2012 Holy Cross Parish Directory

Photo sessions for the 2012 Holy Cross Parish Directory begin on Feb 15. Our portrait sessions for February are completed and what a beautiful start we have to our 2012 Parish Directory!  If you have not yet made your portrait session appointment, there is still time.  Appointments are available the weeks of March 12 and March 20. You can make your appointment by CLICKING HERE.  You can also leave your name and number at the parish office and we will contact you to schedule your appointment.

You will receive a free 8x10 portrait and a free parish directory for your participation.  If you bring a non-perishable food item to your portrait session, you will receive a $5 coupon to apply toward additional portraits AND you will be supporting our Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. We would like to see YOU in the Parish Directory so sign up today!

[ Parish Directory ]

New Charismatic Prayer Group

Jan 24, 2012 (7:00p)

A home based Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group has begun here at Holy Cross. Meetings are weekly and will be held on Tuesdays at 7:00p. Anyone interested in joining this group should contact Parishioner Jan Reager at 480-830-8346.

[ Charismatic Prayer Group ]

2012 Charity & Development Appeal Kick-off

Feb 11, 2012 to Feb 12, 2012

The annual Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) will kick off in our parish on Feb 11 and 12.

The CDA provides critical funding to charitable organizations who serve families in need, educate our children in the Catholic faith, and support seminarians, clergy, religious and lay leaders in their desire to serve our community.

Please prayerfully consider a financial gift to the CDA. Our parish goal is 100% participation and $152,000. If you have not participated in the past, please consider a an initial gift of $50. For our families who continue to support the CDA, we thank you. Your gift will make a difference to our One Family in Christ. More information on the CDA and how 2011 funds were allocated, can be found at diocesephoenix.org/cda. You can also make your gift online as well. Thank you for your prayerful support!

[ Charity & Development Appeal ]

Lenten Activities

Feb 22, 2012 to Apr 6, 2012

Weekly Liturgies during Lent: Wednesdays at 6:00p

Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 2:00p and 6:30p. And in Spanish at 7:15p.

[ Lenten Activity ]

Beginning Experience

Feb 24, 2012 to Feb 26, 2012

Widowed? Divorced? Separated?

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE is a weekend program to help single-again persons begin to deal with the grieving process. It offers an opportunity, through God, for turning the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth. The next weekend will be Feb 24-26 at Mt. Claret Retreat Center in Phoenix, AZ. The cost is $149. Some partial scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the full cost.

Please register before Feb 17.

For additional information: call 602-914-5148, visit www.AZBE.org or email info@azbe.org.

[ Singles ]

Lenten Dinner

Feb 24, 2012

Our first Lenten Dinner of the season is Fri, Feb 24 in Wellens Hall. Shrimp Dinner $8; Fried Fish Dinner $7.

[ Lenten Activity Knights of Columbus ]

Parish Retreat

Feb 25, 2012 (9:00a - 3:00p)

Parish Retreat will be held Sat, Feb 25 from 9:00a - 3:00p in Wellens Hall. Theme of the retreat “One God One Family.”

Our presenters will be: Jaime Cortez, Kathy Knapp, Deacon Joe Scaccia, Kevin Boudreau, Deacon Bill Finnegan, Deacon Tom Ferreira

A $10.00 donation is appreciated for lunch. Childcare will be provided for children up to the age of 12. Deadline for retreat registration and childcare is Feb 19. Childcare will be provided free of charge for those who need it.

Contact: Deacon Tom 480-981-2021 or email tferreira@holycrossmesa.org

[ Lenten Activity ]

High School Teens - Retreat

Mar 2, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012

Calling All High School Teens! You are invited to participate in a 3 day, 2 night retreat on Mar 2-4 at Williams, AZ, Lost Canyon Camp.

Featuring: Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Ike Ndolo Band, Fr. Paul Sullivan, The Dominican Sisters, 400 H.S. Teens from throughout AZ.

Cost for retreat is $150. Deposit of $35 due by 1/1/12.

Contact Carl Lang or Cindy Benzing, 480-325-5375, for additional information.

