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.
Our moral and spiritual stature can be measured by that which we await and that for which we hope.
Benedict XVI, Angelus November 28th.
View from the Sacristy
Our Advent Star over the Carriage House
There's a rumor that several angels will be making an appearance over the skies at Holy Cross this year.
The latest issue of Sacred Architecture, The Journal of the Institute for Sacred Architecture, Duncan Stroik, editor arrived on my desk today. There are some beautiful photos of newly constructed traditional church architecture and a scathing review of the new shrine church built to contain the remains of St. Padre Pio. An article entitled "Architectural Violence in Umbria" laments the landing of a huge, nearly solid cube of concrete in the beautiful Umbrian countryside.
The webpage (www.sacredarchitecture.org) of the journal is worth a visit.
Padre Pio's Shrine and Cross
Award-Winning Umbrian Church by Fuksas Studios (photos courtesy of Architectural Review)
From the Sanctuary at Ars in France, the parish where St. John Vianney pastored and is buried, comes this photo of a smiling St. John Vianney statue. They're hard to come by, but worth looking for.
Donations to renovate and maintain the Sanctuary are always welcome and there are some great photos at their website www.arsnet.org
Holy Cross School
Congratulations 4B and 8A !
The second crop of cosmos is growing and blooming! These are the seedlings from the self-sown seed scattered by the wind from the early summer bloomers.
Some of the oldest plants are the tallest cosmos I've ever seen. While the traditional white, pink and lavender cosmos tend to get weak and spindly when they get tall, this yellow variety seems really strong.
Here's pictures for scale: the first shows the tallest cosmos behind the standard sized soccer goals, the second with my faithful Vizsla "Hope" alongside.
This week's Adult Faith discussion group will be reading and discussing Chapter 7, The Message of the Parables in Pope Benedict's book Jesus of Nazareth.
Join us at 7:00 PM in the St. Michael's Media Room.
Holy Cross School
Pope Benedict has asked that prayer vigils be held at the beginning of Advent to pray for a greater respect for all unborn human life. The time of expectant waiting for Jesus seems a perfect opportunity to be mindful of the vulnerability Jesus took upon himself in the Incarnation, and the vulnerability of all powerless and voiceless human life.
We will pray a Vigil for Human Life on Wednesday, December 1st at 6:30 PM at Holy Cross Church. This will coincide with the beginning of the Advent Family Retreat, but will also include any parishioners who are not taking part in the Family Retreat but wish to join in prayer for life.
It is planned to have prayer, song, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and some time for private reflection and meditation.
Religious Education Classes
Holy Cross School