On Wednesday, February 22nd, the Church begins the season of Lent. On that day two Holy Masses will be celebrated: at 12 and 7 P.M. along with the Blessing and distribution of Ashes.
Spiritual reflection for Ash Wednesday: Beginning on Ash Wednesday we are called to repent, to change our minds about the way we live our lives in the sight of God. In the reading from the Book of the Prophet Joel we will hear that he summoned infants, children, the newly married and the elderly to an assembly of prayer indicating that they were repenting. Ash Wednesday summons everyone to enter into a forty-day fast. All are called to pray. All are invited to give alms. We will all gather on Ash Wednesday because we know that we need to “to return to the Lord.” Joel tells us that we can do that only by returning with our whole hearts, that is, with a motivation that is deep inside us. The ashes marking a cross on our foreheads will indicate that we are entering in the Lenten period of change that will leave us never to be the same again.
During the season of Lent all parishioners are welcome to attend Lenten Devotions. On Fridays in Lent you are invited to attend Stations of the Cross with the reading on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ at 7:15 PM. This will give us the opportunity to reflect upon the redemptive sufferings of our Lord.
On Sunday, January 15th, Holy Cross Church witnessed a joyful celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. Aubrey Gwen Roberts, daughter of Shawn and Diane (Hitchcock) Roberts, was welcomed to the Christian family during the celebration of Holy Mass at 11 AM. Godparents were James Hitchcock Jr. and Kaitlin Roberts. We congratulate Aubrey Gwen’s parents, grandparents, relatives and friends on this joyful occasion. We wish that the grace of Baptism that Aubrey received will be nourished for the years to come through participation in the life of Holy Cross Church family.
On Sunday, January 8th the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament (ANS) Society of Holy Cross Church held their monthly meeting followed by a reception and joyful gift exchange. The members wished each other a happy, healthy and blessed New Year and shared those same sentiments with all other members of the Society and the parish. The society takes care of the needs of the church sanctuary such as liturgical vessels, altar linens and candles. They sponsor parish youth activities such as the annual Acolyte Retreat in the summer. They organize fundraisers and social activities. Baking for various church dinners is their specialty. They welcome new members to join this friendly group of ladies dedicated to mutual support and honoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Thank you for your wonderful service.
Our annual parish meeting will be held on Sunday, February 12th after 9 a.m. Holy Mass. The second Holy Mass that day will be at 11:30 AM. There will be slight refreshment after the 9 a.m. Holy Mass. The School of Christian Living will conduct its program in Fr. John Slysz building with presentations provided by the youth enrolled in high school.
All the societies of our parish are asked to give annual reports for 2011 and information on their projects for 2012. Another important aspect of our Annual Parish Meeting will be the election of the Parish Committee. The Parish Committee is the council, which meets once per month (usually for about 1 1/2 hour on the evening of the 3rd Wednesday of the month) to discuss issues and make decisions for the well being of the parish. Would you consider serving on this committee? Please contact Dominick Bucci 973-703-6473 or Fr. Joseph for any additional information.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration. The weather was great.
I thank our dear SOCL teachers: Mrs. Karen Paulison, Mrs. Natalie Lazar, and Mrs. Jamie Santos for their help organizing Christmas Eve Mass at 4 PM. Mrs. Claire was unable to be with us due to her husband’s hospitalization. We keep him and all our homebound parishioners and friends in our prayers.
Equally, I would like to thank all the students who wore costumes and participated in the liturgy as lectors and altar servers. I thank all parents who brought their children to church.
I also thank those who served as lectors, choir members, altar servers on Christmas Eve Holy Masses at 4 PM and 10 PM, and for the Christmas Day 10 AM Holy Mass, and all who came to share their faith in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless you all.
Wishing you healthy, happy and blessed New Year 2012!!
With prayers,
Fr. Joseph and Parish Committee
Blessed New Year – 2012!
Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku – 2012!
Bonne Année 2012!
Felice anno nuovo 2012
Próspero año nuevo 2012
Ein gutes neues Jahr 2012!