[ Youth Ministry ]

First Friday Adoration

Mar 2, 2012 (9:00a)

Come join us this Fri, Mar 2 for Adoration, from 9:00-11:30a. Benediction will be at 11:30a. We encourage everyone who is free to come and spend a half-hour of quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

[ Adoration ]

Women's Breakfast

Mar 3, 2012 (8:30a)

Holy Cross Women’s breakfast will be Sat, Mar 3 beginning with Mass at 8:30AM followed by breakfast in Wellens Hall. Guest Speaker: Candy Bridges, author and owner of Breath of Life Retreat House in Pine, AZ.

Please register at the front office so we can have the correct count for breakfast.
Cost: $5.00 per person

Contact Person: Deacon Tom for more information: call 480-981-2021 or email tferreira@holycrossmesa.org.

[ Women ]

Holy Cross Women's Breakfast

Mar 3, 2012 (8:30a)

Join us for Holy Cross Women’s breakfast on Mar 3. Mass at 8:30a followed by breakfast in Wellens Hall. Guest Speaker: Candy Bridges, author and owner of Breath of Life Retreat House in Pine, AZ.

Please register at the front office so we can have the correct count for breakfast. Cost: $5.00 per person. Contact Deacon Tom for more information at 480-981-2021 or tferreira@holycrossmesa.org.

[ Women's Group ]

New Parishioner Welcome Sunday - Mar 4 at 1:00p

Mar 4, 2012 (1:00p)

Please come by or call the office at 480-981-2021 to receive your invitation.

You will also receive a reminder phone call.  This will be a wonderful opportunity for new people to meet the staff, heads of ministry, and receive an orientation to the parish. 

Welcome to Our Catholic Community. We look forward to meeting you.

[ Welcome ]

Amish Grace

Mar 8, 2012 (6:30p)

On behalf of the Film Ministry at Holy Cross, Deacon Joe Scaccia would like to invite all parishioners, guests, and interested filmgoers to a showing of the film, Amish Grace. It will be presented in Anderson Hall, at 6:30p on Thu, Mar 8. 

Amish Grace is a film about the incident at an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, on October 2, 2006 in which Charles Roberts IV tied up and shot 10 young Amish schoolgirls.  He killed five girls and seriously wounded the five other girls, finally taking his own life. The overall reaction of the Amish community was one of forgiveness for the killer’s widow, her parents and the killer’s parents.  Realistically, however, some family members of the victims struggled with their feelings and found it hard to forgive. 

In essence, this film reminds us of how our world, particularly our Christian world, is prone to a lack of forgiveness.  We all struggle with applying forgiveness to the various disruptions and sinful circumstances we all face.  In these early days of Lent, it is good to view this film which encourages us to examine our own faith to see how it impacts our own sense of forgiveness in terms of what God wants for us. 

[ Movie Viewing ]

3rd Annual Nun Run

Mar 10, 2012

The Poor Clare Nuns invite you to participate in their 3rd Annual Nun Run. Registration for the 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile walk is $25.00 (until Feb 25) and includes a T-shirt and post race refreshments. The race is on Sat, Mar 10 at 8:00a at Kiwanis Park located at 95 W. Baseline Rd. in Tempe.

The Poor Clares are Roman Catholic Nuns who moved to Arizona in 2005 at the invitation of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. They are raising funds to build a monastery for 28 nuns near their chapel in Tonapah, Arizona. The Our Lady of Solitude Chapel is open to the public for Adoration and daily Mass. To learn more about the Poor Clare Nuns and to register/donate, please visit their website at www.desertnuns.com. Thank you!

[ Poor Clares  Fundraiser ]

Spirituality of Clay: Creative Workshop

Mar 10, 2012 (11:00a - 3:00p)

Come join Fr. John Shetler and Marilyn Collins, Spiritual Directors, for a day of prayer and creativity. This workshop begins with a brief presentation on the Begging Bowl’s origin and its focus on spiritual potential. The remaining time will be spent creating the begging bowl from clay. Participants will leave inspired with the gifts of the day. This is a half day workshop (11:00a-3:00p) which will be offered at Holy Cross Parish. No previous skills required.

Sat, Mar 10 from 11:00-3:00p in Room J.
The Cost: $40 per person including materials. Limited number of 10 per session.

To register and for additional information, call Marilyn Collins, MFA., Spiritual Director, at 480-247-1972 or email M.Collins5@cox.net.

