An inquiry into the Catholic faith is now forming.  This is an opportunity for people who are not Catholic to have their questions about the Church answered in a safe and supportive atmosphere.  The group meets on Sunday mornings, beginning in September.  For more information email Robert Bacic at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Requests for information are kept confidential and making an appointment does not obligate a person to participate.

Registration form is now available for Middle School and High School Confirmation Preparation. Registration form can be printed off, completed, and returned to the church office with payment before August 30, 2010. Returning students also need to complete and return a form with payment. Our first class is scheduled for Sunday, October 17, 2010 at Holy Cross School due to the renovation project at the church.

Holy Cross School students do not need to register for Confirmation prep. We will be working with these students during the school day.

Contact Sandy Schluter with questions.

Registration form is now available for Middle School and High School Confirmation Preparation. Registration form can be printed off, completed, and returned to the church office with payment before August 30, 2010. Returning students also need to complete and return a form with payment. Our first class is scheduled for Sunday, October 17, 2010 at Holy Cross School due to the renovation project at the church.

Holy Cross School students do not need to register for Confirmation prep. We will be working with these students during the school day.

Contact Sandy Schluter with questions.

La comunidad hispana de Holy Cross tuvo a bien organizar una fiesta de despedida en honor del Padre Mark Mertes. La fiesta se llevó a cabo en el gimnasio de la Escuela de Holy Cross, dio inicio a las 4 de la tarde y concluyó a las 7 de la tarde del día 11 de julio de 2010.

En esta celebración la comunidad hispana a través de sus grupos y pequeñas comunidades mostró el cariño y afecto que le tiene al Padre Mark contribuyendo cada quien ya sea con comida, bebidas, participación en el programa y hasta limpiando y recogiendo el salón después del evento.

El Padre Mark mostró siempre estar contento con la fiesta que en su honor se organizó y además de partir un pastel, comer con los hermanos, recibir regalos, también recibió la bendición de toda la comunidad quien le deseo lo mejor en su nueva asiganción.

También, el Padre Mark mostró su alegría bailando con algunas hermanas que al son de la música mexicana voluntariamente se ofrecieron a sacarlo a bailar.

A continuación presento algunos de los momentos sobresalientes del evento, aunque sabemos que fueron muchos, solo pudimos capturar algunos de ellos.

El Padre Mark en la ultima misa en español en Holy Cross

 El padre Mark fue Recivido en el gimnacio con aplausos de todos los presentes

Armando Toxsqui Hizo un muy buen trabajo como maestro de ceremonias,poniendole alegria al evento con su animacion y comentarios

El Padre david Garavito hizo la oracion por los alimentos.

Las Hermanas de las diferentes Comunidades amablemente sirvieron la comida a todos los invitados

Tambien hermanos de las comunidades participaron sirviendo la comida,siempre con una sonrisa y muy buen servicio

El Padre Mark departiendo en las mesas con los invitados.

La comunidad hispana departiendo en sus mesas y con algunos anglos que tambien asistieron a la fiesta y disfrutaron de las canciones y bailes presentados tanto por el coro Santa Cruz como por Everardo,Jaime y otras personas que voluntariamente nos cantaron algo de musica Mexicana

El Padre Mark partiendo un pastel que se degusto como uno de los diferentes postres que se ofrecieron en su honor

El grupo de Jovenes de la parroquia nos presento la actuacion de una obra en la que se nos mostro como con la ayuda,las oraciones y el apoyo del padre Mark se puede estar alejados del pecado, la obra gusto mucho y los jovenes recibieron una muy buena tanda de aplausos como muestra del agrado delos asistentes 

El evento conto con un numero selecto de oradores como la Sra Pilla quien en nombre de toda la comunidad hispana de holy Cross le dio las gracias al padre Mark por todo el apoyo que desde hace 12 años ha brindado a los hispanos y los asistentes lo ratificaron con un fuerte aplauso.

 Los Hermanos Colombianos nos dieron una muestra de como se baila en colombia ya que nos deleitaron con un baile tipico tradicional colombiano que todos disfrutamos y aplaudimos.

De Colombia para el mundo...!!!!

Otra de Nuestras selectas oradoras fue la Sra Ludiz quien igualmente en representacion de la comunidad hispana de holy cross expreso al padre Mark que la comunidad le esta mu agradecida por todo el apoyo que el ha brindado.

Todos los asistentes con las manos extendidas le dimos la bendicion al Padre Mark y el en actitud de humildad la recibe juntando sus manos y cerrando sus ojos.

El hermano Mike Cazares hizo el anuncio a los asistentes sobre el nombramiento de el Jardin de Oracion de la parroquia con el nombre del padre Mark Mertes en reconocimiento a sus muchas y muy buenas aportacines que tuvo para la parroquia.

Despues de que algunos hermanos y hermanas nos cantaron algunas canciones con el Kareoke, los miembros del Comite Hispano de Holy Cross le hicieron un regalo en nombre de la comunidad hispana que consto de un reloj de escritorio grabado en agradecimiento tambien a su apoyo, para que siempre que lo vea en su escritorio se acuerde de la comunidad de holy cross.

