Dear Friends,

 

Last Saturday afternoon I was in the reconciliation room reading the diocesan newspaper The Anchor (not enough business that afternoon!), when a parishioner stuck his head into the room and said, “Great paper.  I read it every week.” I agree, and I do as well. 

 

The Anchor is an important means by which we stay informed of news that ordinarily doesn’t make it into the mainstream press.  It can be an important counterbalance to the secular press that at times distorts or ignores important news items concerning religion, faith, and the Catholic Church. 

 

It is the primary means by which we learn what is happening in the Diocese of Fall River.  The paper gives us a glimpse of the pastoral ministry of Bishop Coleman as our diocesan shepherd.  For example, the past few issues included articles on his ordination of a new transitional deacon for the diocese, his visit to a soup kitchen at one of the New Bedford parishes, and his Christmas message to the diocese.  The Anchor likewise covers activities occurring with the diocese, such as an article on the first six months of the new diocesan superintendant of schools, the Come Follow Me retreat for young adults, and improvements to the weekly diocesan TV mass. There are a number of columns written by members of the diocese, both laypersons and clergy, focusing on a variety of subject matter: editorials, weekly homilies, catechesis, spirituality, and general musings. 

 

The paper also has important news stories on the national and international levels concerning the Catholic Church and related topics of interest.  Recent articles have included the federal mandate that all heath plans include coverage for contraceptives and sterilizations, recent occurrences affecting the church in the Mideast, Supreme Court rulings impacting religious liberty, the pope’s naming of 22 new cardinals, the new “ordinariate” for former Anglican priests and laity joining the Catholic Church, and the Congregation of Holy Cross’ Year of the Brother in celebration of the canonization of Brother André Bessette, C.S.C. 

 

The paper is a rich source of coverage of teachings and pronouncements from Pope Benedict as our supreme shepherd and from the Vatican.  Recent articles have covered his statements on the Eucharist as a source of strength for the tired and lost, the importance of praise, thanks, and trust in prayer, the threat of “radical secularism” to the core values of American culture, and the upcoming Year of Faith as an opportunity for catechesis in the church.

 

At times there is even coverage of Holy Cross Parish in The Anchor, such as the two issues this past month that featured Claire Smith and Rob Tarallo as persons of the week, with wonderful full-page articles on their involvement in our parish.  

 

I strongly urge all parishioners to subscribe to The Anchor, and to make the time in your busy schedules to read it in order to stay informed. 

 

Yours in Holy Cross,

 

Father Jim 

 

Question of the Month for February

 

When have I witnessed the healing works of God in my own life?

 

You are invited to use this question for personal and/or family reflection during the month.  Parish groups are reminded to begin one meeting this month with a five to ten minute shared reflection on this question.

At times the families of Holy Cross parishioners who have passed away request that gifts in their memories be made to Holy Cross Parish.  These gifts are then used for special projects in the parish.  This is a wonderful way to honor someone active in our parish at their passing.  We invite you to consider remembering Holy Cross Parish in this way in your funeral arrangements or at the death of a loved one who is a parishioner of Holy Cross.  Your thoughtfulness and generosity will help us continue to minister to the needs of our parishioners and the wider community. 

 

We need your assistance in order to offer the Father-Daughter Dance, scheduled for this March.  Please attend the next meeting of the Church Family Life Commission on Monday, February 13^th at 7:00 p.m.  We need the involvement of several more parishioners to sponsor this dance. 

 

Gluten Free Hosts are available at all Sunday masses for those severely allergic to gluten.  If a deacon is distributing communion, he will have a pix inside his communion plate with the glutton free hosts.  If there is no deacon, the priest presiding at the mass will have them.  When you approach for communion, point to the pix or ask for a glutton free host, and the deacon/priest will open the pix for you to take the host yourself so that it is not cross contaminated by his fingers distributing the regular hosts. 

 

Monday, February 6

6:15-7 p.m.:  Confirmation Program Brown Bag Lunches

7 p.m.:  Pastoral Council meeting

Tuesday, February 7

7 p.m.:  Youth Ministry Life Night

7 p.m.:  Bible Study

Wednesday, February 8

6 p.m.:  Children’s Choir Rehearsal

7 p.m.:  Friends on a Journey

7-8:30 p.m.:  Teen Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, February 9

9 a.m.:  Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

7-8:30 p.m.:  Adult Choir Rehearsal

Friday, February 10

9:30 a.m.:  Bible Study

Saturday, February 11

8:30 a.m.  Saturday Morning Rosary

10 a.m.:  Baptism Prep

10 a.m.:  Worship & Spirituality Commission meeting

Sunday, February 12

9:30 a.m.:  Faith Formation, Section 2

12-2 p.m.:  GOLF Family Lenten Mini-Retreat, Section 1

4-5:30 p.m.:  Teen Choir Rehearsal

4:30 p.m.:  Grades 7 & 8 Faith Formation

5:30 p.m.:  Confirmation Preparation

Looking Ahead

February 27-30:  Lenten Mission

Friday, March 23:  Father-Daughter Dance, 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, April 19:  Family Games Night, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 29:  Sacrament of Confirmation, 5:30 p.m.

 

"Let's make this year's Lenten season really matter!"

Family Lenten Mini-Retreat (GOLF)

Section 1:   February 12^th, 12-2 p.m.

Section 2:  February 26^th, 12-2 p.m.

