OUR LADY OF THE CROSS PARISH HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS SEPTEMBER 3, 2017
Page 2 PARISH STAFF Pastor Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv. pastor@ourladyofthecross.com Parochial Vicar Fr. Andrzej Brzezinski, OFM Conv. pvicar@ourladyofthecross.com Secretary Linnea Williamson parish@ourladyofthecross.com Bookkeeper Sr. Christine Mumbi, FMSA bookkeeper@ourladyofthecross.com Director of Religious Education Dorothea MacNeil dre@ourladyofthecross.com (413) 244-6546 Music Director Joe DiMarino jdimarino@ourladyofthecross.com (508) 517-2032 Mater Dolorosa Cemetery Theresa Szumski (413) 532-7889 Mater Dolorosa School Principal Linda Rex mrs.rex@materdolorosaschool.org (413) 532-2831 Maintenance Robert Maziarz & Mike Rodgers Parish Child Advocate Marybeth Kass (413) 313-6118 FRIARY 23 Sycamore St. (413) 536-8832 Br. Frank Grimaldi, OFM Conv. Ext. 209 Fr. Stanley Sobiech, OFM Conv. Ext. 212 Fr. Ben Fagone, OFM Conv. Ext. 203 Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv. Ext. 207 Fr. Andrzej Brzezinski, OFM Conv. Ext. 201 Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts WELCOME We extend a warm welcome to all who are visiting our church! If you attend Our Lady of the Cross regularly and consider this your parish, please take a moment to register by contacting the parish office. MASS SCHEDULE Monday - Saturday: 8:30 am Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am (Polish), 10:30 am CONFESSIONS Monday - Saturday: 8:00 am Saturday 3:15 pm OFFICE INFORMATION Phone Number (413) 532-5661 Fax Line (413) 532-7889 Website www.ourladyofthecross.com Parish Office Address 15 Maple St. Holyoke, MA 01040 OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 1:30 pm MUSIC FOR WEEKEND MASSES (All selections found in Seasonal Missalette) Entrance: Lift High the Cross - 343 Gloria: 170, page 184 Liturgy of the Word: page 24 Offertory: Where Charity and Love Prevail - 346 Holy, Holy: 152, page 176 Memorial Acc. B: 154 Amen: 156 Lamb of God: 157 Communion: Gift of Finest Wheat - 227 Recessional: There s a Wideness in God s Mercy - 333
September 3, 2017 Page 3 Dear Good People of Our Lady of the Cross, Mater Dolorosa School: It is Tuesday as I type this article and today was the first day of school. As I made a visit to each classroom, most of the students seemed to be excited to be back in school. The teachers seemed to be excited as well! The Pre-School students do not begin until Thursday. I am sure it may be a little more difficult for a few of them to come to school. Please keep our students and faculty in your prayers as they begin another school year. And, if you know of anyone who may be looking for a Catholic school for their child, please recommend Mater Dolorosa. Annual Fund: As of today the Mater Dolorosa School Annual Fund has received $2,665.00 in contributions. This is short of our goal of $5,000.00 in order to receive the matching grant of $5,000.00 from Michele and Donald D Amour. If you haven t yet made a donation, would you please consider doing so today? Thank you for your kind consideration! With Heartfelt Thanks: Since the publication of last Sunday s bulletin, two additional donations were made to our parish in honor of Barbara Bernard. I would like to thank Kevin & Erica Lumb and Rosalie Kelley for their generosity. I am grateful for their kindness. Petition: As you know, we have started a petition expressing our opposition to the proposal to make the former Mater Dolorosa church/friary a single building historic district. So far, 225 individuals have signed this petition. Please consider signing the petition today. Remember, there are actually two petitions: one for Holyoke residents and the other for those who live outside Holyoke. Thank you! Update on Statues: Sarah Miele has finished painting the statues of the Pieta, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua that were removed from the former Mater Dolorosa church. Sarah did an amazing job and the statues look beautiful. The statues of St. Francis and St. Anthony will be placed in the vestibule soon. The Pieta will be placed in the church once a base has been made for it. Thank you Sarah, for a job well done! Social Center: In response to my request last weekend for volunteers willing to help with a few cleaning projects in the Social Center, several parishioners came forward. I am grateful to those who volunteered. It certainly makes a difference when many individuals are able to help with a project. During the summer, we cleaned out a couple of the storage rooms in the Social Center. You would be amazed by the amount of junk that we found. Our custodians made several trips to the scrap metal facility in order to recycle some things. Other items will be put in our next Tag Sale. Still other items ended up in the dumpster. I hope to work on other rooms in the Social Center in the coming months. Grounds Crew: I would like to thank the members of our Grounds Crew who continue to take care of our property. You may have noticed that the Christmas tree on the front lawn of the church was recently trimmed and the last of the mulch was spread. And of course, the weeds continue to be pulled. I have received many compliments this summer on the beautiful appearance of our grounds. Peace, FR. ALBERT Attention Eucharistic Ministers There are still a few Eucharistic Ministers who have not been recertified. If you have not been recertified in the past three years, classes are taking place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby on September 21 & 28 from 6:00 8:00 pm. If you are interested in attending these classes, please contact the parish office for a registration form. There is an additional class for Eucharistic Ministers who bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound on October 11. Attention Lectors Classes are being offered on October 5 & 12 for Lectors who are looking for brush up training or who would like to become a Lector at Mass. Please contact the parish office for a registration form. Mater Dolorosa School Mass Once a month the students of Mater Dolorosa School gather together for Mass. Every grade with the help of their teacher takes a turn planning and preparing the Mass. On Thursday, September 7, at 9:30 am the students and faculty will have their first Mass of the new school year. All parishioners are most welcome to attend the School Mass. The Mass will take place in the school gym. (Please use the Social Center doors).
