June 30/July 2, 2007 From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

Let us Praise God for the wonderful Picnic Day that we has last Sunday. We could not have asked for a more perfect day.

A big THANK YOU to all who gave of their time and talent to make the picnic the tremendous success that it was. A special word of thanks to Tina and Mike Reignier for all the time, energy, long hours and planning that went in to the picnic. Know that it was and is deeply appreciated.

Next weekend, July 7th & 8th I ask you to welcome Sister Johanna O.Praem. a Norbertine nun from our convent which is located about 20 miles from Budapest. She will share with us some of the work that she and the other Norbertine Sisters do with the very poor in their area. The center of their work is in a town called "Zsambek" As a direct result of having lived under Atheistic Communism for 45 years their people suffered physical, mental and spiritual deprivation.

After the change in government in 1990, the Norbertine sisters were once again able to function publicly and they began a Day Care Center and school for children 5 to 15 years of age. They have provided much needed meals, clothing, one-to-one-care and little by little began teaching them values that were previously unknown to them. This year 75 children attend the center.

Vocational facilities were non existent and so the sisters in 1996 began a “Trade and Vocational Training School” for children 15 years of age and older. This year they have 480 students enrolled in this school. From these schools other projects have developed, such as providing adult literacy classes for parents and older members of the community, job training for the unemployed and unskilled, and workshops for physically and mentally handicapped people.

We will have a second collection on the weekend of July 7th and 8th to support our Norbertine Sisters. Know that 100% of everything contributed will go to support these very poor people and the schools that that they attend. Please be generous.

A special thank you to Remus Schott for designing, making and installing the railing into the sanctuary. It is not only functional but also a work of art and rather nice looking. As I “age” and my knees deteriorate, this railing will enable me to climb the few steps to the altar. Thank you Remus for all you do for Holy Cross with your gift of time and talent.

Oremus pro invicem,

Fr. Tom

2007 Holy Cross Parish Picnic Scrapbook

Word spread about the Polka Mass, the legendary booyah of Don "Soup" Jacobs, the live music, the fun and games for kids, and the Belgian Pies. And they came from miles around...

Students lined up to take their turn heaving softballs at the dunk tank target. Mrs. Jensen got doused...

There was a little something for everyone: a raffle and silent auction that featured over 150 items, including $1000 in cash.
Tents and picnic tables provided a great space to kick back, enjoy some booyah and cold drinks, and chat with friends.

The kids had a blast...

The fresh Belgian Pies and tasty baked goodies were served up with a healthy helping of kindness and good cheer...

Thank you to Mike and Tina Reignier and all the fine folks who helped to make the 2007 Holy Cross Parish Picnic a fun and successful community event. If you weren't able to attend, mark your calendar--we'll be back next year!!

From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate and enjoy Our Annual Parish Picnic ! A very Special “THANK YOU” to Tina and Mike Reignier who were willing to step forward and be the Chairpersons for this year’s Picnic. As we all know, a celebration like this does not just happen but take a lot of time, effort, coordination and hard work and I know that Mike and Tina and their two children have put in hours, hours and more hours so that this could take place. So when you see them please express a Thank You to them. Thanks also for all those who have set up, worked on special areas, prepared the grounds, peeled and sliced the vegetables for the Booyah and who have worked and contributed in any way to the picnic. Now let’s enjoy the day and have a good time!

Congratulations are in order for Tom and Susan Ley – Their daughter Kelsey was united in the Sacrament of Marriage last Saturday, here at Holy Cross to Neil Dorner. We wish them many happy years together as they begin their journey of building a home, a family, a life together.

This weekend and next weekend each family will be asked to complete an information card which is in the pews and to give the card to one of the ushers as you leave church. In addition we ask that you take home and read the information packet for Advancing the Mission. The purpose of the card is so that we can know which Families have picked up their information packet and it will help our parish save money in mailing costs. The cards can also help us make any necessary corrections on our parish data base, should there have been recent changes in your address or phone numbers.

As you already know, we along with every other parish in the diocese will be initiating our participation in “Advancing the Mission” Campaign during the months of July and August. You will be receiving a call from a fellow parishioner inviting you to a Parish Cook Out and some other events. Please be kind and thoughtful. They will not be asking you for money or to make a pledge. There are still openings for people who are willing to give of their time and talent in making this campaign a success. Won’t you consider helping me your pastor, so that we will be able to take pride in the Holy Cross Family Parish way of making things happen and be successful.

