We congratulate Maritza Isabel Ortega and Destiny Nicole Ortega on the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism on Thursday, May 14, 2015. We congratulate their parents Lemuel Ortega and Kirby Natasha Harris and godparents Victor Manuel Ortega and Luz Rodriguez.
On Fridays in Lent everyone is invited to attend Lenten Devotion of Stations of the Cross at 7:15 pm beginning Friday February 20, 2015. The 14 stations depict the following scenes: 1. Jesus is condemned to death; 2. Jesus accepts the cross; 3. Jesus falls the first time; 4. Jesus meets His Mother; 5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross; 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; 7. Jesus falls the second time; 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem; 9. Jesus falls the third time; 10. Jesus is stripped of His garments; 11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross; 12. Jesus dies on the cross; 13. Jesus’ body is removed from the cross; 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.
This liturgy helps us to meditate on the sufferings of Jesus and better understand his greatest love for us by dying on the cross for our sins.
Tomorrow, February 18, 2015 we begin the season of Lent. Two Masses will be celebrated with the blessing and distribution of Ashes at 12 PM and 7:30 PM.
My friends, it is hard to enter into a penitential mode in our culture, where excess is everywhere. But Paul tells us that “now is a very acceptable time.” Many religious traditions stress the need for prayer, fasting and good deeds, and Lent is our opportunity to enter into those ancient practices — signs not of excess, but of simplicity. Now is our acceptable time to focus on what really matters in life without resentment, martyrdom or pride. Now is our time to be grateful, knowing that we can be reconciled to God and to one another.
Scripture Readings for Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:12-18 Return to the Lord with fasting, weeping and mourning.
Psalm 51 Be merciful, O God, for we have sinned.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Now is the acceptable time.
Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 Give alms, pray and fast for God alone to see.
On Sunday January 4th members of the Adoration Society (ANS) organized the New Year’s Brunch after the 11 am Holy Mass. They shared home made food with orzo pasta salad, ambrosio, french toast, Spanish rice, quiche, cakes, brownies, rice pudding and more …. and also enjoyed grab gift exchange.
The Adoration Society, the Holy Church’s oldest Society, has been taking care of the church sanctuary by purchasing candles, liturgical linens, and vestments and also making sure that liturgical vessels are in proper condition. They have done so since the parish was established. Together with the daughters of the Holy Cross they also help the parish purchase necessary items for the rectory. These ladies are a great asset to the parish. We thank them for their support and involvement in the life of Holy Cross Church.
Pictured from the first row left to right – Gabby Rotsaert and Natalie Cyman – future members, second row: Helen Jarmakowicz, Stella Skawinski, Alice Kriskewic, Fr. Joseph Cyman, third row: Renata Cyman, Dorothy O’Brien, Alexandra (Penni) Lazor, Elaine Rotsaert, Helen Skawinski, Angela Gulla, Fran Cuccinello, Beverly Obssuth, Nelly Cabrejos, Claire Centrella, and Zaida Bueno.
We thank all those who came to celebrate Christmas liturgies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Special appreciation to Sunday School teachers Mrs. Donna Maher and Mrs. Andrea Lerggios-Smith and children who participated in the Christmas Eve liturgy at 4 pm by serving as altar servers, reading the Holy Scripture and prayers of the faithful, bringing offertory gifts and wearing costumes of Mary, St. Joseph, Angels, Shepherds and Kings.
We remembered deceased parishioners Dorothy Drada, Louis Gec, Donna Fabricatore and Dorothy Jess-Skawinski by lighting special votive candles in their memory.
I thank Deacon David and Deacon Bill for their assistance, Lectors: Claire Centrella, Eddy Obssuth, Richard Daum and John Surak, Greeters, Ushers, Organists; Neil Estanislao, Carol Dziuba and Pawel Raczkowski as well to all who came and participated in the Liturgy of Nativity of the Lord. God bless you all!
Fr. Joseph
The Our Father at the Holy Mass of the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord, Dec. 24,2014 followed by the exchange of the sign of peace with everyone.
In the parish hall before the Holy Mass of Nativity of the Lord – Dec. 24, 2014
We thank all children, their parents and School of Christian Living teachers for their involvement and service for the parish.
We thank all children, their parents and School of Christian Living teachers for their involvement and service for the parish.
In the parish hall before the Holy Mass of Nativity of the Lord – Dec. 24, 2014 We thank all children, their parents and School of Christian Living teachers for their involvement and service for the parish.The Our Father at the Holy Mass of the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord, Dec. 24,2014 followed by the exchange of the sign of peace with everyone.
Holy Cross Church, Woodland Park, NJ collected food items and $25 shopping certificates for our annual project called Thanksgiving Baskets for the Needy. We gathered and distributed fifteen baskets to different locations as follows: eight baskets to Memorial School, Woodland Park, NJ (Natalie Cyman is the fifth grade student); six baskets to Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, NJ (Michael Cyman is a sophomore student), and one basket to a local family who searched for food. We thank all those who contributed for this noble cause remembering those in need. We responded to Jesus’ demand we heard on the Solemnity of Christ the King: “I was hungry and you gave me food….whatever you did for one of the least brothers (and sisters) of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40
At the Teen Center of Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, NJ.
Picture taken in Memorial School, Woodland Park – Fr. Joseph and the school Nurse, Teresa Carbonelli
In the parish hall: students, Fr. Joseph and Mrs. Claire Centrella coordinator of Thanksgiving Baskets project
On Friday October 10th the Sacrament of Marriage took place at Holy Cross Church between Emily Elizabeth Gaydos and Christopher Brian Pomante. The proud parents of the bride were Deacon David and Laurie Gaydos; the proud parents of the groom were George and Patricia Pomante; Maid/Man of Honor: Bethany Squillante/Scott Gaydos; Best Man: Mark Pisco.
St. Paul says, …Marriage is a great mystery that reflects Jesus’s unconditional and perpetual love for the members of His church. To that mystery each married couple is called – to unconditionally love each other in happy moments and in any times of challenge. Marriage is a little bit of a crazy “contract” in that it is an unconditional promise not knowing what the future brings, having trust and faith in Christ’s love and the support of Christian community. In God’s eyes, marriage is the foundation of His society. We see marriage at the beginning of creation, at the beginning of Jesus ministry and on last pages of the bible as the vision of eternal life…