This week at Holy Cross Parish, Dec. 1-7

Monday, December 1
NO MASS
7:00 PM Choir Practice, Church

Tuesday, December 2
6:45 PM Mass for Judy & Debbie Tillmann
7:30 PM “Primary” Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server, Lector Training, Church

Wednesday, December 3
8:00 AM Mass for Helen Hartl

Thursday, December 4
8:00 AM Mass for Rose Corsten

Friday, December 5
8:00 AM Mass for Bernadette VanLieshout

Saturday, December 6
4:00 PM Mass for the Holy Cross Parish Family

Sunday, December 7
8:00 AM Mass for Rose Betzinger
10:00 AM Mass for Patrick Moreau

Advent begins: the Lord is coming!

Advent Wreath Hand Art
by an EC-4 student from Holy Cross Catholic School.

What's happening in Faith Formation?

Wednesday, December 3
Grades 1 - 6: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Grades 7 - 10: 6:45 - 8:00 PM

Sunday, December 7
"I Am Special" Sunday School: 10:00 - 11:00am

Confirmation Rehearsal:
Thursday, December 4 - Prince of Peace Parish - 7:00 PM
All Confirmation Candidates and their sponsors are expected to attend.

Need a thoughtful Christmas gift idea??
Our brand new Holy Cross Parish Family Cookbook "Serving Body & Soul…since 1852" is available now! Our cookbooks are also conveniently prewrapped in "All Occasion, Birthday, and Christmas paper!

Your cookbooks are available for purchase:
- after all the Masses on the weekends
- in the rectory, school, and Faith Formation offices.

Prices for your cookbooks are as follows:
- $15.00 for one, $14.00 each for 2, $13.00 each for 3 or more

Our cookbooks boast a 3-ring binder for ease in removing and adding your favorite recipes over the years. They are perfect for gift giving for any occasion, and will most definitely become a cherished keepsake on your kitchen shelf! 355 recipes from the best cooks around, OUR PARISH FAMILY! GET EM' WHILE THEY LAST!

About Holy Cross Faith Formation
All children in the Holy Cross Parish Family have the right and opportunity to be educated in their faith. Children and young adults often have questions about God. The Holy Cross Parish Faith Formation program works with parents to answer these questions and to bring our young people into a closer relationship with God; a relationship which motivates them to make good moral decisions in order to live Christ-like lives.

To see Faith Formation photos, click on the photo albums underneath Faith Formation Contact Information on the right hand side of the blog. To read all Faith Formation blog posts, click here.

November 29/30 From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

Congratulations to our school children and their families who worked on the Holy Cross School float in the Green Bay Holiday Parade last weekend. Their hard work was rewarded—they received the Grand Marshall Award!

I do hope that your Thanksgiving holiday was as pleasant and joy-filled as mine. Now that Thanksgiving is past, we can begin focusing on the Advent and Christmas Season. This weekend we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. I hope that you as a family will use the Little Blue Advent Books and the six-minute reflection they offer for each day of the Advent/Christmas Season. One suggestion is to use the daily reflection at the beginning of your evening meal or immediately following it. This practice may be a help in slowing down the daily rush to get things done or to get somewhere.

Please remember that the weekend of December 13 &14 we will take up as a second collection our nationwide annual Collection for Retired Religious. This is an opportunity for the American Church and for us here at Holy Cross to say thank you to those men and women religious who in years past taught and worked unselfishly to build the American Catholic Church through their ministries of teaching, health care, service to the poor – often at what we would call slave labor wages. Many of these men and women depend on this collection to support them in their old age and dire need. Please be generous!

During the Advent Season, we flood the malls and stores shopping for Christmas gifts for family and friends. In your shopping, remember also those who are in need, contribute to the Salvation Army Red Kettles, purchase non-perishable food items to help stock St Pat’s Pantry, and remember our Giving Tree in the front entry way of our church. Also make a note on your calendar that on Sunday afternoon, December 14, we will have our 5th Annual Christmas Open House at the Rectory from 3 pm to 7 pm. It is a wonderful way to join your fellow parishioners for some food, beverage and fellowship, take a tour of the rectory and join together in welcoming the Christmas Season and join in with Holy Cross Choir in singing the songs of the season. Those who have attended in the past have always had a wonderful time.

Last but not least, as we begin our new liturgical year, at the request of many, we will be re-instituting the ringing of bells at the Consecration of the Bread and Wine during the Eucharist. The reason we are using the bells is to call all who are in attendance to ATTENTION that Our Lord Jesus Christ is now truly present in our midst under the appearance of bread and wine. This is a very sacred moment and calls us to a high degree of Reverence and Adoration. I ask that all of us, at the beginning of this new liturgical year, work to make the time period of the Eucharistic Prayer a time of reverence and sacredness. This is not the time to go to the rest room, this is not the time to be distracted, this is the time for attention, prayer and reverence.

Oremus pro invicem
Fr. Tom H.

Catholic Virtue Reflection: Blessed are they who Mourn

Submitted by Mrs. Robin Jo Jensen

“Blessed are they who Mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

A Prayer of Thanksgiving
O God of all Creation: You have cared for the earth, and have filled it with your riches. Abundance flows in your steppes, through the pastures and wilderness. You provide for our land, softening it with showers, bathing it in light, and blessing it with growth.

The hills sing with joy; the meadows are covered with flocks; the fields deck themselves with wheat; and together they glorify your name!

On this occasion of our Thanksgiving, we as a nation take rest from our labors to consider your many blessings. We thank you for our freedoms, and for the opportunity to contribute our skills, our attributes and our values toward the good of society.

We thank you for the mixture of our cultures, blending us into one people under God. Help us to be a light unto other nations, and to further the cause of freedom and justice all over the world.

We remember those who are less fortunate than we. We lift up in prayer the victims of poverty and racism, and all those who suffer from forms of political and economic oppression. Let the word that goes forth from our mouths speak of your peace, and let us proclaim our hope in Christ as Savior of all humankind.

We pray that you will bless all those who gather here, as we have come to experience your presence among us. Give us your guidance, O God, and empower us for your work. For we claim nothing for ourselves, but return all honor and glory unto you, and offer our thanks and praise. Amen.

From Prayers for God's People, Thomas P. Roberts, Editor

What is Catholic Virtue Education?
Catholic Virtue Education focuses on teaching students and their families about Catholic virtue as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. While all of the virtues, works, gifts and fruits are intricately intertwined into our Catholic Faith, Catholic Virtue Education at Holy Cross Catholic School focuses on certain aspects each month in order to enhance learning for all students, of all abilities, in all grades.

Each month a new virtue is developed, and the students are involved in defining, discussing and exhibiting that trait in their daily lives. Principal Robin Jo Jensen includes reflections on the month's virtue in her weekly parent letter to spur discussions at home. At the end of the month parents are encouraged to attend a student-directed, all-school assembly focusing on the lessons taught throughout the month.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Thanksgiving recipes from the EC4 class

Mrs. Michelle Jacques passed along some of her favorite selections from a cookbook prepared by her budding preschool chefs. She cautions: "We will not be held responsible for the contents of these recipes, as each recipe was 'out of the mouths of babes...'"

Main course: Turkey
"You shoot it. Then you put it in a pan. Cook it for 24 hours. Then eat it!" -- Jackson

"Get the turkey from the zoo. Then bring it home. You cook it for nine hours. Then you cut it and then you eat it." -- Joseph

"You put it in the oven for five minutes. You have to put chocolate on it and some sprinkles." -- Tate

"Get a turkey. Put some ham on it. Put some feathers on it. Put it in the oven. Cook for five minutes." -- Mason

"You get it from the store. Bring it home. You cook it for 15 minutes. Put salt and pepper on it. Cook it again for one minute. Take it out and eat it." -- Olivia

"Go to a barn. Feed it. Get a baby turkey and eat the big one. We cut it and then we put it in the stove. We eat it with a fork and ketchup." -- Abbigail

Side dish: Mashed potatoes
"Stuff the mashed potatoes, then mash them. Cook for 80 minutes in the microwave. Put spices on it." -- Sophia

"Go buy mashed potatoes. Go home. Cook them in the oven for 68 minutes. Take them out and put sausage in them. Eat them!" -- Bailey

"Cook potatoes for 15 minutes. Stir it." --Maryssa

"Put potatoes in a pot. Add some sugar. Boil it for 50 minutes. Eat it." -- Alex

Side dish: Stuffing
"We get it from the store, nice and hard and with bacon. Then we cook it for nine minutes. Then we put salt and pepper on it." -- Koltin

"Start the oven. Get a bowl. Put in potatoes, eggs, toast, not-cooked apples, and carrots. Stir it. Cook it for 30 hours." -- William

"You get it from the store. You put flour on it. Then you put oil in it. Put it in the oven. Cook it for three hours. Eat it." -- Lily

"You put tomatoes in it, apples, bananas, oranges, and sugar. Stir it and then cook it for 20 minutes." -- Carlene

"Cook it for 14 seconds." -- Jake

Dessert: Pumpkin pie
"You put some salt on top of the pie. You need some pumpkin sauce. You need pumpkin seeds in the pumpkin pie, and on top of that pumpkin pie you put a yummy cherry on top." -- Lauren

"Pumpkins. Put something in the soup to go with it. Cook it. Eat it at lunch time." -- Mallory

"Take the pumpkin and put it in a pot. Put it in the oven. Bake it for eight hours. Let it cool and then eat it!" -- Jack

"Put the pumpkin seeds in the pie. Then put the tiny pumpkins in the pie. But, before that, cut off the green part. Then stuff it with ice cream and cucumbers. Cook it for ten hours." -- Megan

"Pick a pumpkin. Carve it and cook it in the stove. Then eat it." -- Mason

Early Childhood Classes at Holy Cross Catholic School
Holy Cross Catholic School offers preschool classes for three- and four-year olds. The Early Childhood Four Classes are taught by Mrs. Michelle Jacques, and the Early Childhood Three Class is taught by Mrs. Sandy Giesler. For more information about our program, please click here.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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.

Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Slide-show of HCCS float in the Time Warner Holiday Parade

Supporters of Holy Cross Catholic School walked in the Time Warner Cable Holiday Parade last Saturday. The HCCS float was honored with the Grand Marshall's Award. To view pictures from the parade, please press the PLAY button above.

If you would like to copy the photos to your computer, please go to this link: HCCS Christmas Parade Photo Album 2008. You will be able to right-click on each picture and save it to your computer.

Happy Thanksgiving from Faith Formation!

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday it is a time for prayerful gratitude. I am grateful for so many things as I am about to celebrate my 2nd Thanksgiving with our Holy Cross Parish Family. I am especially grateful to you and for you. You are the primary educators in the faith of your child, and you allow me to share in that challenge and privilege. Thank you.

As your Director of Faith Formation, I am committed to presenting experiences of faith to your children in the classroom that affirm the experience of faith being lived in your homes. Making this connection is critical to your child's faith formation. Each day I more powerfully sense the grace of God at work in my life through the wonderful children and families that make up our parish and Faith Formation Program.

I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is wonderful, and that you are full of wonder at the marvels of God's loving presence in our lives. As we thank God for all the gifts he has given to us, let us also prayerfully renew our commitment to one another to work together in sharing our faith with your children.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Marti

Thanksgiving Family Mass
It was great to see the church filled to the brim last Wednesday, Nov. 19 at our Thanksgiving Family Mass. Our students did a wonderful job on the readings, the music was beautiful and our donations filled the front of the altar. My friend Peter and I brought all of the donations to the Golden House on Friday and they were just FILLED with gratitude for your generosity. We took up a collection for the Golden House as well and raised $232 to continue to work of the Golden House. Let us hold in prayer during this time of Thanksgiving those women and children who reside at the Golden House. May God continue to watch over them and keep them safe from harm.

Coming soon to a church near you! COME ONE! COME ALL! The Holy Cross Faith Formation Program presents our 2nd annual Christmas play:
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17, 2008
6:30 - 7:00pm in church
Social to follow in the school gym

Our Christmas play is based on the tradition of celebrating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus. Please save the date and plan on joining us!

About Holy Cross Faith Formation
All children in the Holy Cross Parish Family have the right and opportunity to be educated in their faith. Children and young adults often have questions about God. The Holy Cross Parish Faith Formation program works with parents to answer these questions and to bring our young people into a closer relationship with God; a relationship which motivates them to make good moral decisions in order to live Christ-like lives. To read all Faith Formation blog posts, click here.

Catholic Schools Education Alliance of the Bay Area (CSEABA): BOT Plans Leadership Cluster Meetings

On November 11, the Board of Trustees (BOT), composed of a pastor-appointed lay person from each parish involved in CSEABA, decided to conduct parish-school leadership cluster meetings with pastors, pastoral councils, finance councils, board of trustee representatives, boards of education and principals. Pastors and principals will communicate December meeting dates and times.

The purpose of the cluster meetings is to share information about the direction the Board of Trustees is planning to take, listen to ideas and suggestions and aggregate the information from the four clusters into one communication report for all.

Shared marketing of the schools and system is identified as significant in growing the Catholic school enrollment and reaching all parents and guardians who want Catholic school education for their children. A key goal is to assure that confidential tuition assistance is available for all those who need it.

Tools planned for reaching parents and parishioners include a website, email, regular mail, billboards, public service announcements, TV and radio interviews, success stories of Catholic school teachers and students in the local press, and a solicitation of potential names and logos for the school system.

Monthly open BOT meetings have a twenty-minute open forum for public input early in the meeting. Those wishing to speak are requested to contact Dr. Carol Conway-Gerhardt, president, or Ms. Barb Van Beek, administrative assistant, using footer below.

The BOT is planning an operating budget for 2009-10 that demonstrates sufficient revenue from parish subsidies, tuition and third source funding. The Board of Directors—Bishop Ricken, Deacon Tim Reilly, Dr. Joe Bound, BOT Chair Allan Patek and all CSEABA pastors—aims to approve the budget on December 12.

School and parish representatives may join in the work of the BOT committees:
Education and Catholic Identity Committee—Stacey Herriott, co-chair; Todd Lowney, co-chair; Colette Kolstad; John St. Andre.
Marketing and Public Relations Committee—Karen Denney, chair; John Kelly; Kim Lasecki; Allan Patek; Debra Leisgang.
Human Resources Committee—Lee Thibaudeau, chair; Stacie Kotnour; Brian Maloney; Elyse Stackhouse; Mark Warpinski.
Finance and Facility Committee—Gary Kozloski, chair; Jim Dietsche; Bill Noel; Art Olsen; Gary Van Handel.
Development Committee—Lisa Niemuth, co-chair, and all BOT members.

Deciding the best relationship of fundraising and development among schools and the system has been referred to the Development, Marketing/Public Relations and Finance/Facilities Committees. Preserving school identity within system structures is among the goals of the BOT as is establishing either a general endowment for CSEABA requiring twenty-five thousand dollars and/or a named endowment requiring fifty thousand.

The next meeting of the BOT will be at 6:30 p.m. on December 9 at Annunciation Parish (Door 5 entrance).

HCCS third graders honor saints, loved ones who have died

Submitted by Mrs. Mary Kay Wennesheimer

During the month of October we celebrated the saints' lives of holiness. In November we prayed for all who have died. We asked God to forgive any wrong they've done in their lives and invite them to join the saints in heaven. We decorated paper candles and displayed them in our room. We have marvelous examples of how to be good followers of Jesus in the saints, friends and relatives who have died. Let us always keep them in our thoughts and hearts!

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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.Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

A Thanksgiving Letter from Bishop Ricken

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Thanksgiving - it's a time to give thanks and to reflect on God's blessings in our lives! I know for certain that I am thankful to be here with you in the Diocese of Green Bay where the Church is an integral part of daily life. This Thanksgiving marks a milestone for me because I will have completed my first 90 days as your Bishop. In business terms, it's called the first quarter. Here's what I have been doing during my first 90 days on the job.

I have traveled to nearly all of the 16 counties of the Diocese where I have been welcomed by so many of you. During my visits to places like Antigo, Florence, Oshkosh, Appleton, Hofa Park and Manitowoc, among others, I have been profoundly humbled and inspired by your kindness and deep sense of faith. Wherever I go, I have exchanged blessings with you and delighted in delicious meals usually cooked by the parishioners themselves! I have been blessed to celebrate Sunday Masses and special liturgies with you, participate in staff and clergy retreats, dedicate and bless churches and classrooms, celebrate the Sacraments including Confirmation, and simply pray with you. You are good and faithful people, and my heart is full of joy and thanksgiving!

During my visits, many of you have asked what my vision is for the Diocese of Green Bay, and I often responded with "I'm not sure yet" or "I'm still learning about the Diocese." The initiatives that I talked about when I first came here are still very important to me and will be an integral part of our future diocesan planning efforts. These initiatives include vocations to the priesthood, religious life, married or single life; evangelization (sharing our faith with others); lifelong learning of our faith; strengthening our families; and ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults.

While I could talk about each of these initiatives in great length, I want to focus on one - the safety of all children and vulnerable adults. I am committed to protecting our children and vulnerable adults from any kind of harm, especially abuse. Abuse is always wrong because it is contrary to the Gospel message of Jesus. As a diocese, we have taken numerous measures to maintain safe environments in our parishes, schools and other facilities.