One very important ingredient in our ATM campaign is prayer. We are praying the rosary before all Masses on the weekend. Why not come a bit early and join in this prayer practice. The Prayer Committee of Advancing the Mission is inviting each parishioner to take home a “Yellow Prayer Card” which has the name of a Holy Cross family printed on it, as they ask that you say a prayer each day that week for that family. Return the card the next week and put it back in circulation and take a different “prayer card” for the following week. It is a good way for us to practice my motto "oremus pro invicem."

Please also consider our parish family's annual retreat at Chambers Island on Tuesday, July 10th. Cost is only $60 and includes transportation, meals, retreat talks and Mass.

I am very pleased to also announce that we have hired a Religious Education Director. Tina Meyer has decided not to return to Holy Cross next year and I was very sorry to see her leave us. Travel Distance, Program Costs, Budget problems were all factors in her decision. Our New Religious Education Coordinator is Mrs. Martha Huske. I know you will like Martha as she is a very out going, friendly and dynamic person. She comes to us with more than 25 years of experience in liturgy, Education, and has worked at many Green Bay parishes including St Willebrord, Annunciation and St Jude. I know you will give her a warm Holy Cross welcome.

I you are willing to teach a class in our Religious education program please give Martha a call at 468-6554.

Oremus pro invicem,
Fr Tom

It's almost here.....the Holy Cross Annual Parish Picnic!!!!

Thank you again to all of those who have come forward to donate their time or items for the picnic this year. If you haven't signed up yet to help out on Sunday, don't worry as there are still slots that need to be filled. All you need to do is contact me or Tara Quidinski to find out where you can help...it's that easy!

Hopefully you will be able to join us at the picnic this Sunday for what is sure to be the best picnic ever! We will have inflatables for the kids to jump around on, new games (in addition to the traditional favorites of past years), a dunk tank, makeover booths, craft booths, face painting, a live band and new food items. These are just a few of things that you can look forward to and that we are very excited about offering this year.

As announced earlier, there will be a school uniform sale located in the gym, near the silent auction. Due to valuable feedback from school parents we have decided to bump the price of the clothes from 25 cents each to $1.00 per item. This is still a tremendous savings over buying new clothes and we have tried our best to make sure that the clothes being sold is free of spots, stains and tears so make sure to stop in and check it out.

I look forward to seeing you all there on Sunday and hope that your family has lots of fun!!!

Tina Reignier

Church Picnic's Silent Auction and Raffle to feature 150 Items!

Below is just one of the incredible items
featured in the Silent Auction at the

Holy Cross Church Picnic

June 24th, 2007

from 11AM to 5PM

at 3002 Bay Settlement Road.


This handmade log-cabin quilt was created by Pat Davister.
The queen size comforter functions as both a beautiful art piece
and as a cozy comfort on cold Wisconsin nights.

MACHINE WASHABLE. VALUED AT $350.00.

Vatican Releases 10 Commandments for Drivers

According to the Associated Press, the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerants issued the following 10 Commandments for drivers on Tuesday, June 19, 2007:

1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

Congratulations and Best Wishes to longtime parishioners Sylvia and Richard Corbeill who Celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary this weekend. If you do not know who they are then you have not been involved in Holy Cross Parish because Sylvia and Richard have not only been members for a long time but have contributed so very much of their time, talent and treasure to all the ministries and areas of our parish family life. We hold them in prayer this weekend that Almighty God may continue to bless them with many, many more years of Married Life.

This Weekend we celebrate and honor our Dads on this Fathers’ Day. I searched the internet and found the following which certainly describes my own father and hopefully yours also.

What makes a Dad?

God took the strength of a mountain
The majesty of a tree
The calm of a quiet sea
The generous soul of nature
The comforting arm of night
The wisdom of the ages
The power of the eagle’s flight
The joy of a morning in Spring
The faith of a mustard seed
The patience of eternity
The depth of a family need
Then God combined these qualities
When there was nothing more to add
He knew His masterpiece was complete
And so, He called it…..DAD!

Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers and even our expectant fathers.

“oremus pro invicem”

Fr Tom

Holy Cross School team caps 'Kids for Running' training with completion of 10K Bellin Run

Congratulations to all Holy Cross students and staff/parent volunteers who hung in there throughout the Bellin Run training program and completed their goal of running the 2007 Bellin Run! Check 'em out (they're the ones in blue jerseys...)

2007 Bellin Kids For Running by the numbers:
~Over 30 runners from the Holy Cross School Community participated in the Kids for Running Training Program.
~ Holy Cross parent and librarian, Heidi Martin, led the program for Holy Cross School.
~ Nearly 1,800 students from 38 elementary schools throughout Wisconsin participated in this year's Kids for Running program, according to Bellin Run organizers.
~The program began in 2000 with 218 kids from seven schools in Brown County.

For more information about the Bellin Kids for Running Program check out: www.bellinrun.com/bellinrun/kids+for+running/default.asp


2007 Bellin Run by the numbers:
~ Total registration of 12,908 demolished the former record of 10,323 set last year.
~ This year, 11,022 people finished the race, compared to last year’s record of 8,975.
~ John Korir of Kenya took first place in the men's race with a time of 28:09.
~ Edna Kiplagat of Kenya won the women’s race in 32:28.

For more information about the Bellin Run check out: http://www.bellinrun.com/.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay, Holy Cross School has been in existence for 138 years and has an enrollment of 166 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. The school educates children within the Catholic faith and provides them with opportunities to develop the values, attitudes and skills that will enable them to become vital members of the community. For more information about Holy Cross School, please call 920.468.0625.

Holy Cross Parish Offers Retreat Day July 10, 2007

"A retreat is a time apart, away from the everyday. It is an opportunity to take stock of where we are at, hopefully with good weather, quiet, and beautiful atmosphere." -- Fr. John Van Deuren

HOLY CROSS PARISH RETREAT DAY
Join Fr. John and members of the Holy Cross Parish Family on Tuesday, July 10 at the Holy Name Retreat House on Chambers Island for the annual day of retreat and reflection sponsored by the Spiritual Life Committee.

The cost per person is $60.00 and includes transportation, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner. The bus leaves Holy Cross School at 7:15 AM and will return at approximately 9:00 PM. For more information regarding reservations call Dick or Sylvia Corbeill at 468-0483 or Cathy Zehms at 866-3665.

FR. JOHN VAN DEUREN
Fr. John Van Deuren has ministered to the Green Bay community for many years, working as a chaplain at St. Mary's Hospital, and developing a Clinical Pastoral Education Program for training chaplains. The CPE program officially began in 1976 and still continues in the Green Bay area to this day. Fr. John also served as pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish on the west side of Green Bay until his retirement in 2002. He now enjoys ministering to the people of St. Louis Parish on weekends as well as volunteering in the community.

"But most of all, I love the opportunity to bike, hike and enjoy the outdoors. Wisconsin summers are the best!"

CHILDCARE
For those who have childcare needs, Holy Cross Summercare will be available to retreat participants from 6:30AM-6:00PM. To make summercare arrangements, contact school: 468.0625.

~ Children must be registered for this date in advance, so the program can staff accordingly.
~ The registration fee for a one time use will be waived for retreat participants.
~ Parents must complete emergency forms for each child
~ Cost is $27.00 for the day.
~ Children would need to bring lunches (breakfast and snack are provided)

RETREAT SCHEDULE
7:15 AM Leave Holy Cross
9:00 AM Boat leaves Fish Creek
10:00 AM Arrive at Chambers Island
10:30 AM Welcome/Information from the Holy Name Retreat House Administrators and Holy Cross Spiritual Life Committee
10:45 AM Conference
12:00 LUNCH
2:00 PM Conference
2:30 PM Rest and relaxation
3:30 PM Conference
4:15 PM Liturgy
5:00 PM Dinner
6:00 PM Boat Departs

For more information on the Holy Name Retreat House on Door County's scenic Chambers Island, check out their webpage: www.gbdioc.org/pg/spiritualityRetreatHouse.tpl.

