Diary of a Parish Priest

Lift High The Cross Memorial Wall Is Complete

After many years and much sacrifice on the part of our donors, the listing of our generous supporters on the Lift High the Cross Memorial Wall is complete. Our beautiful memorial was designed and installed by Renovata Studios, who patiently and carefully removed and re-installed the marble panels through several phases of engraving as our donors completed their pledges.

The Lift High the Cross campaign was begun to supplement the fundraising of the partially completed original capital campaign when the school construction plan was upgraded and the church design was deferred for further study. The original construction budget became sorely inadequate to meet our needs. Two additional campaigns were planned, one (Lift High the Cross) during the immediate construction of the school and anotherfor the church, eventually named A Time to Build, after the church design was studied, discussed and revised.

Many generous donors stepped forward with pledges of capital and of faith in the project plans, both of which are gratefully appreciated. After tougher economic times than we would have hoped, most of the pledges were fulfilled and we can now happily complete the Donor Wall with many thanks to all our generous benefactors.

We are now in the final pledge period of the Church campaign, A Time to Build and look forward to the exciting new developments as our parish church receives a facelift and expansion.

Lift High the Cross

 Founder Blair & Elizabeth O’Connor• Founder Burgess Family• Founder David & Susan Dowden• Founder Dino & Katherine Cesario• Founder Edward & Maureen Shea• Founder Geoffrey S. Winchell• Founder Gregory S. Winchell• Founder John & Marybeth Wilson• Founder John & Maureen MacDonald• Founder Joseph & Barrie Fahey• Founder Martin & Deborah McCann• Founder Megan W. Peter• Founder Michael & Catherine Sullivan• Founder Sheila Martello• Founder The Forlenza Family• Founder The Giannotto Family• Founder The Sullivan Grandchildren• Founder The Tort Family• Benefactor Brian & Leslie Curran and Family• Benefactor Douglas & Margaret Simons• Benefactor Frank & Jeanne Shanley• Benefactor James & Thomas Martello and Nicholas Preston• Benefactor Jimmy Martello Foundation• Benefactor Joseph & Beth Koerwer• Benefactor Justin & Victoria Gmelich• Benefactor Lillian B. Farrington• Benefactor Michael & Carole Brown• Benefactor Michael & Martina Scarrone• Benefactor Richard & Maria Incremona• Benefactor Stuart & Patricia MacGregor• Benefactor The Dengler Family• Benefactor The Finan Family• Patron Christopher & Clare Broderick• Patron Claire & O'Neill Duffy• Patron Daniel & Kathryn Rusbarsky• Patron David & Janice Henderson• Patron Donald & Florence Macdonald• Patron Ed & Joanne Gillespie• Patron Gsell Family• Patron Guy & Catherine Farrington• Patron Kathryn & J. Howard Carter• Patron Kevin & Maureen Conery• Patron Mark & Colleen Newsome• Patron Marshall & Maryann Allegra• Patron Matthew & Carolyn Geiger• Patron Maxim Group• Patron Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Palmeri, Jr. & Family• Patron Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Avallone• Patron Nevin & Jacqueline Whitelaw• Patron Nicole & Eugene Croddick II & Family• Patron Patrick & Lisette Lynch• Patron Peter & Pia McCarthy• Patron Ray & Dennice Carey• Patron Richard Wurth• Patron Roger & Arlene Stump• Patron Ronald & Lynn Worobel• Patron Starker Family Foundation• Patron Stephen & Patricia Brennan• Patron The Clifford Family• Patron The Goullet Family• Patron The Hubler Family• Patron The McDaid Family• Patron The O’Mara Family• Patron Thomas & Christina Durney• Patron William & Patricia Lista• Steward Maureen Devine In Memory of William and Mary Supina• Steward Alvaro & Beryl Vallejo• Steward Anthony & Lorrie Manzo• Steward Anthony & Vera Gangemi• Steward Bernard & MaryEllen Maas• Steward Bernard & Maureen Hackett• Steward Brendan Flynn• Steward Brian & Jessica Hickey• Steward Bruce & Tania Eagleson• Steward Carol & Robert X. Kelleher, Sr.