These measures include the following: 1.) No one with a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is allowed to serve in public ministry. 2.) Some people have asked us to release the names of alleged offenders. We do so through our mandatory reporting of all credible allegations of abuse to local civil authorities - no exceptions. This requirement respects everyone's rights and it allows civil authorities to do what they do best - investigate and prosecute. 3.) We require all employees - including myself - at our parishes, schools, diocesan facilities and offices and all adult volunteers who have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults to sign our Code of Conduct, undergo a background check, and participate in VIRTUS Protecting God's Children for Adults training. In the last five years, we've conducted background checks on approximately 18,000 employees and volunteers, and nearly 20,000 people have participated in VIRTUS. There is much more we have been doing and will continue to do. To learn more, visit www.gbdioc.org, select "Protecting Our Children," and then the "Fact Sheet."

Finally, it has been an exciting time for me in the first 90 days as your Bishop. Thank you for your commitment to help make our parish communities strong and vibrant, and thank you for your faith-filled dedication to Jesus Christ and His Holy Church. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I will do the same for you. May your days be filled with God's blessings.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

[signed]

Most Rev. David L. Ricken, DD, JCL
Bishop of Green Bay

HCCS earns kudos in Time Warner Holiday Parade

Congratulations to all the Holy Cross Catholic School supporters who took part in the annual Time Warner Cable Holiday Parade!

The theme of the float was "Christmas time in the city." It featured a cityscape of downtown Green Bay that was painted by Holy Cross students. The float garnered the Grand Marshall's Award for innovative and creative theme ideas.

The Float Committee was led by Cathy Schumer and Jean Vogel, and consisted of over twenty students and parents who worked to develop and create the unique float design.

About Holy Cross Catholic School

Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

What's happening in Faith Formation?

Wednesday, November 26
NO CLASSES THIS WEEK FOR GRADES 1 - 10!
Classes will resume on Dec. 3

Sunday, November 30
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES THIS MORNING!
Classes will resume on Dec. 7

NEED A THOUGHTFUL GIFT-GIVING IDEA??
Our brand new Holy Cross Parish Family Cookbook "Serving Body & Soul…since 1852" is available now! Our cookbooks are also conveniently prewrapped in "All Occasion, Birthday, and Christmas paper!

Your cookbooks are available for purchase:
- after all the Masses on the weekends
- in the rectory, school, and Faith Formation offices

Prices for your cookbooks are as follows:
- $15.00 for one, $14.00 each for 2, $13.00 each for 3 or more

Our cookbooks boast a 3-ring binder for ease in removing and adding your favorite recipes over the years. They are perfect for gift giving for any occasion, and will most definitely become a cherished keepsake on your kitchen shelf! 355 recipes from the best cooks around, OUR PARISH FAMILY! GET EM' WHILE THEY LAST!

About Holy Cross Faith Formation
All children in the Holy Cross Parish Family have the right and opportunity to be educated in their faith. Children and young adults often have questions about God. The Holy Cross Parish Faith Formation program works with parents to answer these questions and to bring our young people into a closer relationship with God; a relationship which motivates them to make good moral decisions in order to live Christ-like lives.

To see Faith Formation photos, click on the photo albums underneath Faith Formation Contact Information on the right hand side of the blog. To read all Faith Formation blog posts, click here.

This week at Holy Cross Parish, Nov. 24-30

Monday, November 24
NO MASS
7:00 PM Choir Practice, Church

Tuesday, November 25
NO MASS
7:00 PM Finance Council, Rectory

Wednesday, November 26
8:00 AM Mass for Vera Flanagan
Parish Office closes at noon

Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day
9:00 AM Mass for the Holy Cross Parish Family
Collection for St. Pat’s Food Pantry

Friday, November 28
NO MASS
Parish Office Closed

Saturday, November 29
4:00 PM Mass for the deceased members of the Vandenack & Herman Families

Sunday, November 30
8:00 AM Mass for Frank Wilson
10:00 AM Mass for the Holy Cross Parish Family
Baptism—Brenna Englebert

November 22/23 From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

On behalf of our deacons, the parish staff and myself, I wish all of you a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day. Let us truly give thanks to God for all that we have both in our personal lives and in our faith community here at Holy Cross. We all have much to be thankful for. Why not begin your Thanksgiving holiday by joining us at Mass in our Church at 9 am.

Last weekend, during the 8 am Mass, someone used our rest room facilities and clogged up the toilet by attempting to flush down a significant number of papers. This was a deliberate act of vandalism and caused the rest room facilities to be closed throughout the morning and during the 10 am Mass. I would appreciate it if parents who attended the 8 am Mass last Sunday would touch base with their children to determine if they know anything about this incident. This is the first time such a thing has taken place with our rest room facilities, and I do hope it will never happen again.

As announced in a previous bulletin, our second collection this weekend will be for what is known as our “Joe Kayce Fund,” which will be used to fund assistance to those in need in our parish and community. We will have an additional collection during Lent also for this fund. Please be generous.

At this time of the year we naturally remember those who have less than we have and we traditionally reach out to those in need with our non-perishable food collection. We deliver our collection to St. Pat’s Food Pantry and, as I am sure you are most aware, with the poor economy, the need this year is much greater than in the past. Please remember to fill a paper grocery bag with food and bring it to church on Thanksgiving Day or the weekend liturgies on November 29-30 so that we may reach out to the hungry.

During the Thanksgiving vacation, I will be hosting two friends of mine from Delaware. Dr. George and Pat Cunningham are flying in on the day before Thanksgiving. We are life-long friends, and I taught with Pat at Archmere Academy. Her husband, Dr. George, and I took skiing lessons when we were in our 30s and spent almost all of our winter holidays on the ski slopes of Utah and Colorado. I am now paying for that wonderful experience with my “poor knees.” At any rate, I know you will offer them a warm and hospitable Wisconsin welcome.

“Oremus pro invicem”
Fr. Tom

St. Thérèse Relic Makes Space Flight

NEW CANEY, Texas, NOV. 20, 2008 (Zenit.org).- St. Thérèse wrote that she wanted to be a missionary on every continent simultaneously and reach the most remote islands -- now her dream has extended to space flight.

The Carmelite community of New Caney, Texas, enjoys the friendship of Colonel Ron Garan, who was on the May 31-June 14 Discovery shuttle mission.

Before heading into space, Garan had called the women religious to request their prayer for the voyage, and he told them he could take some small item into space on behalf of the community.

The sisters reported that the words of St. Thérèse came to mind: "I have the vocation of an apostle. I would like to travel over the whole earth to preach your name and to plant your glorious cross on infidel soil. But oh, my beloved, one mission would not be enough for me, I would want to preach the Gospel on all five continents simultaneously and even to the most remote isles. I would be a missionary, not for a few years but from the beginning of creation until the consummation of the ages."

The Carmelites gave the astronaut a relic of St. Thérèse for his flight.

Now, they report, she has traveled 5,735,643 miles around the earth for 14 days at 17,057 miles an hour. Meanwhile, the sisters commended the world to her intercession.

© Innovative Media, Inc.
Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor.



Thank you ZENIT!
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Catholic Virtue Reflection: Blessed are they who Mourn

“Blessed are they who Mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

“The mourning of Christians referred to in this beatitude is not because of financial loss, terminal sickness, the death of loved ones, loneliness, a divorce, or some rejection being experienced. We mourn because we realize that we have sinned against our holy God and have brought dishonor to his name. This dishonor of God’s very name brings great mourning to the true believer. The true believer mourns when he sins because he knows that the sin just committed brings great pain and sorrow to God. And this mourning is the kind of mourning recorded by Paul in Romans 7:24 where he says 'What a wretched man I am!'

"It is also the kind of mourning that brings unbelievable joy and hope to the believer. Paul wrote about this in 2 Corinthians 7:10 'For sadness in a Godly way makes for repentance that leads to salvation.' That’s right, it is Godly mourning and sorrow that leads to repentance which brings salvation to those experiencing it. Godly sorrow causes us to loathe, despise, and repudiate sin, and this leads the believer to sincerely repent of those sins. Those who experience Godly sorrow truly forsake sin and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ. These are the necessary steps to eternal salvation.” -- Robert Wells

What is Catholic Virtue Education?
Catholic Virtue Education focuses on teaching students and their families about Catholic virtue as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. While all of the virtues, works, gifts and fruits are intricately intertwined into our Catholic Faith, Catholic Virtue Education at Holy Cross Catholic School focuses on certain aspects each month in order to enhance learning for all students, of all abilities, in all grades.

