Holy Cross Church » Sunday School (SOCL)

Our thanks and best wishes for the New Year, 2012

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:19:27 +0000

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!

Christmas Party for Jesus

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:30:39 +0000

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!

Christmas Dinner Details — Tickets Still Available

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:30:04 +0000

Next Sunday, December 4th, after 11 AM Holy Mass we will have our annual Christmas Dinner with a special program called “Happy Birthday Jesus” provided by the students of School of Christian Living.

Children and youth are free of charge. We ask adults to donate only $12 per person while we provide this special menu: Tilapia with Mango Sauce, Roast Chicken, Roast Pork, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Cheese Ravioli and more.

In addition to that, Santa Claus – (St. Nicholas) will come to visit our children and give them presents. SOCL Children prepared gifts for attending guests.

You can’t miss this special event!

So far seventy people made reservations. We presume that some may forgot about this event or didn’t have time to reserve the tickets. Please let us know if you are planning to attend. You can purchase tickets at the parish office or reserve tickets and pay at the door. Let us know ASAP but no later than Wednesday evening. After November 30th we will accept only 10 more guests. You may call us at 973-256-4888 or send an E-mail.

Events for November and December 2011

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:27:06 +0000

Food Drive – A food drive to benefit the Father English Food Pantry will be held on Sunday, November 13th. We ask all children to bring one non-perishable food item and place their “gifts for the poor” in the basket which will be located in front of the altar. We all need to remember the words of our Lord: “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you have done it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Thanksgiving Eve Holy Mass – Everyone is invited for a Thanksgiving Eve Holy Mass on Wednesday, November 23rd at 7 p.m. Let us give thanks for the Almighty God for all His gifts which we so often take for granted.

Christmas Dinner – “Happy Birthday Jesus” – December 4th after 11:00 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. Admission for School Of Christian Living (SOCL) Children will be free.

School of Christian Living Back to School Orientation

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:14:37 +0000

Sunday school classes will resume on Sunday September 11, 2011. The program is free of charge. Classes are held every Sunday from 10:10 A.M. to 10:50 A.M. Masses are conducted at 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Coffee hour takes place in the church hall at 10:00 A.M. for everyone to spent time in fellowship.

“Youth Mass” is held on the third Sunday of the month and children are encouraged to participate as altar servers, greeters, ushers, and choir members; in recitation of the “prayers of the faithful”, and in the “offering of the gifts”. All children especially talented musically or vocally, are encouraged to join the choir.

Sunday school students not only receive a religious education but participate in a variety of enjoyable activities provided by the teachers and the parish. These activities include pumpkin picking / apple picking and hay ride, a visit from St. Nicholas and Christmas party, an Easter Egg Hunt and party, a graduation ceremony, picnic and much more.

Here are our class age groups.

Level I – Pre-school – Kindergarten
Level II – 1st and 2nd grades
Level III – 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
Level IV – 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

For more information call 973-256-4888 or contact us by E-mail.

School Of Christian Living Graduation and News

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:16:18 +0000

Last Sunday, June 12th, our School Of Christian Living had graduation day. Good and participation awards were given by the teachers of SOCL to the following students:

Level I – Pre-school – Kindergarten

Jassie Santos – good attendance
Aubrey Santos – good attendance

Level II – 1st and 2nd grades

Natalie Cyman – good attendance
Neil Kiame – good attendance

Level III – 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades

Angie Cardona – good attendance
Nicholas Desch – good attendance
Chris Paulison – good attendance
Elizabeth Fernandez – good attendance
Syera Plitt – good attendance
Nayef Kiame – good attendance
Ned Kiame – good attendance
Amber Harth – participation award

Level IV – 6th, 7th, and 8th grades

Michael Cyman – good attendance
Emily Fernandez – good attendance
Henry Fernandez – good attendance

The students with good attendance received $10 gift certificates and students with participation awards received $5 gift certificates to Barnes and Noble. All students received SOCL certificates signed by Bishop Anthony Mikovsky, Fr. Joseph R. Cyman and the teacher of each class.
The Holy Cross Parish, children and parents thanked the following teachers Mrs. Claire Centrella, Mrs. Natalie Lazar, Mrs. Karen Paulison, and Mrs. Jamie Santos, and substitute teachers Mrs. Karen Peano, Mrs. Carol Montero, and Ms. Alissa Paulison for their time and efforts in preparing and conducting the lessons.

SOCL student list changes in fall 2011: Emily Fernandez will begin high school in fall 2011. Even though she will leave SOCL she will stay as an active member of Holy Cross Church Youth Group. Other students will be placed to SOCL levels according to their age.

We hope that in 2011 we will increase the number of students in our SOCL.

The program is free of charge and special social events were already scheduled for 2011 – 2012 school year. Dear parents and students, invite other children to enjoy our program. School Of Christian Living classes will begin on Sunday, September 11th.

Parish Picnic Thank You

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:08:52 +0000

Last Sunday our parish enjoyed our parish picnic organized by volunteers of our parish. The church provided hot dogs, hamburgers, coffee, soft drinks. Edward Obssuth, Dominick Bucci, John Held, Antonio Lazar served hamburgers and hot dogs.

Mrs. Natalie Lazar, on behalf of School of Christian Living teachers, organized enjoyable entertainment for the children, which included musical chairs, face painting, watermelon and jelly eating contests. Angela Bucci, Jason Cabrejos and Michael Cyman also helped with musical chairs. There were several hot meals and salads brought in by parishioners. Without missing any name we thank all of them. Homemade food is always delightful and appreciated by everyone. Thank you for an enjoyable time.

First Holy Communion

admin — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:17:14 +0000

Eight wonderful children from our parish received the Holy Eucharist for the first time on May 22nd

We congratulate all students and their parents, relatives and friends on this special occasion. Special thanks to parents for their support and help in preparing children by bringing them to the church and studying also at home. Parents sponsored beautiful flower arrangements which decorated the sanctuary. The First Holy Communion classes are offered to those who are in the second grade or older. Sunday School classes, free of charge, will start again on September 12, 2011.

From the left in the first row: Nicole Romero, Syera Plitt, Carlos Garcia, Neil Kiame, Angie Cardona, Elizabeth Fernandez, Henry Fernandez and Emily Fernandez. Second row: Fr. Joseph, pastor and altar servers serving at the Mass Ned Kiame, Michael Cyman and Nayef Kiame.

The Seasons ahead – Advent and Christmas

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:33:42 +0000

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.

Halloween Party Memories

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:26:49 +0000

On Sunday October 31, 2010 a Halloween party was prepared by the teachers of the School of Christian Living: Mrs. Claire Centrella, Mrs. Karen Paulison, Mrs. Jamie Santos and Mrs. Natalie Lazar. The children came in wearing their favorite costumes. During the Mass the youth read prayers of the faithful especially for all children who will be out celebrating Halloween: for their safety and well-being … and that all monsters would stay under the bed.

Musical chair game was one of the several games children participated in during their Halloween party. All children received prizes for participation and for winning different games.

The winners of three categories costumes were; from left the prettiest costume – Natalie Cyman, the original costume – Angie Cardona, and the scariest costume – Nayef Kiame.