Page 4 SACRAMENTS Baptisms Baptisms are normally celebrated the last Sunday of the month at 11:30 am. New parents and godparents need to attend a Baptism preparation class on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. Please call the parish office to register. Sponsor Policy Godparents/sponsors must be at least 16 years old, confirmed and actively participating in their Catholic faith through weekly attendance at Mass and following the teachings of the Church. If you require a sponsor certificate, you must be a registered parishioner. Reconciliation (Confession) Daily: 8:00 am, Saturday 3:15 pm Or anytime by appointment Matrimony Please call the parish office at least one year prior to the wedding date. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) The RCIA is for anyone interested in becoming a Catholic and also for Catholics who have not received their First Communion or been confirmed. Anointing of the Sick Anointing of the Sick (previously referred to as Last Rites ) is not restricted to those who are near death. This sacrament is best received when a person is conscious and able to participate and should not be delayed. Anyone seriously ill, anticipating surgery or weakened due to illness or advanced age, homebound or in a nursing home is encouraged to receive this sacrament. On the second Saturday of the month after the vigil Mass, individuals who are in need of this sacrament may be anointed. Ministry of Care Please inform us if you or someone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital. Also let us know if a loved one is in a nursing facility. Parishioners who are sick or homebound may receive the sacrament of the sick or Holy Communion. Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts With Heartfelt Gratitude We would like to express our gratitude to the following individuals for their generous contributions to our Building Renovation Fund: In Memory of +Stasia Krok Polish Women s Alliance Group 141 Alfred & Deborah Goerlach The Katz Family Gloria & Jordan Koltz Joseph & Christine Kos Richard Kos Joan & Tom Kudla Darlene Lenza Alice Manijak The Marcus Family Genevieve Milewski Genevieve Paszko Jessica Pokora Walter & Carol Ros Edward Rybak Mr. & Mrs. Jozef Szmyd David Wernick The Wernick Family Hurricane Harvey "This past weekend the people on the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast region suffered tremendous devastation as a result of Hurricane Harvey. Even as I write this, the impact is still being felt through record torrential rain fall. The cleanup from this storm will take years and will be a tremendous challenge for many of the residents. As always, Catholic Charities USA stands ready to assist those whose lives have been adversely impacted, both in the short term and over the many years it will certainly take to realize full recovery. The Catholic community of western Massachusetts has always responded to these tragic situations with great generosity, and I hope we can be counted upon once again. To lend your support we've put a direct link to Catholic Charities USA, Hurricane Harvey relief efforts on our diocesan website, www.diospringfield.org. This is the best, fastest and most direct way to get help to this region. You may also donate through area Catholic parishes or directly to our diocesan office, Diocese of Springfield/Hurricane Harvey PO Box 1730 Springfield, MA 01102-1730 - please make checks payable directly to Catholic Charities USA with Hurricane Harvey in the memo line. We will ensure all checks are forwarded to Catholic Charities USA. Most importantly, whether you are in a position to donate or not, please keep our brothers and sisters, those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, foremost in your thoughts and prayers." Bishop Mitchell Rozanski
