ALTAR GUILD

MISSION STATEMENT:
The purpose of the Holy Cross Altar Guild is to maintain the Altars, Sacristy, and the vestments of the Church and arranges the decorations for holidays, sacraments and special liturgies.

SERVICES:
A group of dedicated women are concerned with the maintenance and beautification of our Church in order to give the highest honor to God. Teams are assigned to Altar Guild duty each week and it is their responsibility to maintain the order and beauty of the flowers, altar cloths, sacred vessels, and the vestments of the priest and altar servers. Flowers and special decorations are selected for holidays, the sacraments, and for special liturgies and celebrations.

Contact: COLLEEN WOOD, Co-chair, 747-3668

Arrangements for the flowers for weddings, funerals or for special occasions, as well as donations of flowers may be made by contacting the Parish Office, 842-0348, ext 2.

Meetings: October 20, 2004 and Feb. 23, May 25, 2005 at 10:00 AM in Holy Cross Church.

MEMBERS:
Pat Alcaro, Regina Bennardo, Mary Bowen, Helen Cangialosi, Mary Cavalieri, Rosalba Dailey, Linda Davies, Ann Dengler, Dana DiBona, Elenmarie Dunn, Dit Eadon, Monica Faett, Karen Freibaum, Vera Gangemi, Sonia Gesell, Claire Glover, Nonnie Godvin, Fran Gorski, Taphy Harcsar, Mary Kavookjian, Jane Keaveney, Jack Keeler, Vienna King, Ann Laskowski, Pat Lawrence, Ann Marie Littlefield, Kathleen Lunman, Celine Mason, Lorraine McDonald, Frida McLaughlin, Christina Moretti, Elizabeth Provini, Bonny Reger, Barbara Riker, Marion Riordan, Mary Santry, LuAnn Scott, Rita Seaman, Ann Marie Shay, Elizabeth Shiftan, Nory Soboti, Susan Sorokolit, Arlene Stump, Janet Sullivan, Trish Sullivan, Winnie Svikhart, Susan Symington, Patti Szakats, Alice Trelease, Colleen Wood, Denise Wright.

BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE

MISSION STATEMENT:
God is with us through the journeys of our lives especially when dealing with death. Our Bereavement Committee reaches out in a compassionate, prayerful and supportive manner to parishioners who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We are also committed to grow in knowledge of the grief and mourning process so we can be sensitive and temporal. We will maintain contact with the family through the first year of bereavement.                                                                                                                               

SERVICES:
When a parishioner or family member dies, a Committee person calls the family to express condolences on behalf of the parish and to arrange a meeting with the Pastoral Assistant or a committee member to plan the Funeral liturgy. Baked goods are prepared and delivered to the bereaved family by committee members. Members may attend the Wake, the Funeral Mass and assist with the liturgy as needed and requested.                                                                                                                              

A committee member remains in contact with the family throughout the year to check on how they are coping with their loss. Supportive services are available through Bereavement Support Groups as well as referrals fro individual counseling if needed.

A special Memorial Liturgy is held on All Souls Day, (November 2^nd) to pray for all parishioners who have died during the previous year. Families of the deceased receive personal invitations to participate in this mass. Refreshments are prepared and served by the committee.

A committee person may choose to do any or all of the following:  
Be a contact person, be trained to help plan the funeral, prepare and deliver some baked item, continue to be in contact with the family, work on the arrangements for the Memorial Liturgy, conduct a Wake service.       

Meetings: First Saturday of October, December February, April and June at 10AM in the Teachers Room.

Contact: Barbara Riker, 732-291-0730

CYO YOUTH GROUP

Young people in their teens face many challenges within themselves and in today’s world. Among these personal challenges are the search for identity, how they will form meaningful relationships and what lifestyle choices are to be made. Some of these are easy decisions, while others are much more difficult. It is often hard for God to be squeezed into all the choices, all the relationships, all the questions, all the ups and downs of teen life. Most young people desire a relationship with God, but struggle with how to get started and keep it going.