Each month a new virtue is developed, and the students are involved in defining, discussing and exhibiting that trait in their daily lives. Principal Robin Jo Jensen includes reflections on the month's virtue in her weekly parent letter to spur discussions at home. At the end of the month parents are encouraged to attend a student-directed, all-school assembly focusing on the lessons taught throughout the month.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Spanish class update from Mrs. Lardinois

Submitted by Mrs. Mary Lardinois

Grades K-8 at HCCS have been working on their words of courtesy in Spanish class: gracias, por favor, perdon, de nada, con permiso. We also will be using classroom object words to help us talk about school items we use everyday in our classes. In addition to all of this, it's time to review days, months, announcing our birthdays and ages.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Called to Witness: Andrea Verheyden

Name: Andrea Verheyden

Volunteer position at Holy Cross: Faith Formation teacher

What grade do you teach? 5th grade

How many years have you taught in a Faith Formation Program? Four

What grades have you taught? 6th & 5th

What do you enjoy about sharing your faith in our Holy Cross Faith Formation Program? Knowing that I have the opportunity to touch the lives of our young people. Growing stronger in my own faith by teaching the lessons, and being challenged by my students questions.

What do you do in your free time? Helping out at my children's school. Watching my children in sporting events. Playing cards, working out at the YMCA, relaxing with my family. Also camping, traveling, and running 1/2 marathons.

Art teacher gives new meaning to 'having a lot on your plate'

Art teacher Mrs. Renee Zirbel passed along some photos of the ceramic plate project that she and Mrs. Michelle Jacques organized through the NEW Community Shelter in Green Bay in late October.

Each student decorated a plate individually and also contributed their mark to an all-class plate.

The plates were auctioned off to parents and the money was donated to the Shelter.

The fundraiser helped NEW Shelter put a little more on the plates of the people they serve: the plate project raised over $1300 for the shelter. To read more about the fundraiser, please click here.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Road, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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.

Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Interfaith Service to give thanks at holiday

A press release posted to the Green Bay Diocese website.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -– Bishop David L. Ricken of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay will deliver the reflection at an interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The service will begin at 7 p.m. at Cnesses Israel Congregation, 222 S. Baird St, Green Bay.

The fifth annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service is sponsored by GIFT (Gathered In Faith Together), an interfaith association of Green Bay area congregations.

GIFT members represent Cnesses Israel Congregation, Union Congregational Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, St. Willebrord Catholic Church, St. Norbert Abbey, St. Matthew Catholic Church, Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Members of three congregations will read excerpts of Thanksgiving proclamations from Presidents George Washington (1789), Abraham Lincoln (1863) and Theodore Roosevelt (1906). Musicians from various congregations will lead the music, which will include a sung blessing in both Hebrew and English, a song in Spanish and the reading of Psalm 118 in both English and Spanish. Youth from the member congregations will serve as greeters.

GIFT has been hosting community-wide interfaith Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King Day prayer services since 2004. This will be the first time that a Bishop of the Green Bay Diocese will deliver the reflection. Rabbi Shaina Bacharach, whose synagogue is hosting the service, was part of the area welcoming group at Bishop Ricken's Mass of Installation on Aug. 28.

The public is invited to the service and is encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, which will be donated to church food pantries. A monetary collection will be taken to assist St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter. A social with light refreshments will follow the prayer service.

For more information, contact Rabbi Shaina Bacharach, Cnesses Israel Congregation, 437-4841, or the Rev. Charles Mize, Union Congregational Church, 437-9266.

Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Immigration Reform among Catholics

A press release from the USCCB website:

WASHINGTON—A recent Zogby poll of Catholics nationwide showed overwhelming support for reform of our nation's immigration laws, with Catholics supporting a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented persons in the country.

The poll conducted October 17-20, included a sample of 1,000 people who self-identified as Roman Catholics and was commissioned by Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (MRS/USCCB). It had a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.

About 69 percent of Catholics polled supported a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, provided they register with the government; 62 percent supported the concept if they were required to learn English. The U.S. Catholic bishops have long endorsed a path to citizenship for undocumented persons that would include requirements to register with the government and to learn English.

"These results show that, like other Americans, Catholics want a solution to the challenge of illegal immigration and support undocumented immigrants becoming full members of our communities and nation," said Johnny Young, executive director of Migration and Refugee Services of the USCCB . "It is clear that those opposed to a legalization of the undocumented are a minority," he added.

In other findings, 64 percent of Catholics opposed the construction of a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, while three out of four Catholics agree that the church has a moral obligation to help provide for the humanitarian needs of immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

Todd Scribner, education coordinator for MRS/USCCB, stated that the poll results demonstrated that the efforts of the U.S. bishops to educate Catholics on the realities of immigration are bearing fruit.

"Catholics are generally in agreement with their bishops that there needs to be a comprehensive and humane solution to our immigration problems," Scribner said. "The strong educational efforts of the bishops, through the Justice for Immigrants Campaign and their own teachings, have helped generate support in the Catholic community for comprehensive reform."

The U.S. bishops launched an educational initiative in 2005, entitled the Justice for Immigrants Campaign, to educate Catholics on the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Copies of the poll results are available by contacting Mar Muñoz-Visoso at mar.munoz-visoso@usccb.org.

For inquiries, e-mail us at commdept@usccb.org.

Related links:

Guest column: Legal immigration is tortuous process, Green Bay Press Gazette, November 8, 2008

HCCS Conversations with God

Dear God,

Thank you for all the loving people in the world; your creations.
Help those who have lost someone they love in Iraq or during 9-11.
May they find love and peace again.
Help me to respect you and all of your creation.
Help me to love and care for everyone and everything.

Amen

Prayer by HCCS student Erin Giesler

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Road, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Purchase of Avon products benefits the Holy Cross Parish Family

Now you can purchase your favorite Avon products (with free shipping!) AND support Holy Cross Parish. You probably know Avon for their cosmetics, fragrance and skincare, but they also carry lines of jewelry, apparel, accessories and gifts 'n gadgets. They offer products for the whole family.

Here's how it works:
- Go to the Avon fundraising website to register: Register Here
- Fill out the form with all of your information.
- Complete the registration and then browse through the rest of the website by going to this link: Shop Here. Shop by brand, category or brochure.
- When checking out, select "DIRECT DELIVERY" method, enter the coupon code "FSANY" for free shipping and enter your payment information.

Your Avon products will be shipped directly to your door and 15% of the total cost of merchandise will be donated to Holy Cross.

The Holy Cross Parish Family
Founded in 1852 by Fr. Edward Daems, the Holy Cross Parish Family is the third oldest parish in the Green Bay Diocese. Bay Settlement literally grew up around the church, and Holy Cross is the spiritual cornerstone of the community to this day. Our mission is "to praise and serve God, and to recognize and serve Jesus, in those for whom the world makes no room."

This week at Holy Cross Parish, Nov. 17 - 23

Monday, November 17
NO MASS
6:30 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry, Library
7:00 PM Choir Practice, Church

Tuesday, November 18
6:45 PM Mass for Leo & Marion Salmon
7:00 PM Finance Council, Rectory

Wednesday, November 19
8:00 AM Mass for Orville VanLieshout
6:30 PM Faith Formation Family Thanksgiving Mass

Thursday, November 20
8:00 AM Mass for Truman & Rose Corsten
8:30 AM Church cleaning

Friday, November 21
8:00 AM Mass for Norbert Skaletski

Saturday, November 22
4:00 PM Mass for Cecelia Hagendorf

Sunday, November 23
8:00 AM Mass for Holy Cross Parish Family
10:00 AM Mass for Irene Plyer Health

What's happening in Faith Formation?

Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 PM
FAITH FORMATION THANKSGIVING FAMILY MASS.
There are no regularly scheduled classes for Grades 1 - 10 tonight! All students, catechists and their families are expected to attend this liturgy. This Mass is part of the FF curriculum and attendance will be taken. We look forward to celebrating this special Mass with you and your children. Please continue to send your donations to the Golden House Family Violence Center, as we will be offering them during the Mass.

Confirmation - Session #6 - 6:45 - 8:00 PM

Sunday, November 23
"I Am Special" Sunday School: 10:00 - 11:00 AM

FIRE UP THE OVENS AND PUT ON YOUR APRONS! OUR BRAND NEW HOLY CROSS PARISH FAMILY COOKBOOKS ARE HERE! Your kitchen is going to be smelling good! "Serving Body & Soul…since 1852" is available now for purchase after all the Masses on the week-ends or in the Rectory, school, and Faith Formation offices. Prices for your cookbooks are as follows: $15 for 1, $14 each for 2, $13 each for 3 or more. Our cookbooks boast a 3-ring binder for ease in removing and adding your favorite recipes over the years. They are perfect for gift giving for any occasion, and will most definitely become a cherished keepsake on your kitchen shelf! 355 recipes from the best cooks around, OUR PARISH FAMILY! GET EM' WHILE THEY LAST!

About Holy Cross Faith Formation

All children in the Holy Cross Parish Family have the right and opportunity to be educated in their faith. Children and young adults often have questions about God. The Holy Cross Parish Faith Formation program works with parents to answer these questions and to bring our young people into a closer relationship with God; a relationship which motivates them to make good moral decisions in order to live Christ-like lives.

To see Faith Formation photos, click on the photo albums underneath Faith Formation Contact Information on the right hand side of the blog. To read all Faith Formation blog posts, click here.

