The Parish of the Holy Cross 95 Old Nichols Road + Nesconset, NY 11767+ 631.265.2200 + www.pothc88.org

WE CELEBRATE EUCHARIST Monday—Thursday: 9:00 A.M. (Chapel)

Saturday: 5:00 P.M. Sunday:

8:00 A.M. + 9:30 A.M. + 11:30 A.M. + 5:00 P.M. (except holiday weekends)

WE CELEBRATE RECONCILIATION Saturday: After 5:00 P.M. Mass

or call Father Jim for an appointment.

WE CELEBRATE BAPTISM Baptisms are celebrated on the second and last Sunday

of each month at 1 P.M. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.

WE CELEBRATE WEDDINGS Couples should contact the Parish Office at least six

months in advance of the proposed wedding date.

Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 5, 2013

LET ALL BE WELCOMED AS CHRIST!

Come and pray with us!

Photograph by Susan Ribeiro

rejoice that

I am going

to the

Father; for

the Father

is greater

than I.

And now I

have told

you this

before it

happens, so

that when

it happens

you may

believe.” John 14:27-29

“...My

peace I give

to you...

Do not let

your hearts

be troubled

or afraid.

You heard

me tell you,

‘I am going

away and I

will come

back to

you.’ If you

loved me,

you would

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Mass Intentions Schedule Week of May 5th, 9 AM Mass Mon. Cathy Biasetti Tue. Helen Dalamango Wed. Juan Lopez Thu. Frank & Agnes Salemi

Wednesday, May 8th, 5 PM Ascension Vigil Mass Rinaldi Family

Ascension Thursday, May 9th, 7:30 PM Mass Neal & Concetta Romano

Saturday, May 11th, 5 PM Mass Bertha Tepedino, Christy Doyle, Francis White, Patricia Neder, Joseph Maddi Jr., Angelo & Vera Buffa, Mother’s Day Remembrances, People of the Parish

Sunday, May 12th, Seventh Sunday of Easter All Masses Mother’s Day Mass Remembrances

We are here for you!

OUR PASTORAL TEAM AND PARISH STAFF 631.265.2200 + Fax 631.265.2229 + pothc@optonline.net Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

(closed for lunch: 12:15 - 1:00 PM)

Rev. James M. McNamara, Pastor Mrs. Connie Calabro, Co-Coordinator of Parish Outreach

Ms. Denise Cortegiano, Youth Minister Deacon Owen E. Farley, Jr., Parish Deacon

Ms. Ellen Fox, Director of Religious Education Mrs. Mary Anne McCulloch, Co-Coordinator of Parish Outreach

Mr. James McManus, Director of Maintenance Mrs. Judith Pickel, Pastoral Associate

Mr. Brian Reich, Director of Music Mrs. Elizabeth Shea, Religious Education Secretary (hcreled@optonline.net)

Deacon Gerard K. Steffens, Parish Deacon Mrs. Loretta Tarter, Business Manager

Mrs. Jane Wirth, Parish Secretary (pothc@optonline.net)

Scripture Readings for May 11th/12th

+ Acts of the Apostles 7:55-60 + Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20 + John 17:20-26

New Life in Christ

Celebrants for Next Weekend’s Masses May 11th/12th

5:00 PM Fr. Jim 8:00 AM TBA 9:30 AM TBA 11:30 AM Fr. Jim

Remembering our Sick

Please pray for the sick of the parish, their families and caregivers:

Ashley Franzese

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As you know, I worked for five years (1982 - 1987) on the faculty of the North American College in Rome where students from around the United States and Canada study for the priesthood. It was a unique time in my life when I was involved in their personal formation, most especially as their spiritual director. Close relationships were formed during those years as we all lived away from home and shared in the mystery of a vocation to the priesthood.

