Thursday, May 24, 2012

From the Pastor's Desk ... May 27, 2012

My Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost, also known as the “Birthday of the Church.” It has received that name because it was with the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and disciples that they were transformed from being frightened, scared, and discouraged followers to bold, courageous, and passionate bearers of the Gospel message. They moved from behind locked doors into the marketplaces and public areas to openly and proudly proclaim the Gospel message and to change the world in which they lived. The rest is history! We, too, are called to follow in their footsteps, and the world in which we now live is not much different from theirs. Materialism, secularism, atheism, and all the other -isms are still there waiting our conquest.

As I sat down to write this week’s bulletin letter, I took out my calendar and in looking ahead I could not but reflect on how quickly time passes. This weekend is also Memorial Day weekend and all over our nation it signals the beginning of the summer/vacation season. On Tuesday, June 5th, our 8th grade students will graduate from Holy Cross and begin their high school journey. Wednesday, June 6th, will be the last day of school for our children. I will be gone from the parish from Monday, June 4th, to Friday afternoon, June 8th, to attend my Norbertine community’s Annual Chapter at St. Norbert Abbey. (I will return on Tuesday evening to celebrate the graduation Mass at 6 pm and attend the Pastoral Council meeting at 7 pm.) Our Parish picnic (Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd and 24th) will be here before we know it. So while time passes quickly, we are also reminded to savor, enjoy, and thank Almighty God for the gift of each new day and to always remember that no one is promised tomorrow.

I do thank all of you for your well wishes on the occasion of my 75th birthday last Sunday. In my prayers and reflections that day, I took time to look back over my past life and it suddenly dawned on me how very blessed I am. I had wonderful parents, a good home, an excellent education and, as a Norbertine priest, have had very good assignments which were both challenging but at the same time happy. I have friends all over the country and have served on both coasts and now in America’s heartland. This August I will begin my 9th year as your pastor. Last week, according to Canon Law, I submitted my resignation as Pastor of Holy Cross to Bishop Ricken. In the second paragraph, I indicated that I still feel able and willing to continue as pastor and await his consideration. I will keep you up to date on this situation.

As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, I invite you to join with me in being open to the Spirit, to let this Spirit inflame our hearts, so we may joyfully welcome the Seven Gifts that this same Spirit offers us.

Oremus pro invicem,

Fr. Tom

Related Link: May 27, 2012, Bulletin http://seekandfind.com/bulletins/01/0718/20120527B.pdf

Monday, May 21, 2012

HCCS Band program plays at Spring Concert


Our Holy Cross Catholic School Band program wrapped up another great year by bringing down the house at the Spring concert. View the presentation in the video above or in a larger player through Onetruemedia.

About Holy Cross Catholic SchoolLocated 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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence since 1868 and has an enrollment of nearly 200 students in grades 4K to 8th grade. Learn more at http://www.holycrossfamily.org/.

About GRACE
The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) System is the largest Catholic school system in Wisconsin. A collaborative school ministry of the 23 Green Bay area Catholic parishes, GRACE was formed in 2008 to provide affordable, high quality Catholic early childhood, elementary and middle-school education. It serves 2728 students at ten neighborhood school sites located throughout the Green Bay area. Over 125 students of other faith denominations attend the GRACE schools. The GRACE system employs over 250 people with a total annual community investment of $10.5 million. The system has just completed a three-year planning and consolidation process that involved the 23 faith communities, parents and staff. Learn more about GRACE at http://www.gracesystem.org/.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

From the Pastor's Desk ... May 20, 2012


My Dear Parishioners,


This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven.  As I have mentioned before to you, theologically speaking, the Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Sending of the Holy Spirit is ONE event.  Liturgically speaking, however, we extend it over time for more than 50 days so that we may savor and celebrate every aspect of the saving actions of Jesus.  In the past the Feast of the Ascension was celebrated on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter.  Because of our busy schedules, work time, and other considerations, this event sort of got lost and so the decision was made by the Bishops to celebrate it on the 7th Sunday of Easter and now instead of Ascension Thursday, we simply refer to it as the Feast of the Ascension.  This feast celebrates Jesus’ return to His Father in heaven and is a foreshadowing of the journey that each of us one day will make.


