case of inclement weather, the members will inform about different Mass Schedule if such case will occur.
- Would you be interested in coming and sharing your time and treasure for a project(s) to help the less fortunate of our society. For example supplies for homeless (sleeping bags), school supplies for children, tray favors for veterans etc. We would meet only when there is a need to share our time and talent. Please sign your name to the sign up list in the parish hall if you are interested but nothing will begin until the end of January.
CONGRATULATIONS:
- We congratulate Jennifer and Richard Bartolozzi for being blessed with the birth of their daughter Kaylan Grace, 9 lb 9 oz, 22 inches on November 1, 2009. We congratulate big brother, Logan and big sister, Kiley as well as Bartolozzi, Hitchcock and Niedzwiecki families.
- We congratulate our Organist Neil Estanislao and his wife, Mylen for being blessed with the birth of their precious baby girl, Isabella Bernadette. She was born Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:33pm in Christ Hospital (Jersey City). 7-lb 5-oz and 18-in long. Organist Neil received a gift for his daughter presented by members of St. Nicholas Ministry, Alfreda Bazanowski and Richard Daum.
ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY:
On Friday October 30, 2009 the Bucci family hosted its third annual Halloween Party. Food, drink and snacks were abundant and the decorations were outstanding. A disc jockey was provided to entertain the youth and the adults. Games and a costume contest added to the fun. Ironically, a young man dressed as a rabbi was one of the winners in the most creative category. The parishioners are enthusiastically looking forward to the next Halloween party. Another new idea and a great success for Holy Cross…..
Thank you to all who participated in the guess the weight of the “great pumpkin fundraiser and helped our youth in their plans for the convocation. A “big” thank you is given to Michael Lazor who donated his “great pumpkin” for this fundraiser.
During the months of October and November our parishioners were asked to guess the weight of the “great pumpkin” at $1.00 per guess. This fundraiser is one of many that the teen youth group of Holy Cross has planned to raise money for the religious convocation that will be held on last week of July 2010 at Monmouth College, NJ. Guesses ranged from 1 lb. to 5,000 lbs which is quite comical. The actual weight of the pumpkin is 45 lbs. and 9 ounces. Congratulations go out to Jasmine Cabrejos who came closest to the exact weight!
S.O.C.L. THANK YOU
The School of Christian Living class Brianna Harth, Matthew Montero, Michael Lazor, Alissa Paulison and Mrs. Claire Centrella would like to thank parishioners for donations of non-perishable food items and six Shop Rite gift certificates each valued $25. Six large food baskets were prepared and delivered to Memorial School on Monday Nov. 23, 2009.
In addition to that, five bags of groceries, bag of toys and three turkeys were given to Father English Food Pantry, Paterson. It was a wonderful gesture to be mindful of those who are less fortunate in the time of Thanksgiving and approaching Christmas. The next Food Drive is scheduled on Sunday January 17, 2010.
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
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Christmas Dinner
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.
Advent Tree
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.
Food Collection for the Needy – Thanksgiving Meals
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.
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Reminder: Tomorrow’s blessing of our rectory addition
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.
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October 2009
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.
Look for the Rainbow – Tricky Tray 2009
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.
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Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, Monk and Confessor
Holy Cross Parish celebrated Holy Mass and the blessing of pets with a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats,
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.
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