School of Christian Living

A Birthday Party for Jesus 2014

On the Third Sunday of Advent – December 14th our parish hosted its annual Christmas Dinner. The children of School of Christian Living presented a program called “A Birthday Party for Jesus.” Saint Nicholas (Santa) visited the parish giving gifts to all the children. Christmas carols were sung by everyone with the background piano music and a great menu was served.

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Food Collection for those in Need — Thanksgiving Meals

Holy Cross Church, Woodland Park, NJ collected food items and $25 shopping certificates for our annual project called Thanksgiving Baskets for the Needy. We gathered and distributed fifteen baskets to different locations as follows: eight baskets to Memorial School, Woodland Park, NJ (Natalie Cyman is the fifth grade student); six baskets to Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, NJ (Michael Cyman is a sophomore student), and one basket to a local family who searched for food. We thank all those who contributed for this noble cause remembering those in need. We responded to Jesus’ demand we heard on the Solemnity of Christ the King: “I was hungry and you gave me food….whatever you did for one of the least brothers (and sisters) of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40

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Christmas Dinner

Our annual Christmas Dinner and “Happy Birthday Jesus” presentation by our School of Christian living will take place on Sunday, December 14th after 11am Holy Mass.

Dinner includes tossed salad, roast pork loin with gravy, Naples style baked cod, Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmigiana, Mixed Vegetables, Roast Potatoes and more. We will also hold a 50/50 and Basket of Cheer raffle. Santa Claus will make an appearance too. Tickets are $15 for adults, children and youth are free. The deadline for tickets is December 7th. Please call 973-256-4888 to make your reservation.

Christmas Dinner

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The Sacrament of Confirmation

On Sunday, November 9th, our Bishop ordinary, the Rt. Rev. Bernard Nowicki confirmed:

  • Lina Dian Savina Abdelfatah, Patron Saint – Bl. Savina Petrilli, Sponsor – Angela Sanita-Soto
  • Pamela Michelle Angela Caceres, Patron Saint – St. Angela Merici, Sponsor – Juan Pablo Caceres
  • Anthony Steve James the Greater Caceres, Patron Saint – St. James the Greater, Sponsor – Sabina Duma
  • Ned Elias Leo the Great Kiame, Patron Saint – St. Leo the Great, Sponsor – Angel Aldas
  • Kimberly Vanessa Elizabeth Matute, Patron Saint – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Sponsor – Manuel Chunchi

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a very important step in your 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 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). 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 strengthen to live a Christian life within the Church and defend its truths.

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Annual Meeting, Election Results, and SOCL Awards

Our Annual Parish Meeting took place on Sunday February 9th with refreshments after the 9 AM Mass. Parish societies gave their reports at the meeting. Elections were held for the Parish Committee for the year 2014. Congratulation to the following parishioners who were elected as members of the Parish Committee for the Year 2014 pending confirmation by our diocesan Bishop:

Chairman – Lynn Imperiale
Vice-Chairman – Bob Sleece
Recording Secretary – Claire Centrella
Treasurer – Richard Daum
Trustees: Dominick Bucci, Edward Obssuth, Hughie Vickerilla, Penni Lazor and Paul Murthy.
We welcome Paul Murthy as the new member of the Parish Committee.

We thank Lenny Hrinuk for his past service as the trustee of the Parish Committee.

Also elected were parishioners to serve as:

Parish Tribunal – John Surak and Penni Lazor
Auditors: Karen Hitchcock, Penni Lazor and Beverly Obssuth
Envelope Recorder: Karen Hitchcock
Seniorate Council Representatives: Alice Kriskewic and Judy Lamping
Delegates to General Synod: Richard and Lucy Daum, (alternates: Deacon David Gaydos and Judy Lamping)

We congratulate the following SOCL students for their perfect and good attendance awards which were also presented on Sunday, February 9th:

Perfect Attendance Awards: Kimberly Matute, Cindy Matute, Kenneth Hofmann, Gianni Maher, Declan Maher, Julien Patel and Giovanni Patel.

Good Attendance Awards: Nayef Kiame, Ned Kiame, Neil Kiame, Natalie Cyman, Omar Abdelfattah, Lina Abdelfattah, and Hailey Hagal.

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Thank you for participating and serving in the Liturgy of the Nativity of the Lord

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas and blessed New Year 2014!

We thank all those who came to celebrate Christmas liturgies yesterday and today. Special appreciation is extended to our Sunday School teachers and children who yesterday participated in the Christmas Eve liturgy at 4 pm by serving as altar servers, reading the Holy Scripture and prayers of the faithful, bringing offertory gifts and wearing costumes of Mary, St. Joseph, Angels, Shepherds and Kings.