All are welcome!!

classes will be held on the second Saturday of each month in the Parish Center, at 10 a.m. You must pre-register and the cost is $45 per person.  Call or e-mail Ginny Croak to register or for more information: vcroak@holycrosseaston.org;             508-238-2235 ext. 116.  The next class is February 11^th. 

 

Thank you to Claire McGuire, Tim Meyers, and Claire Smith, members of God Squad #1, for the care they take in keeping our church clean and neat.  We appreciate your hard work very much!

 

MainSpring Homeless Shelter

Tuesday, February 14^th

Please bring your donation to the church kitchen between 1 and      3 p.m. on February 14^th.  This month’s dinner will be Potluck.

 

Why:  To provide a dinner for the homeless

What:  Chicken pieces, meatloaf, ham, pork, casseroles, ie. macaroni and cheese, chili, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage pepper and onion, chicken and broccoli, etc., baked potatoes, tossed salad, fresh fruit, canned vegetables and dessert.

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

Concerns:  Please call Jeannine Donovan 508.238.4509 or Claire Smith 508.238.1899.  Thank you in advance for your contribution.

 

Youth Ministry News

Youth Minister: John Barata

jbarata@holycrosseaston.org, www.holycrosseaston.org

February 7:  Life Night:  We will look to Christ to be our example on how we can live our lives in today’s society.  We will take scripture and apply it to our everyday life.  Some topics will include humility, temptation, depression, chastity, and the mass.  Great discussion and fun with great friends.

February 14:  Pizza and Prayer

 

Mario’s Trattoria and Porticello’s will donate 10% of net sales from receipts generated by our parishioners.  Just drop the receipts in the collection basket. 

Thank you!

The Health Ministry will be performing blood pressure screenings after the 4 p.m., 8:30 a.m., and 10 a.m. masses next weekend.

 

Widows and Widowers

Tuesday, February 21^st, 1 p.m.

Great Room – Parish Center

Kindly bring one of the following:  Salad, main course, casserole, or dessert.  Please R.S.V.P. by February 20^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 or lectures, just good food and great company.

 

 

February 11^th & 12^th

Lectors                      Altar Servers          Communion

                                                                                         Ministers

4 p.m.:   Kara Lawrence        Lily Williams         Brenda Sullivan

                Carl Lacivita            Nick Williams        Chino Angeles

                                                                     Michele Azevedo

                                                                                     Julie Smith

   Mary Cleary

8:30 a.m.: Brian Sheehan     Liam McMorrow  Bill VanLaarhoven

   Virginia Polanski  Veronica Connly  Maura Carney

                                                                                     R. Durgin-King

                                                     Kevin Eaton

                                                                                     Margaret Eaton

10 a.m.::  Tom Murray          Kylee Gleason       Paul Giorgio

                  Dick Piecewicz       Alexa Smith           Joanne Hatfield

                                                                                     Frank Long

                                                                                     Hugh McLaughlin

                                                                                     Frank Paul

                                                                                     Denise Urquhart

                                                                                     Bill Urquhart

5:30 p.m.:  Brendan Clifford                                Tatianna Hunter

                                                                                    John Barata

                                                                                    Alaina Chmielinski

                                                                                    Brandon Hamel

                                                                                    Alicia Coleman

 

St. Mary’s Education Fund

The Diocese of Fall River is once again, through the St. Mary’s Education Fund, making “need-based” scholarships available for the 2012-2013 school year.  Students presently enrolled, or who are registered for the 2012-2013 school year in one of the 21 Diocesan elementary or middle schools, are eligible to apply.  Any parent interested in having their child attend one of the Catholic elementary or middle schools in the Diocese of Fall River should contact the principal of the school in which they have interest.  Once accepted and registered they may apply for this “need-based” scholarship aid.  Applications may be obtained at any of the schools.

Sacred Hearts Retreat/Spirituality Center and the Office of Faith Formation will be offering two retreats, one for men and one for women.  The retreats entitled “Walking on Water – with Feet of Clay!” will be guided by Fr. Stan Kolasa, SSCC and Deacon Bruce Bonneau at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham.  The men’s retreat will be held February 10^th – 12^th.  The women’s retreat will be held February 17^th – 19^th.  For more info call                508-295-0100 or visit www.fallriverfaithformation.org. 

 

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.  

 

 

Be sure to visit our Health Ministry Resource Center located in the vestibule of the church side entrance leading to the parish center.  You will find literature on health care issues, and can also pick up a prayer shawl for yourself or someone in need.  Care Notes are also available in the magazine rack in the church vestibule.

 

 

The next CORI training session here at Holy Cross is February 13^th at 7 p.m.

 

Friends in Faith

Friends in Faith will meet on Sunday, February 19 at 11 a.m., in the parish center library to plan events for the next several months. If you are a widow, divorced, single, and over 40 years old, please consider joining our ministry to meet friends and for Christian fellowship. For further information please call Janis Gilson at   508-238-1774.

February is Heart Disease Awareness Month. More women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.  But 80 percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women made the right choices for their heart involving diet, exercise, and avoidance of smoking. 

 

Heart Attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot.  If the clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die.

 

Signs of a Heart Attack:

1.  Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest.  It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

2.  Pain of discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

3.  Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

4.  Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

 

If you are having any of these signs, don't wait for more than five minutes before calling for help.  Call 911.  Get to a hospital right away.

 

Thanks to the American Heart Association’s website  www.goredforwomen.org