Jan. 17, 2016 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Parish of the Holy Cross
95 Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY 11767 + 631.265.2200 + www.pothc.org
LET ALL BE WELCOMED AS CHRIST!
“Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’
…And…the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine…”
John 2:7-9
Come and pray with us!
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 17, 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 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 + [email protected]
Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:15-1:00 PM)
PASTORAL TEAM
Rev. Michael F. Holzmann
Deacon Ralph Rivera
Pastor
Pastoral Minister
Ms. Ellen Fox
Mrs. Elizabeth Shea
Director of Religious Education
Business Manager
Mrs. Connie Calabro
Mrs. Mary Anne Mc Culloch
Mr. Brian Reich
Director of Music Ministry
Co-Coordinators of Parish Outreach
Mr. Salvatore Finocchiaro
Mrs. Judith Pickel
Coordinator of Youth Ministries
Pastoral Associate
PASTORAL STAFF
Mrs. Jane Wirth
Dr. Vincent Mazurek
Mr. James Reiss
Parish Secretary
Music Minister
Religious Education Secretary
([email protected])
Mr. Edward Guise
Mr. Gerald Farrell
Mrs. Mary Inghilterra
Weekend Sacristan
Custodians
Celebrants for Next Weekend’s Masses
January 23rd/24th
5:00 PM
8:00 AM
9:30 AM
11:30 AM
Mass Intentions Schedule
Week of January 17th, 9 AM Mass
Mon. Maryann Biangar (living)
Tue. Job Vibal
Wed. Anne Geisel
Thu. Astrid Lopez (living)
& Liliana Donlon (living)
Rev. Gil Lap
Fr. Bob
Fr. Bob
Fr. Bob
Scripture Readings for January 24, 2016
+ Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10
+ 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
+ Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
New Life
Life
New
in Christ
Christ
in
Saturday, January 23rd, 5 PM Mass
Ann Keena, Catherine Henry, Sammy Mezrahi, Mrs.
Nolan
Sun., Jan. 24th, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 AM Emily M. Schlote
9:30 AM People of the Parish
11:30 AM Thomas Hughes, Nicolo Amoroso
Stewardship Corner
St. Paul reminds us in today’s 2nd reading
that each of us has been given gifts from the
Holy Spirit. How do you use your gifts to
build up the Kingdom of God in your home
and in your community?
The Parish Office is closed on Monday,
January 18th for Martin Luther King Jr.
Day. There will be a 9:00 Mass Monday
morning.
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Losing Tickets, Changing Rules,
and Floating Fish
by Father Michael
Last week we had an office pool to buy tickets for the 800 Million Dollar Power Ball
drawing. We won! Well, kind of. Three of our tickets had the single power ball,
which pays $4. So, from our $2 investment each of us received back 60 cents in
winnings. You may have noticed from the staff listing in the bulletin there have been
no changes. No one was able to give up their job to enjoy new found riches. We will
see what happens for the next drawing.
Speaking of the bulletin, our publishing company has given us some new guidelines
regarding the formatting of the bulletin. The length of the bulletin now needs to be in
multiples of four pages. We used to be able to have single pages, but that is no
longer an option. This presents a bit more of a challenge to Jane Wirth, our Parish
Secretary who beautifully creates the bulletin each week. She would often be able to
take a last minute notice and insert it. If she did this now, it could mean she would
need to come up with another 3 pages of material. If your ministry needs space in the
bulletin, please give as much advance notice as possible to assist in planning.
Please understand if we cannot accommodate last minute submissions or we do not
have room for all requests.
I did not realize that the aerator on my fish pond stopped working. This is a little
underwater gizmo that keeps blowing bubbles so that the water does not freeze. Last
week when we hit those couple of bitter cold days, the surface of the pond froze solid.
The fish need access to fresh air. I am sorry to report that Grouchy and Gertrude did
not make it. (After the bird incident of last summer, I named the little guys.) Burial
services were held last Sunday afternoon at the Community Garden compost pile.
Deacon Ralph presided. I now have a new aerator, and the rest of the fish should
safely hibernate through the winter.
I had a fun day off last week. Connie Calabro tipped me off to an annual Christmas
train show at the New York Botanical Garden. It is a unique layout of G-scale trains
(the big ones) running through recreations of famous NY buildings. I had a fun time.
I guess I am a train buff. Not only did I go see trains, but I got to ride a bunch of them
to get there; the LIRR, 2 subways, and Metro North. I like a good train ride, but it
must be a grind for those of you who make that trip every work day. I am so grateful
that my “commute” is a walk through the woods.
This weekend is the annual Telecare Telethon. I will be on the air for a few minutes
on Sunday afternoon between 3:30PM – 4:00PM. I always get a kick out of the
telethon and am very happy to participate.
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WINTER CARNIVAL!
The Parish of the Holy Cross
is hosting a Winter Carnival
for all Level 1 and 2 students and
their families.