Click here for CYO letter to Parents and Registration Form

Contact: Michael Feerst

HEALING SHEPHERD CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

MISSION STATEMENT:
We gather together each Monday evening to thank, praise and worship God for His great love and mercy. We gather as a group to declare His "Marvelous Deeds" in our everyday lives. We welcome all who desire to pray or share their experience of God's love. We welcome all who desire to intercede for world peace, pertinent issues of conscience, parish concerns, family life, and spiritual, physical or emotional healing. The spiritual healing opens the door for the Light of Christ's love to penetrate all other areas.

It is the prayer community's desire to serve the Lord and our brothers and sisters in Christ through intercessory prayer, support, love, helping, and to offer an extra few hours of prayer in our busy lives.

SERVICES:
We prepare for the monthly Healing Services each 4th MONDAY of the month. These Masses are celebrated by many different priests of the Diocese. After the Mass has concluded, two or three prayer teams are available for anyone who feels a need for more intercessory prayer. The Mass itself is the means of healing yet there are moments when we may desire to be prayed for with others joining us.

Meetings: Every Monday at 8:00 PM in the Holy Cross School Teachers Room.

Healing Service: Every 4th Monday of the month at 8:00 PM in Holy Cross Church.

Contact: MARIA AND DICK INCREMONA at 842-3274.

LITURGY COMMITTEE

MISSION STATEMENT:
Our purpose is to deepen our experience of the central mysteries of our Faith, through the planning of liturgical celebrations throughout the Church year. We also strive to grow together as the Body of Christ through education and promotion of a deeper understanding of the ritual and symbols within communal, liturgical worship. In this coming year, we will continue to network with the Diocesan Office of Worship and to further coordinate with other parish committees in liturgical preparation, especially enhancing the integration of music into the liturgy and the function of lectors. We also hope to encourage and revitalize attendance at Sunday Mass through education and outreach.

SERVICES:
This committee is active in planning Sunday Eucharist and all seasonal celebrations during the liturgical year. We make use of several resources in our planning and teaching so that, as a parish community, we may experience and enter more deeply into the faith we celebrate.

We work collaboratively with the Altar Guild and Music Ministers to enter into the unique character of each liturgical season in the Church year and assist in designing special liturgies. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and are asked to help with copying and designing materials, special assistance at designated liturgies, and writing the Prayer of the Faithful for Sunday Masses.

Meetings: Second Wednesday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 4PM in the Parish Center .

Contact: EUGENIA KELLY at 732-842-0348, ext. 127

MUSIC MINISTRY

The goal for the Holy Cross Music Program is to: enrich your spiritual well-being before, during and after liturgy through song and have you leaving church saying: “Wow – the music was Great!”

We want Holy Cross parishioners to feel a sense of intimacy with the music and have our music program work for YOU! We encourage our congregation to participate in the singing of prayers, acclamations, and hymns so they can experience what good liturgy from prayer and music brings. We want to cultivate new musical talents and help develop them into a single inspired voice, giving praise and glory to our God as music ministers. If you have suggestions on things that could help us toward our goal – let us know. Good liturgy incorporates good music AND the participation of our congregation both in prayer and song.

If you are interested in being a part of the Holy Cross Music Program in some capacity, please contact Tom Hinz via email or phone for more information.

Director of Music Ministry: THOMAS HINZ, 531-6870 or 531-8282.
Email at thinz@mymonline.com or thinz@apexgroupus.com      

Leaders of Song: Claire Harbeck-Izzo, Patti Skinner, Katie Cabrera, Alessandra Guinta, Margaret Price, Diane Schneider 

ADULT CHOIR

The Adult Choir of Holy Cross Parish comes together to bring glory to God through the gift of music. We welcome new members. The choir sings at one Mass each Sunday, has a concert and liturgy on Christmas Eve, sings at the Holy Week and Easter services.

Rehearsals: The choir practices every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 PM.

Choir Director: GRACE PARENT, 842-2596

Members: Karen Allegra, David Beil, Francie Borho, Sarah Cushing, Cynthia Dannen, Joanne Gillespie, Tony Kerbs, Joseph Koerwer, Kathleen Lunman, Jim Mindnich, Kris Murphy, Georgia Reynolds, Pat Scarrone, Patti Skinner, David Teeter, Mary Trank, Mary Ann Waclawik, Ann White.

