The Parish of the Holy Cross 95 Old Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY 11767 + 631.265.2200 + www.pothc88.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.

+ 5:00 P.M. (except holiday weekends)

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!

Come and pray with us! First Sunday of Lent - March 9, 2014

“Have

mercy on

me, O God,

in your

goodness;

in the

greatness of

your

compassion

wipe out

my offense.

Thoroughly

wash me

from my

guilt and

of my sin

cleanse

me.” Psalm 51:1-2 Photograph by Susan Ribeiro

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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)

Mass Intentions Schedule Week of March 9th, 9 AM Mass Mon. Alexander Kelly Tue. Jeanette Nyholm Wed. Rita Slevin Thu. John Huff Saturday, March 15th, 5 PM Mass The Intentions of the People of the Parish Sunday, March 16th, Second Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM Robert L. Neary 9:30 AM Eve Mistretta, Paul Kropa, Briday Carser 11:30 AM Maggie Dubilo 5:00 PM Neal & Concetta Romano

Scripture Readings for March 16th

+ Genesis 12:1-4 + 2 Timothy 1:8-10 + Matthew 17:1-9

New Life in Christ

Celebrants for Next Weekend’s Masses March 15th/16th

5:00 PM Fr. Michael 8:00 AM Fr. Michael 9:30 AM Fr. Michael 11:30 AM Fr. Michael 5:00 PM Fr. Michael

Remembering our Sick - Please pray for the sick of the parish, their

families and caregivers:

Sister Jane Halligan Lisa Paolillo

Deacon Owen E. Farley, Jr. Deacon Ralph Rivera

Mrs. Loretta Tarter Business Manager

Mr. Brian Reich, Director Music Ministry

Mr. Salvatore Finocchiaro Coordinator of Youth Ministries

PASTORAL TEAM

PASTORAL STAFF

Mrs. Jane Wirth Parish Secretary

Mr. John Huether Mr. Edward Guise Custodians

Mrs. Mary Inghilterra Weekend Sacristan

Mrs. Elizabeth Shea Religious Education Secretary (hcreled@optonline.net)

Mr. Lucian Muscarnere Security

Dr. Vincent Mazurek Music Minister

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The Bread and Wine for the week March 9th through March 15th have been donated in loving memory of

Josephine Porcelli by her family.

with Father Michael Before Jesus began his public ministry, it seems he needed some final preparation for what he was about to do. That included spending an extended period of time away from others in the midst of the desert. Today’s gospel reminds us that he did not go on a vacation. He faced real temptations, and there had to be moments of fear or uncertainty. In the end, Jesus knew of his Father’s love and the work that he was called to do. He began his teaching and working miracles when he finally emerged from the desert. I have been blessed with many opportunities to spend time in the desert. Some of those visits were part of a fun vacation, and some were days of retreat. There is something about that environment that lends itself to prayer and reflection. There is a sense of isolation and abundant nothingness; yet there is also a beauty to it. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to distant lands; so we are called to create a desert experience in the midst of our daily routine. Lent encourages us to live our lives in some way that we deprive ourselves for the sake of growing closer to God. As challenging as this may sound, there is an openness in the hearts of many people to do this. Our church was busy all day on Ash Wednesday as so many people came to begin this holy season. Make these days as meaningful as you can so that there can be a true sense of new life when Easter comes. March 8-14 is the first time for National Catholic Sisters’ Week. Religious life has changed dramatically over the years. A sharp decline in vocations has certainly contributed to these changes. But for many of us, our faith and our Catholic experience was formed in part due to many holy and courageous women who we encountered along the way. We cannot take for granted all the ways in which they fostered life in the Church. And although numbers may have declined, they continue to serve in many ministries and communities here on Long Island. We are grateful for their dedication and faithfulness to the Lord. With a little bit of luck, we are finally moving closer to springtime. With the change of the clocks this weekend we get to enjoy more sunlight later in the day. I know we had to sacrifice an hour of sleep, but in the end I think it is worth it. I hope you can make it to the first evening of the Parish Mission this week. We look forward to welcoming back Fr. Joe Schlafer. He is the first of several Holy Cross “stars of the past” who will be with us for Lent.

