The Parish of the Holy Cross

95 Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY 11767 + 631.265.2200 + www.pothc.org

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.

LET ALL BE WELCOMED AS CHRIST!

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 18, 2016

Come and pray with us!

“Beloved: First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, and thanksgivings

be offered for everyone,

for kings and for all in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and tranquil

life in all devotion and dignity.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2

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We are here for you!

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

631.265.2200 + Fax 631.265.2229 + pothc@optonline.net Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 12:15-1:00 PM)

Deacon Ralph Rivera Pastoral Minister

Mrs. Elizabeth Shea Business Manager

Mr. Brian Reich Director of Music Ministry

Mr. Salvatore Finocchiaro Coordinator of Youth Ministries

PASTORAL TEAM

PASTORAL STAFF

Mrs. Jane Wirth Parish Secretary

Mr. Edward Guise Mr. Gerald Farrell Custodians

Mrs. Mary Inghilterra Weekend Sacristan

Mr. James Reiss Religious Education Secretary (hcreled@optonline.net)

Dr. Vincent Mazurek Music Minister

Celebrants for Next Weekend’s Masses

September 24th/25th

5:00 PM Fr. Michael

8:00 AM Fr. Michael

9:30 AM Fr. Michael

11:30 AM Fr. Michael

Scripture Readings for September 25, 2016 + Amos 6:1, 4-7

+ 1 Timothy 6:11-16

+ Luke 16:19-31

Mass Intentions Schedule

Week of September 18th, 9 AM Mass

Mon. Rosemary Kirchoff

Tue. Judy & Kempf family members

Wed. Judy & Kempf family members

Thu. Mrs. Jackson

Saturday, September 24th, 5 PM Mass

Isabella Smith, Antoinette Milone, Frank Maschi,

Lt. Daniel Sulmasy, Vincent Squitieri

Sunday, Sept. 25th, 26th Sun. in Ordinary Time

8:00 AM People of the Parish

9:30 AM Jack Skolnick

11:30 AM Victor Lamarque, Arlene Mooney, Anna

Birkl, Charles Ruoff, Dolly Gallino,

Christopher Robert Maloney, Jack Harris

New Life in Christ New Life in Christ

Almighty and Eternal God, You are the

everlasting health of those who believe in You…

Please pray for those in our parish who are sick,

their families and caregivers:

Philomena Giordano Frances Monaco

Banns of Marriage - First Time Allison Harvey & Joseph Vernaca

Second Time Catherine Manoni & Anthony Luisi

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Celebrating the Spirit by Father Michael

Wednesday was an uplifting day for so many of our families as well as the parish community. It was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is our feast day. And, this year we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for 182 of our young people. It is a marathon of a day, as there are three separate services. We were blessed to have Bishop Nelson Perez with us; he is one of the Auxiliary Bishops of the Diocese. His enthusiasm and spirit truly made for joyful celebrations. A day like this just does not spontaneously happen. For our young people and Catechists, they have been preparing for years. Their families have been committed to the program and have worked hard in doing everything that needs to be done. There are also countless helping hands that come together to accomplish the many tasks. From music to decorating, to hospitality, to serving, we are so grateful for all who made this a wondrous day. Hats off to our Religious Education Office and other staff members who all work together on a day like this. Thank you to all who were part of this day which allowed the Spirit to be celebrated in our community. Financial Peace University started on Thursday with 20 participants. If anyone would like to catch up on the first week and join the program, speak now or for ever hold your peace. Does that line sound reminiscent of a wedding ceremony? Actually, it is not part of the Catholic Marriage Ritual. But, a new translation for marriage has just been issued. The vows themselves have not changed, but there have been modifications in many of the other prayers. The current translation has been in use for all of my priesthood. So, it will take some effort for me to become familiar with the new language used. Deacon Ralph and I will quiz one another to make sure we have things right. Deacon Ralph and I had a successful shopping trip for office furniture last week. A parishioner suggested I look at Habitat for Humanity’s “Restore” Outlet on Ocean Avenue. Our greatest need was for new chairs for our conference table. They had virtually no office furniture available with the exception of a set of chairs which will work well in our conference room. We had to pay the extraordinary price of $5 each! Actually the chairs are sturdy and comfortable, and after a little cleaning up look halfway decent. Somewhere down the road we may need to make a more substantial purchase for other furniture we need, but for the moment these will serve us well at a great price.

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Help Needed!

Our vegetable garden provides wholesome vegetables for those seeking assistance from Parish

Outreach. As we close out the season, we will have a vegetable garden clean-up day to

prepare the garden for the winter/next year.

If you enjoy gardening or are looking for community service hours for

school, join us for our clean-up day on Saturday, September 24th

beginning at 8AM. Our raindate will be Sunday, September 25th starting

at 12 noon. Please bring rakes, shovels, work gloves, etc. We need your

help!

Attention Adults!

