On Sunday Jan. 26, 2025 The Holy Cross Church welcomed the newest member. Precious girl, Mila Rose Bitondo, daughter of Anthony and Romona received the Sacrament of Baptism at 11 am Holy Mass. We congratulate her parents, proud godparents Mark and Sabrina as well as grandparents, family members and friends on this special occasion.
As God made the covenant with his people so through Baptism, Jesus makes a new and everlasting covenant with his followers. As Jesus won new life for us on the cross, with the symbol of the cross, Mila was marked to receive the new life in the Lord. As the waters of the Red Sea led the people of Israel to freedom so the water of Baptism gave new life and led us to Salvation. Parents, godparents and all members of our parish pledge to help this child to grow in Christian faith.
On Christmas Eve at 4 pm we traditionally celebrated Holy Mass with our youth participation. They wear costumes of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Three Kings, Angels and a Little Lamb. The youth served as altar servers, read the Holy Scriptures, and sang together with participants of the Mass the Silent Night with lighted candles.
We thank the youth, parents, School of Christian Living teachers, Ms. Natalie and Mr. Paul and all who helped to celebrate the Birth of Jesus in such a joyful and meaningful way.
Rev. Marian Tarnowski, 81, of Clifton, NJ passed away peacefully with his loving family at his bedside on November 28th.
Born and raised in Chodorow, Poland, Fr. Tarnowski was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1966 and came to the United States on February 15, 1985, initially serving in parishes in Riverhead and Hempstead, NY. After twenty years of Roman Catholic priesthood, Fr. Tarnowski felt that serving as a priest with the Slovak National Catholic Church was a truer calling for him and thus became a priest with Most Holy Name of Jesus SNC Cathedral in Passaic where he then served as Pastor for the next thirty-nine years before retiring in 2021.
Fr. Marian loved to play guitar and read books and always enjoyed playing a good game of chess against his son, Bogdan. Fr. Tarnowski was a great husband and a wonderful dad and had the unique ability to be a calming voice in difficult and stressful times….a humble man who tried always to do right and teach life to his family and parishioners.
Rev. Tarnowski was predeceased by his loved and missed parents, Michal and Franciszka (nee Szerenga) Tarnowski as well as by his dear brother, Jan Tarnowski. He is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-nine years, Grazyna (nee Okula) Tarnowski, of Clifton; by his two loving and devoted children, Bogdan and Beata Tarnowski, both also of Clifton; and by his dear sister, Kazmiera Wilk, of Poland..
Visiting Hours will be Sunday from 3-7pm with a Wake Service to be held at 4pm at Holy Cross parish, 220 Browertown Road, Woodland Park, NJ. Funeral Monday at 10:30am at Holy Cross parish with committal to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton. F
uneral arrangements entrusted to Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave online condolences to Fr. Tarnowski’s family on the Tribute Wall of his obituary page.
On behalf of Holy Cross parish, we express deepest sympathy to his beloved wife, Grazyna, loving children, Bogdan and Beata Tarnowski, former parishioners of Most Holy Name of Jesus SNC Cathedral in Passaic, relatives and friends.
May He Rest in Peace. May his soul and souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Luke Christopher Noonan, son of Joseph Noonan and Jea Lizz Basubas was baptized at Holy Cross Church on Sunday, November 24th. Congratulations to parents, godparents, grandparents, family members and friends.
Kehlani Royalty Vasquez, daughter of Daniel Vasquez and Janiris (Agudelo) was baptized on Sunday November 24th. Congratulations to parents, godparents, grandparents, family members and friends.
On Wednesday, September 11th our parish offered prayers for the victims of 9/11/2001 on the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. We also remembered the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary which occurred on September 8th reflecting on the role of Holy Mary our Spiritual Mother praying with her for peace in our country and in the world. We prayed in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Two dozen of attendees came for the service followed by a reception in the parish hall. The next service will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend.
