LET ALL BE WELCOMED AS CHRIST!

Transcription

1 The Parish of the Holy Cross 95 Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY LET ALL BE WELCOMED AS CHRIST! Transfiguration of Our Lord Come and pray with us! Second Sunday of Lent - February 21, 2016 WE CELEBRATE EUCHARIST Monday Thursday: 9:00 A.M. (Chapel) Saturday: 5:00 P.M. Sunday: 8:00 A.M. + 9:30 A.M. + 11:30 A.M. WE CELEBRATE RECONCILIATION Saturday: 3:45 P.M. 4:30 P.M. or call Father Michael for an appointment. WE CELEBRATE BAPTISM Baptisms are celebrated on the second and last Sunday of each month at 1 P.M. Please contact the Parish Office for more information. WE CELEBRATE WEDDINGS Couples should contact the Parish Office at least six months in advance of the proposed wedding date.

2 We are here for you! Fax pothc@optonline.net Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:15-1:00 PM) Rev. Michael F. Holzmann Pastor Ms. Ellen Fox Director of Religious Education Mrs. Connie Calabro Mrs. Mary Anne Mc Culloch Co-Coordinators of Parish Outreach Mrs. Judith Pickel Pastoral Associate Mrs. Jane Wirth Parish Secretary Mr. Edward Guise Mr. Gerald Farrell Custodians PASTORAL TEAM PASTORAL STAFF Dr. Vincent Mazurek Music Minister Deacon Ralph Rivera Pastoral Minister Mrs. Elizabeth Shea Business Manager Mr. Brian Reich Director of Music Ministry Mr. Salvatore Finocchiaro Coordinator of Youth Ministries Mrs. Mary Inghilterra Weekend Sacristan Mr. James Reiss Religious Education Secretary (hcreled@optonline.net) Celebrants for Next Weekend s Masses February 27th/28th 5:00 PM Fr. Kenan Peters 8:00 AM Fr. Michael/Fr. Kenan 9:30 AM Fr. Michael/Fr. Kenan 11:30 AM Fr. Kenan Scripture Readings for February 28, Exodus 3:1-8, Corinthians 10:1-6, Luke 13:1-9 Remembering our Sick Please pray for the sick of the parish, their families and caregivers: Candice Clifford Cheryl Maniaci Vivianna-Jo Galgano Stephanie Tipping 2 Mass Intentions Schedule Week of February 21st, 9 AM Mass Mon. Christine Fischer (living) Tue. Barbara Swanberry Wed. Rose Grace Arzillo Thu. Victor Lamarque New Life in Christ Saturday, February 27th, 5 PM Mass James Eng, Eileen Kamine, Audrey Graf, Anne & Vincent Mattera Sunday, February 28th, Third Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM People of the Parish 9:30 AM Jeffrey Kennedy, Michael Corcoran, Arlene Mooney, John Pearson 11:30 AM Albert DeFilippis The Bread and Wine for the week February 20th - February 27th, have been donated in loving memory of Richard P. Canalini by MaryAnn Canalini & family

3 Tis the Season (for Parish Missions) by Father Michael For twenty years I ve joined up with several other priests who offer Parish Missions. Several of us went through the seminary together, and we are all good friends. If you recall, our little group came to Holy Cross in Over the years we have offered our program in over forty parishes. This week I will be on the road at St. Barnabas Parish in Bellmore. We enjoy working together and offering these evenings to the people of our diocese. The following week (February 29-March 3) there will be a mission offered here at Holy Cross. It is entitled The Journey to God. It will be offered by Fr. Kenan Peters. For those of you who regularly attend the 8:00 or 9:30 Masses, you are familiar with Fr. Kenan. For those who attend the Saturday evening Mass or the 11:30, he is a new name and a new face for you. He is a Passionist priest who lives in Jamaica, Queens. He has been helping here at Holy Cross at the earlier Masses on Sundays for about a year. He will offer a short reflection in the morning for those who attend the daily Mass. And, he will have a longer presentation in the evening. Fr. Kenan will preach at all the Masses on February 27 & 28. His mission will take place from Monday through Thursday. I am confident it will be a prayerful and reflective time. I hope you can be part of it. There is no other time in the Church year that can be as enriching and challenging as Lent. Although the days may involve sacrifice and hard work, I think all of us have come to appreciate the spiritual growth that can take place during these weeks. It is not too late to begin or renew your efforts to allow these days to be a time when you come to know more deeply the goodness and mercy of our Lord. I was very happy that we were able to make signs to put out for Ash Wednesday displaying our little Lenten phrases. Unfortunately, the extreme weather we had this week really took a toll on them. We tried to get them patched up and back in place for this weekend, but some of them really got beaten up. For the past few weeks, most of our ground has been covered in a layer of snow and ice. Now that we have experienced a thaw, we can see all that the blanket of white was hiding. Our parking lot has not fared well. We will certainly need to do some repairs in the spring. Up at the house, my recycling can was overflowing and buried in snow. Once everything melted, my little patio kind of looked like the back lot of a recycling plant after a minor explosion. It took me time to gather up all the bottles and cans that have been blowing around for weeks. Keep praying and have a holy Lent. Are you interested in becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? If so, please contact the Parish Office at x22 to set up a meeting with Father Michael. 3