Last weekend, I was asked by Father Joe Barbieri to preach at his 25th Anniversary of Ordination. Many of you have met Father Joe as he has been here any number of times. He was from Toronto, Canada and we met in September of 1983. I was his spiritual director during his years of formation. I preached at his first Mass in Toronto twenty-five years ago, so it was a unique privilege to preach at his 25th Anniversary. Father Joe served in the Diplomatic Corps of the Church for eleven years where he was stationed in six countries working with the Nuncio who represents the Holy Father. He then joined the Passionist Community in Puglia in southern Italy and has now been the spiritual director of St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas. (Last January I gave the seminarians a retreat.) If all of that sounds like a very complicated journey, it was, and I was often part of the discernment that led to where he is now. Father Joe is in the center of the picture above. The priest on the left is Msgr. Mike Sis. He is presently the Vicar General of the Diocese of Austin, Texas. I first met Father Mike in September of 1982 and was his spiritual director in his years of formation. I preached at his first Mass twenty-seven years ago but was on sabbatical when he celebrated his twenty-fifth. A year and a half ago I gave a retreat to the priests of the Diocese of Austin and got to visit with Mike again. He has been here to Holy Cross, and we keep up as best we can. It was Father Mike who recommended Father Joe to the Seminary in Houston when they were looking for a spiritual director. This past weekend was a wonderful reunion for the three of us. It was also an opportunity to spend time with Father Joe’s parents who emigrated from Calabria to Toronto many years ago. I enjoyed being with Father Joe’s brother Maurizio and his sister-in law Mary. I have been very blessed by the experiences I have had over these past forty-two years and the wonderful people I have met. That includes here, and it includes you. Many thanks.

Father Jim

Priesthood

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Avery Meadow Abt Carley Faye Baltieri Sienna Lorae Brady

Benjamin Kael Desmond John Phillip Navarro Guevarra

Hailey Madison Howard Lilianna Leslie Johannessen

Giuliana Marie Kazalski Chase Riley Lagnese

Madelyn Elizabeth Murdocco Ava Cordette Vujtech

Holy Cross Welcomes

these children Baptized in April

Holy Day

The Ascension of the Lord

Wednesday, May 8th

Vigil Mass - 5 PM

Thursday, May 9th

Mass Times: 9 AM & 7:30 PM

Custodian/Maintenance position available at Holy Cross beginning July 1, 2013. Primary responsibility is cleaning and upkeep of building and grounds. Knowledge of building systems, ability to interact with volunteers, organization

and planning, and upkeep of machinery is also necessary. Experience desirable, hours flexible. To apply, please email resume to Loretta at pothc@aol.com or mail to her at 95 Old Nichols Road, Nesconset, NY 11767.

PARISH NEWS

Mother’s Day

Mass Remembrance

envelopes may be placed

in the regular collection

basket. Names of loved

ones will appear in the

bulletin on Mother’s Day.

Please check out the home page of our parish website for current information. The website address is www.pothc88.org

CUSTODIAL POSITION

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THE HOLY CROSS

25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

FAMILY FUN DAY

June 2, 2013

THE GAZEBO @ SMITHTOWN BLVD.

Following the 11:30 Mass

To prepare for the event and ensure we will have plenty of food, beverages, activities, etc. for everyone, we will need to know the number of people who will be attending. If you will be able to join us for this celebration, please fill out the form below. As the event is being held at a public place, we will be issuing wristbands to be used for admission. The completed forms can be dropped off at the table in the Atrium, and we will provide you with the number of wristbands needed. Looking forward to seeing you on June 2nd!

FAMILY FUN DAY Family Name:____________________Phone #_____________ #of Adults:_________________#of Children_______________