Polish National Union of America District #2 Meeting
The Polish National Union of America District #2 fraternal organization of our Church met quarterly at the meeting on Saturday, November 12th at Transfiguration of our Lord parish in Wallington, NJ. The election of new officers took place and various issues of the organization were discussed. In our parish hall you can find several pamphlets telling about PNU programs. For further information you can contact Alice Kriskewic, Judy Lamping or Fr. Joseph.
Confirmation Class
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered by Rt. Rev. John Mack, Bishop of the Central Diocese in spring of 2013. The next classes are scheduled as follows: Sunday December 11, 2011, January 15, 29, 2012 at 10:10 AM. The Sacrament of Confirmation is a very important step in youth’s religious education. Confirmation is the sacrament through which we receive gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us soldiers of Christ, ready to profess our faith in word and deed. The bishop confirms by laying of hands on the person to be confirmed and anointing the forehead in the form of the cross with Holy Chrism.
The confirmation imprints on our soul sacramental character, which entitles us to strength needed to show our faith in word and deed. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of baptism, because we are strengthened to live a Christian life within the Church and defend its truths.
In the picture from the left: Carlos Garcia, Michael Cyman, Chris Paulison, Melissa Betancur, Nicole Romero, Amber Harth, Nayef Kiame and Fr. Joseph. The following students are also in the Confirmation class: Cris Carnemolla, Monica Kulbacki, Alexis Kulbacki and Jasmine Negrini.
First Communion Class
It is an enjoyable time for Fr. Joseph to prepare these students for their special celebration of receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist for the first time on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The next preparation classes for First Holy Communion are scheduled as follows: Dec. 11, 2011; January 8, 22, 2012 after 11 AM Mass. The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ really present under the forms of bread and wine. In the Eucharist Jesus Christ gives us Himself as a food for our souls. The bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of our Lord during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass when the priest says words of consecration which Jesus used during the Last Supper: This is My Body… This is My Blood.
In the picture from left: Natalie Cyman, Vanessa Smith, Ariana Rubio, and Kaylee Gonzales who are preparing for their First Holy Communion with Fr. Joseph.
New Hymnals
On Sunday, November 13th, after 9am Holy Mass Alice Kriskewic and Judy Lamping presented the new PNCC hymnal to our organist, Neil Estanislao. The choir members are equipped with new copies. We invite and encourage interested parishioners to share their vocal and musical talents for the good of the parish. The choir is helping the congregation to sing hymns during Sunday liturgy. We thank Neil for his service as organist in our parish. We thank, as well, Jessica Muccilli for her service when Neil is not available.
Advent
On Sunday, November 27th we began the season of Advent. At the beginning of Sunday Masses in Advent we light one candle on the Advent wreath. They symbolize hope, love, joy and peace which Jesus brought into our lives.
Our Annual Advent Tree project, coordinated by our parishioner, Pat Olsen, started on Sunday, November 27th. Through our efforts, the project will be benefiting the less fortunate of our society. This will help boys and girls of DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services) as well as senior men and women from EVA’S Village.
You are being 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 are due back on Sunday, December 18th. Your generosity will be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord who asks us to take care for the needy.
Last Sunday we concluded our food collection. We assembled eight beautiful Thanksgiving baskets (each one had $25 Gift card from Supermarkets, boxes of stuffing, plates, cans of non-perishables for a Thanksgiving Dinner) for our local residents and eight bags of non-perishable food items and two bags of clean clothes for the Fr. English Food Pantry in Paterson. All items were delivered on Tuesday, November 22nd; baskets to Memorial Middle School, Woodland Park and bags to Paterson for the needy. In each case many words of appreciation for our generosity were expressed by the nurse of the school and the workers at the Fr. English Food Pantry.
We certainly fulfilled last Sunday’s Solemnity of Christ the King by fulfilling our Lord’s command:
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40
We thank all those who brought items and gave monetary donations to purchase the gift cards. We thank our youth and their parents who wrapped the baskets last Sunday after 11 am Holy Mass. Happiness comes from sharing as expressed in the smiling faces of our youth.