El padre se despidio de los hermanos y paso a retirarse con los regalos materiales en sus manos y con el corazon pleno del amor que la comunidad le mostro.  Que Dios siga bendiciendo al padre Mark Mertes a donde quiera que su apostolado lo llame.

Gracias.  Jesus Salas

Ordinary 15C:  And Who Is My Neighbor?

I've been sharing in the bulletin some of my favorite moments at Holy Cross.  This is my favorite, Sunday Eucharist. Week in, week out, we have the gift of Eucharist to gather, to be fed in word and sacrament, and then depart refreshed. 

This week the Good Samaritan story changes the boundaries of who is our neighbor and who is not.  Jesus inaugurates a whole new way of looking at the world in which people no longer need fear one another but rather are neighbor to one another in a spirit of joy.

 And who is my neighbor?  Well, look around you.  The Eucharist invites us to pray together as neighbor to one another, as brother and sister.  In the mass we overcome the boundaries of subdivisions, north or south of 435, east or west of Antioch, boundaries of political affiliation, rich and poor.  Jesus gathers us around his table, and as St. Paul says, it is in Christ that all things hold together.  Jesus Christ is the reason that we are able to come together as one today.  My favorite Latin phrase, lex orandi legem credeni constituit, "the law of prayer is the law of belief," indicates that it's one thing to say that you believe something—the evidence of your belief will be reflected in how one worships.  So we gather as neighbors, diverse and one.  We gather as brothers and sisters in Christ.  We gather as children all of our heavenly Father.   

I was reflecting on a few ways that you, the people of Holy Cross, have helped me answer that question, "And who is my neighbor?" these past 12 years.  I think I could summarize my insights by saying that you, the people of Holy Cross and our parish life have helped me celebrate and reverence life.  My experience of the dignity of the human person and my advocacy for the fullness of life has been deepened because of your loving concern for others and your loving concern for me personally. 

 I can see this played in ways too numerous to mention, though I'll mention a few.  In a new and deeper way you have helped me to recognize Christ in the unborn.  As a Catholic, I of course like to think that I've always had a respect for life.    My time with you has helped me practice this respect and also deepen my understanding of the "seamless garment" that is our Church's approach to reverence for life.

You've helped me reach out to my neighbor who has special needs.

I've been gifted with hours and hours with your children and young people, who through the years, have grown and matured, ready to take their roles as young adults in society.  

I've met Christ as neighbor and friend through our older parishioners who have taken me under their wing and shared with me the St. Glenwood wisdom that is so important for our identity. You've supported me through good decisions and not so good ones. 

Holy Cross has helped me be more reverent toward people's life circumstances, especially those in the final days of their lives, in moments in the hospital and the tender times of funerals. 

Holy Cross has helped me to welcome as Christ in the immigrant and the stranger.  (And you could say that Fr. Mark has helped Holy Cross to welcome Christ in the immigrant, particularly from Mexico and south.)   Quite simply, we are trying to live the truth that we are all a pilgrim people.  Spiritually we are journeying through this life.  We are migrating to a deeper understanding of Christ's presence.  Literally, all of our families have been immigrants or are currently such. 

Even this transition helps us to see Christ in one another.  Pastoral changes are a part of church life and now we receive this gift from God.  It too belongs.

So, it has been a wonderful time with you.  I am proud to hand on to Father Bob Conroy, through the Pastoral Council, our revised parish mission statement.  I believe it reflects our reality.  We truly are "A diverse community, welcoming and accepting, united in our Catholic faith, committed to forming people in the image of Christ to better serve the Lord and our neighbor." 

 For my part, I love you as my brothers and sisters in Christ, as your pastor, and as your brother (and perhaps your son.)  Remember, God has wonderful plans for each one of us. 

I think of Paul's prayers for his communities:  God will bring to completion the good work he has begun in you (Philippians 1).  May you have strength to comprehend what is the breadth and length, the height and depth of Christ's love that surpasses knowledge so you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3.18-19).

 My last comment:  Let us love one another.  Keep serving, keep singing, most of all, keep loving.  Keep loving, and we shall live! 

For information on how to enroll your child in one of our offerings, click here.

For information on how to enroll your child in one of our offerings, click here.

ENROLLMENT for Children in Grades K-6 is taking place now! Classes are forming to begin sometime this fall.  Choose one of two options on Tuesdays: Afternoon classes meet from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.  or Families Growing in Faith Together which meets from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m.   At least one parent or other adult must accompany children to the evening program.  Both of these prepare children for the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist (First Communion).

How to Enroll?  Obtain an enrollment form, complete it and return it with a fee payment.

To obtain enrollment forms: (1) Come to the Church on Tuesday and Wed. from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. to meet with a program representative.  (2) Find an enrollment form here for downloading and printing at your computer.  Once complete, drop it off at the Church with your fee payment.

To speak to Julie Dresser for more information, call 913-206-7696.