The Parish of the Holy Cross 95 Old Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY 11767 + 631.265.2200 + www.pothc88.org LET ALL BE WELCOMED AS CHRIST! As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. Mark 1:16-18 Come and pray with us! Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 25, 2015 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 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 RECONCILIATION Saturday: 3:45 P.M. 4:30 P.M. or call Father Michael for an appointment. WE CELEBRATE WEDDINGS Couples should contact the Parish Office at least six months in advance of the proposed wedding date.
We are here for you! 631.265.2200 + Fax 631.265.2229 + pothc@optonline.net 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. John Huether Mr. Edward Guise Custodians PASTORAL TEAM PASTORAL STAFF Dr. Vincent Mazurek Music Minister Deacon Owen E. Farley, Jr. Deacon Ralph Rivera Mrs. Loretta Tarter Business Manager Mr. Brian Reich, Director Music Ministry Mr. Salvatore Finocchiaro Coordinator of Youth Ministries Mrs. Elizabeth Shea Religious Education Secretary (hcreled@optonline.net) Mrs. Mary Inghilterra Weekend Sacristan Celebrants for Next Weekend s Masses January 31st/February 1st 5:00 PM Fr. Michael 8:00 AM Fr. Michael 9:30 AM Fr. Michael 11:30AM Fr. Michael Mass Intentions Schedule Week of January 25th, 9 AM Mass Mon. Frank & Jeanette Mancuso Tue. Robert O Rourke Jr. Wed. Romeo Bagares Thu. Joann Galgano New Life in Christ Remembering our Sick Please pray for the sick of the parish, their families and caregivers: Marilyn Huether & Veronica Malley The Bread and Wine for the week January 24th - January 31st, have been donated in loving memory of Hector Antonio Lopez by Tiffany & Christopher Lopez 2 Saturday, January 31st, 5 PM Mass Patrick Keena Sr., Sara Connor, John Wallace, James Joyce, Frank Nugent Sunday, Feb. 1st, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM People of the Parish 9:30 AM John Paul Onysko 11:30 AM Laura Claeson, Robert O Rourke Jr. Scripture Readings for February 1st + Deuteronomy 18:15-20 + 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 + Mark 1:21-28
The Passing Ice Age with Father Michael If you happened to be out and about last Sunday morning around 8:00 through 9:15, you experienced the craziness of the winter weather. For that brief period, everything glazed over in a thin layer of ice leaving roadways and walkways treacherous. Fortunately, everyone made it safely on and off our property, but I understand the number of spin-outs and fender benders were numerous. If you woke up at 10:00 it was just a rainy day at that point in time, and you missed the winter adventure. I had my moment of fame in the spotlight last weekend on the Telecare Telethon. I was on the air for a few minutes around 4:00 Sunday afternoon. Some of my time was pre-empted when Hollywood actor, Corbin Bernsen came along and they needed to schedule him into the program. I remember him well when he played the attorney Arnie Becker on L.A. Law in the 1980s. Nonetheless, I had a fun time. It is remarkable to watch the complexity of the production of the telethon. Countless people are involved in keeping the 18 hour, live event moving along. Thank you to those who supported the telethon. We have received a number of inquiries about Fr. Jim McNamara. Many people noticed that the Mass intention for this past Wednesday was for him. That Mass was requested to honor his birthday. I am pleased to report that he is healthy, happy and holy. He appreciates your concern for him. This past Wednesday was the anniversary of the formation of our parish. It is the feast of St. Agnes when we were one of three new parishes named in Suffolk County. There have been no additional parishes created since that time. Much of my time over the next several weeks is involved in our Religious Education Program. I am making my annual visits to our Level 7 home classes. There are approximately 30 of these visits to make. In addition, I am also celebrating class Masses for our Level 4. These Masses are teaching opportunities as I spend time explaining the different parts of the Liturgy. The parents are also invited to be part of the gathering. Scheduling all of these events becomes a bit complicated. But, I enjoy both of these activities as it gives me the opportunity to spend some time with our children in the program. The questions that Confirmation students offer are interesting and often challenging. It sounds like the Holy Father will be visiting New York in September. It seems the main focus of the trip will be Philadelphia, but it is likely that there will be a brief visit to New York as well. There are many details still to be worked out for this. 3
ATTENTION WOMEN OF HOLY CROSS! You are invited to a place of quiet, contemplation and peace at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House, Jamaica Estates, NY on Friday, March 6th at 7:00PM through Sunday, March 8th at noon. The theme is Time to Come Alive! Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened in these days? Our mission is to remind people of the love of Christ shown by His life, death, and resurrection. We have talked a lot about Jesus dying for us and the proof that this gives us that we are loved. But Jesus did not remain in the tomb. He Rose! He is Risen! was the first Creed, the first formal statement of faith, of the earliest Christian Community! Today, people are frequently experiencing emotional, spiritual and physical diminishment...death. They need to know that there is LIFE Life after death! We want to remind people that they are not alone with their burdens. Come join us in fellowship with a diverse group of women of faith. We will use Luke 24:13-34 to ground our reflections throughout our retreat. Suggested offering is $195. If interested, please contact Mary Inghilterra at 631-585-9707. YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS! 1/25/15 - Youth Night from 6-8PM as we gather for Praise & Worship. Bring a friend! We are going to have an amazing time! 1/31-2/1/15 - All teens needed on deck to help after all Masses for our annual Souper Bowl of Caring as well as our Youth Super Bowl Bake Sale. Come out and support YOUR program! See Sal our Youth Minister to sign up for a Mass. Teens are also needed to bake! 2/1/15 - Join us at the 11:30 Mass followed by a Youth Day from 12:30 to 2:30PM Also, the Youth Group is having a Spring Retreat March 20th - 22nd at the Sisters of Mercy Villa in Watermill! All Teens who are in grades 9-12 and have made their Confirmation are invited to attend! Please come join the Youth Group in these events as we learn and grow closer to Christ! The Pope is coming for The World Meeting of Families being held in Philadelphia September 22nd through 28th, 2015. For more information, specifically costs, travel packages, accommodations and agenda, go to www.drvc-faith.org and click on World Meeting of Families. For questions/concerns contact Ellen Fox at 631-265-2200 x12. 4
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Sock Drive New socks are needed for Talbot House, a local adult shelter, and for a local children s hospital. Please help by donating a pair or two of NEW socks for children or adults. Donation baskets will be set up in the Atrium the weekend of January 31st/ February 1st and on February 7th/8th. Thank you for your continued support. FAITH & LIGHT MEETING Friday, February 6th, 7:00 p.m. Parish of the Holy Cross Faith and Light is an international faith-sharing organization for people with developmental challenges and their families and care-givers. SCRIPTURE STUDY CHANGE! We are changing the dates that we meet, but the time will remain the same. We will now meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10:00 AM Noon in the Father Joe Room. Our next meeting is February 12th. See you there! FREE TO SPEAK In too many instances, public school teachers and administrators mistakenly tell students they cannot include their faith in their homework assignments or classroom discussions. Gateways to Better Education has published a booklet, Free to Speak, which summarizes the U.S. Dept. of Education s guidelines for students religious liberties, as follows: You CAN pray, read your Bible or other religious material and talk about your faith at school You CAN organize prayer groups and religious clubs, and announce your meetings You CAN express your faith in your classwork and homework Teachers CAN organize prayer groups with other teachers You MAY BE ABLE to go off campus to have religious studies during school hours You CAN express your faith at a school event You CAN express your faith at your graduation ceremony. For the complete document explaining students religious liberties, visit http://1.usa.gov/1mulzkn Religious Freedom is indeed the first of human rights. Pope Benedict XVI 5
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MEETINGS THIS WEEK Saturday, January 24th LEVEL 8 SERVICE PLEDGES DUE Sunday, January 25th 5PM Mass Worship Area All Masses LEVEL 8 SERVICE PLEDGES DUE Worship Area RCIA DISMISSAL 9:30 Mass Fr. Joe Room YOUTH NIGHT 6-8PM Atrium Monday, January 26th K OF C OFFICERS MEETING Saturday, January 31st WOMEN S ENRICHMENT Sunday, February 1st 7:30-8:45 PM Fr. Joe Room 10 AM - Noon Fr. Joe Room After 9:30 Mass ANOINTING OF THE SICK Worship Area YOUTH GROUP MTG. 12:30-2:30PM Atrium If you are having upcoming surgery, are dealing with a chronic or debilitating illness, are suffering from addiction, mental health issues or frailty, come to the Anointing of the Sick after the 9:30 Mass on February 1st. SCOUT SUNDAY The Boy Scouts of America organization annually celebrates its founding. The Scout Sunday tradition was started to bring awareness of scouting to parishioners in houses of worship. The Scout Law says that a Scout is reverent, and scouts of all ages pledge each week to do their Duty to God. These values strengthen youth character in their families, communities and faiths. We celebrate Scouting s Anniversary here at Holy Cross on Sunday, February 8th at the 9:30 AM Mass. Scouts are asked to arrive 15 minutes early and to wear their A level uniforms. All faiths are invited. If you are attending or you have questions, please email Kim and Andy at AKJLB23@optonline.net. MORE PARISH SURVEY RESULTS SURVEY RESULTS 318 Responses We will publish 10 questions each week. Key to Answers: A = Agree, D = Disagree, U = Not Sure and N = Not Applicable A D U N 11. Aside from attending Mass, I really do not participate in any ministry in the parish: 104 194 5 2 12. I find it easy to sing at Mass: 234 54 13 5 13. We need to make better use of technology: 122 67 122 7 14. We need to reach out more to the parents of our school age children: 173 30 66 42 15. Our facilities adequately accommodate those with special needs: 148 42 89 26 16. Parish office hours are too limited: 43 210 47 5 17. I feel comfortable in speaking to others about my Catholic faith: 277 16 13 18. The acoustics in church are good: 212 72 20 19. The parish should not have raffles and / or games of chance as fundraisers: 20 265 18 1 20. Our children receive a solid Religious Education: 161 22 71 54 7
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