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OUR FUTURE DEACON

To my brothers and sisters in Christ at the Parish of the Holy Cross, As I move forward toward the day of my Ordination on May 18, 2013, I would like to share with you a synopsis of who I am and what brought me to this very important place in my life. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the third of eight children. At the age of 17, I joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years, most of which was aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. America. I was honorably discharged in 1977 and moved out to Long Island where I met my wonderful wife of 32 years, Evelyn. I have five children, four boys and a girl and five grandchildren, four girls and a boy. I am employed by the Suffolk County Police Department as a detective in the Homicide Squad. I have worked in that office for the past eight years. My faith formation started as a parishioner at St. Michaels Church, which was located in the East New York Section of Brooklyn. In my early teens I became involved in the church’s youth group. The youth group gave me a better understanding of the Church, and it made me feel like I belonged to something far greater than anything I could comprehend. As a member of the youth group I was asked to attend what was heralded as a “Christian Awakening,” a retreat for teenagers who would come together from parishes all over Brooklyn to be awakened to the work of God in our lives. The retreat would transform me in a very special way and would allow me to feel the spirit working throughout my life. My active participation in the youth group along with the encouragement of my family laid the foundation for my spirituality. That coupled with spiritual events which I was blessed to have witnessed solidified my belief in the Roman Catholic Church and the Power of the Risen Christ. My wife and I settled in a part of Lake Ronkonkoma, which would later become incorporated into the hamlet of Nesconset. In 1988 I joined the Police Department and I became part of the fledgling Parish of the Holy Cross. It would be in this parish that we would feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the rich welcoming spirit of that church community, a spirit that continues to thrive today. From the time when I was very young I have known that God had a plan for me and, while I didn’t always know what that plan was, I was always open to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. I have been blessed with the grace to see the Spirit at work in all areas of my life. In 2009, I was approached by our Pastor, Msgr. James McNamara who asked me to consider entering

the diaconate program, to become a Deacon and serve in our church community. After praying over it and much deliberation, and more praying and deliberation, the Holy Spirit guided me to accept the invitation to serve God by serving His people. It has been a very long journey, a journey that was made a lot easier by the encouragement and support of my wife and family, the pastoral staff, and all my friends in and out of the church community. For that I will be eternally grateful. God Bless,

Ralph Rivera

We will have hospitality after the 11:30 Mass on May 19th to celebrate!

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Registration for 2013-14 School Year

Information to re-register for the 2013-14 school year has been sent to all families currently enrolled in our program. If you do not receive this by May 15th, please call the parish office at 265-2200 x11. If you have a child starting first grade in September, you will need to register them for our Level 1 program. Keep watching the bulletin for more information about this registration.

Sunday, June 23rd at the 11:30 Mass

Reception to follow!

FAREWELL MASS

SAVE THE

DATE!

The Nesconset Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend its

4th Annual Nesconset Beautification Gala on Thursday, May 16th, 2013 at the Watermill, Smithtown, New York.

Dinner is $125 per person. A table of 10 is $1,100. The 2013 Nesconset Honorees include: Msgr. James McNamara, Deanna Varricchio, Thomas and Christine Carlton, and Kevin Healy.

The Nesconset Chamber is proud to honor these outstanding citizens for their hard work and dedication to improving the quality of lives in our community.

For online reservations, sponsorships and Journal Ads: www.nesconsetchamber.org

NESCONSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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The Holy Cross Pre-Cana Ministry is in need of married couples who can share their experiences about their marriage with engaged couples going through the Pre-Cana Program. Share your feelings, thoughts and experiences of your own

marriage in an informal home setting while facilitating a discussion group together with another married couple. This process encourages the engaged couples to take the time to think seriously about their future life together. Not only will you enrich the engaged couples, it is also a good way to reconnect in your own marriage. The commitment is for four weekly two hour sessions, once a year. An informational meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 21st at 7:30PM in the Father Joe Room. If you are interested in attending or want additional information, please contact Patti & Frank Ferrandino at 585-0344 or email purplepatti1128@aol.com.

PRE CANA MINISTRY

Children’s Memorial Garden

Have you noticed the beautiful addition to our Parish? The Children’s Memorial Garden is almost completed. All are invited to the Dedication on Mother’s Day after the 11:30 AM Mass. We are so excited and thankful to all who supported this project...but it is not finished yet! As sometimes happens with major endeavors, we have gone slightly over our suggested budget. We ask your help to

complete this project with the lighting that we originally included in our plans. We will have a table in the Atrium with a member of our committee to accept your donation or you may bring it to the Parish Office. This garden enhances our whole parish and provides the reflective area needed to celebrate the lives of all our precious children. Please help us finish this beautiful sacred space.

