On Sunday, June 20th, Oscar Brzyski received the Sacrament of Baptism. Oscar is the son of Daniel and Magdalena (nee Gaj) Brzyski; Proud godparents were Marcin Skromak and Agnieszka Jaltuszyk. Congratulations to parents, godparents, family members and friends.
On Sunday, May 16th, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, at 11 am Holy Mass we witnessed the celebration of First Holy Communion administered to five children and three adults: Jazmin Bradbury, Viviana Galindo, Amber and Parker Herrick, Veronica Murphy, David Rodriguez, Chirag and Aarti Taylor. We congratulate all of them and their families on their special day.
The new recipients of the Holy Eucharist are welcomed to participate in the life of the parish by being altar servers, lectors reading the Word of God, and being part of various parish committees.
The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ who is 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… (Catechism of the PNCC)
God Bless Our First Communicants Read More »
Last Sunday (May 2nd) we celebrated Mother’s Day. On their special day, we enjoyed a delicious Mother’s Day breakfast. David and Edward Obssuth with the help of Martin Herrick, Christian and Daniel Galindo, prepared and served a delicious breakfast. The menu included: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit Cups , Danish, Rolls and Butter, Coffee, Tea. We thank all of them, especially David and Ed for sharing their culinary talents, time and efforts for the good of our parish.
May God bless all Mothers and women who express their motherhood in a way of service and love. With good attendance Mother’s Day celebration at Holy Cross was a successful event.
Mother’s Day Breakfast Thank You Read More »
On the first Sunday of May, some of the students of our First Holy Communion class, Jasmine Bradbury, Veronika Murphy and Viviana Galindo participated in the crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the beginning of 9 am Holy Mass. They also served for the first time as altar servers at Holy Cross. Congratulations!
The litany to Blessed Virgin Mary was recited. The same ceremony took place at the beginning of the 11 am Holy Mass with some students who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Amy Tarazona, Jayden Estacio, Nicholas Gizzi, Athena Galindo, Dianne Tarazona and Stephanie Tarazona. Altar servers Chris and Daniel Galindo participated in the procession as well.
We thank all of the youth and their parents for their support and involvement in our parish. The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus is our spiritual Mother. She is the Queen of Apostles, Martyrs and all the saints. Hail Mary, pray for us.
Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary Read More »
On Sunday, April 18th, the Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Lorenzo Antonio Adino son of David Addino and Anna (Racanati) as a new member of the Holy Church.
Proud godparents were Francesco and Krista Racanati. We congratulate the Addino, Racanati and Emker families, their relatives and friends on this special occasion.
The Sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of our Christian faith, a gateway to new life in the Spirit, and the door that gives access to other sacraments. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are regenerated and incorporated into Christ’s Body – His Church.
God Bless Lorenzo Antonio Read More »
On Sunday, April 11th, the Sacrament of Baptism was administered to the Taylor family: Chirag, Aarti and their son, Jay. After few months of preparations, the parents became Christians / Polish National Catholic Church members.
Proud godparents were, Fernando (Danny) and Jennifer Galindo for Aarti Taylor, Christian and Marcella Galindo godparents for Jay Taylor and Leo and Beryle Coutinho, godparents in proxy of Alvin Jacob and Steffi Jacob for Chirac Taylor. We congratulate the Taylor family as the newest members of our parish, their relatives and friends.
The Sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of our Christian faith, a gateway to new life in the Spirit, and the door that gives access to other sacraments. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are regenerated and incorporated into Christ’s Body – His Church.
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, the Taylor family 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 them new life which leads to salvation. Godparents and all members of our parish pledge to help this family to grow in Christian faith.
God Bless the Taylor Family! Read More »
Ash Wednesday is February 17th. Two Holy Masses will be celebrated with the blessing and distribution of ashes.
This Ash Wednesday, in the interest of safety concerns, the ashes we will be sprinkled / strewn over the crown of the head at both Holy Masses.
Sprinkling a few ashes on the top of the head is an ancient custom in the Church and is used in different countries (e.g., several countries in Europe). This decision was made by our bishops to avoid the contact of finger to forehead, and thereby to encourage everyone’s fullest participation in this ancient rite.
As we enter into the Season of Great Lent this Ash Wednesday, February 17th, I extend to you my invitation and encouragement to observe a Holy Lenten season through self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial. By reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.
I hope you will find time each day to read a portion of Holy Scripture daily of Gospel. You may choose the Gospel of St. Mark since it is us is used in this liturgical year, Cycle B.
This Lent, I want you to consider doing something you might never have thought before to do: ask yourself where God may be leading you in your personal life and in your discipleship for the benefit of Holy Cross Church.
Please remember about abstinence from meat each Wednesday and Friday. The elderly and children do not have to fast and those who have chronic illnesses. Most importantly plan fast from the most serious of your moral failings or weaknesses. I pray that you will make this Lenten a time to renew your faith and your commitment to God and God’s community of Holy Cross Church.
Putting into Practice the Four Traditional Lenten Disciplines
PRAYING is the first of the Lenten disciplines: Praying daily at home. Praying every Sunday in Church at Mass. Prayer through attendance at Stations of the Cross each Friday at 7:30pm (plan to attend).
ALMSGIVING • providing increased offerings to the Church • contributing more broadly to various parish projects and needs. • consider responding to some requests you receive in the mail for worthy charities. • consider in your will and testament to include a bequest from your estate to the Holy Cross Church.
FASTING is a long-hallowed Lenten discipline: • adjusting your dietary routines by abstaining from eating meat on every Friday and Wednesday • giving up one or more things you like to eat or something you enjoy during Lenten season • fasting from wrongdoing, rather, plan doing acts of love towards others, random acts of kindness towards others.
On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays and Wednesdays of Lent everyone of age 14 and up should abstain from consuming meat.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Everyone of age 18 to 59 should fast, unless exempt due to medical reason; individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also, pregnant women should not fast. Fasting means a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two light meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
As you give up something for seven weeks that you are particularly fond of, fast also on those things that distance yourselves from God such as greed, unkindness, untruth, disregard for others, self-centeredness. As you abstain from these, eliminating them from your patterns of behavior, replace them with Christian virtues listed in St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: “Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As Jesus Christ preached, taught, healed and served others, plan to spend some time with others on the phone or in person who is alone and who need your help, support and encouragement.
Pastor’s Letter for Ash Wednesday and Lent 2021 Read More »
Join us for “My Time with Mary – a Spa For The Soul” on Wednesday, February 24th at 7pm. Meet with Mother Mary and find Jesus in this candlelight prayer service with beautiful sacred music. Everyone Is Welcome. Come along and bring a friend. Please come in, rest in the heart of Jesus and receive His blessing and peace.
My Time with Mary – a Spa For The Soul – February 24th Read More »
On Sunday, October 4th, 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. The names of pets that were part of our celebration are indicated in the picture caption. Missing in the picture are two dogs, Lola and Loki.
We thank all for attending the Holy Mass and for bringing 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.
Blessing of Pets Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless these pets. By the power of your love, enable them to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
Blessing of Pets on October 4th Read More »
