On Saturday, February 18th our parish, in conjunction with Passaic Valley UNICO, hosted a pasta dinner. There were over eighty adults and some children in attendance. The Italian music, door prizes, and 50/50 raffle made the evening an enjoyable event. The church and UNICO raised $500 each. We thank those who decorated the parish hall, prepared homemade meat balls, brought in delicious desserts, served at the dinner, and cleaned up after the event. Bless all those who attended the dinner in support of our parish and UNICO.
On Sunday, February 26th – Emanuele and Theresa Triggiano (parents of Claire Centrella) celebrated their 70th Anniversary of Marriage. The family gathered to celebrate this unique and seldom achieved anniversary. St. Nicholas Ministry, on behalf of the parish, sent Emanuele and Theresa a beautiful flower arrangement. We wish Emanuele and Theresa God’s blessing of good health and happiness.
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.
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!
We thank everyone who participated in the Advent Tree project and our parishioner, Pat Olsen, who coordinated this noble cause. It benefited the less fortunate of our society – boys and girls of DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services), and men and women living in Eva’s Shelter, Paterson. Over forty gifts were donated to above mentioned institutions. Your generosity is appreciated and rewarded by the Lord who asks us to take care of the needy.
In the picture the Advent Tree (that had been covered in names tags before) has been changed into a Christmas tree due to the generosity of our parishioners.
Our annual Christmas Dinner was held last Sunday, December 4th. We enjoyed great attendance, delicious and abundant festive food prepared by Deacon David his wife Laurie, Edward Obssuth and their helpers. Our School of Christian Living students presented a play which invited the audience to participate in singing Christmas Carols. A special cake was made to honor the birth of Jesus. St. Nicholas came and distributed gifts to the precious children asking them in return to be god for another year.
A Candle basket and 50/50 cash prize were raffled. We thank also ladies who brought delicious bake goods. A thank you is also extended to the parishioners who contributed desserts, sold raffles, and invited friends for last Sunday celebration. Merry Christmas!
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.
Our annual pet blessing, in Commemoration of St. Francis, will take place Sunday, October 2nd at the beginning of the 11am Holy Mass. The Mass will take place in the parish hall. Well behaved dogs, cats, fish, birds and all God’s creatures are invited with their owners. The blessing will be given in Commemoration of Saint Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4). As we know, animals trusted St. Francis and he treated them with courtesy. Near the end of his life St. Francis composed a song of praise and thanks to God for all his creations, called “Canticle to Brother Sun” – also known as the “Canticle of the Creatures.” From this song we know that St. Francis did not perceive himself isolated from other creatures. He simply assumed that all creatures – not only humans – form one family of creation. So we are encouraged to bless and praise God with cats, dogs, birds and all God’s creatures.
