Diary of a Parish Priest

First Communions and First Confessions are finished...now the hard part.

Now that our parish celebrations of First Communion and First Confession are completed, let us remember that we have been initiated into a lifelong relationship with Christ by virtue of our Baptisms, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. It's not only about the "first."

It was a joy to welcome some of our First Communicants at the weekend parish masses for the first time on Sunday, many of whom wore their First Communion outfits.

Let us pray that our children grow up sustained by the Eucharist as a regular part of their spiritual lives, and a necessary strength for their spiritual journeys.

Christmas Mass Schedule Survey - Final

 We're closing the Christmas mass survey with 39 reponses total; 34 attending mass at Holy Cross on Christmas.

Christmas and New Year Mass Schedules 2011 Survey

Please help us in planning for next year's Christmas and New Year's Day mass schedules by taking a quick survey regarding this year's mass schedule at Holy Cross.

 

Christmas Mass Holiday Schedule Survey 2011

Mass Attendance 5/12 - 5/22

I have been so proud of the role the 7th and 8th graders have taken this year in leading the way with mass attendance. Let's fight the spring fever and pre-graduation jitters and keep the mass attendance up!

Congratulations to 1B and 2B! It's so great to see so many of our recent First Communicants proudly and reverently receiving Eucharist with their families on Sunday! And how wonderful that 1B's mass attendance was a birthday gift for their teacher!

Survey on Homilies and Late Arrivals for Mass

 
I've been asked to address the problem of late-comers arriving at mass. While it is true that, like the old proverb says, "Better late than never," it continues "But better, never late." At a recent 10:30 AM mass, the majority arrived late. Take the survey to indicate your suggestions.

The survey also deals with homilies, at Holy Cross, specifically my several recent "haiku homilies." There were strong opinions both liking and disliking them.

Just for the record, I didn't have a sore throat, feel ill, angry or have someplace to go. I thought it would be good for a changeup. I remember only three homilies I have heard, all were several sentences long. They made me think, had a dramatic impact on my prayer and helped me to listen to all homilies better. They obviously can't completely replace longer, more catechetical homilies. Check out the survey and let me know.

Click here to take survery:  Late for Mass and Homilies

Mass Attendance 5/14-5/15

 

A little spring fever is setting in? Let's try to keep our very important weekly mass attendance a priority in our week.

 

Easter Sunday Mass Attendance

Home or away, most celebrated the Resurrection of the Lord at mass. Alleluia.

 
It's such a joy to see our 7th and 8th graders leading the way in mass attendance!

Weekend Mass Attendance April 9 - 10

 

Wow, 7A and both 8th grades great job and wonderful example for the other grades!

Religious Education Mass Attendance April 2 - 3

 
 

Mass Attendance April 2 - 3

 

Congratulations 8B and of course, to our wonderfully consistent 7A.

Religious Education Weekend Mass Attendance

 
As one might expect, those who attend CCD on Sunday have an overall higher percentage of mass attendance than Tuesday, since most likely they stay for the 10:30 AM mass. The average attendance of all CCD students is the same compared to our Holy Cross Catholic students.

Mass Attendance - February 19-20

 

Yikes, way down. I was away too, but luckily was able to attend mass one evening the the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado. It is a beautiful basilica and the liturgy was impressive (and over 90 minutes!) and prayerful.

Mass Attendance February 12-13

 
Our eight graders made a pilgrimage to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan this weekend and attended mass there. We'll have a report of their activities soon.

Mass Attendance Religious Education Students

 

Some interesting and challenging mass attendance statistics are emerging this year. Overall mass attendance between Holy Cross School students and Holy Cross Religious Education students is approximately the same, around 60-65% on any given weekend.

Some religious education classes meet on Sunday and others meet on Tuesday evening. Several years ago we looked to see if there was a significant difference between mass attendance of the Tuesday vs. Sunday groups and suprisingly, there was none (at the end of the year). This year, however, there seems to be a clear difference between the two groups, with the Sunday sessions having much higher mass attendance than the Tuesday session groups and Sunday groups, 74% vs. 40%.

The challenges remain to increase the overal rates of mass attendance for all students. The highly committed group of Sunday religious education students and parents have the highest rate of mass attendance of any group. Congratulations!

 

Mass Attendance January 29-30

 

Congratulations again to 7A, but the eight grades had respectable showings too. Thank you for everyone's help and support of our Catholic School's Week mass at 10:30 AM.

Mass Attendance January 22-23

 

Overall, attendance was down a bit. Congratulations 4A!

For their consistently high attendance, 7A enjoyed a dress-down day, ice cream and a movie last week.

Warm Response to Bishop's Annual Appeal Video

 
Bishop O'Connell and Catholic Elementary School Students

 

Thank you for your warm response to the Bishop O'Connell's appeal to us through the video shown at all the masses today. In case you missed the message you can click here, or watch on the Bishop's Annual Appeal website.

Bishop's Annual Appeal 2011 from Trenton Diocese on Vimeo.

 

Mass Attendance First Sunday in Advent

 

7A's attendance is consistently superior, keep up the good prayer!

Especially for Advent, let us resolve to attend mass weekly to start the new liturgical year right and in order to prepare for the joyful feast of Advent.

Mass Attendance November 13

Holy Cross School

 
Congratulations 4B and 8A !

Mass Attendance November 6-7

Holy Cross School