September 3, 2017 Page 5 Date Mass Intentions Saturday, September 2 4:00 pm Blessings for Nader, Nowak & Niesner Families From: Christine & Michael Nader Sunday, September 3 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am Birthday Blessings for Dr. Geoffrey Walford From: Grandmother, Barbara Bernard +Tomasz Rzasa From: Genowefa Nawolski +Patrick & Rose O Neill-Dean Monday, September 4 8:30 am Birthday Blessings & Health for Timothy McNally Tuesday, September 5 8:30 am +Dennis Asselin (1st Anniv.) From: Wife, Theresa & Family +Jan & Peter Ejsmont Wednesday, September 6 8:30 am +William J. Dean III, MD +John & Joan Hogan From: Cousin, Joanne Dennis Thursday, September 7 8:30 am +John Woods From: Children & their Families Friday, September 8 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Saturday, September 9 St. Peter Claver 8:30 am +Fr. Roch Ciandella From: Dorothea MacNeil 8:30 am 4:00 pm +Bernard Danek From: Wife +Edward Jablonski From: Ed & Terry Sunday, September 10 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 am 9:00 am 10:30 am Birthday Blessings for Mrs. Nicole Mills Walford From: Grandmother-in-law, Barbara Bernard +Andrew & Marta Legowski From: Daughter & Family +Maureen Cloutier Congratulations to Dillon Algoy & Meghan O Brien who were married on September 2, 2017! Coffee, Donuts & Fellowship Our monthly Coffee Hour returns next Sunday after each Mass! This is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with friends and begin new friendships. There is no charge but a free will offering will be gladly accepted to help defray the cost of the donuts. Hope to see you there! SCRIPTURE READINGS 3 SUNDAY Jer 20:7-9/Rom 12:1-2/Mt 16:21-27 4 Monday 1 Thes 4:13-18/Lk 4:16-30 5 Tuesday 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11/Lk 4:31-37 6 Wednesday Col 1:1-8/Lk 4:38-44 7 Thursday Col 1:9-14/Lk 5:1-11 8 Friday Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30/Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23 9 Saturday Col 1:21-23/Lk 6:1-5 The Altar Candle is burning the week of September 3 for J.J.S.J.D.J.
Page 6 DEVOTIONS Monday Saturday: 7:50 am - Divine Mercy Chaplet 8:05 am - Rosary Eucharistic Adoration Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help Every Saturday after the 8:30 Mass Divine Mercy Devotion 1 st Sunday of month 2:00 pm Exposition; 3:00 pm Chaplet & Benediction Parish Office Closed In observance of Labor Day, the parish office is closed Monday, September 4. Our Lady of the Cross Parish, Holyoke, Massachusetts Offertory Collection August 27 First Collection: 205 Envelope Users: $4,219.00 Loose Money: $380.00 13 Envelopes Mailed: $538.00 TOTAL: $5,137.00 Milk Money: $68.00 Generous parishioners, we thank you! This Week at Our Lady of the Cross September 3: 2:00 pm Exposition 3:00 Divine Mercy Devotions September 6: 4:00 7:00 pm Spaghetti Supper September 7: 9:30 am MD School Mass 6:30 pm Fall Festival Meeting 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal September 9: 5:00 pm Anointing of the Sick September 10: 2:30 UNITAS Meeting 3:00 pm Polish Divine Mercy EWTN Television Schedule The EWTN Highlights for September November are now available in the church vestibule. Please help yourself! We're back! The MD School PTO is hosting its first seasonal spaghetti supper on Wednesday, September 6 from 4:00-7:00 pm, and all are welcome! Adults are $6, and kids from 5-12 are $3 (under 5 yrs. is free). Dinners include spaghetti with homemade sauce, salad and garlic bread. In addition, you may purchase meatballs, sausage, cake and beer/ wine/soda/milk. Please join us for dinner at the St. John Paul II Social Center. Choir Rehearsal Resumes The first choir rehearsal of the fall season will take place on Thursday, September 7 in the church choir room from 7-8:30pm. Members of the choir sing each week at the Saturday 4 pm Mass, the Sunday 7:30am Mass, and the Sunday 10:30 am Mass. New members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining the choir, please attend the rehearsal. OLC Prayer Meeting Date: Sunday, September 10 Time: 7:00 pm Place: Parish Hall All are welcome, please join us! Fall Festival Meeting On Thursday, September 7 at 6:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Fall Festival Committee. ALL parishioners are invited to attend this planning meeting and new ideas are always welcome. So far we are off to a great start with our planning. Look for NEW games and booths ~ and great prizes! Mater Dolorosa Church Tour of its Campus & Neighborhood Presented by Robert Comeau Hosted by the Historical Commission Saturday, September 9 from 2:00-3:20 pm Tour will meet in front of MD Church on Lyman St. The MD campus had two churches and three schools on its grounds. This is because it had the original Perpetual Help Church along its northern edge. The tour route will proceed north along Maple St. to its end at Pulaski Park and then reverse its course and return along the other side of the street. All are welcome!