OUR LADY'S VISITORS

MISSION STATEMENT:
The members of Our Lady's Visitors extend the arms of our Church by embracing the sacramental concerns of the elderly, sick and disabled who are at home, in hospitals, nursing homes or convalescent centers. Training for Extraordinary Ministers is in three phases. The Pastoral Assistant will conduct a one hour instruction and orientation of the sacristy, altar and tabernacle. As part of the regularly scheduled meetings, an experienced minister will conduct a question and answer discussion utilizing practical experience with homebound, hospital and nursing home communicants. The third phase is actually accompanying an experienced minister until the new minister feels comfortable enough to accept assignments. The time commitment is usually 1-2 hours per week after training.

SERVICES:
The varied activities of the Committee include weekly visits by members to area Nursing Homes and Convalescent Centers to distribute the Eucharist and visit the residents. OLV members may be Extraordinary Ministers at Riverview Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center. OLV members are available to visit homebound parishioners who are unable to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist.

At certain times of the year, OLV members work as a group to bring special greetings to those they visit. At Christmas, Spiritual Bouquet cards are prepared and distributed. At Eastertime, blessed palm is distributed. May Crownings are held at Nursing Homes and teas and social gatherings are held several times during the year. On Valentine's Day, special balloons and cards from the Holy Cross school children and the CCD program are distributed. A Special Mass for Our Lady’s Visitors is celebrated at 9 AM on May 31st, the Feast of the Visitation.

First Meeting: October 7, 2004, 10:00 AM in the Parish Center

Contact: JEANNE SHANLEY, 842-7452 or the Parish Office.

MEMBERS:
Catherine Altavilla, Lisa Atallah, Ralph Biddle, John Byrnes, Vivian Casazza, Lucille Casazza, Kerry Chandler, Maria Checton, John Conklin, Sharon Cook, Jeanne Cuje, Pat Cushing, Carol Duffy, Christina Durney, Mary Eagan, Vera Gangemi, Chris Hetzler, Vienna King, Ed Krystopowicz, Pat & Dick Lawrence, Joan & Bob McGrade, Cissie Peck, Chris Pindar, Martin Screen, Jeanne Shanley, Barbara Stevenson, George Stinson, Carol Toolan, Alice Trelease.

RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Committee fosters the position of the Catholic Church on life issues, from conception to death. Parishioners are kept regularly informed about these matters so that they may make sound and reasonable judgments for themselves, their families and their community.

SERVICES:
The Committee works with the Diocesan Office of Family Life and Respect Life to disseminate pertinent and timely information. Regular meetings are held to discuss current issues, both religious and legal and to organize appropriate Respect Life activities. We will organize and put into action, a “telephone tree” of parishioner volunteers which will be activated by Diocesan recommendations to inform legislators as to our Catholic position on pending legislation concerning life issues.

Our "Sign of Life", located in front of Holy Cross Church, commits Holy Cross Parish to offer aid and immediate practical help through Diocesan approved agencies, to any mother-to-be faced with an unwanted pregnancy at no cost if she is prepared to let her baby be born and live and not be aborted. This offer extends to any woman regardless of her religious preference or affiliation.

ACTIVITIES:

Annually:
We sponsor special liturgies for Respect Life Sunday, the observance of the Roe vs Wade decision and a fundraiser for Diocesan Respect Life programs on Mother’s Day, and a ‘baby shower’ with the Altar Guild in February.

Weekly:
We present a fresh "Respect Life Rose" through parish volunteers at the Blessed Mother's Altar

Meetings:
September 22, December 15, 2004 and February 16, April 20, 2005 at 7 PM in the Parish Center

Contact: JEANNE CUJE, Co-chair, 842-4264

MEMBERS:
Theresa Brennan, Dorothy Carlton, Lucille Conklin, Jeanne Cuje, Pat Cushing, Cynthia Dannen, Lillian Farrington, Vera Gangemi, M/M Dick Incremona, Mary Kavookjian, Diane Kazalski, Regina Kelly, Joan Laurie, Claudia Lucey, Ada Merlini, Marianne Morse, Melanie Neubelt, M/M John Trelease, Maria Viggiano.

