My Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Our 80th Anniversary celebration that was held on Sunday November 12, 2006
was an enjoyable and meaningful event.
I thank the members of the Parish Life Committee who so wonderfully prepared
that celebration. We were glad to see our Prime Bishop Robert M. Nemkovich who
presided the Holy Mass. I thank for the presence of Father Senior Wieslaw
Pietruszka and Deacon David Gaydos who helped in the liturgy. The organist
Anthony Serrao, soloist Russell Jockel with music of Jessica Muccili, choir
members, lectors - Edward Obssuth and Michele Lazor, youth presenting the
prayers of the faithful - Jason and Jasmine Cabrejos, Edward Obssuth, Michael
and Meghan Muccilli, children who brought offertory gifts - Michael Lazor and
Michael Cyman, this beautified the celebration of the Mass. The beautiful group
picture taken in the church by the professional photographer, John Fletcher, is
on display in the parish hall and available to be ordered by Sunday December 17,
2006.
Today we begin the holy season of Advent. Four Sundays of Advent is a joyful time of our preparations for the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord. I wish that we all prepare our souls to welcome Jesus once again into our hearts and into our lives. On this special Solemnity, we need to let Jesus be born again in us as our Lord and Savior. Before the celebration of Christmas, there will be a lot of preoccupations that we need to accomplish either in our homes, work places, or schools. We know that we cannot neglect these responsibilities. However, in addition to that we need to set aside time for private prayer and Sunday worship with our parish family. Advent above all is our personal retreat to benefit our spiritual growth.
Also, in this time we need to be aware about the needs of others, especially those who are less fortunate in our society. Therefore, we keep in our parish a wonderful program called the ADVENT TREE. This will help boys and girls of DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services), EVA’S SHELTER for senior men and SHELTER OUR SISTERS for women with babies ages six to twelve months. All gifts are due on Sunday, December 17, 2006.
Today, on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3rd ’06 the children of School of Christian Living will present a Christmas program before the dinner after 11:00 a.m. Mass. Let us enjoy this event with the youngsters of our parish. On Sunday January 7, 2006 we will have our 8th Annual New Year’s Day Champagne Buffet after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. More information follows.
We have only one month before we close our fiscal year. Let us show our generosity toward Holy Cross Church especially at Christmas. Please see our income verse our yearly budget.
In this parish newsletter you will find a schedule for Christmas liturgy and post Christmas celebrations with important events that will occur in our parish. To nourish our spiritual life with the Word of God and His precious presence in the Holy Eucharist, I encourage all of you to make a resolution to attend these special celebrations. May we keep Christ in our hearts in this special time and throughout the New Year 2007.
May the Lord send upon you, your dear ones, His abundant blessing in this Holy Season and throughout the New Year - 2007!
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – 2007!
- Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku – 2007!
- Joyeux Noël et Bonne Novel L’Année 2007!
- Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo 2007!
- Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr 2007!
Father Joseph with Family and the Parish Committee
AN ADVENT PRAYER
HOLY SPIRIT, help us to live this Advent in an ever deepening awareness that
“the grace of God has appeared, saving all” (Titus 2:11).
Help us to realize that grace is not just the granting of some beneficial thing
or other,
but is the gift of God’s very self, not just some favor but God’s very presence.
May we learn the truth that God is the giver of all good gifts only because
he has first shared divine life with us. May our response be the same profound
gratitude Mary had when she prayed,
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…
(who) has done great things for me.” Amen.