Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time consists of 33 or 34 weeks outside the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.  The Sundays and Weekdays in Ordinary Time unfold the other mysteries of Christ that are not explicitly commemorated by the seasons. During this time the Church calls attention to Our Lord’s ministry of preaching, healing, and liberating.  These, in some way, become present to us as we listen with faith to the biblical readings every Sunday and indeed every day.

Of great importance, therefore, are the biblical readings, especially the gospel, during the Masses in Ordinary Time.  When we listen to them, we are enabled to listen to the preaching of Christ and experience the saving and healing power of his word.  It is useful to keep in mind that his words and actions, which the gospel proclaims, allow us to paint the picture of our Father in heaven.   We obtain knowledge of the Father through what Christ preached and performed.

     Likewise, the Prefaces during Ordinary Time are worthy of our attention.  They proclaim the wonderful works of God in creation and salvation history through Jesus Christ.

     Ordinary Time is called “ordinary”, but its message Sunday after Sunday, day after day, is not ordinary: it is always extraordinary, because it is about the person of Jesus Christ who reveals to us by his words and action the person of the Father.

      As we continue to struggle with the new omicron virus, let us again put our focus on what is more important in life. We can't change the situation, but we can change our attitude towards it. There are moments where we feel helpless and confused but make sure that you reach out to Him who can pull us out from despair and worries. 

     This week's gospel is about the miracle of Jesus at a wedding feast at Cana. Jesus performed his first miracle of changing the water into wine at the request of his mother to save a family from embarrassment. The miracle happened because Jesus and his mother Mary were invited to the wedding feast. Do we invite Jesus into our families in our celebrations, proud moments of achievements and good times? Jesus joined the family because he was familiar with the family members. Can we say the same with us? Let us invite Mary and Jesus into our families at this hard time.

     Once again, I urge you all to use the resources available to nurture our faith in the sacraments even though some of you are not able to come in person to Church. Our Churches are open as long as we follow the guidelines of the health department. The restriction is to have 50% of the capacity of the Church and to follow the social distancing and to wear a mask.  We ask that if anybody feels sick, to please stay at home, and join our online or recorded Masses.

     The Sacramental team is making their best efforts to reach out and help the First Communion candidates and parents. Join us through Flocknote or get in touch with us for the preparation classes which will be offered online. However the dates for the Sacramental celebration will be announced later. 

     Please note that the Confirmation Parent Information meeting has been POSTPONED until further notice.  I encourage you to check our parish website for updated information and stay safe.

God bless,

Fr. Lukose CMF

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Welcome to Holy Cross Resources for Families
kidsMinistry@holycrossparish.com


 

Holy Cross children have begun their journey towards receiving their first communion

As a parish community we extend our prayer support and look forward in
sharing their first communion celebration in the spring of 2022. 

O Jesus, You have loved us with such great love as to give us the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Inflame us with a burning zeal to praise You. Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, these young souls and their families from the assaults of evil, strengthen their faith, increase their
love and grace them with all the virtues needed to receive You. 
Amen

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You are welcome to share the videos with your extended families and friends. Let us make room for Jesus in our homes in the New Year as some of the children are preparing for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

The Church recognizes that synodality is an integral part of her very nature. Being a synodal Church finds expression in ecumenical councils, Synods of Bishops, diocesan Synods, and diocesan and parish councils. There are many ways by which we experience forms of “synodality” already across the Church. Yet being a synodal Church is not limited to these existing institutions. Indeed, synodality is not so much an event or a slogan as a style and a way of being by which the Church lives out her mission in the world. The mission of the Church requires the entire People of God to be on a journey together, with each member playing his or her crucial role, united with each other. A synodal Church walks forward in communion to pursue a common mission through the participation of each and every one of her members. The objective of this Synodal Process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATTION
ON THE SYNOD 2021-2023