PARISH SOCIAL COMMITTEE

MISSION STATEMENT:
The aim of this committee is to extend a feeling of belonging to all our parishioners and to make each one feel a part of Holy Cross Parish. The committee’s goal is to foster the social aspect of Parish life and a feeling of community with family events scheduled throughout the year.

SERVICES:
To contact and welcome each new parishioner and encourage their active involvement in Parish activities.

The committee has some very exciting activities planned in 2003-2004 which include:

• A Celebration of World Marriage Day: February 13, 2005

• St. Patrick’s & St. Joseph’s Day Coffee: March 17, 2005

• Reception for RCIA Candidates: March 26, 2005

• Informal Parish Dance: April 23, 2005

Meetings: September 23, November 18, 2004 at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center

Contact:. KATHY GRABOWY, 224-8742

MEMBERS: 
Charles Bertrand, Serafina Banich, Bernadette Barnett, Tina Bivona,  Marion Bonifacio, Dorothy Carlton, Mary Ann Chevalier, Jeanne Cuje, Lori DeBernardis, Maureen Dupree, Linda Edwards, Michelle Emilio, Patricia Forsman, Louise Golda, Kathy Grabowy, Janine Hallisey, Lisa Haywood, Siobhan Hogan,  Frances Joyce, Vienna King, Delores Kirby, Mary Kavookjian,  JoAnn Lapp, Kathleen Lunman, Rose Malaspina, Florence MacDonald, Theresa Mattina, Carezza Motley,   Mindy O’Mealia, Kathleen Palmeri, Joann Panza, Mary Beth Scarrone, Debbie Schober, LuAnn Scott, Pegeen Screen, Maureen Strang, Claire Strouse, Chris Thuman, Mary Trank, Diane VanVliet, Maria Viggiano, Larson Whalen, Chris York and Deirdre York.

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE

MISSION STATEMENT:
The goal of this committee is to examine human needs and social concerns, both locally and globally, and to encourage the Parish community to use its abilities and material resources to respond to these needs and address these concerns.

SERVICES:
Some of the ways in which we try to respond to the needs of our community are by food distribution to various charities and also to individual needy families at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and as the need arises. We recruit volunteers for local projects such as soup kitchens, and conduct Food Drives to aid local projects and/or agencies. This Committee also organizes special events such as the Parish Blood Drive , the Parish "Giving Tree" at Christmas, and Clothing Drives for children; and distribute information to the Parish for those who would like to give or receive aid.

Some upcoming events:

·          Parish Blood Drive : October,  School Auditorium

·          Fall Children's Clothing Drive : October,  School Auditorium

·          Thanksgiving Food Baskets: second and third weeks of November

·          Parish Giving Tree: Fourth week of November through 2^nd week of December

Meetings: September, November and February at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center .

Contact: Eugenia Kelly at 842-0348, ext. 127

SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

MISSION STATEMENT:
Our purpose is to raise awareness to the needs of the disadvantaged and marginalized segment of society, locally and globally, and to take positive steps to address those needs. We will endeavor the parish on critical issues, to advocate for those in need, and to foster a community of Christian love and service.

Social Justice efforts take our faith in Christ into action. In an ongoing basis, the community here at Holy Cross has been able to provide support to a wide variety of ministries through the work of the Social Justice Committee.

Our plan for the coming year is to continue giving spiritual and financial support to our Sister Parish, St. Rita, an inner city parish in New Orleans , as well as further develop the relationship between this parish and the parishioners of Holy Cross Church . We plan to continue to; 1) Run food drives to support St. Anthony’s of Red Bank and St. John’s of Long Branch programs to help the needy and 2) Use “Community Rewards” (Green Stamps) to support Food for the Poor, Inc. programs in Haiti. We also intend to expand our relationship with Love, Inc. and support their affordable housing initiative, “New Creations in Christ”. As part of our mission we will seek to educate the parish community on advocacy issues and forward Diocesan announcements of Social Justice educational and political action opportunities to interested parishioners.       

MEETINGS: Second Thursday, (unless otherwise noted) of September, November, January, March and May at 7PM in Teachers Room.

Food Drives: October 21-22, 2006, March 3-4, 2007, April 14-15, 2007 and June 2-3, 2007

CONTACT: Bill Gesell 758-8012