PARISH PASTORAL STAFFRev. John D. Gabin PastorDeacon Robert FrankenbergerDeacon Joseph N. GousieSr. Loretta Saudarg, RSM Business ManagerSr. Mary Carmela, RSM Pastoral MinisterMrs. Maureen Ward , PrincipalMrs. Kelly Meliti Director of Religious EducationMr. Timothy Reilly Music Coordinator

651 East Springfield Road • Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064ffiARCf.> 26, 2017 • YOUR1'f.> SuiidAY OY uEH1'" ' -,_"":. -

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERSBusiness Office I Rectory 610-626-3321 • 610-626-3322Parish School 610-626-1709Religious Education 610-626-1057Convent 610-626-2491Pastoral Min ister 610-626-8266Website www.holycrosscatholics.orgE-mail contactus@holycrosscatholics.org

MASS SCHEDULESaturday Evening: 4:30 PMSunday, Upper Church: 8:30 and 11:00 AM

Holy Day: 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM

Weekday: 8:'30 AM

CONFESSIONSSaturday, Lower Church: 3:30 to 4: 15 PM

MARRIAGE POLICYArrangements are made directly with the Parish Priests, withinsix months before the intended wedding date. Weddings arereserved for active parishioners. Pre-Cana Session is required.Please call Rectory for appointment with Parish Priests. Ournext Pre-Cana day will be on March 25, 2017. To register, callBill & Nicole @ 610-626-8486.

VISITATION TO SICK AND INFIRMPlease call the Rectory or Sister Mary Carmela, PastoralMinister, when a parishioner is hospitalized or homebound.

REGISTRATIONSBy Appointment. All Catholics living in the parish shouldregister at the Rectory. Please call Parish Office to make anappointment with one of the Parish Priests.

BAPTISM POLICYBaptisms are celebrated every Sunday, except for the firstSunday of the month, at 12:00 PM. Please call the rec-tory at 610-626-3321 to set up an appointment with a Priest.First time parents and godparents are required to attend aBaptism Preparation Session. Only when Certificates of Eli-gibility from godparents are presented, then a date for thebaptism can be set.

The Baptism Preparation Sessions are held the first Sundayof the month at 12:00 PM in the Upper Church, with registra-tion required. To register, please call the parish secretaryduring regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AMto 4:00 PM). Registration must be made prior to the last Fri-day of the month. If no registrations are received, a sessionmay not be held.

BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS(Entrance through the middle, rear door of the Church)Monday - Friday Only: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed for Lunch12-1 PM); Closed Saturday and Sunday

VOLUNTEERHall. So we car cr..:--Easter Sunday.Ap" _= 'D'J....

box. Please come and e

E "arm below and retur" •• ....... sr~office orthe rectorvcrcc-

Holy Cross Parisb - == -.osting a clothing c~April 1, from 9:00 ,:.c !..1lO PM.

- Saturday,

The Society of 5:. --7:- =: ?aul will be US;"g-= S!!"' __ .eLook for the G "" the church 0'= :-:g ct .. __ _ ..

WWW.gog~ Tc iearn more abo :::=~::-a-c=:~o e items, visit

__.....,._ae:s:: gogreendrop.com

------------------------------------------VOLUNTEER APPRECIA TJON DINNER

NAME

_&.-IilA;n'D 'S OR MINISTRIES

MONDAY MARCH 27

8:30AM Sam Forlano

TUESDAY MARCH 28

8:30AM Jean Gullo

WEDNESDAY MARCH 29

8:30AM John Kirsch

THURSDAY MARCH 30

8:30AM Sam Whalen

FRIDAY MARCH 31

8:30AM Nicole Guisti Wingate

7:00 PM Stations of the Cross

SATURDAY APRil 1

8:30AM Bob Miller

NEXT WEEKEND MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY

4:30 PMAPRil 1

Di Nicola Family

SUNDAY

8:30AM

APRil 2

Richard G. Waters, Sr.

Richard G. Waters, Jr.