Confirmation classes began on Sunday October 2, 2011. Confirmation Classes for the remainder of 2011 are scheduled for Sunday, November 20th at 10:10 AM and Sunday December 11th, at 10:10 AM. The date of Confirmation was postponed to spring of 2013 due to the fact that we have younger students in the class. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered by Rt. Rev. John Mack, Bishop of the Central Diocese.
We pray for the following students preparing for Confirmation: Melissa Betancur, Cristoforo Carnemolla, Michael Cyman, Carlos Garcia, Amber Harth, Nayef Kiame, Christopher Paulison, Nicole Romero, Monica and Alexis Kulbacki.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a very important step in the religious education of our young people. Confirmation is the sacrament through which we receive gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us soldiers of Christ, ready to profess our faith in word and deed. The minister of confirmation is the bishop. The bishop confirms by laying of hands on the person to be confirmed and anointing the forehead in the form of the cross with Holy Chrism. The bishop says: “I sign you with the sign of the cross and I confirm you with the Chrism of Salvation in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism). Confirmation imprints on our soul sacramental character, which entitles us to strength needed to show our faith in word and deed. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of baptism, because we are strengthened to live a Christian life within the Church and defend its truths.
All Souls Day Envelopes – Were enclosed in our newsletter and they are available in the vestibule of the church. The reading of All Souls Day remembrances will take place after the Holy Mass on the Vigil of All Saints – Monday, October 31st and after 9:00 AM Holy Mass on Tuesday, November 1st. Please use All Souls Day envelopes and print the names of the departed you wish to remember and send it to the parish office, or place it on Sunday in the collection basket. The envelopes with the names will be kept on the altar during the month of November. In addition to that, Father Joseph will celebrate Holy Masses for their intentions in the upcoming weeks and months. Please propose the date when you wish to have the Holy Mass celebrated for the intention of your departed loved ones. Fr. Joseph will confirm the availability of the date. These Masses will be listed in the bulletins as All Souls Day Masses.
All Souls Cemetery Service – Will take place on Sunday, October 30th at the PNCC section of East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton, NJ beginning at 2:00 p.m. For this annual event the clergy and faithful from four parishes, SS Peter and Paul — Passaic, Transfiguration of Our Lord — Wallington, The Most Holy Name of Jesus — Passaic, and from our Holy Cross Parish, West Paterson are invited to attend. Please remember your departed loved ones who need your prayers and they depend upon your remembrance.
The Solemnity of All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation – This is a special day in remembrance of all our holy saints. Please join us for Mass at the Vigil on Monday, October 31st at 7:15 PM or on Tuesday, November 1st at 9 AM. After these Masses the Reading of All Souls Remembrances will take place.
Special remembrance envelopes were enclosed in the parish newsletter and are available in the vestibule of the church. The reading of All Souls Day remembrances will take place after the Mass on Vigil of All Saints – Monday October 31st and after 9 AM Holy Mass on Tuesday, November 1st. Please use All Souls Day envelopes and print the names of the departed you wish to remember and send it to the parish office or place it on Sunday in the collection basket. The envelopes with the names will be kept on the altar during the month of November. In addition to that, Father Joseph will celebrate Holy Masses for their intentions in the upcoming weeks and months. Please propose the date when you wish to have the Holy Mass celebrated for the intention of your departed loved ones. Fr. Joseph will confirm the availability of the date. These Masses will be listed in the bulletins as All Souls Day Masses.
Our All Souls Cemetery Service will take place on Sunday, October 30th at the PNCC section of East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton, NJ beginning at 2 PM. For this annual event the clergy and faithful from four parishes, SS Peter and Paul, Passaic, Transfiguration of Our Lord, Wallington, The Most Holy Name of Jesus, Passaic, and from our Holy Cross Parish, West Paterson are invited to attend. Please remember your departed loved ones who need your prayers and they depend upon your remembrance.