November 15/16 From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

Thank you to those parishioners who have come forward to provide the new set of bells for the Church and the censer stand for the Sanctuary. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Also, 2 weeks from now is the beginning of the new Liturgical Year and the Season of Advent in which we as a faith community prepare ourselves to celebrate the great feast of Christmas. As is our custom at Holy Cross, we have purchased the “Little Blue Book for Advent 2008” for your use. Copies of the “Blue Book” are available at the entrance to the Church. We have a limited number available, but there should be enough for each family to have one. The books are six minute reflections for each Advent and Christmas time day, and they offer us thoughts for reflection as we prepare for Christmas.

A week from this Thursday we will celebrate “Thanksgiving Day”- a wonderful way to begin that day would be to gather your family and come to Church for our Annual Thanksgiving Day Mass at 9 am. The word “Eucharist” means “to Give Thanks,” and in spite of all the trials and tribulations this world and life brings us, we do have a great deal to be thankful for. Each year at the beginning of November, I begin to count my blessings and I have a little notebook into which I write each day and list at least 3 or 4 things for which I have reason to Thank God. Some of the things are things that we frequently just take for granted – why not try that practice – you will be amazed at the number of things for which you have reason to be “Thankful.”

There are people who come to the parish from time to time seeking help, either asking for funds or food. While we try to determine those with legitimate needs, we have to turn down most requests for assistance because we simply do not have the funds to help. Many years ago, the parish had the “Joe Kayce Fund,” which was used to help those less fortunate. We as a parish need to be able to respond to the needy in our community and, as a result, we have designated the weekend of November 22-23 to take up a second collection to replenish the Joe Kayce Fund. Money collected will be used to keep a small supply of food cards available to hand out as needed or to help with other requests. Thank you in advance for your generosity as we try to respond and reach out to the needy in our area. St. Pat’s Food Pantry is also in need of food donations. We will be collecting food for St. Pat’s at our Thanksgiving Day liturgy. Please drop off your non-perishable food items in the basket in the church entrance near the Scrip room.

“Oremus pro invicem”
Fr. Tom H.

Holy Cross Parish Youth Stewardship Corner

I shared my TIME and TALENT by:

- I helped my friend with her Spanish homework
- I raked the back lawn
- I made by bed without being asked!
- I put my laundry away
- I share my toys and pick them up at home and at school
- I gave from my allowance
- I helped decorate the house and offered to take the dog food and water without being asked
- I give compliments to my family members

Total TREASURE shared: $5.53

Our Holy Cross Parish Youth Stewardship program is a tool available for us to help teach the basics of stewardship to our youth. Stewardship is a decision we make to live as Christians and to thank God for all of His blessings by helping to take care of the church and the world on behalf of God. Stewardship is often touched upon throughout the Bible and in our faith formation process; the Youth Stewardship Program helps bring all of these teachings together.

For more information about Holy Cross Faith Formation, please check out the links located on the right hand side of the blog.

Bishops Oppose Freedom of Choice Act

Call It Divisive, "Bad Legislation"

BALTIMORE, Maryland, NOV. 12, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. bishops criticized the Freedom of Choice Act as "bad legislation" that would ultimately cause more division in the country.

Cardinal Francis George, the president of the U.S. episcopal conference, said this today in a statement published on behalf of the nations' bishops. The conference approved the statement upon concluding their three-day fall assembly, held in Baltimore.

Pledging to work with the Obama administration on issues of economic justice immigration, education, health care and religious freedom, the cardinal reminded the president-elect that a "good state protects the lives of all."

The statement called the Supreme Court's decision in favor of the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade a "bad court decision," and warned that it could soon "be enshrined in bad legislation that is more radical than the 1973 Supreme Court decision itself."

Referring to the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), Cardinal George said the law would "deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry."

He continued: "FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. It would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government and others of good will to reduce the number of abortions in our country.

"Parental notification and informed consent precautions would be outlawed, as would be laws banning procedures such as partial-birth abortion and protecting infants born alive after a failed abortion. Abortion clinics would be deregulated.

"The Hyde Amendment restricting the federal funding of abortions would be abrogated. FOCA would have lethal consequences for prenatal human life."

Divisive
He said the act would "have an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities."

"It would be an evil law that would further divide our country, and the Church should be intent on opposing evil," said Cardinal George.

"On this issue, the legal protection of the unborn, the bishops are of one mind with Catholics and others of good will," the conference president said. "They are also pastors who have listened to women whose lives have been diminished because they believed they had no choice but to abort a baby.

"Abortion is a medical procedure that kills, and the psychological and spiritual consequences are written in the sorrow and depression of many women and men. The bishops are single-minded because they are, first of all, single-hearted."

"The recent election was principally decided out of concern for the economy, for the loss of jobs and homes and financial security for families, here and around the world," the cardinal continued. "If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion, the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve.

"Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected. Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion."

© Innovative Media, Inc.
Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor.



Thank you ZENIT!
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Catholic Virtue Reflection: Blessed are they who Mourn

By Mrs. Robin Jo Jensen

“Blessed are they who Mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Over the past few weeks, I have shared insights and reflections with you that I have found from sources on the Internet and in publications, from people far wiser than I. However, this week, I would like to reflect on this month’s Beatitude, based on some observations that I have made here at school, and my thoughts and reflections on them and how they relate to the virtues and values that we are trying to teach the students, through the study of the Beatitudes. I respectfully ask you, as parents of our wonderful HCCS students to also take time to reflect on these things and consider how you can assist the faculty, staff and me in instilling these values in your children from the home-front.

Relationships are at the forefront of everything we do in our daily lives, be it a relationship with our spouse or significant other, our children, our friends and neighbors, our co-workers, our supervisors, the clerk at the store, or the telemarketer that calls you in the middle of dinner. Like it or not, we have “relationships” of one kind or another with everyone we meet in our life- time. How do we treat those people with whom we have a “relationship” each day? Do we meet the store clerk with a smile and the respect for the job she does, or do we brush by them, with no regard for the service they give us? Do we simply “hang up” on the telemarketer or respectfully say no thank you?

Unfortunately, I am seeing some of this kind of “disregard” and “disrespect” with some of the interactions between the students here at school. These actions are not always “blatant” nor “loud” nor “mean” nor “outspoken” but are more often done “secretly”, “hushed”, and “quiet." Exclusion can sometimes be the worst form of being hurtful. Simply by leaving someone out of a conversation, a game, a project, or an activity, leads to feelings being hurt. Which leads me to my point: I am seeing students at HCCS who “mourn." Perhaps, my point is not as eloquent or as precise as our Lord Jesus Christ intended in this Beatitude, but I couldn’t help but feel that the Holy Spirit was trying to speak to me today, as I prepared to write my Beatitude reflection for the week.

As hard as we work and as hard as we try, as Faculty and Staff to observe, intervene and solve issues among the students, unfortunately we cannot see and hear it all. It is disheartening to me to know that hurtful words and actions are happening on the playground, on the basketball court, and on the Internet, outside of school.

I ask that we be examples of those who “comfort” those who “mourn." How can we, as adults, help our children to be “comforters” rather than hurtful people? How can we teach them to reach out to one another in kindness, compassion and C-A-R-E? Perhaps the first step is to put hard feelings aside, to apologize and to forgive. Only then can we move forward to heal the wounds of the past and “comfort” those who “mourn." We have all made mistakes, we have all done and said things that we wish we hadn’t. Unfortunately, we cannot change the past. What we can change, is the now, that impacts the future. We can change our outlook and our attitude and can approach “tomorrow” in a whole new light.

Perhaps “tomorrow” will be a better day for someone you know that “mourns."

Perhaps “tomorrow” will be the day that we help our own children to see more clearly how to comfort and heal wounds that they have been a part of.

I ask all of you to take a moment to join me in praying for this healing. Although this is by no means a “big problem” at our school, for the most part, our kids are fantastic. On the other hand, I can think of three significant situations that are affecting students as I write this (across the grade levels; this is not isolated to one grade or gender).

When our lives are over and when we join our heavenly Father, for all eternity in paradise, what will we look back and see? Will we know that we treated each person that we encountered with respect, honesty and the dignity and kindness they deserved? Will we have instilled these values in our children as well? I am confident, that with God’s grace, we will!

May God bless each and every one of you, and may He especially comfort those of you who mourn.

What is Catholic Virtue Education?
Catholic Virtue Education focuses on teaching students and their families about Catholic virtue as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. While all of the virtues, works, gifts and fruits are intricately intertwined into our Catholic Faith, Catholic Virtue Education at Holy Cross Catholic School focuses on certain aspects each month in order to enhance learning for all students, of all abilities, in all grades.