40 Days in the Holy Desert

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Parish of the Holy Cross Lenten Mission

Each session begins at 7:30 PM

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Transfiguration—presented by Fr. Joe Schlafer

Thursday, March 20, 2014 Samaritan Woman—presented by Fr. Jim McNamara

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Man Born Blind—presented by Dcn. Owen Farley & Dcn. Ralph Rivera

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Death of Lazarus—presented by Fr. John Sureau

PARISH LENTEN MISSION

Take some time for you this Lent and join us for an evening (or more)

at this special Lenten Mission!

5

The Parish of the Holy Cross Lent/Holy Week Sign Up Form

Name_______________________________________

Phone #__________________ E-Mail_________________@_______

Check one: ___Altar Server ___Lector ___Usher ___Extraordinary Minister

Palm Sunday – April 12/13, 2014 ___Saturday - 5:00 P.M. ___Sunday - 8:00 A.M. ___Sunday - 9:30 A.M.

___Sunday – 11:00 A.M. ___Sunday – 12:30 P.M. ___Sunday – 5:00 P.M.

Holy Thursday – April 17, 2014 __9:00 A.M –Morning Prayer (Lector only) __8:00 P.M. – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday – April 18, 2014 __9:00 A.M –Morning Prayer (Lector only) __3:00 P.M. – Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion Holy Saturday – April 19, 2014 __9:00 A.M –Morning Prayer (Lector only) __8:00 P.M. – Easter Vigil Easter Sunday – April 20, 2014 ___ 8:00 A.M. ___ 9:30 A.M.

___ 11:00 A.M. ___ 12:30 P.M.

Please drop in the basket or return to the Parish Office NO LATER than Sunday, March 9, 2014. Thank you for helping us get our Holy Week Schedule completed ASAP!

ATTENTION: LITURGICAL MINISTERS

6

Please hold your applause It is important to create a different environment at certain times of the year. Lent is one of those times where our celebration should have a unique flavor that is distinct from other times of the year. We are called to make the days of Lent a more prayerful and quiet time. One unique characteristic of Holy Cross Parish is applauding at the end of Mass. While there is nothing wrong with this practice, it does conclude the Mass on a bit of an upbeat note. For the weeks of Lent, it is suggested that we refrain from applauding at the conclusion of Mass. This is not meant to be disrespectful or show a lack of gratitude to our music ministry or to others. It is meant to be something different than we normally do to remind us that we are in a special season. Thank you for your cooperation in making the days of Lent holy and prayerful.

PRAYER AND WORSHIP

THE HARVEST IS PLENTY

3/9/14 - 5pm Youth Mass followed by another awesome Youth Night. Don’t forget to bring a friend!

3/16/14 - 5pm Youth Mass followed by a Youth Night

Retreat Weekend April 11-13, 2014 Mercy Villas/Watermill

YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS

Bishop Murphy just released a pastoral letter by this title. Usually this quote from scripture is used in the context of raising questions related to vocations or ministry to the church. And indeed his letter does address service and evangelization. But his letter also addresses more basic issues of understanding God’s unconditional love for us. Do we allow His love to touch our hearts? Do we allow His Church to be part of our experience? You are invited to read his words. The Bishop’s Letter received cov-erage in last Sunday’s Newsday, as well as today and next week. There are copies of the letter available in the Atrium. Or, it can be read on the diocesan website; drvc.org.

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EAT SIMPLY … SO OTHERS MAY SIMPLY EAT

For the last twenty-three years, we at Holy Cross have embraced a special Lenten Parish Project, EAT SIMPLY SO OTHERS MAY SIMPLY EAT. EAT SIMPLY is a voluntary way for us to be involved in consciously sacrificing better meals for simpler meals during Lent. Our joint effort to EAT MORE SIMPLY SO OTHERS MAY SIMPLY EAT unites us in a special way with one another and also with those who are struggling on Long Island.

We encourage you not only to participate in this program, but

also to discuss it at the dinner table with your children and family members. Many of us are not consciously aware of the number of people that are poor and hungry right here in our own area. During 2013, our Outreach pantry served over 100 people each month.