[ Spirituality of Clay ]

Catholic Daughters: Trip to Cliff Castle Casino

Mar 14, 2012 (8:30a)

Join us for a fun day. Help the Catholic Daughters in our fundraising and enjoy a fun day and scenic ride by joining us on our monthly bus trip. We are going to Cliff Castle in the beautiful Verde Valley on Wed, Mar 14. Cost $10, which you receive back on arrival at the casino. It is Senior day so enjoy the delicious special priced buffet plus gain double points with your slot card. The bus will leave St. George's Church at 8:00a and Holy Cross Church at 8:30a.

Please call early to reserve your seat before the bus is full. Reserve you seat today by calling: Susan Mone 480-969-0447, Gloria Ancona 480-895-3503, Agnes Miller 480-982-6063.

[ Catholic Daughters ]

Vendors Needed

Mar 15, 2012

The K of C Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Spring Craft Fair on Sat, Apr 14 from 8:00a-2:00p, in the Wellens Hall courtyard. They are looking for “crafty” parishioners to share their talents. Applications can be found in the office. The fee for a table is $20. Space is limited so fill out your application soon. Applications can be found at the parish office. Any questions, please contact Peggy McDonald at 480-656-1522. The deadline for applications is Mar 15.

[ Craft Fair  Vendors ]

Caregivers Support Group Spring Retreat

Mar 17, 2012 (8:30a - 1:30p)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - the spring retreat for caregivers will be held on Sat, Mar 17 from 8:30a-1:30p, which will include a luncheon prepared by Father John and his crew. For all questions regarding caregiving events, contact Evelyn Sanchez at 602-882-5197.

[ Caregivers Support Group ]

Singles Dance

Mar 17, 2012 (7:00p - 11:00p)

Singles Dance sponsored by Catholic Singles Ministry. On St Patrick's Day, Mar 17 from 7-:00-11:00p. Location is St Daniel the Prophet Church Social Hall at 1030 N Hayden Road Scottsdale. $20 entry and raffle. (CSM serving ages 35+). Questions: C_S_M_2003@yahoo.com or Rusty 480-392-0885.

[ Singles ]

Retreat for Graduating College Students

Mar 23, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012

Mar 23-25: Graduating College Students, Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale.
Visit www.crosier.org for more information.

[ Retreat ]

Lenten Retreat

Mar 24, 2012 (8:30a)

The Holy Cross Ladies' Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a Lenten Retreat entitled "Tending Your Inner Garden - a time to weed, prune, and grow" - on Sat, Mar 24; our facilitator will be Father John Shetler.  All the ladies of our parish are cordially invited to attend what promises to be a reverent and inspirational day. 

The Retreat will begin at 8:30a in the church with mass and will continue in Wellens Hall.  There will be a light breakfast served as well as a luncheon at 1:00p. which will conclude the program.  The cost for the Retreat is $15 per lady payable in the church office at Holy Cross.  Please have your reservation made by Mar 15.

[ Lenten Activity Retreat  Ladies Auxiliary  ]

CRYS Retreat

Mar 30, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012

Catholic? Single? Age 21-40? Please join us for our Spring Retreat, Fri, Mar 30 through Sun, Apr 1 - a weekend of reflection, devotion, & fellowship.

Cost is $75 for EARLY registration (before Mar 5) and $90 thereafter. For more info please call Margarita at 623-693-8913 or visit www.crysretreats.com

[ Singles ]

Vendors Needed

Apr 14, 2012

The K of C Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Spring Craft Fair on Apr 14 from 8:00a-2:00p in the Wellens Hall courtyard. They are looking for “crafty” parishioners to share their talents. Applications can be found in the office. The fee for a table is $20. Space is limited so fill out your application soon. Applications can be found at the parish office. Any questions, please contact Peggy McDonald at 480-656-1522. The deadline for applications is Mar 15.

[ Knights of Columbus Craft Fair  Vendors ]

7th & 8th grade Essay Contest

Apr 22, 2012

The Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Council 7904 and 4th Degree Assembly 1989 are jointly sponsoring an Essay Contest, for All 7th & 8th Grade students who are actively attending Holy Cross. The essay shall be between 500 to 750 words and the Title shall be: “The Responsibility of the Catholic Citizen in a Free Society.”

All participants will receive a certificate and the Most Outstanding Essay will receive a $100 Cash Award. The Second most Outstanding will receive a $50 Cash Award. Entries must be submitted no later than Sun, Apr 22 and will be awarded in May. Application forms and instructions are available in the RE Office.

[ Knights of Columbus Essay Contest ]