4 PARISH OUTREACH Eat Simply Ideas Here are some ideas to consider using for your family s participation in our Eat Simply program. We welcome you to share how your family is finding ways to sacrifice this Lent. To include ideas or recipes in future bulletins, please to hcoutreach@optonline.net. If you give up sweets for Lent, donate the money saved so that we can purchase cookies and snacks for a family. Discuss what a simple meal means in your household. Is it soup and bread? Is it a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Our simple meals can be a gourmet feast for some families struggling to make ends meet. Rather than having your Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts coffee, make your morning coffee at home. The money you donate could buy a can of coffee for a family. Use coupons when you shop and donate the money that you saved. Make a large pot of soup to eat for two nights. If you go out to dinner, have coffee and dessert at home and donate what it would have cost you at the restaurant. Envelopes are available on the bulletin tables; you may return your envelope in the basket on the pillar by the Altar or in the collection basket. Thank you so much for prayerfully participating in our Eat Simply program, so that others may simply eat! Special Collection This weekend at the Offertory we will also be collecting for our Roof and Other Major Repairs. Thank you for your generosity! 4 Stewardship Corner Just as Jesus made prayer a priority in His life, have you formed a Lenten practice of setting time aside for daily prayer?

5 VISIONING 2016 Upcoming Town Hall Meetings There is a tangible spirit that makes Holy Cross the amazing community it is. Yet, the recent parish survey revealed that most members of the parish do not know what the vision is for the future of Holy Cross. Over the last several months, the Parish has begun a process to tap into the enthusiasm, hope and energy that lie at the foundation of Holy Cross to plan and articulate a vision for the years ahead. When our parish was created in 1988, founding pastors and founding members journeyed together with enthusiasm and grace to identify the values and mission that would define us. The Parish Mission Statement (printed on the next page) reflects what was envisioned and what Holy Cross is today: a place where everyone is welcomed, everyone is valued equally, where people are non-judgmental, and where a core value is love and service to the poor. As shared in a November Founders Meeting, there was a desire to create an atmosphere where there was no fear of failure, no boundaries (including geographical), and an opportunity to grow in our Catholic faith in a new way. The founders envisioned a church that would be an integral part of parishioners lives, where they would journey together in faith, a parish where they prayed, worked and played together. The Parish of the Holy Cross has grown. The world is changing. We face challenges that could hardly have been anticipated. As Pope Francis has made abundantly clear, we need to identify ways to address global and local challenges, fears and needs with mercy and generosity. Our Mission Statement calls us to do all those things that the Holy Father has called us to do. But how do we do that, here at Holy Cross, in this decade? What is our vision of how to achieve the ideals set forth in our Mission Statement as we prepare to meet the future? What are the needs of our parish and the larger community in the coming years? How will we at Holy Cross answer the Holy Father s call? A facilitated meeting of ministry co-chairs and parish staff was held in January to start the visioning process. Now, three dates have been set aside for parish-wide Town Hall meetings to answer the question: What should Holy Cross be or look like five years from now? Our goal is to articulate a written Vision Statement to help guide future planning. Please set aside one of these dates and join with us as we work together to continue to achieve the ideals that were set out in our Mission Statement by the founding members of this holy community. Join us for hospitality. Join us in prayer. Join with us to share our needs and hopes and ideas. We -- together-- are the future of Holy Cross. Saturday, March 5th following the 5 PM Mass (6 PM 8 PM with a light dinner) Sunday, April 3rd following the 11:30 AM Mass (12:30 PM 2:30 PM with a bagel brunch) Monday, May 9th at 7 PM (7 PM 9 PM with coffee and cake) Please check the bulletin for invitations to each event. 5

