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Sat., Dec 3
4:45 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting - (After Mass)
7:00 p.m. AA Park Allen Group, Gold Room
Sun., Dec 4
11:00 a.m. Family Liturgy, Church
3:30 p.m. Grace in Motion, School Gym
Mon., Dec 5
6:30 p.m. Community Life, Gold Room
Tues., Dec 6
1:30 p.m. Bible Study, Rectory Conference Room.
6:30 p.m. Communications Committee, Rectory Conference Room
Wed., Dec 7
4:00 p.m. Adoration & Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Church
Thu., Dec 8
6:30 p.m. Environmental Group, Gold Room
Sat., Dec 10
7:00 p.m. AA Park Allen Group, Gold Room
Sun., Dec 11
3:30 p.m. Grace in Motion, School Gym
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OPEN PANTRY This week we ask that you please bring Canned Vegatables. Next week we ask that you please bring Cereal.
Please visit openpantry.org to learn more about them. Thank you! |
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We ask God to return to eternal life Judy Lord, and our recently departed friends and relatives.
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Family Mass
The next Family Mass is Sunday December 4th at 11:00 am.
This is a great opportunity for children to take an active part in the Mass and listen to the Word of Goad. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Family Mass is the 1st Sunday of the Month, at 11:00 pm
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Christmas Tree Lighting
CAROLS, COOKIES AND COCOA!
Please join us for our annual tree lighting ceremony
after the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, December 3.
Let's begin our season with laughter and light!
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GIVING TREE
This year the Outreach to the Poor Committee is sponsoring our Christmas Giving Tree to benefit boys and girls, ages 8 – 10 of the Gray House Community.
All gift requests have been chosen by the staff of Gray House as age- appropriate toys.
Please note that these are gift suggestions and have not been requested by a specific child.
Gifts should be returned with the ornament attached and unwrapped to the church, December 10th and 11th. Please return all gifts by noon on Sunday, December 11th.
Once again, this year we have added a gift list on Amazon to make shopping easier.
The link is https://a.co/4geBoXT
If you have any questions, please call Sue Callahan at 413-796-1950.
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Musicians Needed for Pageant
The St. Michael's Academy Christmas Pageant will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13th and Wednesday, December 14th at St. Michael's Cathedral.
In previous years, we have had musicians accompany the children. We have just learned that the musicians have a conflict with dates and are not able to play. We are looking for musicians from any category, string instruments, wind instruments (woodwinds and brass) and percussion instruments to play one or both evenings.
If you are able to help us, please contact Ashley Duplessis at a.duplessis@smaspringfield.org or at
(413) 782-5246 as soon as possible!
Thank you!
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NIGHT’S OF COLUMBUS
HOME CITY COUNCIL 63
C/O Kevin C. Carneiro F.S. 123 Ashland Avenue Springfield, MA 01119 413-537-3459 Homecity63.spfld@gmail.com Is sponsoring Pasta Wednesday.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDER:
Pasta Wednesday is back!! The Knight’s of Columbus, Home City 63 would like to invite all to join us for a pasta dinner, every first Wednesday of the month.
The cost is $10 a head for a complete pasta dinner, and we are serving from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Cedar’s Banquet Hall, 375 Island Pond Rd.
You get light appetizers, salad, pasta, coffee/tea or juice, a dessert, and the following:
December 7th - Meatballs or Eggplant Parm |
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SPIRITED HELPERS
WANTED
We are seeking a few Spirited Helpers to decorate the Church on Friday,
December 16th from 8:30 a.m. (as much time as you can provide) till 12 noon
and Saturday, December 17th from 8:30 a.m. until decorating is complete (again, as much time as you can
provide). It should not take much time with some happy, enthusiastic, spirited helpers!
Look for a sign-up sheet on the table as you enter the Church from the Wheeler Street parking lot.
Please be part of the magic of Christmas as you see the church transforming into lights warming your hearts as we await the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ!
May your hearts and homes be filled with the joyful spirit of Christmas.
Contact Nancy, the Sacristan 413-575-4216 if you need further info.
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Grace in Motion® This Christmas Season!
Grace in Motion® is a one-hour dance class set to Christian music.
All dance and physical abilities celebrated!
Make new friends, become closer to God through heart-moving dance.
Where: school gym
When: Sundays in December
Time: 3:30pm FREE OF CHARGE!
If you are interested, please call Kate at the rectory for more information at 413-372-6244.
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CALLING ALL MUSICIANS
We are looking for both singers and instrumentalists (flute, violin, trumpet, etc.) who have a passion for music to join us in leading the congregation in song each week at the 11:00 Mass.
We’re not looking for perfection. Experience is less important than authenticity and a willingness to learn and to share your musical talents. Whether you've been in a choir before or this is your first time, you are welcome.
Weekly rehearsals are Thursday nights 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the church.
We will be singing at the nighttime Mass on Christmas Eve and will be leading the carol-sing beforehand. If you're unsure, try it out through Christmas and see what it's like. No commitment necessary.
Please pray about it and ask God if this is how you're being called now. If you’re interested or if you have questions, please see our music director Brian Rucci after Mass, email him at bprucci@gmail.com, or call him at 413-372-6238 ext.146.