Would you like to increase your knowledge of Scripture? Would you like

to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of God’s Word in your

life? Would you like to feel better prepared to hear the Scripture readings

on Sunday? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then join

us for Scripture Study on the 1st and 3

rd Thursdays of each month,

beginning on October 6th, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the Fr. Joe Room.

Please call the parish office to register, or if you have any questions.

RCIA Are you seeking Baptism? Are you a baptized Catholic who never celebrated First

Communion and Confirmation? Have you been baptized in another Christian faith and

now desire to become Catholic?

If your answer is “YES” to any of these questions, we want to hear from

you. The Church gives us a beautiful process called the Rite of Christian

Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those who seek to become fully initiated in

the Catholic Church. This year’s RCIA will be starting soon. If you’re

interested and would like additional information, please contact Jude

Pickel at 631-265-2200 x16.

EVENING SCRIPTURE STUDY

COMMUNITY VEGETABLE GARDEN

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Thank you to all the families who have re-registered their children in our program. We still have families who have not signed up, and our deadline has passed. If you still need to register, please do so as soon as possible. We have started to put classes together. We cannot guarantee your child a placement if we do not have your registration form.

Levels 2 through 7 will begin classes the week of October 17th. Level 7 parents and students will be invited to attend a meeting which will outline the Two Year Confirmation Preparation.

Level 8 will begin classes the week of November 28th. All Level 8 parents and students will be invited to a meeting which will outline the Level 8 year and where students and parents will receive books and an information packet.

Level 1 will begin the week of November 28th. Parents will be invited to a meeting to get the overview of the year and the books for their child.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Catechists Needed!

The Religious Education program is looking for Catechists for all levels to

help in our program. If you have a desire to share your faith with the

children in our parish, please call Ellen Fox, DRE, at 631-265-2200 x12.

Thank you!

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SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION Congratulations to the following children

who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation this week!

Michael Abrams Hannah Ackerman Paige Adamo Michael Agnes Victoria Alcure Nicole Anderson Giavanna Antonacci Michael Aplin Emily Ashby Christian Auriana Rebecca Bandl William Barbera Victoria Benedetto Christopher Biava Amanda Bishop Sarah Boccafola William Boeri Ryan Bompane Michael Bonura William Brennen Andrew Bryan Alexander Butler Julia Buttigieg Conor Calderone Samantha Calia Nikki Capobianco Kasey Capozzoli Jillian Catalano Ryan Catania Jillian Chmela Victoria Coccodrilli Claire Compitello Angelina Conger Anthony Conger Thomas Connor Jeffrey Constantino Nicholas Corsini Kathleen Cosgrove Nicholas Dagnello Sarah D'Agostino Timothy Darress Joseph DeCanio Jessica Degan Joseph DeGregory Sophia DeGuara Michael DiAgostino

Brandon Diaz Peter DiBlasi Gianna DiLeo Jack Dombkowski Lucas Doxsee Daniel Dubilo Teresa Duong Christian Dzurilla Devin Edwards Thomas Ehrhard Andrew Everhart Savannah Farrugia Ian Fernandez Isander Fernandez III Kristin Fischer Lara Fitzpatrick Lindsey Flynn Mackenzie Gail Stephanie Gatto Jake Giglio Gia Giudice Patrick Grasing Matthew Grillo Christopher Guiffre Michaela Hansen Sean Hatzidakis Sean Hauptman Sonja Hecht Kylie Held Nicholas Honan Victoria Hussey Megan Iasenza Matthew Ingraffia John Jaeger Matthew Kalisky Thomas Keenan Davis Kelly Thomas Killeen, Jr. Ryan Klee Jennifer Kruszewski Lexington LaCasse Michael LaCava Jamie Loyst Timothy Lyon Kaia Madigan Kate Manalastas

Chelsea Maresca Nicholle Marshall Jacob Marten Christopher Matula Stephanie Matula Anthony Mauro Justin Mazovec Austin McCutchen Jessica McGuigan Julia McHugh Brian McLean Johnathan Melville Joseph Merlino Ryan Mezzanotte Brianna Milito Luke Minerva Jenna Modugno John Morreale Jr. Genevieve Moulton Kieran Murphy Valerie Nastasi Alexandra Nicholson Eric Nicholson Ryan Nicholson Jordan Nielsen Ryan Nocerino Giovanni Noto Giuseppe Noto Kailin O'Keefe Dylan O'Rourke George Orr Cynthia Papaccio Christina Paraschiv Kaylin Pattona Gabrielle Pawlak Brooke Perez Christina Photos Matthew Pickow Madison Pisotia Thomas Plourde Nicholas Porti Jack Price John Reese Olivia Reimers Emma Rivers Isis Rodriguez

