Christmas

Presentation of the Lord, February 2nd

PNCC /

The Solemnity of the Presentation takes place forty days after the birth of Jesus. The Gospel for that day introduces different people and events that in themselves provide numerous lessons for reflection. First of all, Mary and Joseph respect the Mosaic Law by offering the sacrifice prescribed for the poor: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Simeon and Anna were two venerable elderly people dedicated to prayer and fasting and so their strong religious spirit rendered them able to recognize the Messiah. In this sense we can see in the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple an extension of the Presentation of Mary (21 November). On this day, the Church demonstrates its gratitude to all those in the community that dedicate themselves in a privileged way to prayer, to those who have a particular religious vocation to the contemplative life. In the figure of the venerable Simeon, Jesus’ presentation in the temple, also reminds us that prayer and contemplation are not just a waste of time or an obstacle to charity. On the contrary, time could not be better spent than in prayer as true Christian charity is a consequence of a solid interior life. Only those who pray and offer penance, like Simeon and Anna, are open to the breath of the Spirit. They know how to recognize the Lord in the circumstances in which He manifests Himself because they possess an ample interior vision, and they have learned how to love with the heart of the One whose very name is Charity.

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Our thanks and best wishes for the New Year, 2012

Events, Parish Life, PNCC, Sunday School (SOCL) /

Dear Friends,

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!

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Christmas Dinner With Saint Nicholas and a New Member of our Family

Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

Sunday, December 5th proved to be a festive event with the celebration of St. Nicholas Day at Holy Cross Church – Woodland Park, N.J. Delicious food, music, and a visit from “Jolly Old St. Nick” delighted the adults as well as the children. Sunday school students performed for their audience and invited them to sing – a – long Christmas Carols. In addition to that the youth were singing the well known songs Give Thanks and My Life is in You. We had a great number of people. A special cake was made to honor the birth of Jesus. St. Nicholas distributed gifts to the precious children asking them in return to be good for goodness sake. During the dinner there was a drawing of Santa basket, 50/50 cash prize and certificate for the brunch of two at the Bethwood. We thank ladies who brought delicious baking goods. This event would not have been possible without the support of the members of the Parish Life Committee.

On Sunday December 19, 2010 after 11 AM Mass the Holy Cross Church had a great occasion. Fr. Joseph administered the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation (with the bishop approval) to Jeffrey Lee Valentine Volyn. Jeffrey went through preparations with Fr. Joseph. Godparents were Irene Legawiec and Dane Volyn. Witnessing the ceremony were Lois Volyn, Jeffrey’s wife and their children. We congratulate Jeffrey for being accepted as the new member of our Christian family.

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Christmas Holy Mass Schedule

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, PNCC /

May the Joy and Peace of Christmas be with you now and all throughout the coming year 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – 2011!
Wesołych Świąt i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku – 2011! (Polish)
Joyeux Noël et bonne année 2011! (French)
Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo 2011 (Italian)
¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo 2011 (Spanish)
Frohliche Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr 2011! (German)
Sretan Božić! Sretna Nova Godina! 2011 (Croatian)
Veselé vánoce a šťastný nový rok 2011 (Czech)

Father Joseph Cyman with Family and the Parish Committee

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The Seasons ahead – Advent and Christmas

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, PNCC, Sunday School (SOCL) /

Thanksgiving Eve Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 24th at 7 p.m. Let us give thanks for the Almighty God and for all His gifts which we so often take for granted.

Advent – The First Sunday of Advent will begin on Sunday November 28, 2010. The last Sunday of Liturgical year – The Feast of Christ the King – will take place on Sunday November 21, 2010.

Christmas Dinner – “Happy Birthday Jesus” will be held on Sunday, December 5th after 11 A.M. Holy Mass – Don’t forget to mark your calendars for an enjoyable afternoon with great menu and Christmas Program by the children of our School of Christian Living. The dinner will be prepared by Deacon David Gaydos and his helpers. Tickets are $12 for adults. Children are free of charge and the youth helping with clean up are free of charge as well. Tickets are now available. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday, November 28th. The Menu is: Fish Tilapia with Mango Sauce, Roast Chicken, Roast Pork, and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Cheese Ravioli with Vodka Sauce, String Beans Almondine, Baby Carrots, Cole Slaw, Rolls & Butter and Desserts, Coffee and Tea. We will have a raffle for a Brunch for two at the Bethwood Restaurant, Totowa. The value is $100, 50/50 raffle and Santa Claus – (St. Nicholas) will be at the dinner. Invite your family and friends. One Free ticket for a table of 10.

Christmas Eve Holy Masses – We will celebrate traditionally two Holy Masses on the Vigil of the Nativity (Christmas Eve), Friday, December 24th. The Holy Mass with the participation of children and youth will be held at 4 PM. The second solemn Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10 PM.

Solemnity of the Nativity (Christmas Day) Holy Mass – One Holy Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 25th at 10 AM.

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National United Youth Project

Announcements, Events, Parish Life, Pastor's Update /

Brothers and Sisters, On Behalf of the National United Youth Association Board and its President Lauren Bilinski, may I take this opportunity to invite you to share in a ministry project.

By now, I’m sure you have no doubt heard of the report that Lauren had made to the 23rd General Synod. Therein she had asked all of us to participate in “Operation Christmas Child”. For some of you, this is an annual project in your parish; for some, this may be new. Your participation involves filling shoeboxes with various items that a child would like to have (small toys, personal hygiene items, crayons, coloring books; well, you get the idea.) Along with your box, Samaritan’s Purse will provide a copy of the Scriptures in that child’s language, so that the whole story of God’s love will be shared. I have provided a sheet of labels that you can place in your box -just indicate whether it is for a boy or a girl and their age. Feel free to place a greeting from your parish in your box(es); there is a good chance you’ll receive a reply. After filling as many as your congregation is able, you need to check out the Samaritan’s Purse website to find out where the closest collection point is in your area. The website is also filled with helpful hints, downloadable and requested promotional materials. They do ask a small donation for each box to help with the shipping.

I remember the year our parish received a card back from a young girl in Zimbabwe. She wrote that she enjoyed all the gifts in the box; and learning about Jesus. What a gift we can give to someone we will probably never ever meet somewhere in the world – a joyful gift and the joy of Jesus! The collection week is 15-22 November; so get busy fillin’! And may our gracious Lord bless whatever sacrifice you make for His kids!. Fr. Stan, Chaplain.

Dear Youth – You are all invited to participate in this worthwhile project. In our parish hall you can see one shoe box already filled in. Bring empty shoe box and any items you can donate for the children who will greatly appreciate your Christmas Gift. – Fr. Joseph.

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Christmas wishes

Announcements, Parish Life, PNCC /

May the Lord send upon you, and your dear ones His abundant blessings in this Holy Season and throughout the New Year – 2010!

  • Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – 2010!
  • Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku – 2010!
  • Joyeux Noël et Bonne Novell L’Année 2010!
  • Feliz Navidad y Buen Ano Nuevo 2010!
  • Froehliche Weinachten und ein gutes neues Jahr 2010!

— Father Joseph and family and the Parish Committee of Holy Cross

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