Next weekend, the Feast of Pentecost, is also the weekend when all across our nation in every parish, we take up the collection entitled “Our Own Needs.”  Envelopes are included in this week’s bulletin.  Our needs are as follows and you can check the box or boxes that you wish your contribution to include:

Black and Indian Missions

Catholic Communications/Evangelization

Catholic Home Missions Appeal

Catholic University of America


Congratulations and best wishes to Kim and Jason Hujet who this weekend bring their newborn son, Jack, to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.  A little over two years ago, I was privileged to preside at their wedding here at Holy Cross Church and this Sunday they bring the gift of their love and marriage for this wonderful Sacrament that will make Jack an adopted son of God and a member of the Church.  Congratulations and best wishes!


If you have not already done so, please pick up your picnic raffle tickets.  Please also consider volunteering some of your time to work in some of the picnic areas.


Oremus pro invicem,

Fr Tom

 Related Link: Bulletin May 20, 2012 http://seekandfind.com/bulletins/01/0718/20120520B.pdf

Saturday, May 12, 2012

From the Pastor's Desk ... May 13, 2012

My Dear Parishioners,

I recently received a letter from Donna Kessler, manager of St. Patrick’s Pantry, who wrote to express her thank you, and that of the people that the Pantry serves, to the people of Holy Cross for our tremendous support.

During 2011 we served 5,048 family units representing 1,466 different families approximately 83.3 tons of food. So far this year, we have served 136 more than during the same time last year. We would never be able to keep supplied with the food required without the tremendous generosity of the parishes and the people around the Green Bay area that support us. Thank you so very much. All of our overhead is paid by the Quad Parishes and all of our workers are volunteers, so your funds will be put to direct purchase of food for our people.

Kindly remember St Pat’s Pantry when you go food shopping. If many of us would bring one or two nonperishable items to church each week, over a short period of time we would be caring for and feeding a lot of needy people. Keep in mind that a Corporal Work of Mercy is to feed the hungry. If you would care to send a monetary donation, the address is: St. Patrick’s Pantry, Attn: Donna Kessler, Pantry Manager, 211 N. Maple Street, Green Bay, WI 54303.

I would also like to let you know that the leadership of our parish has been spending time examining the condition of the church roof. The present roof was put on when the church was built circa 1931! That roof is now about 81 years old and it has indeed served us well. When you leave church this weekend, take a look at the roof and you will notice that some shingles have fallen off. The big question is, “do we wait until we have a serious roof problem before we do anything?” The parish leadership and I have gathered some experts in building, roofs, architecture, etc. Getting a new roof involves more than simply replacing the present roof. We need to maintain the original appearance (we are on the National Register of Historic Places), but more important we have to put on a GOOD roof that will last us at least another 75 years. In addition to the roof, we have to address ventilation problems in the roof and covered space to prevent condensation. Insulation also must be considered. At the present time, insulation in the roof attic is minimal and thus during winter and summer this seriously affects the temperature of the church and increases heating costs. One other consideration is gutters and downspouts. Presently they are copper, and we plan to reuse them on the new roof. Last but not least is the cost! I firmly believe that if we plan to replace our church roof then we should do it right! Hopefully parishioners will come forth to fund this project according to their means and ability. I would hope that every member of the parish would participate in this project when we initiate the process. Kindly think about it, pray about it, and most of all be willing to be a part of it.

Finally, it is Mother’s Day weekend, and I invite you to keep in prayer all mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and all women who nurture and care for us. May God abundantly bless them for their selfless acts of love.

Oremus pro invicem

Father Tom

Related Link: May 13, 2012, Church bulletin http://seekandfind.com/bulletins/01/0718/20120513B.pdf

Friday, May 4, 2012

From the Pastor's Desk April 29, 2012

My Dear Parishioners,

This weekend at the 4 pm and the 10 am Masses, 30 children received the Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time. This is a time of rejoicing with their parents and siblings; our First Communicants can now share fully at the table of the Lord.