Sabrina Rosado Katelyn Roseman Jessica Rosenberg Caitlin Russell Joseph Saccone Luke Saglimbeni Sabrina Sanicola Diana Scagluso Cassidy Scala Jake Scattareggia Faith Schwarting Molly Sckalor Anthony Serravillo Nicole Serravillo Aidan Shouler Megan Sigismonti Christopher Spenelli Tina Star Christian Talay Anthony Tarquinio Riley Thomas Ashley Tibbetts Leah Tilden Ally Tomasino Justin Toscione Ryan Tozza Danielle Treglia Kaylee Troy Meghan Tully Madison Tutone Skylar Ulrch Bryan Valenti Daniel VanNostrand Ethan VanNostrand Julia VanNostrand Mattea VanNostrand MaZhu VanNostrand Tullio Vitellozzi Claire White Declan Williams Mark Williams Victoria Woolney Madelyn Ziesel Kevin Zimmer

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YOUTH GROUP

Hi Everyone!

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?

If you answered "Yes!" to any one of those questions above, then you MUST

check out the Holy Cross Youth Group! You will be glad you did!

If you made your Confirmation this month, then come on down with a

friend and check out the wonderful opportunities the Youth Group has for

you! We would love to see you!

The Holy Cross Youth Group is the perfect opportunity for you to continue to

grow in your faith and build relationships with others in the parish.

Here are our upcoming youth events and happenings! We are extremely

excited to begin a wonderful year with the Youth Group and the amazing

individuals who are a part of it! :-) Take a look:

9/17 - 9/18: Youth Fall Plant Sale! Come and support the Youth Group as

you have the opportunity to buy beautiful flowers and plants for this upcoming

Fall season.

9/18: 11:30AM Youth Mass with the Core Band! Youth Group

Kick-off will follow 12:30 - 2:30PM! The event is located in the

atrium of the church.

9/25: Youth Night, 6 - 8PM! The youth night is located in the atrium of the

church.

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 concerns, or if you are thinking about joining us

and you would like more information, then please do not hesitate to contact Sal

Finocchiaro, Coordinator of Youth Ministries, at HCyouthgroup@hotmail.com

or call the parish office. :-)

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YOUTH GROUP

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WOMEN’S ENRICHMENT

Save the Date!

Women’s Enrichment

Presents

“Footprints in the Sand”

All Ladies are welcome to attend

an inspiring retreat day

Saturday, October 22 from 10:00am to 3:15pm

SEMINARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Join Bishop William Murphy and the Friends of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception

for a Celebration of Priesthood from the Joyful Enthusiasm of the First Days

to the Witness of Priestly Fidelity through the Years

Immaculate Conception Medal

Rev. Msgr. James McNamara ‘71

Te Deum Dinner “Thee, O God, we praise”

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Vespers at 4:00PM Cocktails & Dinner Commemorative Journal

Reservations Required $100 per Guest

“Supporting our seminarians, our future priests.”

For Additional Information, Reservations, Journal & Sponsorship

Opportunities contact the Seminary Development Office

440 West Neck Road, Huntington, NY 11743

631.423.0483 x102 bmalone@icseminary.edu

will be honored along with three

newly ordained priests: Revs. Jiha

Lim, Steve Maddaloni and Daniel

Rivera.

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CASH CALENDAR

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Saturday, September 17th 5:00 PM Mass YOUTH GROUP PLANT SALE Atrium

Sunday, September 18th All Masses

YOUTH GROUP PLANT SALE Atrium HOSPITALITY MEETING 10:30AM Conference Rm. YOUTH GROUP KICK-OFF 12:30-2:30PM Atrium

Monday, September 19th 1:30 & 7:00 PM

LEVELS 3 & 4 CATECHIST MTG. Atrium

Tuesday, September 20th 7:00 PM LEVELS 3 & 4 CATECHIST MTG. Atrium CHOIR 7:15PM Worship Area PRE-CANA COMM. MTG. 7:30PM Chapel

Wednesday, September 21st 11AM - 2:30PM

SENIORS Atrium VISIONING MEETING 7PM Fr. Joe Room

Thursday, September 22nd 7:15 PM

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY Chapel

Saturday, September 24th 8:00 AM VEGETABLE GARDEN CLEAN-UP Comm. Garden WOMEN’S ENRICHMENT 10AM Sacristy

Sunday, September 25th 1:00 PM

BAPTISMS Worship Area YOUTH NIGHT 6-8PM Atrium

MEETINGS THIS WEEK

This weekend at the offertory we

will also be collecting for our

Repairs and Major

Renovations fund. Thank you

for your support of this

collection!

Next weekend, we will be collecting for St. Pius X

Enriched Living Facility. This collection

supports the needs of our priests in the Diocese of

Rockville Centre who reside there. Please

demonstrate your love and thanks by supporting

this collection!

CATHOLIC

HIGH SCHOOLS

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS COMMUNITY NEWS

Retrouvaille 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. For confidential information about

the Retrouvaille program, 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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