What's Up This Week:
- General Mass Schedule - SAT 5pm; SUN 9am, 11am, & 6pm (masks encouraged)
- Register today - Because YOU count! Form link below.
- YA/Adult Faith Formation - continue on 2/23 & 2/28, registration required, info below
- Black History Month - February events around town: Black entrepreneurship series; 'The Enduring Call to Love' with Fr. Thorne, and one-person show on life of Fr. Tolton. More info below.
- PPC Meeting Highlights - see bullet points below
- HOPE Food Pantry - Donations are always welcome at Mass or at the rectory, M-F 9am-4pm. Pantry is open to guests and volunteers Tuesdays from 10am-12pm. Thanks!
BE CATHOLIC +Got Palm?
Help Us Get Ready
Ash Wednesday is March 2nd
This day is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God and marks the beginning of the Lenten season. It is commonly observed with ashes and fasting.
How are the ashes made? Thanks for asking! The palm from the previous year is burned on Mardi Gras Tuesday; those ashes are used on Ash Wednesday.
PALM REQUEST: Please search your car, office and home for palm lying around and bring it to church over the next couple weekends. Fr. Grogan promises to replace your palm with freshly blessed palm on Palm Sunday. Thanks for your assistance with this.
BE CATHOLIC +Stay Informed
Message from Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)
The purpose of the PPC is to foster full participation of the entire parish in the life and mission of the parish and of the Universal Church.
The general function of the PPC is to advise the Pastor in pastoral matters including:
· developing a pastoral plan
· recommending policies, procedures, and programs to assist in the implementation of the mission statement and the parish pastoral plan
· reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs, and· serving as a connection to other parish ministries
The PPC meets on the first-Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
The following are bullet points from our February 1, 2022, meeting:
· Olivia Sharkey was elected Vice Chair and Susan Tobia was elected Secretary of the PPC.
· PPC members contacted local businesses to bring more awareness to our mission as church and to solicit their input. So far, Avenues Café and Queenie’s Pets are interested in connecting with us.
· PPC meeting bullet points will be archived on the Holy Cross website.
· A retreat day for ministries is planned for August 20. More details to come.
· Resuming Hospitality Sundays is still on hold for now. A poll will be conducted to assess parishioner openness to restarting. - Done.
· Planning for a Lenten program is in process. A handout of opportunities will be distributed to the parish community.
If you have any questions or would like to make any suggestions, please feel free to contact the Parish Pastoral Council at parishpastoralcouncil@holycrossphl.org. Photos, names and emails for PPC members are listed on the website. Feel free to contact any of us!
Our pleasure to serve,
Parish Pastoral Council
INSPIRATIONAL BITE - 2nd Greatest Commandment
'Love Thy Neighbor'
"You can't cherry pick the Bible, choosing which parts you want to believe... When you are lost, it's always worth recalling those immortal words that Jesus said: 'Love thy neighbor as yourself.'" ~Andrew Rannells, in The Prom. Have a listen! Click here or on image below.
Q: Which commandment in the law is the greatest? A: Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Read more for direct Bible quote Mt 22:34-40) Enjoy!
Looking for Extra Credit? Further reading, 'A Brief Examination of Conscience: Christ's Two Commandments' here.
BE COURAGEOUS +Protect the Environment
Holy Cross Parish Awarded Grant!!
We are super excited to do our part by making our Holy Cross Campus a sustainable one for future generations!
"In January 2022 the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) awarded Holy Cross Parish a Stormwater Management Improvement Grant (SMIP) in the amount of $464,231! This grant award will fund improvements to manage the stormwater runoff from the buildings and hard surfaces of the Holy Cross Campus." (Read more)
This is only the beginning of more campus improvements to come! Stay tuned...
BE CATHOLIC +Participate
February Faith Formation Program
Young Adults: “Light on the Journey”
Young Adults – Ages 21 to 35
This is an invitation to meet online with others on the spiritual journey for prayer, scripture sharing, and conversation. During these sessions, young adults have the opportunity to connect with their faith on a deeper level with other believers.
DATE: Mondays, February 28th TIME: 8pm – 9pm
For more info or to register, Contact: John Polanin at john.polanin@gmail.com
Adult Faith & Spiritual Formation: “For a Synodal Church - Journey Together”
During February, parishioners will have another opportunity to respond to the invitation of Pope Francis to share personal experiences of “Participation, Communion, and Mission” in the Catholic Church. This moment in the history of our Catholic Church is like no other! Here at Holy Cross, each week, there will be a short input and extended conversation. Several different focus questions will be provided, in advance, for reflection and conversation. All Ages Welcome!
Presenter: Fr. Grogan; Sessions on Zoom or Phone In
DATE: Wednesdays, February 23rd TIME: 7pm – 8pm
DATE: Wednesdays, February 23rd TIME: 7pm – 8pm
For more info or to register, Contact: Sr. Ruthann at ssjruthann@gmail.com
'TIS THE SEASON -Tax Season
Need a Contribution Report?
MANY THANKS to YOU for your contribution to our parish!
Let us know below if you need a Contribution Report, and we will be sure to place one in the mail to you. Please allow 3-5 business days for your request to be processed.
Do you need a Contribution Report?
Yes, please send me a Contribution Report for 2021.
- View Details
Once request is submitted, someone will contact you if further information is needed. Questions or concerns, contact: Veronica Alvarado at holycrossdev140@gmail.com.
BE CATHOLIC +Get Registered, Be Counted!
BE COMPASSIONATE +Give of Yourself
Featured Org: HOSTS for HOSPITALS
Learn how you can help this unique organization care for patients and their families. (read more)
Link to the Teams Session
Join on your computer or mobile app
Sister Mary Ann McCarthy osf
Administrative Assistant – NIFS
(She/Her/Hers)
One Neumann Drive | Aston, PA 19014 | 610-358-4270
LEARN MORE about Fr. Tolton in The New York Times article,
"Augustine Tolton, Ex-Slave and First Black Catholic Priest in U.S., Takes Step to Sainthood" from June 13th, 2019.
The Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) is glad to be returning this Black History Month for our Third Annual Black Generational Wealth Series Feb 24th, 2022. The Black Generational Wealth Series is part of OBME’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Action Academy, which aims to close the opportunity divide for Black men and boys in Philadelphia. The bi-monthly series brings together government and community leaders to offer workshops, resources and networking opportunities across the city that are relevant to Philadelphia’s Black men and boys. Learn more here.
Click here or image above to hear message from our Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez.
JOIN US this weekend!
Weekend Mass Times:
Sat 5pm; Sun 9am, 11am, & 6pm
SAFETY MEASURES:
Masks* are strongly encouraged.
*In the event that you forget your mask, no worries! There are disposable masks for your use at the back of church.
Mass Celebrated Online Sundays @9am
For Updates & Live-Stream links, visit www.holycrossphl.org
Was this email forwarded to you?
Subscribe here