6 PARISH MISSION STATEMENT With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the people of the Parish of the Holy Cross will strive to work together to achieve the following ideals: To create an environment of Hospitality where all people of every age, sex and background are always welcomed and treated with the dignity of a child of God. A welcoming environment will foster a sense of belonging and will encourage ownership, responsibility, and empowerment as these principles relate to the life of the parish. A spirit of hospitality will also support a sense of acceptance. Gifts will always be valued and encouraged, shortcomings forgiven and spirits healed. To create an environment of Growth where renewal and enrichment are encouraged on a personal, spiritual, and relational level through liturgy, prayer, spiritual exercises, education, and fellowship. To create an environment of Service where the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and those beyond the parish are responded to in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner. To create an environment where Love of God and Love of Community are fostered, where relationship with God and relationship with our brothers and sisters are intertwined, where Worship and Service in the name of God go hand in hand. ******Visioning 2016****** As a follow up to last year s parish survey, Fr. Michael and the Pastoral Team would like you to answer the question: What should the Parish of the Holy Cross look like or be five years from now? Through consultation with a group of parishioners who were instrumental in its founding, it became clear that decisions of this magnitude have always been made as a community. Please join us for a Town Hall style meeting so that your voice can be heard. If you are able to attend our first event, please fill in the tear-off below, so that we may properly prepare. Names are not necessary just numbers attending. You may place the tear-off in one of the baskets on the bulletin tables. If you are unable to attend on March 5th, please check future bulletins for invitations to our April 3rd and May 9th gatherings. I/We will attend on Sat., March 5, after 5:00PM Mass, with a light dinner from 6 8 PM Number of people 6

7 Youth Ministry PARISH NEWS So...Are you in high school? Do you want to make new friends as you play fun games and activities? Do you want to build more of an understanding about yourself and your faith? Then, come on down and check out the Holy Cross Youth Group! Here are our upcoming Youth Events: Sunday, February 21: 11:30AM Youth Mass with the Core Band! Then, we are taking a trip to the Nesconset Nursing Home, 12:30-2:30PM. Sunday, February 28: Youth Night, 6-8PM So, if you are thinking about coming to the Church to see what we are all about...do it! You will not regret it. Come with a friend or family member, and join us as we continue to grow in the endless love of Christ. If you have any questions, or if you are thinking about joining us, please do not hesitate to contact Sal Finocchiaro, the Coordinator of Youth Ministries, at HCyouthgroup@hotmail.com or call the parish office. :-) Our next meeting is Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 9AM in the Fr. Joe Room. Come join us! Women s Retreat The women of Holy Cross are planning a Retreat at the Bishop Molloy Retreat Center: March 11-13, 2016 A Journey Worth Taking We will trust the Holy Spirit as guide while we reflect on our life s journey and our destiny. There will be sign-ups this weekend, February 20/21, in the Holy Cross Atrium. A $50 deposit is required at registration. Balance is due upon arrival at the retreat. Girl Scout Sunday Tell your Scouting friends All Are Welcome...It's Going to be a Great Day! When: March 6 th at 9:30 Mass (arrive 15 minutes before to sign in) Where: Parish of the Holy Cross, Nesconset Who: All Scouts and their families are invited to attend. What to wear: Girl Scout Uniform / Sash Text, call or any questions you may have: Kim Loh Bodor Christine Farrugia Janine Mehlinger akjlb23@optonline.net libraryhorse@yahoo.com cheecheej9@aol.com 7

8 PARISH NEWS A Snow Contingency Plan The January blizzard raised the question of what to do if the weather is severe enough to impact our schedule of weekend Masses. There are several means of communication already in place. The phone message is updated with any cancellations or other important news. The first page of the website is also updated with notices. An is sent to all on our Holy Cross Update list. (If you would like to be included, please fill out the tear-off at the bottom of the page and return to us.) While we will continue to look at how we can best communicate information, there is also a need for everyone to simply use good judgment. The obligation to attend Mass is removed when there are conditions that pose a danger. (God understands when you cannot make it through snow or ice.) While your street may look relatively clean, please remember our driveways can be treacherous in the winter. We do our best to clear and maintain them, but sometimes Mother Nature will have the upper hand in spite of our best efforts. We have a fine maintenance staff, but a severe storm may still leave us with slippery walkways. Weekday Masses: If unsafe conditions prevail, the daily Mass may be moved to 12:00 Noon to give additional time to clear the lot and walkways. If this is to happen, the decision will be made by 8:00 AM. In addition to the phone and website updates we will create a phone chain to pass along the word of a change in schedule. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to be included in the Weekday Mass Phone Chain. I would like to receive alerts Name: address: PLEASE print clearly. 8