Each month a new virtue is developed, and the students are involved in defining, discussing and exhibiting that trait in their daily lives. Principal Robin Jo Jensen includes reflections on the month's virtue in her weekly parent letter to spur discussions at home. At the end of the month parents are encouraged to attend a student-directed, all-school assembly focusing on the lessons taught throughout the month.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Road, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

HCCS second graders take part in Scholastic News election

Sister Carolyn Zahringer reports that the second grade at Holy Cross Catholic School joined in the Scholastic News "Kids Vote for President." The class was evenly split with 8 votes for Obama, and 8 votes for McCain.

The results nationwide were not so evenly split. According to the Scholastic website:

The Scholastic Presidential Election Poll results are in: Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama won with 57 percent of the vote, to 39 percent for Republican nominee Senator John McCain.

The poll was open to kids from grades 1 to 12 in Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic magazines. Almost 250,000 (a quarter of a million) kids voted by paper ballot or online at www.scholastic.com/news. The poll closed on October 10.

Since 1940, the results of the student vote have mirrored the outcome of the general election all but twice: In 1948, kids voted for Thomas E. Dewey over Harry S. Truman. In 1960, more students voted for Richard M. Nixon than for John F. Kennedy. In 2000, a majority of student voters chose George W. Bush, mirroring the Electoral College result, but not the result of the popular vote.

Obama and McCain weren't the only vote getters. Four percent of the students voted for other people like comedian Stephen Colbert, and entertainers Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers. It was the highest percent of write-in votes in the history of the poll. Some even voted for themselves. Most of the write-in votes —11 percent of the 4 percent—were for Senator Hillary Clinton.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Road, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Book review: Chittister offers wisdom for the ages

By Sister Jean Peerenboom, OSF

The Gift of Years: Growing Old Gracefully by Joan Chittister (Blue Bridge, $19.95)

The Gift of Years has something for everyone.

It is about growing old and the wisdom we all bring to whatever stage of life we’re in. As author Joan Chittister says, “This is a book for those who are on the brink of ‘old age,’ for those who just received their first mail message from the Association of Retired People, and knowing themselves to be young and healthy, and are very surprised by it.”

But, it’s also for people concerned about aging parents or grandparents – anyone close to us who is coping with physical diminishment. I read this as I was moving my parents to hospice care and watching their failing memories, physical infirmities and dependency on others growing. I saw them on every page of this book. It was painful, but also comforting. Chittister made me realize they are now in God’s hands, just as I am. Life is changing for me just as it is for them.

She writes about the spiritual dimension, which she says increases as the physical decreases. She concentrates on the “mental and spiritual attitudes we bring to (the physical) challenges that really determine who we become as we advance from one stage of growing older to the next.”

Chittister does this by reflecting on the purpose of life and the “Twilight Time.” Various sections deal with regret, meaning, fear, joy, accomplishment, fulfillment, relationships, letting go, learning, freedom, forgiveness and much, much more.

Her wisdom (she’s now 70) and insight give people of all ages something to think about. In the section on fear, for example, Chittister says every stage of life has fears to be confronted. “For the young, it is overcoming the fear of functioning alone. For the middle-aged, it is dealing with the fear of failure. For those of us who have moved beyond the middle years, it is learning to cope with the fear of weakness.”

In her introduction, she writes, “Each period of life has its own purpose. The task of this period of life … is not simply to endure the coming of the end time. It is to come alive in ways I have never been alive before.”

I know it sounds like a depressing topic, but Chittister has a way of making growing old uplifting and joyful. She shows us the benefits that are yet to be reaped and assures us it is possible to grow old gracefully and in a way that inspires the young people around us.

I’m glad I picked up The Gift of Year even though I thought I was much too young to need it.

Next: Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day by Macrina Wiederkehr.

Sister Jean Peerenboom is the former religion/books editor from the Green Bay Press Gazette. Sister Jean is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross. She writes a monthly book review for the Holy Cross Family Blogspot.

To read all of Sister Jean Peerenboom's book reviews, click here.

HCCS third graders take field trip close to home

Submitted by Mrs. Mary Kay Wennesheimer

The first field trip the third grade took this year was very close to home. We visited the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary located next to Holy Cross Church.

The Joyful Mysteries of the rosary show us what a wonderful role model we have in the Blessed Virgin Mary. She truly put God's will first, prayed to the Father, and served others. After completing a booklet on the Joyful Mysteries, watching a Rosary video, reciting a decade of the rosary every day, (using our own rosaries) and memorizing the Joyful Mysteries; we truly grew in our appreciation of the Jesus' mother Mary.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

What's happening in Faith Formation?

Wednesday, November 12:
Grades 1 - 6: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Grades 7 - 10: 6:45 - 8:00pm
Confirmation - Session #5 - 6:45 - 8:00pm

Sunday, November 16:
"I Am Special" Sunday School: 10:00 - 11:00am

About Holy Cross Faith Formation
All children in the Holy Cross Parish Family have the right and opportunity to be educated in their faith. Children and young adults often have questions about God. The Holy Cross Parish Faith Formation program works with parents to answer these questions and to bring our young people into a closer relationship with God; a relationship which motivates them to make good moral decisions in order to live Christ-like lives.

To see Faith Formation photos, click on the photo albums underneath Faith Formation Contact Information on the right hand side of the blog. To read all Faith Formation blog posts, click here.

This week at Holy Cross Parish, Nov. 9 - 16, 2008

Monday, November 10
NO MASS
6:00 PM Rosary
7:00 PM Choir Practice, Church

Tuesday, November 11
6:45 PM Mass for Judy & Debbie Tillman
7:30 PM Pastoral Council Meeting, Rectory

Wednesday, November 12
8:00 AM Mass for Shirley Corsten
6:30 PM Stewardship Committee Meeting, Rectory

Thursday, November 13
8:00 AM Mass for Poor Souls in Purgatory

Friday, November 14
8:00 AM Mass for Rose Corsten

Saturday, November 15
4:00 PM Mass for Dave Woller

Sunday, November 16
8:00 AM Mass for Shirley Corsten
10:00 AM Mass for Holy Cross Parish Family

November 8/9 From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

I am writing this letter on Tuesday, November 4th and have just returned from casting my ballot in our national election. I welcome the end of the political campaigns and the announcements “I approve this message….etc” We ask God’s blessings on all our newly elected officials and ask God’s blessings upon them that they may work for the common good and welfare of our country. The weather today is so beautiful that I almost think that Mother Nature is canceling “Winter” as we enjoy 70 degree and sunny weather. However, we all know that winter is just around the corner so enjoy the mild weather while you are able to do so.

Three weeks from now we will bring to an end our present Liturgical year and begin a new one with the First Sunday of Advent which is the weekend after Thanksgiving, November 29th/30th. I would like us as a parish to focus our thoughts and attention this new liturgical year on our beliefs, attitudes, practices and reverence for the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is central to who we are as Catholics and our entire life of faith revolves around this Blessed Sacrament. One aspect that I have noticed as I have traveled throughout our country is that we seem to have lost a “sense of reverence” for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. This is apparent in many ways – and so during Advent I would like us to address our sense of reverence to and for the Blessed Sacrament. This can be done when we enter our church and bless ourselves with the holy water, as we approach our pew by a reverent bow or genuflection to the tabernacle. We can, perhaps, pay closer attention to the Eucharistic prayer. In past times we used to ring a bell at the time of consecration, when the priest prayed the words of institution of the Eucharist, from the Last Supper. I would like to re-store that practice and permit the bells to call our attention to the fact that this is a very sacred moment and time. I have ordered a set of bells from our religious goods provider – if anyone would like to donate these in memory of a loved one, please call Lori in the parish office. They cost $250.00. Another practical aspect of our reverence is to use the time of the Eucharist Prayer (from the “holy, holy, holy” until the Our Father) as a time to pay closer attention and join with the presider in offering this sacred prayer. I will also use some of the Sunday’s in our new Liturgical Year as an opportunity to preach and instruct on what we believe about the Eucharist, etc.

Frequently people will ask me if there is anything we need for the Church/Parish. We are in the process of making up a “Wish List.” Recently we purchased a much needed “incense stand” which holds our censer. It is presently in front of our Easter Candle. A few times each week I will be burning incense in the church – its smell is frequently associated with “Church." If anyone would like to sponsor the incense stand please call Lori in the parish office.

This month of November please hold in prayer all those who are named in our Book of Remembrance. Our Faithful Departed were important to us here on earth and they are still important to us as they enjoy eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

Oremus Pro Invicem,
Fr Tom

Catholic Virtue Reflection: Blessed are they who Mourn

“Blessed are they who Mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

The person who “mourns” is the one who recognizes that he or she is a sinner before God. Such a person mourns over their various sins because he or she recognizes that, not only do his or her sins greatly hurt our heavenly Father, but also realizes that he or she is empty of righteousness, and does not even begin to deserve salvation and the joys of heaven. This miserable, but repentant sinner realizes that only through the grace of God does he have forgiveness and salvation. Jesus says such a person is blessed, and there is no greater blessing than to receive such divine approval. Those who are blessed in this way by God will see God and dwell with him forever. http://members.tripod.com/~robertwells/Beatitudes

May God bless you as we begin the month of November.

