Diary of a Parish Priest

Lego Mass Kit, There Is Such A Thing!

Mrs. Meehan's 2nd Grade Class learned about the Mass with the help of Legos.

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

Senior Parishioner Luncheon From Holy Cross School

Rumson Memorial Day Parade 2018

We had an enthusiastic contingent at this year's Memorial Day Parade. Thanks to Mike Feerst, and Amy Evans for helping organize everyone and keep their spirits up!

Here are a few of the great pictures, thanks to Teresa Makin.

Patriotic Colors On Memorial Day

I was hoping my garden would cooperate with some patriotic colors on Memorial Day and the weather obliged.

 

Thanks to all who marched with Holy Cross' contingent in the parade or cheered along the route. I should have some pictures of the parade tomorrow.

As you can see below, I was otherwise engaged this Memorial Day. Thanks to Fr. Gaffney for helping get the day off!

Memorial Day Weekend 2018

Obtaining Baptismal Sponsor Certificates

Several local pastors were discussing parish policies on issuing baptismal certificates. To help our discussion, it would be very helpful to hear about your experience or that of family or friends in requesting certificates from local parishes.

Please click on the link if you can help us by completing this very brief survey:

Baptism Sponsor Certificate Survey

Our Lady Help of Christians and St. Simon the Stylite

Today there are two interesting feast days on the church calendar; they show the need for witness in different times and places.

Our Lady Help of Christians was a feast proclaimed by the Pope Pius VII after his captivity by Napoleon was ended and Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo. The pope proclaimed the feast on a triumphal re-entry into Rome. 

St. Simon the Stylite emulated the Desert Fathers who left the world to live in seclusion and prayer by climbing atop a large stone pillar on which he remained for most of his life.

Both feasts remind us, as the reading from the letter of James reminds us in today's mass readings, to keep free of entanglement with things which are perishable and remain focused on God amid the turmoil of this world.

 

St. Simon the Stylite

 

Our Lady Help of Christians

 

 

A Puff of Smoke?

Today's reading from James isn't the kind of address you would give at a typical graduation or ordination. Congratulations on all your plans...but you are a puff of smoke! And your plans? Who knows?

People may take too much offense to listen to James' follow-up: Make you plans in and for the Lord and then they will prosper.

 

 

Narcan Reverses Opioid Overdoses - Be Prepared By Learning Tonight

 

US Surgeon General

Tonight is a Narcan (naloxone) information evening at Holy Cross Church. Narcan is a prescription drug which reverses the effects of opioid overdose. It has now been manufactured in a nasal spray preparation and through the intervention of lawmakers and the Surgeon General of the United States is available for purchase at pharmacies who will issue the drug to the purchaser.

 

Tonight's session is a joint effort of Holy Cross Church and the Rumson Police Department. The background of the opioid problem in New Jersey and the use of Narcan will be covered. Participants will know how to administer Narcan and learn how to obtain it. Limited supply of Narcan will be available for a donation to the church.

St. Joseph's Room in Holy Cross Church

May 22, 7:00 P.M.

Presenters: Lt. Chris York, Fr. Michael Manning

Mary, Mother of the Church - May 21, 2018

Mary, Mother of the Church rose window at Holy Cross Church in Rumson. Our window depicts Mary with the Christ child surrounded by symbols of the 12 apostles. The four evangelists are shown at 9, 12, 3 and 6 o'clock. 

Today was the first worldwide celebration of the new feast promulgated by Pope Francis. 

Michelangelo's Last Judgement: Rosary or Rope?

St. Felix of Cantalice

St. Felix (left) and St. Philip Neri

St. Felix with his sack of alms for the poor

Friend of St. Philip Neri and acquaintance of St. Charles Borromeo, St. Felix spent his life as a lay brother in the order which would eventually become the Capuchins of the Franciscans. 

Despite no formal education, he was sought out by many for his advice and became known for his sanctity, his fruitful efforts to aid the poor and his fidelity of lifetime service. He recognized the effectiveness of teaching young children through the use of song and was seen throughout Rome singing them the catechism. 

He reportedly was favored with visions of Mary and was allowed in one of them, to hold the baby Jesus in his arms. Artists have often depicted this vision. 

 

Happy Anniversary Wishes From Holy Cross Pre-K

Thank you!

Saint Giulia Salzano

Saint Giulia was noted for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary and founded a congregation of nuns called the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to teach children about the faith and spread the love of the gospel.

Canonized by John Paul II as a saint of the "new evangelization," she reminded her sisters they must always be ready to defend the faith and teach its truths, especially to young children. She hoped this mission would be hers until her dying day.

 

 

St. Brendan the Navigator

Holy Cross Church doesn't have a window dedicated to St. Brendan, but he is pictured in one of our windows. He is shown as one of the saintly students of St. Ita, who does have a dedicated window. St. Brendan was inspired to set out into unknown waters to preach the gospel in far off lands. 

The statues in Ireland depicting him emphasize his courage and his great zeal. 

 

Garden Time 2018

Common Witch Hazel

 

Rosa Rugosa, sp. These roses are pretty hardy around these parts, but this particular variety is quite fragrant - this one bloom (also inset) spreads a sweet aroma many feet away from the plant.

 

Clematis augustifolia

 

Mock Orange

 

Border with Walker's Low Catmint, Phenomenal lavender, Japanese Iris, Red Knock Out Roses

 

Perennial Blanket Flowers in front row. You may be able to see lavender plants and Russian sages in two rows behind them.

 

Hosta Sum and Substance, Phenomenal Lavender, Daylillies, Husker's Red Penstemon, Forget-Me-Nots

 

Hedge Row of Carefree Delight Roses, Mock Orange, Rosa Rugosa and other plantings.

 

? Tulip and oregano

 

Five Spot. Good self-seeder.

 

Purple Phlox

 

Knock Out Yellow Rose. Extremely fragrant!

Many of the plants in the front yard of the rectory are now three years old. They were started from young seedlings, cuttings or seed plugs so they have taken a while to get growing. Add a few unsual storms the usual crop of bunnies and deer and you've got the usual recipe for some plants succeeding and others failing. A few clematis vines which met up with the weed wacker last year are back and look like they're happy. So perhaps this summer will be a good year for flowering and more mature plants.

The show of daffodils was delightful and they were only planted last fall. The varieties I selected were quite fragrant and the trumpets were bold and yellow. 

I try to select perennials for their hardiness and the annuals for their capacity to self-sow. Gardens are, after all, partly for us to enjoy and partly for future generations too.

May we all have good luck with our gardens and have at least some of our efforts rewarded! 

St Matthias, Apostle

Saint Matthias, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot by the Apostles and the Holy Spirit. He preached fearlessly and met a martyrs death. This statue honors the tradition that he was beheaded.

We heard Jesus' words from Scripture in this morning's gospel which are carved on the book he is holding, "You are my friends." 

First Communicants Crown Mary at Sunday 10:30 AM Mass 2018

 

Last minute instructions before the procession down the nave.

First Eucharists Holy Cross Rumson 2018

Today we celebrated two Masses with our First Communicants of 2018. The children were well prepared and reverent and their parents and families were joyful. First Holy Communions enrich our entire parish family and are a wonderful sign of the Holy Spirit bringing nearer to completion our youngest members of the Body of Christ.