Dear Friends,

 

A few of the recent submissions to the Suggestion Box (located in the church vestibule) have focused on various aspects of our parish liturgy.  It’s wonderful that parishioners have taken the time to make suggestions about the most important aspect of our parish life, the “source and summit” of our Christian life, as the Second Vatican Council taught. 

 

A couple of submissions suggested a type of question and answer period after the homily or at the end of mass.  One parishioner suggested that it focus on answering questions about the mass, the church, religion...  Another parishioner suggested a type of “Dear Father” for the purpose of addressing various personal/family issues that people face today.  In theory I think both of these suggestions are fantastic.  The first focuses on our need to better understand our faith and religion.  The second seeks the guidance of the church on the complicated issues that face all of us today.

 

I’m afraid, however, that most parishioners would get a bit anxious or impatient if we extended the mass every week for these discussions, as important as they are.  We try not to extend the length of the Sunday mass too often: for an occasional baptism during mass, or after communion for the annual financial report or the annual viewing of the Catholic Charities Appeal video each spring. 

 

As I write this column, I’m remembering a program I sponsored once a semester for the students in O’Hara Hall, where I lived at Stonehill College for ten years.  It was called “Ask Father Jim Anything.”  It was an opportunity for students to ask questions about any topic- religion, faith, morality, the church, current affairs, the life of a priest…  Perhaps we can adapt this to our parish and create a vehicle whereby members of the pastoral team could be available a couple times a year for parishioners who might come with questions about faith and religion, the challenges of living a Christian life in today’s society, etc. 

 

There have been a couple other suggestions placed in the box in the past few months.  I’ve been impressed with the topics addressed by these suggestions and the seriousness of the submissions.  Not all of them can be implemented for a variety of reasons.  But please know that every suggestion is seriously considered.  I invite parishioners to continue to use the Suggestion Box as a means of communicating with me and the pastoral team.

 

Yours in Holy Cross,

 

Father Jim 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have not received the four Parish Email Bulletins that Father Jim has emailed to all registered parish families the past few weeks, please contact Gail at the parish office to find out if we need an updated email address for you or if we need to return you to the registered/active parishioner list. 

 

 

Daily Reflections for Lent

Copies of Daily Reflections for Lent are available in the church vestibule.  A $1 donation is requested.

 

The Auction Committee is now meeting every Monday at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the annual Auction & Spring Social on May 7^th.  All interested parishioners are invited to the next meeting.  For more information, please contact Greg Hagopian at 508- 230-7459.

 

 

REACH OUT AND HELP

MainSpring Homeless Shelter

Saturday, March 20^th

Please bring your donation to the church kitchen between 1 & 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20^th.

This month’s dinner will be CHIX and the FIXINS

 

Why:  To provide a dinner for the homeless

What:  Chicken pieces, mashed potatoes, tossed salad, fresh fruit, cranberry sauce, canned gravy, canned vegetables and dessert

Specifics can be found on the sign up sheet in the vestibule.

Concerns:  Please call Jeannine Donovan at (508) 238-4509 or Claire Smith at (508) 238-1899.

Thank you in advance for your contribution.

 

Congratulations to these winners in our Luck of the Irish Calendar Raffle: 3/1: Frank Paul; 3/2: Ellie Jones; 3/3:  Mildred Woodworth.

 

Parish Fiscal Stability Plan Update

$8.335   Average weekly collection

             October 2009-February 2010

$8,440   Average weekly collection needed by July 2010 to

              avert pastoral staff layoffs

 

Generations of Living Faith

Faith Formation Schedule

March 7:       G.O.L.F. Group 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

G.O.L.F., Group 2, 3-5 p.m.

March 9:       G.O.L.F. Group 3, 6-8 p.m.

March 10:     G.O.L.F. Group 4, 6-8 p.m.

March 14:     G.O.L.F. Group 5, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Confirmation Prep, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

March 17:7th & 8th Grade Lenten Program 6:30-7:30 p.m.

March 21:     G.O.L.F. Group 6, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

March 24:7th & 8th Grade Lenten Program 6:30-7:30 p.m.