What is Catholic Virtue Education?

Catholic Virtue Education focuses on teaching students and their families about Catholic virtue as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. While all of the virtues, works, gifts and fruits are intricately intertwined into our Catholic Faith, Catholic Virtue Education at Holy Cross Catholic School focuses on certain aspects each month in order to enhance learning for all students, of all abilities, in all grades.

Each month a new virtue is developed, and the students are involved in defining, discussing and exhibiting that trait in their daily lives. Principal Robin Jo Jensen includes reflections on the month's virtue in her weekly parent letter to spur discussions at home. At the end of the month parents are encouraged to attend a student-directed, all-school assembly focusing on the lessons taught throughout the month.

About Holy Cross Catholic School

Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Road, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

With Sympathy on Behalf of the Holy Cross Parish Family

Clifford “Cliff” Katers, 83, Green Bay, died Saturday morning, November 1, 2008, at a local nursing home surrounded by his family. Born in Green Bay on October 30, 1925, he is the son of the late Charles and Helena (Denissen) Katers. Cliff served in the United States Navy Air Corps from September of 1944 to December of 1946. On September 10, 1947 he married the former Bernice Van Donsel at St. Willebrord’s Parish and she preceded him in death on September 9, 2002. Cliff and his brother Jim, owned and operated Katers Brothers Construction business for 42 years. He enjoyed playing bridge with his bridge club, and fishing with friends in Canada. Cliff was a 4H leader and longtime baseball coach. He sang in the choirs of four different churches and was a longtime member of Holy Cross Parish, Bay Settlement.

He is survived by four sons, Michael (Rebecca) Katers of Green Bay, Stephen (Deborah) Katers of Colorado, Timothy (Deborah) Katers of Colorado, and Bruce (Deborah) Katers of Green Bay; nine grandchildren, Thomas (Renee) Katers, Laura, Paul, Andrew, Christopher, Aaron, Krista, Emily, and Samuel; three great grandsons, Joshua, Ethan, and Caleb; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Donna) Katers and Bill (Pat) Katers all of Green Bay; 3 sisters and 1 brother-in-law, Audrey Katers of Green Bay, Jean VandenBranden of Neenah, and Bonnie (Cal) Granius of Green Bay; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice; brother-in-law, Don VandenBranden; aunts and uncles.

Visitation at Holy Cross Parish, 3009 Bay Settlement Road, Saturday (11/08) from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral. Funeral Saturday 12:00 P.M. at Holy Cross Parish with the Rev. Thomas Hagendorf O.Praem. Full Military Honors to follow. Burial in the church cemetery. Malcore (East) Funeral Home assisted the family.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff of Bornemann Nursing Home for all of the special care given to Cliff during the difficult time.

To send messages of condolence to the family, please click on the comments link at the bottom of this post, or go to www.malcorefuneralhome.com/.

US Bishops Congratulate Barack Obama

Say They Are Ready to Work With Him to Defend Life

WASHINGTON. D.C., NOV. 5, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Francis George sent a message of congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama on the occasion of his win in the presidential election Tuesday.

The archbishop of Chicago and president of the U.S. bishop's conference referred to Obama's win as "historic." He is the first African-American to be elected president of the United States.

"Our country is confronting many uncertainties," Cardinal George said, speaking on behalf of all the U.S. bishops. "We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world.

"We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person."

The issue of protecting the life of the unborn has been a common theme for the U.S. episcopate. This election year more than 50 heads of dioceses have spoken out against candidates who do not support the rights of the unborn.

Obama told a meeting of Planned Parenthood in 2007 that his first act as president would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would void all limitations on abortion passed on the state level.

The letter in its entirety follows.

* * *

Dear President-elect Obama,

I write to you, in my capacity as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to express our congratulations on your historic election as President of the United States. The people of our country have entrusted you with a great responsibility. As Catholic Bishops, we offer our prayers that God give you strength and wisdom to meet the coming challenges.

Our country is confronting many uncertainties. We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person.

May God bless you and Vice President-elect Biden as you prepare to assume your duties in service to our country and its citizens.

Sincerely yours,

Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
President

© Innovative Media, Inc.
Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor.



Thank you ZENIT!
The Holy Cross Family Blogspot features regular news and information thanks to ZENIT, an international Catholic news agency. If you enjoy ZENIT articles on the Holy Cross Family Blogspot, you can show your support and appreciation by visiting their website and spreading the word. Please click on the logo to visit the site.

Pope Urges Obama to Build Just World

Promises Prayers for New US President

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 5, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging the president-elect of the United States to "build a world of peace, solidarity and justice."

The Pope said this in a telegram to Barack Obama, who won Tuesday's presidential election. The papal telegram was sent through the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Mary Ann Glendon.

The Holy Father promises Obama his prayers so that God assists him in his "weighty responsibilities at the service of the nation and the international community."

The Italian-language message expresses the Pontiff's wish that the abundant blessings of the Lord "support you and the people of the United States in your efforts, together with all men and women of good will, to build a world of peace, solidarity and justice."

The Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, also sent a telegram to the future president, announced Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office.

Father Lombardi also commented that "the task of the president of the United States is an immense task with very great responsibility, not only for his country, but for the entire world, given the weight of the United States in every field on the international scene."

"That's why all of us hope that new President Obama responds to these expectations and the hopes that are confided in him, efficiently serving law and justice, and finding adequate paths to promote peace in the world, favoring persons' development and dignity in respect of essential human and spiritual values," he added. "Believers pray so that God enlightens him and helps him in his most weighty responsibility."

Father Lombardi said the Pope will send another message to Obama when he is inaugurated in January.

© Innovative Media, Inc.
Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor.



Thank you ZENIT!
The Holy Cross Family Blogspot features regular news and information thanks to ZENIT, an international Catholic news agency. If you enjoy ZENIT articles on the Holy Cross Family Blogspot, you can show your support and appreciation by visiting their website and spreading the word. Please click on the logo to visit the site.

Holy Cross Catholic School implements multi-sensory teaching methods

--Kids learn best when using more than just their eyes and ears--

Teacher Miss Annette Barrett said that the first graders are enjoying the many hands-on manipulatives they are using to learn this year.

From Classroom Activities Ongoing 08-09

"We have been using the connecting cubes to count and to make towers to find out about the relationship of numbers to each other. We then use the information to make bar graphs. "

From Classroom Activities Ongoing 08-09

"During phonics class we have used all kinds of manipulatives to help us learn sounds, and put sounds together to make words we can read and write. One of our favorites seems to be the strange balls we use to toss and catch while we make sounds, " commented Miss Barrett.

From Classroom Activities Ongoing 08-09

The manipulatives are part of Holy Cross Catholic School's efforts to address multiple learning styles among the students from EC3 to eighth grade. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 4.6 million children--7.8% of children 3-17 years of age--have been told they have a learning disability.

Mrs. Robin Jo Jensen took a few moments recently to share the efforts of faculty and staff to address the needs of children of all abilities and learning styles at Holy Cross Catholic School.

Why did you begin working on addressing the needs of kids with learning challenges? Did you notice an increase in kids with these needs?
We haven’t noticed an increase. There have always been "struggling students," we just know more about them now--that they learn differently than other children. Most often, it is not that these children cannot learn, they just need to learn differently.

What have you been doing the past several years to meet the needs of children who learn differently than the majority of students?
One of my visions for the programming at HCCS is to meet the individual learning needs of each and every student.

During the 2007-2008 school year, we brought in various in-service presenters to speak to us and educate us on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and Emotional Disorder (ED). We brought in a psychologist to speak to us on a broad spectrum of learning disabilities, and had a certified reading specialist speak to us on reading-related learning difficulties.

Based on the presentation by the reading specialist, we decided to bring in a certified Orton-Gillingham trainer, who presented an in-service to our Faculty, specifically on Dyslexia and how the Orton-Gillingham method meets the needs of those students who are dyslexic.

Did you make any changes based on those presentations?
After much time, effort, research and lengthy discussion, I made the decision to train all of the classroom teachers and as many “special subject” teachers as possible in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The first training session for our educators occured this summer.

What is the Orton Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham Approach uses a comprehensive, leveled, multi-sensory approach to direct and enhance student learning. This program applies to all disciplines—math, reading spelling, phonics, etc.—at all grade levels. It gives us, as teachers, strategies and methods to help those students who are challenged to learn in a different way.

When a child isn't learning, teaching "louder and slower" isn't going to change anything. We need to teach in a way that that particular child can grasp and learn; therefore "multi-sensory" is the way to teach: visual, auditory, kinesthetic--reaching all of the senses.

