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.

Our parish gives the opportunity for the children to participate in First Holy Communion classes. Students who started second grade this year, or are older, are eligible to take classes. 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” (catechism).

I am looking forward to your help in preparing your sons and daughters for the celebration of these sacraments by bringing them to classes and Sunday Mass. Some of our youth have sport activities on Sunday afternoon, therefore I decided, for their convenience, to have classes on Sunday morning at 10:10 AM. Masses are at 9 AM and 11 AM. I contacted Bishop John Mack who will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in Spring 2013. The schedule of classes was sent to the youth and placed in the parish hall. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time by calling 973-256-4888 or 201-247-4832.

Respectfully yours in Christ,

Fr. Joseph R. Cyman, Pastor

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.

I am a proud member of the Holy Cross Church. I have been working with youth in many capacities. I have taught Sunday school for many years. I taught at the Calvary Temple Church in Wayne and the Life Christian Church in West Orange. I was a youth leader for Learning For Life with the Law Enforcement Explorers Program in Passaic County. I am an advisor with the (S.A.D.D.) Students Against Destructive Decisions Program in Passaic County Technical where I am currently assigned as a school resource officer from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. My husband and I are both law enforcement officers. We have a total of 5 children in our family. Four of them are adults. I am also a part time student at Montclair State University.

We are glad to welcome Natalie and her family to our Holy Cross Church family

First Holy Communion Classes: The next preparatory classes for First Holy Communion are scheduled Sunday, October 24, November 7, November 14, November 28, December 12, 2010 after 11 AM Mass. We are asking the parents of whose children who started the second grade in September 2010, and those who are older and didn’t receive First Holy Communion, to register them for classes. Please call 973-256-4888 or contact Fr. Joseph.

We pray for all our students who are preparing to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. The First Holy Communion celebration is scheduled on Sunday May 22, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. Holy Mass.

The children participated in the liturgy of the Mass be reading the prayers of the faithful and by bringing the offertory gifts to the altar. We also thank the parents for their monetary donations to defray the cost of flowers and First Holy Communion books. The flower arrangements beautified our sanctuary and decorated the children on this special Sunday.

To continue Christian education, I ask all parents to register your children for our School of Christian Living program. In the fall we will begin SOCL classes on Sunday, September 12, 2010.

In addition to that, boys and girls are invited to join the group of altar servers at any time. To continue practice of serving as altar servers please contact Fr. Joseph or Deacon Bill Gaydos. Thank you.

Our First Holy Communion students will be: Salvatore Boyce, Nicholas Desch, Violette Go, Anthony Gravino, Armani Jimenez, Ned Kiame, Justin Palman, Holly Trinka, Antonio Lazar who have been preparing these many months for their First Holy Communion celebration. We ask that you pray for them for proper preparations for this important step in their Christian life.

There will be a rehearsal for this important day as well as the reception of their First Penance on Saturday, May 22nd beginning at 12:30 PM.