• Steward Catherine Miller• Steward Charles & Ann Marie Shay• Steward Charles & Marjorie Schulz• Steward Christina D’Angelo• Steward Christine Hetzler• Steward Christopher & Deirdre York• Steward Christopher & Elizabeth Hempstead• Steward Christopher & Geraldine Donnelly• Steward Daniel & Lisa Walsh• Steward Daniel & Tara Jones• Steward Danielle & Greg Greene and Family• Steward David & Annamarie (Nonnie) Godvin• Steward David & Barbara Kirkpatrick• Steward Dominick & Marianne Grosso• Steward Dr. & Mrs. Robert J. Doty• Steward Dr. & Mrs. William Wood• Steward Ed & Joan Truscio• Steward Eleanor Milazzo• Steward Eugenia McA. Kelly• Steward Fr. Michael Manning• Steward Gabriellan & Joe Sheridan• Steward Gary Sammon• Steward George & Sallie Kabash• Steward George E. Miles• Steward Gerald Manning• Steward Gerard & Shannon Kowalski• Steward Henry & Deborah Sullivan• Steward In Loving Memory of Joseph A. McAvoy• Steward In Memory of John Banich & John G. Banich• Steward James & Eileen Zazzali• Steward James & Elaine Hinckley• Steward Jay & Anne Harbeck• Steward Jeffrey & Bonnie Buchner• Steward Jerome & Rosemary Bell• Steward Jim & Dory Reagan• Steward JoAnn Brosious• Steward Joe & Darrah Kenney and Family• Steward John & Alice Trelease• Steward John & Charissa Keavey• Steward John & Estee Keefe• Steward John & Jeraldine Keefe• Steward John & Maria Checton• Steward John & Suzanne Gavin• Steward Joseph & Eileen Kenney• Steward Joseph & Katie Cabrera• Steward Joseph & Margot O’Connor• Steward Joseph & Michele Thompson• Steward Joseph & Robin Hemphill• Steward Joseph P. Burns• Steward Keith & Meghan Connolly• Steward Kenneth & Elaine Young• Steward Kenneth & Lisa Wilson• Steward Laurence & Kathleen Morris• Steward Lawrence & Anne Lapham• Steward Lawrence & Lynn Gonnello• Steward Leonard & Lauren Huttner• Steward Leslie & Martin J. Luff III• Steward Lori & Paul La Plante• Steward Louise Golda• Steward Margaret Quirk• Steward Mark & Susan Malone• Steward Mary Kay Mason• Steward Matthew & Diana Milkowski• Steward Matthew & Laurie Ruane• Steward Matthew & Susan Stypa• Steward Matthew & Tara Butler• Steward Matthew Izzo & Claire Harbeck• Steward Maureen Mulheren• Steward Michael & Georgina Masterson• Steward Michael & Karen Murphy• Steward Michael & Maryalice Pane• Steward Michael & Shanley Walker• Steward Michael Goliszeski• Steward Michael J. McCabe• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Scheffer• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Carl Amendola• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cornette & Family• Steward Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Makin• Steward Mr. & Mrs. William H. Cook• Steward Mr. and Mrs. Mark F. Hughes, Jr.• Steward Mrs. Mary M. Ryan• Steward Neri & Ada Merlini• Steward Nicholas A. & Diana S. Caliendo• Steward Olivia, Danielle & Carl Ward• Steward Patrick & Celine Mason• Steward Patrick & Ethel Moran• Steward Paul & Kim Chachko & Family• Steward Paul & Kim Clauss• Steward Paul & Melissa Ryan• Steward Paul, Maria and Emily Oberlander• Steward Peg McNulty• Steward Peter & Anafu Kaiser• Steward Peter & Delly Beekman• Steward Ralf & Margaret Sellig• Steward Richard & Patricia Lawrence• Steward Robert & Janet McGuire• Steward Robert & Regina Pohlman• Steward Robert & Susan Sorokolit• Steward Robert Rosean & Nancy Reinhold• Steward Sacka & Jim Duffy• Steward Sansone Memorial Fund• Steward Sidney & Nora Goldschlager• Steward Stephen & Regina de Gersdorff• Steward Stephen G. & Margaret Ann Chappell• Steward Sybil & David Heine and Family• Steward Terence & Adriana Kenny• Steward Terence & Mary Sheridan• Steward The Farina Family• Steward The Lemoine Family• Steward The Mac Gillis Family• Steward The McGinty Family• Steward The Passalaqua Family• Steward The Piccolo Family• Steward The Pindar Family• Steward The Raymond Family• Steward The Smyth Family• Steward The Sullivan Family• Steward The Velcamp Family• Steward The Wingertzahn Family• Steward The Wright Family• Steward The Wutt Family• Steward Thomas & Abby OMalley• Steward Thomas & Christine Huthwaite• Steward Thomas & Gemma Nastasi• Steward Thomas & Pat Flynn• Steward Thomas & Robin Sampson• Steward Thomas & Simone Cooney• Steward Thomas & Yvette Bonfiglio• Steward Timothy & Jane Orr• Steward Todd & Elaine Dixon• Steward Tony & Helen Solomine• Steward Vincent & Maggie Annarella• Steward W. Dean and Courtney Adams• Steward William & Cindy Gangemi• Steward William & Colleen Rempel• Steward William & Julie Gettings• Steward William & Marion Riordan• Steward William & Nancy Loughran• Steward William & Patricia Alcaro

