Weather Closings

Nature's Patterns and Rootie Kazootie

PatternsI became fascinated by the patterns of icy slush on the driveway this morning on my way to mass. Polka dot pavement everywhere. 

Well, for anyone who remembers Rootie Kazootie, Polka Dottie, Galapoochie Pup and Poison Zanzaboo, this picture may bring back some memories. One of Rootie's escapades as a detective was discovering who had stolen all the polka dots in town. Of course the culprit turned out to be Poison Zanzaboo, who was apprehended by Rootie's Dalmatian. This illustration shows Zanzaboo's bag of purloined polka dots being spilled all over town - even in rectory driveways sixty years later!

PolkaDotsEverywhere


Snow Sabbath

Churchsnow

Whenever the weather forces a halt to human commerce, it's a good time to pause and give thanks for the many benefits we enjoy and for protection from the harsh elements. 

 We prayed a quiet Latin mass this morning, since the roads were virtually impassible and unsafe. Church events are cancelled for the rest of the day. Stay warm and safe.

 


Noontime Mass Cancelled

Dogs
My dogs are fascinated with today's high winds, but are not venturing out, and prefer to watch from behind the warmth and shelter of a window. There's a wisdom in that today.

Very high winds, near freezing temperatures and mixed precipitation so far around the church. The prospects don't look good for midday improvement, so to keep everyone safe, the Tuesday mass is cancelled. The mass intention will be moved to the next public mass at Holy Cross unless we are told otherwise by the donor of the mass intention.

The church and the parish offices are closed as is the parking lot for eventual snow/slush/ice removal.

 

 

 


Tuesday Morning Mass 3/13 postponed until 12 Noon

I'm watching the Borough prepare the emergency lot across the street from the church office and think it prudent to make some adjustments to tomorrow's mass schedule.

Tomorrow's 9 AM mass is postponed until 12 noon

Later tomorrow morning we will assess whether the roads are passable and the church can be opened.

Stay tuned to the blog, our webpage. Please observe travel advisories and stay warm and safe should the threatened storm materialize.

Fr. Manning

 


Mass and Travel On Sunday January 8th

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Bishop O'Connell has not issued a diocesan wide dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday mass this weekend since as of 8 PM Saturday only a winter storm watch remains in effect.

The storm is predicted to move offshore later this evening and so it should be safe enough to venture out tomorrow. Be prudent in deciding whether to drive or walk outside.

If it's still accumulating or drifting, he has allowed pastors to grant dispensation depending on the local circumstances. 

Stay tuned, otherwise stay warm and I'll see you tomorrow!

 


Winds Still Whipping at Nightfall

 

 

 

Church

We'll announce decisions about tomorrow's masses after daybreak tomorrow.

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Reminder: The 8 AM Sunday mass has been cancelled in order to give us time to clear the parking lot and walkways if possible. If the storm is still in full force, more adjustments to the schedule may be necessary. Check blog tomorrow AM.

Let us pray for everyone's safety.

 


Saturday 5 PM and Sunday 8 AM Masses Are Cancelled

At this writing early Saturday morning, the wind conditions and continuing snowfall are making it nearly impossible to foresee when travel will again be safe and when we are able to provide safe parking and clear pathways to the church.

Presuming our ability to clear the lot and walks will eventually succeed, but wishing to get time for us to do so safely, we have cancelled the Saturday 5 PM mass and the Sunday 8 AM mass. 

We will assess the storm's impact later this afternoon or tonight and make decisions about the remainder of Sunday's masses when we can project whether travel is feasible and parking and church walkways are clear.

As you know, Bishop O'Connell has dispensed us from the obligation to attend mass this weekend due to the storm.

Let us be thankful for warmth and shelter and pray for the storm's impact to spare human life.

Fr Manning

PS Please help spread the word on social media regarding the changes to our mass schedule.

 


How Many Snow Days?

Our school students were just saying that they hadn't gotten any snow days yet this year! The school principal, bus companies and other schools will determine what happens with our school on Monday and going forward.

Keep posted here for news of parish masses and parish events in the next 48 hours, depending on what happens with the weather.  We have already told those who are coming from a distance to work from home. As of now, we plan to have morning mass at 8 AM, but if the weather is bad, stay home!

May God keep us safe and sound from the winter storm.

 

 

 


Recovery Begins


WertygolubiyA team of utility workers from Matrix (sp?) Electric Company stowed their trailers and gear in our parking lot overnight before heading out early this morning to work on what they called the Sea Bright substation. We wish them Godspeed.

Residents from portions of Sea Bright were allowed to visit their properties today one busload at a time. This was an increase from previous trips to the borough which were taken by small ATV vehicles. Allowing unrestricted vehicular traffic into the borough at this time would not only be unsafe due to the precarious condition of much of the housing but also hamper plowing, sifting and relocating the tons of sand on the streets of Sea Bright.

 Residents demonstrated remarkable courtesy and resolve to work together; the staging area remained calm and orderly, a dramatic improvement from the first day following the storm when displaced residents and hurricane tourist traffic snarled in an ugly collection at Ward and Rumson Avenues.

The helpfulness and energy of the volunteers, many of whom lost housing in Sea Bright themselves, was inspiring. 

A Spirit-filled, intrepid group of travellers from Tamoka Christian Church in Ormand, Florida arrived with trailers loaded with useful relief items for personal needs and property clean up. That's a journey of just over one thousand miles! They related that they were unable to reach their original destination due to road flooding and were subsequently turned away by dozens of churches and relief organizations until being directed to Sea Bright and Holy Cross. Happily some parish volunteers were able to help distribute these items through OEM today not only to Sea Bright residents but residents of surrounding communities as well. There was immediate need for virtually every item of the wide variety of items they brought. 

Let us continue to pray for the spiritual peace of those whose lives have been buffeted by the wind and the waves and the resolve of many Good Samaritans to come to their aid. Let us pray that local community leaders and government officials are inspired by prudence and justice in allocating recovery resources. 

Holy Cross School and parish offices remain closed until further notice. 

Our mass schedule has been maintained throughout the storm and will continue to be observed with the exception that all masses will be held in the church and the 7 PM Latin masses are cancelled until further notice.

 

 

 


Sunday Masses

Thanks to all our Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and ushers who helped with our masses today. It was great to gather together as a community and raise our voices in praise, supplication and worship of our God and to offer mutual support to each other.

Daily mass will be held as usual at 9 AM in Holy Cross Church.

School is closed Monday.


Sunday Mass Schedule 11/4/2012

Holy Cross Church 5 PM MassMasses in Holy Cross Church, Sunday 11/4

7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, Noon

The gym is too dark and cold. All masses will be held in the Church. There's no electricity, but plenty of power.

Latin 7 PM mass is cancelled. Too dark to safely get people in and out of the church, but we can light the inside pretty well with candles!

Pray for continued recovery efforts and for the spiritual healing of all those whose lives have been battered by the storm.


5 PM Candlelight Mass

Candlelight Mass 5 PM
5 PM Mass on Saturday Evening needed a little light


Thanks to our ushers and readers who helped us at the 5 PM mass. Tomorrow's mass schedule is as usual except that all masses will be held in the church, since the gym is too dark (and cold). The 7 PM Latin mass is cancelled.

There is an emergency and respite station in Bingham Hall for those needed food, clothing and temporary shelter. A link to the organization on Facebook gives some good information depending on the reliability of the person posting the information.

                NJ Shore Recovery