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A Portion of Fr. Joseph’s Christmas 2022 Homily

Parish Life, PNCC /

My Dear Brothers and Sisters

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We celebrated the greatest gift God ever gave us and all humanity His precious son, Baby Jesus, our Lord and Savior. With Christians around the world, we celebrated the reason for the season – The birth of Jesus born in the stable in Bethlehem. We listened to the Holy Scripture, especially the Gospel about what happened over two thousand years ago. 

In Christmas time to continue to reflect about the mystery of God’s incarnation. It is a remarkable story that God’s Word became flesh in the womb of the Blessed Mother Mary through the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit and the message of the Angel Gabriel. The truth is that the Spirit of the Lord lives in us.  

Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, because she was humble and holy. With her trust, she accepted that noble role of the Mother of the Baby Jesus, our Lord and King. She is the Spiritual Mother of all of us. She accepted that special role with the remarkable and great support of St. Joseph the earthly guardian of Jesus, person of holiness. He didn’t say much in the Gospel but he did a lot. He followed the message of the angels, he listened to Mary and fulfilled God’s will in his life. 

The Christmas message reminds us to suppress our selfishness and to think about others. We look for the opportunities to give rather than to receive. This is the truth, that happiness comes from serving others. 

Wouldn’t it be that great that all mankind were made up of kind women and warmhearted men? The mystery of humanity is that we have more extreme thinking but shorter tempers, bigger ambitions but smaller families, larger houses but more broken homes. We have multiplied our possessions but diminished our values. We buy more but enjoy less. We have added years to life but not life to years. We have become more educated but lack common sense.

If we take the Christmas message into our hearts, we can change it. We need to be willing to accept the values which Jesus brought to earth for us. Jesus wants us to follow his example. How can we do so? Simply by doing good deeds in our life. He wants us to enrich others by serving others in His name.  We are called to love and worship our God at least on Sundays, love our neighbors as ourselves, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.

Children and everyone are called to fulfill our daily tasks to the best of our ability, honestly and conscientiously. Why is it so important?  Simply because the church members are the foundation of our society……

A Christmas Prayer

Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of peace and Beloved Savior; come into our hearts this Christmas and fill us with Your gifts of love and joy. With Mary and Joseph, we rejoice and thank God for You. With the angels and saints in heaven we sing, “Glory to God in the highest.” With the Magi and the shepherds, we bow before You with hearts full of wonder. Help us to follow You faithfully and to share the good news of Your coming with everyone we meet, this Christmas season and always.  Amen.

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Prayer Service – Thursday, December 8th at 7pm

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

You are invited to attend a prayer service called “My Time with Mary – a Spa for the Soul” which will be on Solemnity of Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The service has three decades of the Rosary Prayer filled with beautiful sacred music and a few short readings – there will be time for silence and contemplation with music playing. Please join us for your spiritual benefit. Find some time in your busy schedule. Hope to see you on Thursday, December 8th at 7pm.

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God Bless Isaiah

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

On Saturday, December 3, 2022 Holy Cross Church welcomed Isaiah Huertas into the parish family through the Sacrament of Baptism celebrated with the Holy Mass. We congratulate his proud parents, godparents, relatives and friends on this special occasion. 

The Sacrament of Baptism and later Confirmation is the foundation of our Christian faith, is a gateway to new life in the Spirit, and the door that gives access to other sacraments. Through the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation we are regenerated and incorporated into Christ’s body – His Church.

The Catechism of the PNCC

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, Isaiah 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 to Salvation. Parents, godparents and all members of our parish pledge to help this child to grow in Christian faith.

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+Joan Helene Ruyzam – Memory Eternal!

Announcements, Pastor's Update, PNCC /

Joan Helene Ruyzam, 72, of Pompton Lakes, passed away peacefully at home while in the loving presence of her family on Friday, September 30, 2022.