 

Rumson - Fair Haven Municipal Alliance to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse

 

Rumson and Fair Haven have joined together in a regional effort to combat drug and alcohol abuse in our communities, especially among our young people and in both our public and private schools.

The Serenity Prayer

 

A part-time Municipal Alliance Coordinator will be employed by both governments to implement a grant received from the Governor's Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, provide comprehensive substance abuse prevention programs to the communities of Rumson and Fair Haven, address community risk factors through collaborative planning with local resources. The Coordinator will also provide support to existing resources, i.e. schools, local law enforcement and recreation departments.

Holy Cross looks forward to cooperating with the Municipal Alliance Coordinator when named, and welcomes assistance in providing our students, their parents and parishioners with timely information and education to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

 

Welcome to Our New Principal: William J. Belluzzi

I was pleased to learn today that the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Trenton has given its approval to my and the Search Committee’s selection for new Principal of Holy Cross School.

William J. Belluzzi began his teaching career as a Language Teacher and Guidance Counselor at Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph Regional High Schools, served as an Instructor at Dominican College and then became principal of both public elementary and middle schools in Bergen County. He currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools of Montvale Public Schools.

Certifications, awards and distinctions

• New York: School District Leader. New Jersey: School Administrator, Principal, Supervisor, K-12 Pupil Personnel Services, K-12 Spanish, K-12 Italian, Elementary School Teacher.
• 1989 Bergen County Guidance Counselor of the Year; 1999 Bergen County Elementary and Middle School Administrative Excellence Award; Inducted into the Bergen Catholic Hall of Fame, 2004; Administrators Educational Visit to Korea, July 2001.
• President, Bergen County Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association 2001 – 2003; Vice- President, 1999 – 2001; Executive Board, 1997 – Present; Member New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Council, 2001 – 2005; President, Bergen County Coalition of School Administrators, 2002 – 2003; Executive Board, 2001 – 2006.

 Education

• William Paterson University M.Ed. In Administration and Supervision, January 1996

• Montclair State University M.A.T. in Secondary Education, May 1977

• Fordham University B.A. in Romance Languages, Magna cum laude, June 1973

Mr. Belluzzi and his wife are residents of Bay Head, New Jersey; they have a son and daughter both of whom have completed their primary and secondary educations in Catholic schools.

Mr. Belluzzi’s love of education, children and his faith were evident in all the answers he gave to our committee.  His sincerity, compassion and conscientious approach to education will serve us well. Here are two paragraphs from the letter he wrote to the Search Committee explaining his vision for Catholic education:

          The challenges of a Catholic education as we move further into the 21^st century will be to maintain a specifically Catholic identity, to remain current in curriculum and instructional practices, to make certain that schools are fiscally sound with viable enrollments, and to make provisions for necessary technology, supplies and equipment with a rich program of extracurricular activities. The particularly Catholic identity must provide the basis for integrating communal liturgical worship experiences, opportunities to practice Christian service, knowledge about faith and traditions, and meaningful discussion about important issues which will be faced both now and in the future…

Catholic schools have a distinct advantage as they augment the role of the family in helping students to respect and value themselves and others while developing their specific God-given talents to make a contribution to our society.  Recognizing that parents are the primary educators of their children, the faculty and administration, together with the parish and the greater Church all need to pledge themselves toward the same vision. We all must care deeply about the young people entrusted to us and recognize that they are the reason for our existence.

We are delighted that Mr. Belluzzi will be joining us at Holy Cross and we welcome him back to his Catholic educational roots. He will be joining us before long to greet parents, children and parishioners as soon as we can arrange the dates and times.

Please pray that Holy Cross School continues to prosper and that our new principal will be guided by the Holy Spirit and the good will of school parents, faculty, children and parishioners alike.