Date: Friday, January 29th
Time: 6pm-9pm
Place: Parish of the Holy Cross Atrium
Come join us for games, crafts, refreshments, prizes
and fun! Please RSVP by January 20th
631-265-2200 x11 or x12 or [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you there!
YOUTH MINISTRY


Sunday, January 17: No Youth Day or Night Event due to the Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday weekend!
Sunday, January 24: 11:30AM Mass with the Core Band and a Youth Day Event from
12:30PM to 2:30PM.
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 concerns,
please do not hesitate to contact Sal Finocchiaro, the
Coordinator of Youth Ministries, at [email protected],
or call the parish office. :-)
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PARISH OUTREACH
Is This a Way to Share Your Gifts?
In March, the Diocese of Rockville Centre is offering Bereavement Facilitator training. Holy
Cross currently does not have a parish bereavement group. If this is something you might be
interested in pursuing, please call Mary Anne or Connie in the Outreach office at 265-2200
x13 for further information.
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Beginning Experience
The loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation is one of life’s
most traumatic experiences, often resulting in feelings of loneliness and
grief. When those feelings remain, it can be overwhelming and hard to
move forward. The Beginning Experience weekend is time to focus on
you… to feel understood by peers and experience a sense of peace and a renewed hope for
the future. The next weekend is on Long Island in Bay Shore, February 26-28, 2016. For
information and reservations, call Mary at 516-413-6209; Jean at 631-903-0973; or John at
516-822-0635. Or, email to [email protected]
Long Island/Metro Retrouvaille
A lifeline for married couples
Another marriage saving Retrouvaille weekend will be offered January 22, 2016.
You Can Help Heal Your Marriage. Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or
angry with each other? Do you argue or have you just stopped talking to each
other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille helps couples
through difficult times in their marriages. This program has helped thousands of
couples worldwide experiencing ALL TYPES of marital difficulties.
For confidential information about the Retrouvaille program, or to register for the upcoming
weekend that begins on Friday, January 22nd, 2016 at the Immaculate Conception Seminary
in Huntington, please call 1-800-470-2230 and you will be connected directly and
confidentially to a couple from Long Island/Metro Retrouvaille who can help.
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CASH CALENDAR
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ANNUAL TELETHON
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
Monday, January 18th
 MORNING MASS
9:00 AM
Chapel
Telecare Telethon 2016!
(The Parish Office is closed for the holiday.)
The Telecare Telethon is the weekend of
Saturday, January 16th from 2PM -10PM and
Sunday, January 17th from 12PM to 10PM.
Tuesday, January 19th
 CO-CHAIRS VISIONING MEETING
7:00 PM
Atrium
Wednesday, January 20th
 SENIORS
11 AM-2:30 PM
Atrium
Thursday, January 21st
 RCIA
7:00 PM
Fr. Joe Room
Saturday, January 23rd
 RCIA DISMISSAL
5:00 Mass
Fr. Joe Room
Sunday, January 24th
 HOSPITALITY
 YOUTH DAY EVENT
After 11:30 Mass
Atrium
12:30-2:30PM Atrium
We’ve changed back to our old
website address!
We are now at www.pothc.org
Please tune in on Cablevision channel
29/137 or Verizon FiOS channel 296 to
support our Diocesan Television Station. It
will be 18 hours filled with many guest “stars”
including many of the clergy, religious and
dedicated lay people of our Diocese and
across the country. Additionally, visits from
some celebrity chefs, musical groups and
New York sports teams will help fuel the
enjoyment.
Join Msgr. Jim Vlaun and the priests of our
Diocese and beyond for the 24th annual
Telecare Telethon celebrating Catholic
evangelization through Television! Consider
making a donation by phone or a secure
donation over the internet at
www.TelecareTV.org
ST. JOSEPH RENEWAL CENTER
The following programs will take place in February at St. Joseph Renewal Center, 1725 Brentwood Rd.
Bldg. #4, Brentwood, NY 11717. If interested, please call 631-273-1187 Ext. 123.
Gathering of Women – Feb. 2, 10AM-12:00 noon, Offering $15, Facilitators: Tina Cafaro & Joan Vessio
Living with Alzheimer's & Dementia – Feb. 3, 1-2:30PM, Free will offering, Presenter: Josephine Daspro, CSJ
Guided Meditation for Inner Healing – Feb. 3, 7-8PM, Offering $15 ($25 for individual session by
appointment), Presenter: Irene Moore, CCH/Meditation Therapist
Deepening your Spiritual Practice through the use of FOCUSING – Feb. 3, 7-9PM, Offering $15,
Presenter: Kathy Porter
Ash Wednesday Day of Prayer “Walking with a Fearless Heart” – Feb. 10, 10AM–3PM, Offering $45
includes lunch, Presenter: Josephine Daspro, CSJ
Men 2 Men Gathering – Feb. 13, 8-9:30AM, Offering $20 includes breakfast, Presenters: Michael Dunne &
participants from the group
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