March 28:Grade 2 Sacrament Preparation, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Confirmation Prep, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

March 31:7th & 8th Grade Lenten Program 6:30-7:30 p.m.

 

In case of snow, please check out Channel 5, WBZ radio or T.V., or our website www.holycrosseaston.org, for cancellations.

 

Brown Bag Lunches

Confirmation candidates, who wish to make lunches for the MainSpring House residents, will meet in the church basement kitchen from 6:15-7 p.m. on Monday evenings. 

 

Donations are needed for this Brown Bag Lunch Program.  Items such as bread, packaged cold cuts, peanut butter, jelly, sandwich bags, snacks, chips, and juice boxed are most welcome.  Please drop these items off at the parish center.  Thank you!

 

Stations of the Cross, especially for children, will be held on    March 19^th, at 6 p.m., in the church.

 

 

The Knights of Columbus will have their annual St Patrick's Dinner March 13th at their hall located on Rte. 106, South Easton. You do not have to be a member to attend. $8/pp, Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. dinner will follow at 7 p.m..  Bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Easton Food pantry and enter for a chance to win a gift basket.

 

Catholic Relief Services

Next week, our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection.  This Collection helps to fund six Catholic organizations that improve the quality of life and protect human dignity.  Your gift will support agricultural development to strengthen economies and create food sustainability, provide outreach services to survivors of human trafficking, and supply pastoral care and advocacy for immigrants and refugees.  By helping the marginalized and impoverished, you give hope to Jesus in disguise.  Please place the special envelope in the regular collection basket next weekend.

 

De Colores!

Cursillo is a weekend learning experience in which participants receive a three-day course in basic Christianity, giving the participants practical insights into the everyday life of faith and service.  The weekend, held at Holy Cross Retreat House at Stonehill College, is a back-to-basics experience that deepens and rounds out what one has learned about Christ earlier in life.  A candidate should be at least 25 years of age.  A person applies for a Cursillo by way of a sponsor- a friend or acquaintance who has made a Cursillo.  If you are interested in making a Cursillo and need a sponsor, you can contact Father Jim or the Holy Cross Retreat House (508-238-2051).

 

The next Cursillo for men is March 25-28, and for women April 22-25.  The program begins on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday evening.  

 

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

 

“Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” (Today’s Second Reading)  Marriage erodes when we take each other for granted.  Hear more about the choices to love that keep marriage strong.  The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends in New England are March 19-21, April 23-25, and May 21-23.  For more info call Ralph & Jane Becker at 1-800-710-WWME or visit www.wwmeMA.org. 

 

ECHO:  Make this Lent your opportunity to deepen your faith and friendship with God.  ECHO is now accepting applications for the last Boys retreat March 26-28 held at the Craigville Conference Center, Centerville until the Fall.  Call Mary Fuller at (508) 759-4265 or download applications at www.echoofcapecod.org.

 

YES! RETREAT:  26 applications are now available at www.fallriverfaithformation.org.  The YES! Retreat is a co-ed retreat experience for Post-Confirmation high school youth.  YES! Will be held April 9-10 at Cathedral Camp in E. Freetown.  If you are a high school youth who is seeking a closer relationship with God through an affirmation of your Confirmation vows, then say YES to this retreat.  For more info, contact Crystal Medeiros at (508) 678-2828 or cmedeiros@dfrcec.com.

 

Special Call to All Widows and Widowers

of Holy Cross Parish

Tuesday, March 30^th, 12:30 p.m., in the Great Room

Kindly bring one of the following:  salad, main course, casserole, or dessert.  Please R.S.V.P. by March 28^th to Julie Smith at     (508) 238-2984 or the parish office at (508) 238-2235.  Come have a pleasant meal with us—no speakers and no lectures, just good food and great company.

 

Friday, March 19, 6 p.m.

“Old Dogs”

This movie is rated PG.  As always, the movie and popcorn are free.  Pizza and a drink can be purchased for $5.  Bring your sleeping bag and a pillow—relax and enjoy the movie!  This month, we will be taking donations for Animal Shelter.  Suggested items are towels and blankets (gently used is fine) and cat or dog toys.