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YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
In the Eucharist as sacrament, Jesus gives us a pledge of eternal life, a ticket for heaven. We have His own guarantee:
"This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that a person may eat it and not die. I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world" (Jn 6:50-51).
Francis Cardinal Arinze, The Holy Eucharist unites Heaven and Earth. Washington, D.C., 2004.
For more information and videos check out the website: www.yearoftheeucharist.net
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Would you like the benefits of lower electric bills? Love the idea of Solar but don’t want the panels on your house or property, or have too many trees blocking the sun from your house?
Check this out: The Diocese of Springfield has teamed up with Solstice to provide any Springfield Parish with the option to join a community solar farm. Holy Cross Parish signed right up!
Anything that will reduce our electric bills.
In addition to Holy Cross receiving the benefits of solar credits, all of our parishioners (yes you!), can benefit from them too.
Sound interesting?
Give Kate Kelly a call at the rectory, 413-372-6244 to find out more and get signed up!
In addition to the lower electric bills, if you sign up through Holy Cross Parish, you and Holy Cross will each receive a one-time $100 bonus.
Even if you already have solar panels on your house, you may still be eligible to receive the solar credits from this deal!
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U.S. AIR FORCE:
Staff Sergeant Alexander Henle and
Staff Sergeant Samuel B. Park
U.S. ARMY:
SPC Gabriel Childs MP
First Lt. Alexander Nappi, OCS,
Chief Warrant Officer -4 Nicholas S. Penna, and
Private First Class, Trevor Bajek
U.S. MARINE CORPS:
Lance Corporal Dominic Bushway,
Sergeant Christopher Bouchie,
Private Vincent Manning, and
Corporal Dakota Wood,
U.S. NAVY:
Sailor Austin Ray Allaire and Ensign Joshua Lausier
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
First Lt. Jonathan Edward Moll
If you have someone, family or friend, who is currently in
the military, please call the rectory with the proper spelling
of each person’s name. As space allows in the bulletin, we
will ask for prayers for those who are serving our country.
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Electronic Giving Available
With our electronic giving program, you can easily set up a recurring giving schedule or make one-time contributions. We encourage you to set up a schedule of recurring contributions. It’s convenient for you and provides much-needed consistency for our church. If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no long need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. Even when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, our church will continue to receive your contribution on a uninterrupted basis.
Please contact Kate or Anne at the rectory, 413-783-4111, with any questions or to sign up for Vanco. Smartphone savvy? Just click the QR code below!
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RCIA
ARE YOU SOMEONE OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO
... Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
... Has a child over the age of seven who had not been baptized?
... Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist?
We offer an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of church and prepare individuals to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter Season.
You are welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights and your faith story in a warm accepting setting.
For information, please contact Cathy Daniel, Director of Faith Formation at hcc.cathy@gmail.com, (413)372-6239
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Divine Mercy Ministry to Seniors
Volunteers are needed to spread Jesus’ message of Divine Mercy to seniors in local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
As a volunteer prayer group leader, you would lead a weekly 30-minute Divine Mercy prayer group using a simple prepared model of readings, prayers, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
If you feel that the Lord is calling you to this ministry of mercy,
please see the flyers available at the entrances to the church and contact Mary Higgins at (413) 552-7231 or email Mary at: DivineMercyMinistryToSeniors@gmail.com.
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ASSISTANT SACRISTANS NEEDED
Your willingness to serve as an Assistant Sacristan reflects not only a response to your Baptismal call to serve the people of God, but a commitment to Christ as you share in the sacramental, teaching and leading aspects of the church. Your attentiveness to detail and flexibility during the celebration is a further indication of your commitment to this important ministry which enables and prepares for all other liturgical ministries.
If this sounds like You and would like to know specifics, please give Nancy, the Sacristan, a call at 413-575-4216. This is an effort in moving forward in a positive way as we prepare to embrace a new leadership at Holy Cross in the fall. God bless your efforts!
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GREETERS NEEDED!
Volunteers to assist in welcoming parishioners!
What a great way to meet new people in the parish! Individuals, couples, and families are all welcome! The only thing needed is a smile!
Please contact Jim Maiolo at 413-374-1548 or James_Maiolo@hotmail.com.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Do you know someone who would appreciate a reminder that they are not alone during a difficult time and would appreciate a prayer shawl?
Please call Marie Alice Lavallee at 413-783-0341.
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Prayer for Enlivening Our Parish
Below is a link to the "Enlivening Our Parish" prayer that we pray at the beginning of each Mass. Copies of this prayer are once again available in the pews, as are the readings for Mass. I am including a link for the PDF copy of it in this issue, and future issues of, the "Chronicle". You can view it on your phone or mobile device when needed if you don't have access to a printer.
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If you have received First Holy Communion and are in the 3rd or 4th grade or above, you are eligible to become an Altar Server. If you are a former Junior or Adult Server, we welcome you to be part of this ministry. All Altar Servers will be trained.
Please contact Cathy Daniel at 413-372-6239
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"It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."
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