From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

Thank you for your prayers for the success of our Norbertine Canonry Chapter. After 3 ½ days of meetings, I was happy to see it come to a conclusion. The other good aspect of such a meeting is that it brings all of us together for a few days, priests from all over the country and we are able to renew friendships, catch up on what different confreres are doing and in a sense it strengthens our ties as a “family” as a “community that is one in mind and one in heart in Christ Jesus.”

A special welcome this weekend to Father Andy Cribben O.Praem, a Norbertine from St. Norbert Abbey who will be celebrating all the Masses and preaching, this weekend. Father Andy is our Norbertine Vocation Director and is also a confrere and friend of mine. I know that many of you know Fr. Andy and have heard him speak on a number of occasions either here or at the Abbey. Thank you for coming and sharing you wisdom with our Parish Family Fr. Andy!

This weekend we honor and express our deep appreciation to Dave and Gwen Craanen. They have served our Parish Community and the general community for years through their generous gifts of time, talent and service and also through Craanen's Grocery Store They will now “RETIRE” and will be moving up North. A long time “Bay Settlement Icon” will close
and a special “ Bay Settlement Institution” will cease to exist. At the 10 am Mass this weekend we will offer Dave and Gwen a special “Retirement Blessing” and there will be a small reception in front of the church immediately after Mass.

Dave and Gwen, on behalf of the Holy Cross Family I would like to say “THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU BOTH, AND COME SOUTH SOMETIMES TO SEE US. YOU WILL BE MISSED.”

Oremus pro invicem,
Fr. Tom

A Message From the Principal...

Thank you, to each HCCS family, for your contribution to our school program this year. Each of you is a vital piece of the puzzle that makes HCCS the special place that it is. Thank you to all those, who have volunteered in so many ways, to make this year a success. Without kind, generous and dedicated families such as yours, our school would not function as well as it does. Thank you to each of our dedicated faculty and staff for their ministry and contribution in the formation of the children of HCCS. I am in awe of the hard work and dedication that they put forth each and every day.

On a personal note, I want to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Principal of Holy Cross Catholic School. This year has been one of the most challenging of my life, and one of the most rewarding. I am humbled and most grateful for your confidence in me and for allowing me to lead our school and your children. I am truly blessed by this opportunity. While I admit that I am looking forward to the peace, quiet, rest and relaxation that summer brings, I will also look forward to coming together again in the fall for another year at Holy Cross.

May God bless you and keep you safe during these summer months of vacation. May He bring you back to Holy Cross Catholic School healthy, rested and refreshed, come September 4th.

Peace and all good things,

Robin Jo Jensen
Principal

From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners:

Congratulations to all of our Holy Cross Graduates, those from kindergarten, 8th grade, High School, College. We wish you well as you end one important part of your life but also begin a new phase in your journey through this world. This year our school graduates 8 young people from our 8th grade. We will hold you in prayer and wish you the Best in High School. Our graduates are:

Justin Clabots
Miranda DenRuyter
Margaret Gapinski
Matthew Jadin
Patrick Palines
Murphy Prochniak
Jeffrey Sato
Joshua Voigt

Congratulations to Matt and Alison Draheim (new members of our parish family) on the occasion of the Baptism of their first child Jackson Robert Drahiem . Jackson was Baptized at the 10 am Mass this weekend. Please welcome them to our parish family.

Congratulations and best wishes also to Erica Tegtman and Joseph Stehsel who were united in the Sacrament of Matrimony this weekend at Holy Cross. We hold them in prayer as they begin their journey to build a home, a life, a family and to become one in mind and heart in Christ Jesus.

You may have noticed that we have done some re-arranging of the small room to the left of the entrance to our church. We are attempting to increase our “Scrip” program as it is a relatively easy way to raise money for our parish. Kindly consider ordering Scrip for your shopping needs – it does not cost you one penny but it does raise money for the Church. As a special promotion in preparation for our annual Picnic for every Scrip item ordered you will also receive one entry for a drawing for a $25.00 Scrip Gift Card. Help Holy Cross Scrip to grow larger and larger.

