The Parish of the Holy Cross

95 Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY 11767 + 631.265.2200 +

www.pothc.org + www.facebook.com/pothcnesconset

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!

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 20, 2017

Come and pray with us!

“O woman,

great is your faith!

Let it be done for you

as you wish.” Matthew 15:28

2

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 Summer Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 2:30 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. Gerald Farrell Custodian

Mrs. Mary Inghilterra Weekend Sacristan

Mr. James Reiss Mrs. Mary Pannone Religious Education Secretaries (hcreled@optonline.net)

Dr. Vincent Mazurek Music Minister

Mass Intentions Schedule Week of August 20th, 9AM Mass

Mon. Lena Chiarella

Tue. Lori & Steve Drey (living)

Wed. James Lechner

Thu. Victor Lamarque

Saturday, August 26th, 5 PM Mass

Donald Stevenson, Bonnie Cody, Joseph Zihal, Mary

Smith, John Robert Lohan, Athalie Sylvestre

Sunday, August 27th, 21st Sun. in Ordinary Time

8:00 AM Mr. & Mrs. O. DeSanto

9:30 AM People of the Parish

11:30 AM Mary Donnellon, Donnellon Family, Mary

Flanagan, Elias Gomez, Marie Albert

New Life in Christ New Life in Christ

Scripture Readings for August 27, 2017

+ Isaiah 22:19-23

+ Romans 11:33-36

+ Matthew 16:13-20

Celebrants for Next Weekend’s Masses

August 26th/27th

5:00 PM Fr. Michael

8:00 AM Fr. Michael

9:30 AM Fr. Michael

11:30 AM Fr. Mickey Bancroft

Prayers for our Sick

Please pray for the sick of our parish, their

families and caregivers:

Andrew Gallo

Philomena Giordano

Banns of Marriage~Third Time

Jacklyn Dowling & James Tolsdorf

3

The Tides of Change by Father Michael

The deadline for this article was within a few hours of my returning to the parish from my time out west. It was my original intention to dedicate this column to sharing with you a few of my happy little adventures from my trip. Instead, I find myself writing most of this article early in the morning before my departure. There are a few important staffing changes that I want to bring to your attention. Connie Calabro is a founding parishioner and a deeply dedicated member of this community. In many ways she has contributed to the life and spirit of Holy Cross. She has been involved in our Parish Outreach ministry for many years. Several months ago she announced that she and her husband, Paul, would begin a new chapter in their lives. They will be retiring to Florida. She will be leaving Outreach at the end of August. Connie always embraced a spirit of passion for justice and caring for those in need. Her presence as part of the Pastoral Team and this community will be missed. I am happy to announce that we have found someone who will continue her work in Outreach. Ms. Patricia Gyscek will be joining us by the end of September. Pat has spent many years working in this ministry as a Director of Parish Outreach as well as working for Catholic Charities. She is a very gifted and caring woman, and I am sure she will be a great blessing to the Holy Cross family. Ms. Ellen Fox has been our Director of Religious Education since 2010. She recently announced that she has accepted a position as Director of Religious Education in a Nassau parish. She will continue her work here at Holy Cross through the end of September. Ellen has dedicated her professional career to ministry in the Church. This new opportunity will allow her to share her gifts with a new community. We are grateful for the many ways in which Ellen has served here at Holy Cross, and we wish her well. Change is never easy. It can bring with it feelings of uncertainty and doubt. But, as we all know it is inevitable. Change brings with it new opportunities for growth. It seems the Holy Spirit has a remarkable track record here at Holy Cross in bringing caring and gifted individuals to serve this community. We trust that same spirit will continue to be at work for our parish as well as those who will be coming and going. P.S. I had a wonderful time away. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are two of our nation’s most beautiful National Parks. There are so many unique and amazing things to see. Aside from many highlights of the parks, simply driving through Utah and Wyoming is a great adventure. I felt blessed to be able to take this time away. But, I am also blessed to be back here at Holy Cross.

4

VIRTUS Training, Protecting God’s Children for Adults, will be offered at Holy Cross on:

Thursday, September 28, 2017, 6:30 – 9:00 PM

As you know, all employees and volunteers are required by the Diocese to attend one of these sessions. (Those who have already attended VIRTUS are not required to go again.) If you have not yet taken VIRTUS training, please register on-line right away, as the number of participants is limited to 20. To register, go to www.virtus.org, click on the yellow tab labeled “Registration,” and follow the directions. The name of our organization is Diocese of Rockville Centre. Our center is Holy Cross RCC (Nesconset). If you have any questions, or need help with the registration, please call Jude at 265-2200x16.

ATTENTION HOLY CROSS VOLUNTEERS

Children’s Liturgy of the Word will resume at the 11:30 Mass on Sunday, September 10th, in the

Fr. Joe room. Children's Liturgy, for children in grades K-3, is held every Sunday from September to

May, except for holiday weekends. We are looking for additional leaders and

helpers for this fall. Time commitment is dependent on the number of leaders and

helpers we have. If you are over 18 and would be interested in becoming a leader

or are in grades 4 through 12 and would be interested in becoming a helper, or

need community service hours, please consider joining this ministry. Training is

available. Please contact Karyn at 631-648-3594 for more information.

Are you in high school? Will you be making your Confirmation next 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. Join us!

9/17: 11:30AM Youth Mass with the Core Band! Youth Kick Off! 12:30 - 3PM!

So, if you are thinking about coming to the Church to see what we are all about, do it! 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 contact Sal Finocchiaro, Coordinator of Youth Ministries, at hcyouthgroup15@gmail.com or call the parish office. Thank you!

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

YOUTH GROUP

5

6

CASH CALENDAR

7

Tuesday, August 22nd 10:00 AM

IN STITCHES GROUP Fr. Joe Room

Sunday, August 27th After 9:30 Mass

PRAY THE ROSARY Chapel

BAPTISMS 1PM Worship Area

MEETINGS THIS WEEK Our Holy Cross Senior Group is always looking for new members to join them for an afternoon of fun and socializing. You are invited to stop in on the first and third Wednesdays of the month and meet some new friends. The meeting is held in the Atrium of the Church from 11am to 2:30pm. Our next meeting is September 6th. We hope to see you there!

SENIOR GROUP

Join us as we pray the Rosary in the Chapel after the 9:30 Mass on the last Sunday of each month! The next date is August 27!

Sts. Philip and James School

Pre-K through Grade 8

Value-Centered Education

Full-Day Pre-K program * Full-Day Kindergarten * Before and After

School Care * Weekly attendance at Mass * iPad Classrooms *

Spanish and Mandarin * Band program including violin * NYSSMA

Member * Drama Club/Broadway Jr. * Choral Club * Member of

Catholic Middle Schools Athletic Association * Variety of After

School Clubs * Accomplished New York State Assessment Scores *

History of success on Catholic High School Entrance Exam *

Much more!!

Call 631-584-7896

for further information!

COMMUNITY NEWS

8