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!

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.

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.

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.

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

“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.

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.

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.

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.

By now, I’m sure you have no doubt heard of the report that Lauren had made to the 23rd General Synod. Therein she had asked all of us to participate in “Operation Christmas Child”. For some of you, this is an annual project in your parish; for some, this may be new. Your participation involves filling shoeboxes with various items that a child would like to have (small toys, personal hygiene items, crayons, coloring books; well, you get the idea.) Along with your box, Samaritan’s Purse will provide a copy of the Scriptures in that child’s language, so that the whole story of God’s love will be shared. I have provided a sheet of labels that you can place in your box -just indicate whether it is for a boy or a girl and their age. Feel free to place a greeting from your parish in your box(es); there is a good chance you’ll receive a reply. After filling as many as your congregation is able, you need to check out the Samaritan’s Purse website to find out where the closest collection point is in your area. The website is also filled with helpful hints, downloadable and requested promotional materials. They do ask a small donation for each box to help with the shipping.

I remember the year our parish received a card back from a young girl in Zimbabwe. She wrote that she enjoyed all the gifts in the box; and learning about Jesus. What a gift we can give to someone we will probably never ever meet somewhere in the world – a joyful gift and the joy of Jesus! The collection week is 15-22 November; so get busy fillin’! And may our gracious Lord bless whatever sacrifice you make for His kids!. Fr. Stan, Chaplain.

Dear Youth – You are all invited to participate in this worthwhile project. In our parish hall you can see one shoe box already filled in. Bring empty shoe box and any items you can donate for the children who will greatly appreciate your Christmas Gift. – Fr. Joseph.