Diary of a Parish Priest

Praying As Family: Retreat for Parents, Grandparents: Monday December 5th in Holy Cross Auditorium, 7:00 PM

 

A Short Guide to Praying as a Family, written by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia as an aid for families who desire to grow in their lives of prayer.

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Two Dominican sisters of St. Cecelia Congregation will visit and speak with us about praying as a family. In simple and engaging language, they will direct families step-by-step in beginning to pray together and in deepening their prayer.

Families who have used this book say that they have found especially helpful the sections on how to begin family bedtime prayers, the monthly family meeting, and praying with one’s spouse. They have commented that this guide is simple, practical, and profound. “Helping children learn the habit of prayer,” writes Archbishop Charles Chaput in the Forward, “becomes one of the most important lessons a family can share.”

Everyone is invited, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Babysitting will be provided. Call to reserve a copy of the sisters' book

Join Us At Mass to Pray For The Deceased On All Souls Day November 2nd at 7 PM

"From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic Sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God...The church also commends almsgiving, indulgences and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead." Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1032.

 

 

Holy Cross Holy Door To Close Sunday November 13

It has been a privilege to have a Holy Door designated at Holy Cross Church for the soon to be completed Year of Mercy. Our thanks to the Holy Father and Bishop O'Connell. We have hosted many pilgrimage groups and distributed over one thousand special issues of the Magnificat for the Year of Mercy along with just as many tri-fold brochures printed by us explaining the Holy Door, The Year of Mercy and the Catholic Church's teachings on indulgences. 

The special privileges accorded a visit to the Holy Door along with its required acts of penance and prayer will end on November 13th. Those wishing to avail themselves of these special graces are encouraged to seek them before then.

 

Adult Faith Reflections During Advent: November 30 and December 7th

El Greco's "Adoration of the Shepherds

Join us for two sessions of spiritual reflections, prayer and discussion during Advent. We will begin in the church with Evening Prayer and then adjourn to the St. Joseph Meeting Room for a discussion of Eugene LaVerdiere's book The Firstborn of God: The Birth of Mary's Son Jesus (Luke 2:1-21)

The book is a perfect mix of scholarly tidbits about Scripture and pastoral reflection for prayer on the Gospel of Luke, especially the infancy narrative.

The "Conclusion" chapter discusses Luke's use of word paintings in his gospel and references El Greco's Adoration of the Shepherds.

We'll condense our sessions to two in order to free up time as the Advent season comes to a close and Christmas approaches: November 30 and December 7th. On November 30 we will have Evening Prayer at 7:00 in the church followed by the discussion and reflection at approx. 7:15 PM. On December 7th there will be a Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at  7:00 PM. 

Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the Parish Office for a donation of $15. 

Plan to join us for one or both sessions! All are welcome.

 

Evening Prayer With Liturgical Ministers

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Readers gathered for an evening of prayer and reflection last Monday, followed by sessions of review and critique of the procedures now in use at weekend masses for reading and distributing Holy Communion.

We're always trying to accommodate to the needs of each mass congregation within the confines of our efficiently arranged seating. Please let us know of any suggestions how Holy Communion could flow more easily (remember that it doesn't need to be quick) or the readers could be more clearly understood.

We have ordered the second group of acoustic sound panels for the church, since the installation of the first group improved the sound in the narthex so greatly. 

 

St. Francis Stained Glass Windows To Arrive By Christmas

Beyer Studio has informed us that they anticipate installing the two new stained glass windows in the North Transept of the church by Christmas.

 

Holy Door Privileges Coming To An End As Year of Mercy Closes

Be sure to avail yourself of the graces associated with prayer during the Year of Mercy before the year closes on November 20th. 

Confession, Communion, Prayer for the intention of the Holy Father, visit to a Holy Door and perfect contrition for sin yields a plenary indulgence for yourself or someone deceased.

Our Ancestors

Modern DNA technology has made it possible to determine with a high degree of certainty the regions our ancestors came from. Sometimes an oddity will even enable us to pinpoint a village or town. 

Scientists frequently announce new discoveries based on DNA analysis and study of population pools. It's amazing to learn about the great waves of human migration across the earth and how each population was shaped by its environment.

Today, as we give thanks for this bountiful land, we acknowledge that we are all pilgrims on a journey and enjoy this beautiful country for but a brief time.

Let us thank God for all the sacrifice and courage which gave birth to us and ask God's help to be the courageous and faithful people who hand on our faith and our land to those who will come after us.

 

Luminous Day for the Outdoor Living Rosary

It was such a beautiful afternoon to pray the rosary outdoors in our prayer garden. Thank you to all parents, teachers and staff who cooperated to make the day so prayerful. Our students comported themselves well and added to the reverence for the day.

Everyone gets to pray.

 

The Living Rosary

It looks like the weather will cooperate for a beautiful celebration of the outdoor rosary later this afternoon.

Join us at 1:00 PM in the Prayer Garden with all the children from our parish school.

St. Francis of Assisi

I hope we all feel a special kinship with St. Francis since we have been praising God in light bathed with the splendid colors of windows from the former St. Francis Church in Philadelphia.

Through the intercession of St. Francis may we learn to love all God's creation including all God's creatures and all the members of the human family.