When will these changes occur?
As you can see from the photos above, we are already implementing the strategies and methods this school year.

Have you made any other changes to address student needs and challenges?
We also put into place the supportive consultant program which supports the same philosophy. The program helps us to identify those students who struggle with learning or behavioral challenges, so that we can find a teaching approach best suited to their needs.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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.Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Holy Cross Scrip Update

Gap Bonus Offer
Gap will be offering a 2% bonus contribution from Saturday, November 8, 2008, through Friday, December 5, 2008. That means Gap gift cards will have a 11% contribution instead of the normal 9% contribution, during that time period only.

Gap Inc. is one of the world's largest specialty retailers offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Piperlime brand names. Gap brand includes Gap, GapKids, babyGap and GapBody. The company also operates Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Outlet stores.

Bath & Body Works 5% Bonus Offer
Bath & Body Works are offering a 5% bonus contribution on Bath & Body gift cards from Saturday, November 8, 2008, through Friday, December 12, 2008. That means both the $10 and $25 denomination gift cards will have an 18% contribution instead of the normal 13% contribution, during the bonus period only.

Holiday Gift Giving Gets a Little Easier
The Holy Cross Scrip program will be carrying the following merchants during the holidays only for gift giving—availability may be based on merchant availability of certain denominations:

Starbucks $25
Barnes & Noble $10
Fleet Farm $10
Festival Foods $15

What is Scrip?
Purchase gift cards from the Holy Cross Scrip program for food, gas, clothing, and/or gift-giving, and Holy Cross receives a percentage from the vendors. School and Faith Formation families can use this credit toward their tuition. Scrip is available for purchase weekdays at the school office and at church after all weekend Masses. Special orders are available. Thank you for your support!

Related links:
Scrip Order Form (updated 9.28.08)

Complete List of National Scrip Retailers

A full slate of service activities planned by seventh & eighth graders at Holy Cross

Submitted by Mr. Jason Johnson

The seventh and eighth graders at Holy Cross Catholic School are about to begin a journey to provide assistance and service to the less fortunate within our community. A hallmark of the Catholic faith tradition is a concern for the common good borne out in service to others. Holy Cross students, faculty and staff alike find a wealth of opportunities to embrace this philosophy as a way of life. During these activities, students will be placed in leadership and communication roles that will allow them to practice their faith hands on. Below is a list of activities happening in the upcoming months:

• October 20th-October 29th collected pledges to make blankets for Green Bay’s homeless.
• November 3rd and 4th students will make fleece blankets
• November 5th 11:30-1:30 students will help prepare St. John's Homeless shelter for opening. Students will also meet and discuss homelessness with a panel of speakers.
• 7th/8th graders will visit St. Paul’s Food Pantry on six dates dates throughout the school year.
• 7/8th grade will continue to collect brown paper bags, bread bag ties, and egg cartons throughout the year.

If you are interested in helping out their efforts in any way, please e-mail me at jjohnson@holycrossfamily.org.

About Holy Cross Catholic School

Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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.Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

Holy Cross Parish Youth Stewardship Corner

I shared my TIME and TALENT by:

- I helped Grandma set the table
- I took care of the dogs
- I babysat by myself for no pay
- I helped my younger cousin do homework
- I helped Grandma take out her garbage
- I helped my Dad clear out shrubs
- I shared my tooth fairy money
- I'm still taking care of mousetraps in the garage!
- I picked up food for the needy with the Scouts

Total TREASURE shared: $38.17

Our Holy Cross Parish Youth Stewardship program is a tool available for us to help teach the basics of stewardship to our youth. Stewardship is a decision we make to live as Christians and to thank God for all of His blessings by helping to take care of the church and the world on behalf of God. Stewardship is often touched upon throughout the Bible and in our faith formation process; the Youth Stewardship Program helps bring all of these teachings together.

For more information about Holy Cross Faith Formation, please check out the links located on the right hand side of the blog.

This week at Holy Cross Parish, November 3 - November 9

Monday, November 3
NO MASS
6:00 PM Rosary
7:00 PM Choir Practice, Church

Tuesday, November 4
6:45 PM Orville VanLieshout

Wednesday, November 5
8:00 AM Alois Hartl Family

Thursday, November 6
8:00 AM Eva Romuald
6:30 PM Strategic Planning Committee, Rectory

Friday, November 7
8:00 AM Deceased Members of the Herman Corsten Family

Saturday, November 8
4:00 PM Leo & Marion Salmon
Baptism–James Michael Nelson

Sunday, November 9
8:00 AM Holy Cross Parish Family
10:00 AM Emma & Louis Charlier

Heritage Hill field trip teaches HCCS second graders about our local history

The students in Sister Carolyn's second grade class received a hands-on lesson in history when they visited Heritage Hill this fall.

In the photo above the boys of the class shake cream to make fresh butter.



(ABOVE) Shelling corn off the cob to begin the process of making corn flour.



(ABOVE) Classmates model immigrant clothing.

(ABOVE) Students hoe weeds in the garden.



(ABOVE) The whole class along the rail fence at the Belgian Farm.

To view more photos from the field trip, please click here.

About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Roads, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 189 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.

November 1/2 From the Pastor's Desk...

My Dear Parishioners,

We begin the month of November with the celebration of two important traditional Catholic feast days. November 1st is the Feast of All Saints and is traditionally a holy day of obligation, but this year it falls on a Saturday and thus is not a day of obligation. Nevertheless, it is no less important because it reminds us of all those men and women who, like ourselves, lived and worked here on earth and at the same time exemplified the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thus are worthy of our admiration and imitation. They also remind us of our calling to do the same. While few of us may ever achieve official recognition by the entire universal Church, we are still called to live the Gospel each day by our love of God and neighbor.

The second Feast that we celebrate is on November 2nd and is the Feast of All Souls or the Feast of the Faithful Departed. This is the day that we remember all of our relatives, parents, and friends with whom we have shared life and love, those who perhaps handed on the faith to us, those who have given us the great gift of life and family, those who have given us the example of living God-filled lives both in joy and sorrow, health and suffering. Take time to remember them this weekend and to thank God for the gift they were to you and all of us.

Here at Holy Cross we have a tradition of honoring those who have recently gone to their eternal reward by reading their names at the time of the general Prayers of Intercession. At the Saturday 4 pm Mass, we lit our memorial candles for each of our beloved dead, and at the 10 am Mass on Sunday we present that Memorial Candle to a family member for each person named.

Another tradition which we have for the month of November is our Book of Remembrance. This book contains the names of our beloved dead whom you have asked to be remembered at all the Masses offered in our church during November. There are additional new pages in the book into which you may add the names of people you so wish remembered. Take time to read the list of names and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all of them. The book is located on the stand near the Sacred Heart Statue.

I am sure that by now you have noticed the renovations which have been made to the front entrance to the Church. A special "Thank You" to Jeff and Jan Walton who gave of their time and talent ― in the rain - planting and digging the new garden areas. Thank you to Steve Franko and his wife, Cathy Hedge, of IVY TRAILS who donated the plants and the two topiary trees. Thanks to Ron DeGroot, Dave Tillmann, and Mike Tillmann for removal of the old plantings, and the new steps and walkway – a needed and appreciated addition. Many parishioners remarked about how really nice and practical the renovations are! God’s Blessings to all who worked on this project.
Finally, if you have not yet looked at our new parish cookbooks, make certain that you do so soon. I predict that they will be a sell out, so do not wait to make a purchase or put in a reservation. They benefit our Faith Formation program, and to Marti and her committee, Congratulations on a job, well done! (pun intended).

Oremus pro invicem,
Fr. Tom H.

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord...

Clifford Katers
Sr. Rosalie Marcouiller
Rendall D. De Groot
Margaret Drayna
Jeanne M. Katers
Sister Mary John (Grace) Moureau
Nancy M. Kaster
Bradley G. “Chumly” Schauer
Julie A. Nooyen
James DeGroot
Dean P. McGinn
Patricia (Trish) A. Vickman
Vera Mary Flanagan
Claire Malchow
Sister Mary Jo Kirt
Mrs. Mary K. (Ceronsky) Tews
Rose M. (Malcore) Corsten
Sister Sandra Buckner
Irene "Ma" Van Lanen
Margaret E. Van Egeren
Margaret Charles
Shirley Corsten
Tony R. Van Egeren
Joan Ferry
Paul Akerboom
Kathleen Tlachac
Bernard Herman

...and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

St John's homeless shelter opens today

-- Shelter receives counseling grant to expand their services --



(Press the PLAY button to view the video from WBAY. Feedblitz readers will need to go directly to the blogspot to view the video.)

Would you like to help? The shelter is always in need of volunteers and supplies. Click here to learn more about their needs.

Related link:
Green Bay's St. John's to open doors again for homeless, Green Bay Press Gazette, November 1, 2008