Michael J. Waters

People of Holy Cross11:00 AM

I Xemember ~" Our Sick R"

Dr. Joseph Armeo Kendall lambert

Dorothy Baxter Rose leto

Bob Cassidy Patricia lyons

Stephen Collins linda Marandola

Sharon Diemer Joanne Marks

Cornelius Dunleavy Catherine McNulty

Dorothy Eberhard Thomas Miller

Mary Ann Farrell lynn Neary

Margaret Goate Frances O'Caliaghan

Michele Goff Eve Palermo

Carolyn Henderson Florence Palmer

Steven Henderson laurann E. Paquier

Francis Romano Charlie Radcliffe

Harry Iezzi Joseph Sindoni

Carole Kime Adeline Sulpizio

Mary Kull Nadia Waltanski

Frank Zelenkowski

KNIGHTS OFCOLUMBUSPANCAKE

BREAKFAST

The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Semi-Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held onSunday, April 2, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.Tickets for the breakfast will be $7 for Adultsand $6 for children (12 and under). There willbe advance discounted tickets sold at $6 foradults and $5 for children (12 and under).Advance tickets will be sold after all Massesthis weekend, March 25 and 26. Tickets willalso be available from any of the Knightsbefore April 2.

He 024 2

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 changed the way many Americans sawthe world. Our children now grow up in a world filled with terrorism.

It is interesting how the most profound changes in our way of thinking and behavingcome from crisis and tragedy. Not only are there crises that affect us as a nation, there arepersonal crises as well, such as serious illness, injury, job loss, financial desperation, familycrises and death. All of these things can affect our vision of life.

In today's Gospel, Our Lord was not only facing a critical moment, Hewas creatingone as we". It was thought then that human disabilities and illness were punishments fromGod for sin. Jesussought to change this thinking by restoring a man's sight.

The real miracle for the blind man was not that he could now see the world, it wasthat he could now see sin. He could see jealousy in his neighbor, hypocrisy in his leaders andfear in his parents. All this because he had come to see Jesus.

Becauseof this miracle, we should now be able to see sin as well. But we still mayexcuse ourselves of wrongdoing or not doing what we could and should. And we may easilyand quickly blame and accuseothers and pretend bl1ndnessfor ourselves instead of tryingto help others with problems.

For example, many still blame the poor for their own poverty instead of trying tocreate a job or offer a job or train a person for a job.

We may see marriages that could get into trouble or see friends involved inimmoral behavior and lifestyles and say nothing.

We are called to walk in the light of faith - a light that warms and dispels thedarkness, a light that seesthe beauty and goodness of God's love, a light that enables usto see and live and share the truth.

THE CATHOUC STANDARD AND TIMES??

The Archdiocese is considering resuming a print publication containing local Church news thatwould come out every other week. The subscription rate would be $40 to $50 annually, 1/ youthink you would subscribe to a regular archdiocesan publication, please call or email the rectory(610-626-3321) to say that you are interested in a print publication.

FREE MOVIE NIGHTTHE SPRINGFIELD PARISHES PRO-LIFE GROUP PRESENTS THE MOVIE

"VOICELESS" {PG-13} FRIDA)j APRIL 7, AT 8:00 PM, IN CONWAY HALL,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH, 136 SAXER AVENUE, SPRINGFiElD.

ADMISSION IS FREE! BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS. DOORS OPEN AT

7:30 PM. DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THE DELAWARE COUNTY

PREGNANCY CENTER IN CHESTER. HC 024 3

Three Parish Book Club

Meets Last Wednesday of the Month

7:00PM

At The Holy Cross Parish CenterIf you like to read, please join us on March 29 forcoffee, tea, cocoa, and conversation. We will bediscussing, The Wisdom of the Beguines: TheForgotten Story of a Medieval Women'sMovement. You need not have read the book toattend.

Upcoming Book Club Selections:

April: Make Roomfor God:Clearing Out the Clutter by

Susan K. Rowland

May: My Life With the Saints by

James Martin, S.J.

June: Fatima for Today by

Andrew Apostoli C.F.R.

For more information, call

Joyce VanBerg at 610-328-20950

STATIONSOF THE CROSS-LENTEN FRIDAY EVENINGS

7:00 PM - HOLYCROSS

ST. KEVIN KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

St. Kevin Knights of Columbus (Our Lady of Lourdes)are having their annual Easter "Captain ChuckyBrand" Crab Cake Sale. Pre-paid orders can be sentto: AI Porrini, 122 Harned Road, Springfield, PA19064 or calling him at: 610-543-4851 or emailto:albporri@aol.com. We offer CRAB CAKES AT$5.50 each (sold only in boxes of 4,6, or 12), CRABBALL APPETIZERSAT $15 per bag (50 per bag),CRAB MARINARA SAUCE at $13 per quart, andMARYLAND CRABSOUP AT $10 per quart. Pick-upfor orders is Wednesday, April 5, from 4:15-7:00PM at the St. Kevin Parish Life Center. Thank youvery much for your support.