 

Liturgical Ministers March 13^th & 14^th

Lectors                      Altar Servers          Communion

                                                                                         Ministers

4 p.m.: Linda Sullivan                                                  Joe Kennedy

                                                                                      Al Lawrence

                                                                                      Julie Smith

8:30 a.m.: Steve May                                                  Barbara O’Donnell

                                                                                      Isabel Peterson

                                                                                      Sue Sessler

10 a.m.: Mark Bright                                                   Donna Cunha

                                                                                      Bob Cunha

                                                                                      Kristen Denette

5:30 p.m.: Brendan Clifford                                         Rachel Urquhart

                                                                                      Marianna Siquiera

                                                                                      Mark Eaton

 

Be Reconciled to God

On March 19-20, the Diocese of Fall River will be hosting a diocesan wide Reconciliation Weekend.  It is like a multi-hour diocesan-wide penance service occurring simultaneously in all of the parishes of our Diocese, including ours, to provide the opportunity for everyone conveniently to come to receive the gift of God’s Mercy.  Confessions will be heard at our parish on Friday night, March 19, from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, March 20, from 12-3 p.m.  The other parishes in the Taunton Deanery will have the same hours for confessions.  You are welcome to come here or to go to any other Catholic parish.  The Diocese has set up a website, BeReconciledToGod.com, to help you prepare and to let you know the precise times confessions will be heard at each parish.  The website features videos on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sheets on how to make a good confession, answers to frequently-asked questions and more.  Please make plans to come and spread the word of this special outreach of mercy to those you know.

 

“Dishin it Up for the Homeless”

Thursday, March 11^th

This event supports MainSpring House in Brockton.  It will be held at Roche Dining Commons at Stonehill College.  Tickets are $65 each or 10 for $500.  Special guests include:  Jonathan Elias, anchor WBZ-TV and Don McCarthy from Phantom Gourmet.  Local restauraunts include Legal Seafoods and Stoneforge Grill.  Enter the raffle to win (4) Red Sox opening day tickets.  Visit www.helpfbms.org or call 617-376-2255, x235 for more information.

 

Monday, March 8

6:15-7 p.m:.  Brown Bag Lunches

6:30 p.m.:  Auction Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 9

6-8 p.m.:  G.O.L.F. Group 3

7 p.m.:  Bible Study

Wednesday, March 10

6-8 p.m.:  G.O.L.F. Group 4

7 p.m.:  R.C.I.A.

Thursday, March 11

6:30 p.m.:  Bereavement Group

7 p.m.:  Seeking God with Deacon George

Friday, March 12

9:30 a.m.:  Bible Study

7 p.m.:  Stations of the Cross

Saturday, March 13

9 a.m.:  Saturday Morning Rosary

Sunday, March 14

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  G.O.L.F. Group 5,

5:30 to 8 p.m.:  Confirmation Prep,

 

Looking Ahead:

Friday, May 7:  Spring Social and Auction

 

Stations of the Cross on evenings other than Fridays, as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, are celebrated at the following churches in the Taunton Deanery during Lent:

Holy Family, 370 Middleboro Ave, East Taunton

                Stations of the Cross:  Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

                Adoration:  First Fridays:  9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

St Andrew the Apostle Parish, 19 Kilmer Ave, Taunton

                Adoration:  First Fridays:  8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

St Anthony Parish, 126 School Street, Taunton

                Adoration:  Tuesdays:  8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, 209 Pearl Street, Dighton

                Stations of the Cross:  Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Parish, 193 Main Street, North Easton

                Adoration:  First Friday of Month:  9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

St. Ann Parish, 660 North Main Street, Raynham

Adoration:  First Friday/First Saturday  after 7 a.m. mass until 8 a.m. mass on Saturday

 

 

 

 “Night of Irish Music, Laughter, and Dance”

Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m.

Presented by Coyle & Cassidy High School

This event will be held in the McCarty Theater at             2 Hamilton Street in Taunton.  Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for children under 12, and may be purchased in the main office or can be reserved by contacting Mrs. Chaves at (508) 823-6164, x614.

 

Thank you to Megan Campbell, Don Pelletier, Kathy Shubitowski & Julie Tarallo who generously share their talent as cantors at our weekend masses.