It is our prayer that our children will know the deep joy of sharing in communion today and will want to share it often. It is also my prayer that we adults can deepen our resolve to live the joy of Eucharist in our families and neighborhood, at work, and at play. Together, may the presence of the risen Christ so permeate our lives that the world can be transformed into the Kingdom of God, a glimpse of which we experience every time we gather around the table of the Lord. Congratulations to the following:

Abbigail Anderson      Evan Goral      Jackson Nichol      Sophia Schauer
Makenzie Anderson  Carlene Goral   William Morrissey  Alexander Schwitzer
Soo-Yin Brown      Maryssa Jaeckels      Leila Quass      Olivia Stefl
Landon Browne      Halle Johnson     Ashley Raduenz       Aidan Slattery
AnnaBelle Davis      Rebecca Kroll      Taylor Raduenz      Nolan Stormer
Gregory Delain      Dane LaCombe      Beau Rass      Joseph Strohmeyer
Mallory Eisenreich      Jacob Limoni      Erik Sack      Caroline VanDrisse
John Sack      Jenna Zehms

First Communion Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Through bread and wine at the Last Supper,
and by Your holy Word,
You gave the Eucharist to your church.
You transformed common food and drink
into Your Body and Blood,
and offered us a share in Your life
in ways we still cannot fully understand.
Grant now that these young people
will always treasure the gift they have in You.
Give them the grace to be faithful to You
and to remain in communion with Your church.
As they receive their First Communion,
the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation,
make them always aware of the hope they have for eternal life in You.
Amen.

Oremus pro invicem,

Fr. Tom

Related Link: Church bulletin April 29, 2012  http://seekandfind.com/bulletins/01/0718/20120429B.pdf

From the Pastor's Desk May 6, 2012

My Dear Parishioners,

I am writing to you this week regarding service opportunities within our Parish Family. As Fr. Tom says, this is YOUR parish, and we can only do what you empower us to do by your support.

Four times a year, the parish sponsors a meal at the NEW Community Shelter. Parishioners provide stews, jello, and bars, which are then served on a Friday evening by volunteers to the hungry at the shelter. We need a volunteer to coordinate the food and volunteers four times a year. There already exists a number of people who cook and serve, but someone is needed to coordinate this outreach project. Call the parish office at 468-0595 if you can fill this important role.

The Over-the-Hill Gang is a group of men (not necessarily over-the hill) who come together each Friday morning to vacuum the church, take out the garbage, mop the floors, and clean the bathroom. They have a great time and would like to invite other men of the parish to join their group. They meet once a month at The Settlement for their birthdays, and the only “cost” is to sponsor a lunch once a year. Show up on Friday at 9 am to join and help out!

We need help with our Scrip program. This program has been growing for the past several years, which means we need more volunteers who are able to help fill orders on specific days and times during the week and after weekend Masses. Please contact Gary Davister 468-0374 if you can help!

We are looking for a maintenance person/custodian for our parish/school. This could be one full-time position (11 am-7 pm, Monday-Friday), or two part–time positions, one person available during the day for maintenance and other custodial assistance, and another person for a couple of hours in the evening to empty the trash, clean floors, and clean the bathrooms. Send your resume and letter of interest to the Search Committee, c/o Holy Cross Parish, by June 1, 2012.

Our Faith Formation program will be changing effective this fall. We are looking at implementing a family-based educational program for ALL parishioners, regardless of age or, in the case of families with school-age children, whether they are enrolled in our Catholic school or in the public school system. We are seeking a part-time Faith Formation Director to work from mid-August to mid-May, approximately 20-25 hours per week. The qualified candidate must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies; but a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies or Theology is preferred, and 3 or more years experience as a Faith Formation Director. Training in the Generations of Faith program and the Diocesan Foundational Catechetical Certification is helpful. Please submit a cover letter and resume to the Search Committee, c/o Holy Cross Parish, by May 21, 2012.