* Tuesday, March 28, fifth Delaware CountryLenten Presentation on the Rosary, 7:00 PM, atOur Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Morton. Theevening will include a talk by a guest priest, EveningPrayer, Benediction and a social.

* Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) --Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:00 PM at St. Kevin Parish(except for April 5, see below) and from 6:30 - 7:00 PMat St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Saturdays: 3:00 - 3:45 PMat both St. Francis of Assisi and St. Kevin Parishes, 3:30-4:15 PM at Holy Cross Parish.

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE- St. Francis ofAssisi and St. Kevin Parishes, Wednesday, April5, at 7:00 PM - held at St. Francis of Assisi Church.* Stations of the Cross, Friday afternoons:

1:30 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Parish and2:00 PM at St. Kevin Parish.

* Friday evenings: 7:00 PM at St. Francis of AssisiParish.

** Special Presentation - LIVING STATIONS atSt. Francis of Assisi Church - Friday, April 7,at 12:30 PM and Sunday, April 9, at 7:QO PM.

SAVE THE DATE

HOLY CROSSMAROON AND GOLD DANCE

SATURDAY, APRIL 22,2017

SCHOOL TOURS

DANCE AND DRINKS (MUST BE 21 AND OVER)

FOOD AND DRAUGHT BEERWILL BE PROVIDED(BYOB)

RAFFLES

BASKETS

MORE INFORMATION TO COME...

JUST SAVE THIS DATE

SUNDAY COLLECTIONAMOUNT RECEIVED

MARCH 12$12,064

SUNDAY COLLECTIONAMOUNT RECEIVED

MARCH 19$11,508

HC024 4

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDEASTER MINISTRY

During this HolySeason,the parish wants our sickand homebound to know that we think aboutthem and remember them in our prayers. If possible, we would like the Ministers to theHomebound who can, to deliver a plant and card to those they visit. We also need othervolunteers to help us. The plants and cards can be picked up at the convent between 9:15 AMand 1:00 PM, Tuesday, April 11, and they should be def:vered that day. Please call SisterCarmela at 610-626-8266, by Friday,April 7, if you can help as deLiveron April 11.

Thank you for bringing the joy and hope of the Resurrection to our sick and homero.."10 oarishioners. Homeboundparishioners, please be aware that someone will be visiting you on April 11.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO DECORATE THE CHURCHFOR EASTER

SATURDA \j APRIL 15AT 9:30 AM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HElP.

On Our Duty to Welcome the StrangerArchbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

For immigrants and refugees now in the United States, or who hope to come ~ere-..,--e;ear future,recent weeks have been a steady diet of anxiety and confusion. The legal strugg e 0 e: -a e bans onimmigrants from various nations has disrupted the plans of thousands who seek to come here for a sons ofreasons, including escape from persecution and reunion with family members already here.

Stepped up detention and deportation efforts against undocumented persons have the potenr'a oftearing families apart and traumatizing children caught in the middle. Parents have resorted to diversionarymeasures, taking different routes to work or school each day, avoiding any stores where police are oftenpresent, even changing their appearance or swapping cars to avoid being easily noticed.

We've seen both mass demonstrations of support for those adversely affected, and strengthenedresolve by those who want tighter immigration restrictions. Good people-a lot of them -exist on both sides,and we need to resist the temptation to demonize the motives of those with whom we disagree. The ensuingpolarization among the general populace has uncovered deep divisions among Catholics who find themselvesat odds with family, friends, colleagues and fellow parishioners.

Immigration policy is complex. It involves many competing values, among them the duty ofgovernment to ensure the security of U.S. citizens and legal residents. That responsibility must be balancedwith our country's long history of welcoming newcomers, especially those fleeing persecution. The U.S.bishops have repeatedly called for deep immigration reform aimed at meeting both goals. We need to praythat our leaders exercise the good judgment needed to come to a reasonable solution to the current impasse,and soon.

But this week Iwant to speak about the ongoing commitment of our local Church to offering pastoral,legal and social service aid to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia community. The Office forPastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees coordinates a network of priest chaplains. religious sisters and layleaders who provide for the spiritual and material needs of persons from places 1ike Indonesia, Haiti, WestAfrica, Vietnam and Brazil.

Our ministry to Hispanic Catholics likewise provides support for Catholic immigrants from Mexico,Central and South America. These are faith communities that enrich the devotional life of our wholeArchdiocese. We do and and always will welcome all Catholics to worship and fellowship with us, regardlessof their legal status. They're our family in Jesus Christ, first and foremost, and being undocumenteddisminishes neither their dignity nor personhood.

(To be continued) HC0245

t,

I