EXCITING NEWS AND SPECIAL REQUEST

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LIFE TEEN NEWS

Important notice:

Our May meeting which would normally be on May 11 will not take place due to First Communions in our Parish. We pray all these new Communicants will be blessed and continue to grow in our faith. We pray their families will continue to bring their precious children to our weekly celebration of the Eucharist allowing all of us to grow in our faith by their show of faithfulness.

The Women’s Prayer will meet again on the second Saturday, June 8th. A notice will be in the bulletin as a reminder for June.

God Bless and let’s continue to pray for one another.

WOMEN’S PRAYER

Teens! We need YOU…to help with the plant sale this weekend 5/4-5/5 after all Masses. This is a very important fundraiser to help defray our costs to bring you a great Life Teen program!

5/5/13 - 5pm Life Teen Mass followed our annual “Celebrations of our Moms” Life Night…teens don’t forget to bring your moms or a very important “mom” figure in your life!

5/12/13 - NO Life Teen Mass or Life Night in observance of Mother’s Day 5/19/13 - 5pm Life Teen Mass and Life Night 5/26/13 - NO Life Teen Mass or Life Night (Memorial Day Weekend)

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FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO FREEDOM

11

PARISH OUTREACH

WOMEN’S AWARENESS WEEKEND WAS A BIG SUCCESS!

We would like to thank all the parishioners who took the time to stop and learn more about the issues that face women in our world today. Your interest, concern and compassion were evident in the conversations that took place. Thanks to your generosity at the tables which had items to sell, over $2900 was raised and will be sent to organizations which address these issues of poverty, human trafficking, health concerns, violence against women and many other topics. If you weren’t able to be here this weekend or you would like more information, you might like to visit the following websites: Dining For Women, www.diningforwomen.org Victims Information Bureau, www.vibs.org Somaly Mam Foundation, www.somaly.org (info on human trafficking) Bead For Life, www.beadforlife.org

Heifer WiLD, www.heifer.org

Women for Women International, www.womenforwomen.org

We also strongly encourage you to watch the DVD Half the Sky. You can find it on PBS online. Please feel free to contact the Outreach Office with questions or referrals to links for more information and/or ways to get involved. Once again, a big thanks for your willingness to embrace efforts to enhance the dignity of women worldwide.

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CASH CALENDAR

$10.00 per chance

31 chances to win!

$500 on Mother’s Day

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Saturday, May 4th 10:30AM & 1PM

FIRST COMMUNION MASSES Worship Area

LIFE TEEN PLANT SALE 5:00 PM Atrium Sunday, May 5th All Masses

LIFE TEEN PLANT SALE Atrium

HOSPITALITY 10:30AM Conference Rm.

LIFE TEEN MASS 5:00 PM Worship Area Monday, May 6th 7:15-8:30 PM

K OF C GENERAL MEETING Fr. Joe Room Tuesday, May 7th 7:30 PM

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING Fr. Joe Room Wednesday, May 8th 5:00 PM

ASCENSION VIGIL MASS Worship Area

LEV. 2 COMM. REHEARSAL 6:00-7:15PM Wor.Ar./Atr.

LEV. 2 COMM. REHEARSAL 7:30-8:30 PM Wor.Ar./Atr.

ADULT CONF. CLASS 7:00 PM Conference Rm. Thursday, May 9th 9AM & 7:30PM

ASCENSION MASSES Worship Area Saturday, May 11th 10:30AM & 1PM

FIRST COMMUNION MASSES Worship Area Sunday, May 12th 12:30 PM GARDEN DEDICATION & HOSPITALITY Outside/Atr.

BAPTISM 1:00 PM Worship Area

NO LIFE TEEN MASS

MEETINGS THIS WEEK

Congratulations to the following April Cash Calendar Winners!

CASH CALENDAR

Next weekend we will have a second collection for our Roof and Other Major Renovations (ROMR). This second collection takes place on the second Sunday of each month, and we track progress toward payment of our $136,000 Mission Assistance Loan. Thank you for your continued support.

Remember “Kevin Bacon”

Don’t forget to feed “Kevin Bacon” your quarters when you come to Mass on Sundays!

ROOF COLLECTION