The Lenten envelopes marked, EAT SIMPLY…SO OTHERS MAY SIMPLY EAT, will be available throughout the weekends of Lent. We suggest that you place the envelope in a prominent place in your kitchen as a reminder of how you and your family will be uniting yourselves with our struggling neighbors and with the starving of the world. We encourage you to reflect, discuss and to decide how you will eat more basic meals during Lent. Perhaps you have a favorite simple recipe to share. We’d be happy to put them in the bulletin for fellow parishioners to try.

Each weekend or whenever you

choose during Lent, you may place your envelope in the basket on the pillar by the Altar or in the collection basket. The monies donated will be used to feed those who are struggling in our local area. We are continually grateful for the very generous response of our parishioners of Holy Cross in donating money, food and supermarket gift cards, which help us try to meet their needs.

PARISH OUTREACH

8

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

“It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him

alone shall you serve.” Matthew 4:10

Tempted between the riches and power of this world and service to God, Jesus chose service to His Father.

If we wish to truly follow Jesus

we, too, must decide to turn away from power and riches and put God at the center of our lives.

How do you put God first in your

life?

This weekend, at the Offertory we will also be collecting for the Church in Need, and the monies collected will be shared among these three areas in great need: Church in Central and Eastern Europe -

support for basic pastoral programs and scholarships for students studying to serve their local church.

Church in Latin America - support to an area affected by natural disasters, loss of parishioners to migration and other faiths, the inability to support itself financially, and a lack of priests and religious to minister.

Church in Africa - support to African countries where poverty, sickness and political strife prevent people from living in dignity.

SPECIAL COLLECTION

DIOCESAN NEWS This spring, couples that have been married fifty years or more will be honored at liturgies on Sunday, May 4th, at the Church of Maria Regina in Seaford and on Sunday, May 18th, at the Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr in Sayville. Both liturgies will begin at 2:30 pm. Couples may register for ONE liturgy. Registration forms and complete instructions can be obtained at your parish office. Registration must be received by the Office of Worship by April 16th for the May 4th liturgy and by April 30th for the May 18th liturgy. There will be additional celebrations in the fall for those who may find that more convenient. If you have any questions you may call 516-678-5800 ext. 207.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2014!

This year’s “Unique Animals” VBS will be held July 7-11 from 10 am - 1 pm. Registration date and time to be announced in the bulletin.

The Zoo Crew

9

Parish of the Holy Cross Nesconset, New York

Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2013/ 2014 February 1—28, 2014

February 28, 2014 Assets: Cash / Checking A/Cs: $ 75,260. Liabilities: $ 344,511. Mortgage Uni tas Fund: $ 221,872. Money Market: $ 22,685. Institutional Invest.: $ 50,000. R.O.M.R.: $ 16,931. Revenue: Sunday Collections 2/1-2/28/14 $ 41,326. Average Weekly Contribution: $10,332.00 R.O.M.R.: 3,480. Fund Raising—Cash Calendar: 2,830. Donations & Fees Parish Programs: 5,600. Includes: Rel. Ed .(3,172), Parish Out(1,732) Seniors (696) Other Auxiliary Revenue: 3,724. Includes: Donations, Baptisms, Funerals, Masses, Candles,Interest Additional C.M.A.: 220. Total Revenue $ 57,180.

Expenditures: Clergy & Lay Salaries: $ 26,768. Includes: Priests, Rel.Ed, Parish Out, Clerical, Maintenance Pastoral Assoc., Bus Mgr., Music, Youth, Security, Sacristan Clergy Fringe Benefits: 2,560. Includes: Ret irement & Disability, A llowance, Health Ins. Lay Fringe Benefits: 3,739. Includes: Pension, Health Ins. FICA Employer Taxes: 1,816. Parish Programs: 1,688. Includes: Parish Out.(1,281), Rel. Ed (109), Hospitality (298) Cash Calendar Expense: 2,200. Printing & Office: 2,729. Includes: Office Supplies, Phone, Cable, Printing, Liturgical Expenses: 710. Includes: Altar Hosts /Wine, Candles, *** Regional School Subsidy: 26,110. Includes: 2nd quarter non-school assessment *** Rectory Household: 233. Includes: Supermarket, Residence Expenses Interest on Loans: 1,648. Includes: Mortgage Buildings’ Ut ilit ies 6,470. Includes: LIPA (3,755), National Grid (2,715) Contracted Maintenance: 8,187. Includes: Snow Removal, Sanitation, Exterm.,Air Cond/Heating Maintenance Supplies: 202. Regular Expenditures: $ 85,060. Deficit: February 1-28,2014 $ ( 27,880.) Year to Date—Sept. 1,2013—Feb. 28, 2014: Revenue: $ 492,758. Regular Expend: $ 480,586.