Lori Flanagan, Parish Business Administrator

Related Link: Church bulletin May 6, 2012   http://seekandfind.com/bulletins/01/0718/20120506B.pdf

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Sign up to help at the church picnic

Enjoy serving a cold brew to your HC friends? Or do you prefer to flip burgers? It's not too early to sign-up to volunteer for our church picnic! This link will take you to an online sign-up sheet: Church picnic sign-up sheet. The sheet updates automatically after you fill in your information.

Questions? Contact Nikki Goral at nikki@image-advantage.com

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Holy Cross Catholic School students learn to ‘Feel the Power’ with Ron Pritikin


Anti-bullying speaker and 2009 Guinness World Record © holder, Ron Pritikin, combined his feats of strength and with his powerful message of overcoming adversity throughout his childhood and teen years. Learn more at: http://www.feelthepower.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. Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence since 1868 and has an enrollment of nearly 200 students in grades 4K to 8th grade.

About GRACE
The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) System is the largest Catholic school system in Wisconsin. A collaborative school ministry of the 23 Green Bay area Catholic parishes, GRACE was formed in 2008 to provide affordable, high quality Catholic early childhood, elementary and middle-school education. It serves 2728 students at ten neighborhood school sites located throughout the Green Bay area. Over 125 students of other faith denominations attend the GRACE schools. The GRACE system employs over 250 people with a total annual community investment of $10.5 million. The system has just completed a three-year planning and consolidation process that involved the 23 faith communities, parents and staff. Learn more about GRACE at http://www.gracesystem.org/.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Homily from Sunday, April 22: Third Sunday of Easter

This is the homily by Fr. Tom Hagendorf from the third Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2012.






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April 22, 2012: From the Pastor's Desk

My Dear Parishioners,

We continue our celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. During the Easter season, the first readings at Mass are from the Acts of the Apostles, which in fact is a history of the early Church and the first believers in Christ. I would like to suggest that you use the time of the Easter season to read the Acts of the Apostles as your daily spiritual readings. You might be surprised how much you will learn about our church and our faith.

The weather in Northeastern Wisconsin has certainly been different this Spring. We can give thanks to Almighty God that we have not had the horrendous storms and tornadoes that other parts of our nation have endured. One beautiful part of this year’s Spring has been the cool weather and temperatures which in turn has permitted our daffodils to last much longer than usual. A number of you have commented to me about the beauty of these flowers in the front of the rectory and at our Mary Garden. Actually, those beautiful daffodils represent many Easters past when they first decorated our church and afterwards were planted in front of the rectory and at the Mary Garden. This year’s daffodils will be planted in front of the church entrance and thus in years to come we will be able to enjoy them again and again. And so a very special “Thank You” to all those parishioners who over the years have contributed to the “Easter Flower Collection.” Your gifts made possible the beauty of Spring in daffodils and tulips at Holy Cross.

Next weekend our young children will bring to an end months of preparation by their reception of their First Holy Communion. Since last October, they have been joining us at weekend Mass to learn the prayers, hymns, etc. and to prepare for their special day. I invite you to hold them and their parents in prayer as they conclude their preparation. We joyfully welcome them to the Table of the Lord.

I ask you to remember in prayer parishioner Clarence Rockey who passed away last Friday. Clarence and his wife, Agnes, have been long-time members of this parish, and we pray for the repose of Clarence’s soul and our Lord’s comfort to Agnes and their family.

Continue to hold in prayer my Norbertine Community at Saint Norbert Abbey as we prepare to elect a new leader in the position of Abbot. Our leadership in the person of the Abbot is elected by all the Solemn Professed members for a specific term period of either 6, 9, or 12 years. Our present Abbot, Abbot Gary Neville, O.Praem., is completing his 9-year term and thus the reason for our election. Kindly pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our community in the selection of it new leader.

Oremus pro invicem,
Fr. Tom

Related link: Apr 22 (Bulletin)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

GRACE Notes - Financial Assistance Deadline Nears

The first financial aid deadline for need-based financial assistance is Friday, May 4th.

Families enrolled at any of the ten GRACE member schools can submit an application a confidential and secure way. For more information go to: http://www.gracesystem.org/financial-aid/.

Last year, GRACE provided over $211,000 in advance financial assistance and over $17,000 in hardship tuition relief to over 125 families.