9 Live your faith during Lent, perform works of mercy - Pope Francis Almsgiving in Lent During the Lenten Season we are asked to pray, fast and give alms. Lent is a perfect time for us to pray for those in need - whether it is for their material, emotional or spiritual needs. When you practice fasting and abstinence during these forty days, please remember those of our neighbors who are hungry, and consider sharing your gifts with them. One way to do this is by making a gift to the Catholic Ministries Appeal, which supports programs that help to feed people in our community each year through Catholic Charities and our Parishes. For more information about the Catholic Ministries Appeal, please visit or call ext. 2. There are also materials available in the Atrium for you to review. 9

10 CASH CALENDAR More Chances this Month to Win Big Prizes!!! 10

11 MEETINGS THIS WEEK RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Sunday, February 21st 10:45 AM HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE MTG. Conference Rm. YOUTH DAY EVENT 12:30-2:30PM Atrium/NNH Monday, February 22nd 5:00 PM 1:1 CLASS All Areas LEVEL 4 CLASS MASS Chapel K OF C OFFICERS MTG. 7-8:30PM Fr. Joe Room Discrimination Discrimination Against Churches Against Churches Thursday, February 25th SCRIPTURE STUDY 10:00 AM Fr. Joe Room MOMS GROUP 11AM Sacristy EXPO. OF BLESSED SACRAMENT 7PM Chapel Friday, February 26th STATIONS OF THE CROSS Saturday, February 27th 7:00 PM Worship Area 10:00 AM WOMEN S ENRICHMENT Fr. Joe Room RCIA DISMISSAL 5PM Fr. Joe Room Sunday, February 28th 1:00 PM BAPTISMS Worship Area YOUTH NIGHT 6-8PM Atrium COMMUNITY NEWS Knights of Columbus Save the Date! The Knights of Columbus of Holy Cross and St. James Church invite all parishioners and friends to join them for a dinner dance on: March 19, PM 10PM St. James R.C. Church, Setauket The evening includes dinner, music, wine, soda and beer. Cost is $25/person. Tickets will be on sale in the Holy Cross Atrium the weekends of March 5/6 and 12/13. Join us for a fun evening! Responding to a disgruntled neighbor s complaint, town Responding officials in to Jefferson a disgruntled Parish, neighbor s LA, issued a complaint, town officials in Jefferson Parish, LA, issued a criminal summons against the pastor of Vintage criminal summons against the pastor of Vintage Church, claiming their services were too loud. Church, claiming their services were too loud. The town imposed a noise level restriction, i.e. the The town imposed a noise level restriction, i.e. the church noise could be no louder than a dishchurch noise could be no louder than a dishwasher or clothes dryer. Noises like power tools, washer or clothes dryer. Noises like power tools, demolition and construction sounds were not demolition and construction sounds were not restricted. Liberty Institute is representing the restricted. Liberty Institute is representing the church church in its in its court court case, case, citing citing a local a local law stating, law stating, Government Government shall shall not not substantially substantially burden burden a a person s person s exercise exercise of religion. of religion. A similar A similar incident incident occurred occurred in Gilbert, in Gilbert, AZ, where AZ, where the the city city had had different different ordinances ordinances for political, for political, business business and and church church signs. signs. Regulations Regulations for church for church signs signs were were significantly stricter stricter and and smaller smaller than than for political for political or or business signs. signs. The The Alliance Alliance Defending Defending Freedom Freedom took took the the case case to the to the Supreme Supreme Court Court where, where, in June in June 2015, 2015, the the Court Court ruled ruled unanimously that that the church s the church s free free speech and and religious religious liberty liberty had had been been violated violated by by the the local local government s ordinance, unfairly unfairly discriminating against against the the church. church. When When our our Founding Founding Fathers Fathers passed passed the First the First Amend- Amendment, ment, they they sought sought to protect to protect churches churches from from govern- government ment interference. They They never never intended intended to construct to construct a wall a wall of hostility of hostility between between government government and the and the concept concept of religious of religious belief belief itself. itself. President President Ronald Ronald Reagan, Reagan,

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