We remembered deceased parishioners by lighting special votive candles in their memory.

I thank Deacon David and Deacon Bill for their assistance, Lectors: Claire Centrella, Melissa Beancur, Richard Daum and John Surak, Greeters, Ushers, Organists: Neil Estanislao, Carol Dziuba and for the help of Eddy Obssuth and all who came and participated in the Liturgy of Nativity of the Lord.

God bless you all.

Fr. Joseph

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Christmas Party For Jesus

Our annual Christmas Dinner was held on Sunday December 8th with great attendance. We are thankful for the delicious, abundant, and festive food donated by Deacon David Gaydos and his wife Laurie and prepared by talented chef, Hughie Vickerilla. The menu was exceptional: Tilapia with Mango Sauce, Roast Chicken, Roast Pork, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Cheese Ravioli, coffee, soft drinks and more…

Our School of Christian Living students presented their “Happy Birthday Jesus” program which invited the audience to participate in singing Christmas Carols. A special cake was made to honor the birth of Jesus. Santa came and distributed gifts to the precious children of the parish asking them in return to be good for another year.

We thank Renata Cyman and those who helped her to decorate the hall, and the Adoration Society and Daughters of Holy Cross for donating over 20 trays for a Tricky Tray raffle. In addition to that, there was a 50/50 cash prize and ANS Basket of Cheer raffled. Our words of appreciation are addressed to those who helped to set-up and clean up after the event. A thank you is also extended to the parishioners who contributed desserts, sold raffles, and invited friends for this celebration and anyone who helped to organize this event.

Please join us for our schedule of Christmas Holy Masses:

Christmas Eve (December 24th)

Christmas Vigil Holy Mass at 4 pm with children
Shepherd’s Holy Mass at 10 pm

Solemnity of the Nativity (Christmas Day – December 25th)

Solemn Holy Mass at 10 am.

Merry Christmas!

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Annual Christmas Dinner

On Sunday, December 8th Holy Cross Church is hosting its Annual Christmas Dinner with a delicious menu after 11am Holy Mass. Tickets are still available on first come first serve basis.

It is a great opportunity to spend time together with family and friends. We can reserve you a table upon your request (you need to purchase tickets upfront to make reservation – seats are limited). Children and youth are free of charge! They have been good this past year (:-)

The School of Christian Living children will present a Christmas Program and share a special cake as we will celebrate the Birthday of our Savior. Santa is coming as well! Take a picture with him! Enjoy Christmas music and sing-a-long.

Please call 973-256-4888 to purchase the tickets from the parish office or send your donation in the mail tomorrow. Please inform us if you are coming. We look forward to seeing you and your family with friends on Sunday!

CHRISTMAS DINNER 2013 Ad

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Delivering Thanksgiving Baskets

In the picture Renata, Fr. Joseph, Natalie, the Principle - Mrs. Jennifer Cenatiempo and Mrs. Lazara, the teacher who was involved with this project.
In the picture Renata, Fr. Joseph, Natalie, the Principle – Mrs. Jennifer Cenatiempo and Mrs. Lazara, the teacher who was involved with this project.

On Monday, November 25th Holy Cross Church delivered Thanksgiving baskets to the Beatrice Gilmore School, where Natalie, daughter of Fr. Joseph is attending. She was proud and happy. The school organized a food drive to help the needy families. Thanksgiving baskets were prepared in the parish hall with parents and students helping to wrap the baskets and getting them ready for the delivery.

Mrs. Claire Centrella, far left, was instrumental in organizing this event.
Mrs. Claire Centrella, far left, was instrumental in organizing this event.

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SOCL Halloween Party

School of Christian Living held a Halloween Party on Sunday October 27th. We thank teachers Claire Centrella, Donna Fabricatore and Mrs. Donna Maher who organized this joyful event. All participants shared healthy sandwiches and Trick or Treat snacks. All participants received prizes for participation and additional acknowledgement to those whose costumes were: the prettiest – Natalie Cyman, original – Omar Abdelfattah, and funniest Maher and Patel.

Our SOCL Schedule for November 2013 includes:

  • 3 – Classes Meet
  • 10 – Classes Meet (plus making Christmas ornaments)
  • 17– Classes Meet (plus making Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy)
  • 24 – Thanksgiving Celebration (Children/Youth Mass at 11:00 A.M.)

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