Joan was born in 1950 in New York City and raised for a short time in Astoria Queens. Her life got off to a bumpy start as she was prematurely born resulting in lungs that were not fully developed. To assure the best chance for survival, Joan’s pediatrician advised her parents to move out of New York’s congested atmosphere to a place where the air quality would be cleaner. Her parents took the advice and moved to Ocean Township in South Jersey. By God’s grace, Joan’s condition continually improved to the point where she was able to lead a perfectly normal life.

In her teenage years, Joan attended Asbury Park High School while waiting for the completion of the newly constructed Ocean Township High School where she graduated in 1967. In pursuit of higher education, she attended Monmouth College in West Long Branch, NJ and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Education in 1971.

Joan really loved the sun, sand, surf and everything else there was to enjoy about life near the ocean. While in college during the summer of 1970, she decided to compete in the Miss Seaside Heights Beauty Pageant. No surprise, Joan won the contest and, in efforts to boost tourism to Seaside, a large promotional poster featuring Joan was posted in prominent locations including Grand Central Station in New York City.

Joan’s “get your foot in the door” first job was at a business school in Asbury Park. After that, she subbed until getting a job teaching typing at a grammar school in central New Jersey. Being a teacher meant summers off and she’d typically waitress to supplement her income. One summer, Joan was waitressing down the shore at a place called the Thunderbird Hotel. It was there that she waited on a couple who knew about a job opening for a business teacher at Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque Township, NJ. Taking their advice, Joan interviewed for the position and got it. She ended up staying at Lakeland for the next thirty years until retiring in 2007.

While teaching at Lakeland, Joan enjoyed the respect of her students and colleagues. One colleague was a history teacher named Joseph Ruyzam. She and Joe eventually fell in love and married. (….) 

Joan had a love for life filled with many interests. She was an avid reader who enjoyed anything from the latest Danielle Steele romance to countless writings about political history and current political events. When she and Joe travelled, she could never resist picking up a book about the places they went. She and Joe’s travels took them all over the USA including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Nashville, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Boston and New Orleans. There was also a very much enjoyed trip to Aruba where the restaurants were a highlight. Joan’s favorite music featured songs from the 1950’s. (….)

Throughout Joan’s life, her faith in God was foundational. Even in recent years as she fought through various battles with her health, her faith was a constant source of strength. She was beloved by her students, her professional colleagues, and especially her family. Intelligent and quick witted, Joan was a pleasure to share company with. Here range of knowledge was vast and conversations with her were always interesting and thought provoking. Her smile was as beautiful as her heart from which her smile emanated.

Joan was the beloved wife of Joseph, blessing in marriage for 22 years. She is also survived by her brother-in-law John Ruyzam of Wayne, and her cousin-in-law Valerie Levine (Victor Barber) of Boonton. Joan was predeceased by her parents Edward F. and Edna R (Ford) Ringenberger.

The wake service took place at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 from 4-8 PM.

Funeral Service was celebrated at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 220 Browertown Road, Woodland Park. Burial followed at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.
 Those planning an expression of sympathy in Joan’s name are asked to consider:
Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church
220 Browertown Road
Woodland Park, NJ 07424
 
P.A.T.C.H. (Pet Adoption Through Caring Hands)
26 Lakeside Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442

Joan is missed by the members of her family, relatives, friends and parishioners.  She is leaving an empty spot in the hearts of many people.  May her kindness and other good qualities, which she developed with God’s grace inspire us. All members of Holy Cross Parish, my family, we extend our deep sympathy to husband Joseph, brother-in-law John, relatives and friends. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.  May she rest in peace.  Amen.  – Fr. Joseph

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Blessing of Pets

Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

On Sunday, October 2nd, in the Commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi, the annual blessing of pets took place at the beginning of the 11 am Mass. The Holy Mass was celebrated in the parish hall with good attendance. 

We thank all for attending the Holy Mass and those who brought well behaved pets for this special day. St. Francis of Assisi showed his remarkable love for all the creatures. He called them brothers and sisters and wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, giving glory to God for all living things He created.  

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