 Fr Manning

Youth Group Plant Sale

Thanks to Mr. Feerst, Ms. Evans and all those who helped with the plant sale for the last two weekends. A big thank you to those who purchased plants --- may they live long and prosper.

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.

Welcome to First Communicants' Families and Friends

Holy Cross parish celebrates a joyful day-long First Communions today and welcomes all the families and visitors of our young communicants.

We are always blessed when we gather for Eucharist and proud (in a good way) of our parish and our school.

 

 

New Assistant Youth Minister for Holy Cross

Holy Cross is pleased to announce that Matt Butler, a faculty member of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, will join our parish staff to assist Mr. Feerst in moderating the high school students in Holy Cross Youth Group. Mr. Butler teaches religion at CBA, holds a Master's Degree in Theology and is the Assistant Wrestling and Assistant Crew Coach. He currently serves as a youth minister in Northern New Jersey and will begin his ministry at Holy Cross in the fall. We hope to introduce Matt Butler at upcoming parish functions before the fall semester to let everyone meet him and get acquainted.  Many of our parishioners are well acquainted with Matt already.

We are sure that his enthusiasm, intelligence, athletic prowess and love of Christ will inspire all of us at Holy Cross. Welcome, Matthew Butler!

 

 

Priestly Vocations

It was exciting to see our bishop encourage vocations during his Confirmation visit a few days ago. Not only did he ask each of the boys serving the Confirmation ceremony about priesthood, but distributed a prayer card from the Office of Vocations and a Miraculous Medal from his recent trip to Lourdes.

Diocesan Vocations Web Page Link

Bishop O'Connell is inviting men who are discerning a call to the priesthood to his residence in Princeton for a day of prayer and reflection.

June 16th - 11 AM        Young men of high school age

June 23rd - 11 AM        Men between the ages of 18 - 40

 

Spring Flower Sale to Benefit Holy Cross Youth Group

Help our Youth Group and beautify your garden at the same time!  Proceeds from this year's sale of flowers will help us to recruit two additional part-time youth ministers and expand the important ministry to our young parishioners.

Please help! Flowers will be on sale after masses and during some of our upcoming parish events. 

 

First Communions This Saturday at Holy Cross

This Saturday Holy Cross will celebrate First Eucharist for our young parishioners at four consecutive masses. First Communions are one of the happiest days in the life of any parish, and I would have to believe in the life of most parish priests, as well. 

Please pray for the sacramental grace to bless and fortify not only our First Communicants, but their families and our entire parish.

May their first communions be the beginning of a life long Christian journey nourished by Jesus' Body and Blood each week.

 

Welcome Bishop O'Connell

A warm welcome to Bishop David O'Connell

who will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our confirmandi today.

Alarm Progress

 

Some progress has been made on the repairs to the school fire alarm system. It appears that the troublesome signal has been isolated and neutralized. In the past 48 hours, no alarms have been reported and our students' school day has not been disrupted by "fire drills."

 

Children's Choir Back on Tune

Happy News that Holy Cross School's new interim music teacher will be leading the Children's Choir at all school events for the remainder of the year. Information about our new teacher is in the Wednesday School envelope mailing. We welcome him warmly and look forward to hearing the progress our choir makes even in the few weeks until the school year concludes.

 

Fire Alarms - True and False

Perhaps you heard our Fire Department responding to an alarm at our school last evening. It happened during the clean up of our Family Night Bingo - which apparently had nothing to do with the alarm.

Our alarm company had just completed two full days of cleaning and inspecting each and every smoke and heat detector in the school building (and there are many of them!) and we suspect something they disturbed or adjusted caused the false alarm. They are still in the process of updating the system and a few parts needed for the control panel are  "on order." We hope there are no system malfunctions in the meantime. Still, only hours after the alarm company completed its work and packed its equipment, we had a false alarm - costly to the Borough and now to the parish.

Surely a peculiar aspect of the current alarm systems, from a consumer's point of view anyhow, is their sensitivity. In medicine, we would wonder if a biological testing system were worthwhile if it gave too many "false positives." The language is simpler in firefighting, "false alarms." Almost every older parish has a history which includes a fire in one or more of its buildings, especially its churches, so the benefits of monitoring seem unquestionable. But more than once we have been told that "dust" was the cause of a false alarm. "Don't know" is often a runner-up to "dust" as an explanation.