I will be gone from the parish from Monday, June 4th through Friday noon, June 8th so that I may attend and participate in the Saint Norbert Abbey Canonry Chapter. This is our annual business meeting and every member of our community is required to attend. In the event that you must get in touch with me I am available through my cell phone = 619-7844 or through my phone at the Abbey 337-4356 (which also has voice mail). Please do not hesitate to call me should the need arise. Kindly keep the Norbertine Community in prayer as we have this annual Chapter.

Oremus pro invicem,
Fr. Tom

Book Review: Provocative ‘Failing the Faithful’ will make you think

By Jean Peerenboom

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend will be seen as either a prophet or a heretic to readers of her new “Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way” (Warner Books, $24.99).

It has the potential of setting off a firestorm. At the very least it will spark debate and reflection among readers, especially Catholics.

Kennedy Townsend makes the point that for too long religion has been politicized by the right and pretty well ignored by the left as churches in America have become more concerned about what to do with their bodies and less concerned about their souls. Kennedy Townsend offers a spiritual call to arms not just to Catholics, but also to Protestants – to anyone who considers themselves Christian.

On the personal side, the oldest daughter of the late Robert Francis Kennedy talks about growing up in an anti-Catholic society as a member of a prominent Catholic family. Her uncle, John Kennedy, was the first Catholic president. Her father and his family talked openly about their faith and how it shaped their values.

Townsend worked in the U.S. Department of Justice before serving two terms as Maryland’s lieutenant governor. She taught at Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband have raised four daughters and live in Baltimore.

On the historical and political fronts, she documents how America’s churches have been in the forefront of the fight for social progress, from the original struggle for independence to the abolitionist movement to the support of women’s suffrage, better working conditions and civil rights. Today, she says, churches allied with the political right have created a new social agenda and have become obsessed with fighting legal and legislative battles about personal and private issues while the neediest in our country are forgotten.

Finally, Townsend offers suggestions as to how Americans can reclaim their religious traditions and transform their churches, their lives and this nation.

She is most certainly one of the liberals and this will cause some to reject everything she has to say. It’s unfortunate because we need to be listening to one another or the divide between right and left will only continue to widen.

Her book shows how broad the church is today, ranging from the very liberal to the very conservative, from the highly educated to the hardly educated. Yet, everyone has an opinion on the church – on its teaching, its dogma, its leaders, its traditions and its future. With both knowledge and passion, she proves that some people do think about their faith with both their heads and their hearts.

Jean Peerenboom is the former religion/books editor from the Green Bay Press Gazette. Jean is currently the volunteer coordinator at the New Community Shelter, 301 Mather St., Green Bay, and a candidate with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross. She will be writing a monthly book review for the Holy Cross Family Blogspot

St. Catherine's Current Best Sellers

Children's Best Sellers

1. Gift by Bp. Morneau $14.95
2. Children's Book of Classic Catholic Prayers by Bp. Morneau $5.95
3. Today I Made My First Communion by Dianne Ahern $19.95
4. My First Holy Communion by Melissa Nussbaum $12.00
5. Tale From Paleface Creek by Bp. Morneau $9.95
6. Holy Eucharist Coloring Book by D. Thomas Halpin $1.95
7. Golden Children's Bible $17.99
8. Saints Coloring Book Vol. 2 $1.49
9. Sacraments by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik $1.25
10. Illustrated Book of Saints by Thomas Donaghy $12.95

Adult Best Sellers

1. Faith That Dares to Speak by Donald Cozzens $19.95
2. Starting Out Reflections for Young Teens by Patrick Reardon $5.95
3. Growing in Joy by Bp. Morneau $9.95
4. Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons by Raymond Arroyo $16.95
5. Poetry of Pope John Paul II $17.95 (on special for $5.00 limited quantity)
6. Short History of the Mass by Fr. Alfred McBride $12.95
7. Freeing Celibacy by Donald Cozzens $15.95
8. Seven Conflicts Resolving the Most Common Disagreements in Marriage by Tim & Joy Downs $14.99
9. Sacred Silence by Donald Cozzens $19.95
10. Sacrament of Charity by Pope Benedict XVI $6.95

St. Catherine Book & Gift Shop has been providing Catholic books to the community in Green Bay and Northeastern Wisconsin since 1946. They are located on 131 South Madison St and specialize in personal service, good books, unique gifts, Christmas creches and stimulating conversation. For more information check out their website: www.stcatherinebookshop.com.