Surplus: $ 12,172.

Dear Parishioners,

In an attitude of responsible stewardship and fiscal accountability, we publish a simple reporting of our financial position. This report is for the sixth month of our fiscal year, which began 9/01/13

We’ve added additional facts this month for your information and consideration, trying to keep you better informed of what you have provided through your Stewardship of Treasure and how we are using your gift. The format follows the categories of Diocesan accounts on which our extensive year-end Financial Reports are based.

We thank you for your consistent support. If you have questions and/or suggestions, we would welcome them. God continue to bless us all. The Finance Committee

$100,000 was withdrawn from Money Market and invested—$50,000 added to Unitas Fund, and $50,000 was deposited in Instituional Investment Income Fund.

*** Invoice includes Dec. Jan & Feb.

10

CASH CALENDAR

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Saturday, March 8th 9:30 AM

WOMEN’S PRAYER Fr. Joe Room Sunday, March 9th 1:00 PM

BAPTISM Worship Area MASS 5:00PM Worship Area Monday, March 10th 4:45 - 5:45 PM

ONE-TO-ONE All Areas LEVEL 2 CATECHIST MTG. 7:00PM Atrium Tuesday, March 11th 1:30 PM

LEVEL 2 CATECHIST MTG. Atrium CHOIR 7:15PM Worship Area Wednesday, March 12th Noon-3:30PM

SENIORS Atrium LEVEL 2 CATECHIST MTG. 7:00PM Atrium Thursday, March 13th 11:00 AM

MOMS’ GROUP Fr. Joe Room LEVEL 7 CATECHIST MTG. 1:30PM Atrium PARISH MISSION 7:30PM Worship Area Saturday, March 15th 5:00 PM

LEVEL 4 BLESSING Worship Area YOUTH MINISTRY BAKE SALE Atrium Sunday, March 16th All Masses

LEVEL 4 BLESSING Worship Area YOUTH MINISTRY BAKE SALE Atrium HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE 10:30AM Fr. Joe Room RCIA DISMISSAL 11:30AM Sacristy MASS 5:00PM Worship Area

MEETINGS THIS WEEK

The Catholic Chaplain’s Office at Stony Brook University Hospital is seeking Eucharistic Ministers to bring Communion to Catholic patients at the hospital. Eucharistic Ministers are scheduled to serve one day a month (Sunday or Wednesday) and spend 1-3 hours at the hospital per assignment. Training will be provided. If interested in learning more about this special ministry, please contact Ueli Laeng at (631) 737-4164, email: ueli23SD@gmail.com; or Greg Shemitz at (631) 258-5740, email: gshemitz@gmail.com .

COMMUNITY NEWS

Congratulations to the following February Cash Calendar Winners!

CASH CALENDAR

Amount

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$500

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

$50

Date

2/1/2014

2/2/2014

2/3/2014

2/4/2014

2/5/2014

2/6/2014

2/7/2014

2/8/2014

2/9/2014

2/10/2014

2/11/2014

2/12/2014

2/13/2014

2/14/2014

2/15/2014

2/16/2014

2/17/2014

2/18/2014

2/19/2014

2/20/2014

2/21/2014

2/22/2014

2/23/2014

2/24/2014

2/25/2014

2/26/2014

2/27/2014

2/28/2014

Name

Pilar Modzel

Barbara Burger

Linda Spahr

Arlene & Jerry Pisapia

Connie Lipnicki

Daniel Calia

Pilar Modzel

The Reich Family

Joseph Inghilterra

Eileen Dean

Gasper Gualberti

William Chapman

Carol Ann Schultz

Pat & Cathy McQuade

Henry Donnelly

Vie Zehrev

Patricia Owen

Anne DiPalermo

Gasper Gualberti

Marie Eagers

Frank Sabella

Elaine Becker

Barbara Burger

Gail Amrhein

The Pitman Family

Joe Brindisi

Rita Barrera

Connie Lipnicki

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