Alarm systems for the church and the school are now mandated by law and each system is often proprietary, which makes changing the monitoring company problematic, whether for economic reasons or poor customer service. Our rectory, for example, was mandated to have a fire alarm system when it was used for public purposes, e.g. meetings and parish office space. Within not too many years, the system became irreparable despite multiple visits of repair and maintenance persons from the alarm company, partly because the company "discontinued" our control panels. We finally just disconnected the system since the rectory is no longer used for public purposes and installed a few battery operated smoke detectors and CO detectors. It took sleuthing from our business administrator to discover years later, that we were still being billed monthly for a system that was no longer connected to the monitoring station!

The dilemma with these systems is that once a sensor triggers, it is very difficult to verify whether or not it is a false positive before cancelling the automatic call by the alarm company to the local fire department. Our apologies to the Borough. The parish expends a great deal of time and no small cost to maintain and monitor our alarms - you'd think they would be dependable. We are trying our best, given the current technology and our resources to make it so.

 

 

 

 

Principal Search Committee Survey

Principal Search Committee Formed for Holy Cross Elementary School

As many of you already know, Mrs. Patricia Graham, our school principal has made the decision to retire at the end of this academic year. I speak for many when I express my gratitude for her service to Holy Cross School and assure her of the affection in which she is held. Mrs. Graham will help us complete this year smoothly along with the capable leadership of Mrs. Alison Mitchell, our Director of Curriculum.

I have formed a Principal Search Committee according to Diocesan guidelines to begin our selection of a new principal as soon as possible. The members of the Committee are: Cynthia Casciola-Kitts, Associate Director for Elementary Schools, Diocese of Trenton; Steve Chappell, member Holy Cross School Board; Brother James Butler, F.S.C., Principal, Christian Brothers Academy; Jacqueline Whitelaw, Chairperson, Holy Cross School Board and former PTA Chairperson; William Kenney, parishioner/parent. I am delighted to have a Search Committee of such high integrity and talent and thank each of them for their generous service to our school.

Here is an outline of the task ahead of them:

1. Committee prepares a School and Community Profile (this step includes anonymous faculty survey on the needs of Holy Cross School).
2. Committee prepares ads, establishes timeline for applications and interviews
3. Committee makes recommendation(s) to pastor
4. Pastor’s input and choice
5. Superintendent of Schools interviews final candidate
6. Pastor announces new principal to parish

The Search Committee will begin within several weeks, so that they can begin advertising the position and inviting applications for their consideration.

With our solid curriculum, dedicated teachers, supportive parents and parishioners and with Christ at our core, the future of Holy Cross School looks even brighter. Please pray that the Holy Spirit animates our search and illuminates our path.

To help the Search Committee formulate our school and community profile, please take a moment to complete an online survey about Holy Cross School:

Principal Search Committee Survey

Please note, faculty and staff will be surveyed anonymously by the Search Committee;

this anonymous survey is designed for parents and parishioners

Christmas Mass Schedule Survey Update

Our parish survey on Christmas masses is still open, and the results are preliminary, but here's a snapshot of the most intersting findings:

Not surprisingly, there is literally "zero" interest so far in an evening Christmas day mass. 

As for some of the other questions:

Please take the survey if you haven't done so. It only takes a moment to complete and it will help Holy Cross plan the most convenient worship schedule for next 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

Manger Tebow Two - CYO

For other great examples of "Tebowing" go here.

Manger Tebow One

"O Come Let Us Adore Him" Tebow-style.

Would You Believe?

As you may know, our school children are being escorted to Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays during class time once a month by grade. Their prayer time is brief, 15 minutes or less for the younger grades, longer for our older students. By now, all the grades have had one turn at a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. 

Last week, during a routine visit to the fourth grade, I asked the students whether they liked the Eucharistic Adoration or not. The nearly universal response, "yes" surprised me a little, but what the students said nearly bowled me over.

When I asked about what they like most, nearly all remarked on the stillness and the silence. "It was peaceful and reverent," said one girl. Another girl confided that she cried when she prayed for her dead pets. One boy exclaimed that for the first time in his life, he "really felt close to Jesus."  "Yes, yes," added another young man, "it seemed like only me and Jesus and the people I prayed for were there; everyone and everything else kinda disappeared." 

I wondered how long 15 minutes seems to 4th graders suddenly immersed in 15 minutes of silent prayer and asked if anyone thought it was too long, or they got bored. "Father," chided one student, "how can you get bored when you're talking to Jesus?"

I'm not making this up!! Stay tuned for more Eucharistic miracles.

Join us at adoration on Wednesdays from 9 AM to 4 PM.