Welcome to Our Lady on the River Parish!
The people of Holy Cross, St. Catherine and St. Mark welcome you to our new parish website! Use the links on the right to go to common areas of information, like the bulletin or the listing of Masses scheduled at any of our locations. Then choose a link to the church, chapel, or school to find information specific to that organization, like the Harvest Dinner at Holy Cross, the Fall Festival at St. Catherine, the Men's Club at St. Mark, or the classes at Holy Cross School.
Our three parishes of Holy Cross, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Mark officially merged on March 6, 2007, to become Our Lady on the River Parish, with the three locations of Holy Cross Church, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church and St. Mark Chapel. Information and links on the process are provided on the "Together in Faith" page.
Message from our Pastor, Fr. Jim Lopez, April 27, 2008
Toda's Gospel from St. John tells us that Jesus is sending to us an advocate, or his Spirit of Truth. It is the Spirit of Truth that enables us to believe without seeing. So many people cannot accept certain things in life unless they participate in the event, listen in on the conversation or see it with their own eyes. And if they cannot be a part of the event or activity, they create their own version of how things should be or what their view of truth is from their perspective. That is what we call rumor or gossip because there is only partial truth behind their views. The reason I mention this is because a rumor was spread about me recently at my former assignment.
Apparently, I was watching a Cardinal Mooney baseball game and I got hit in the eye with a foul ball and needed several stitches to close this big gash above my eye. The truth is: I arrived to watch the baseball game and a player was being taken to the hospital right about the same time. How I ended up with stitches and not the player is beyond me. I was not even close to the playing field. I was too busy inspecting the leftover hotdogs! But, I am grateful that someone called to clear up the incident. I am healthy and without stitches at least for the time being. The point is that people with good intentions sometimes do more harm than good with the things that they say.
This incident reminds me what I am still learning in my role as a pastor in regards to what can be spoken to a parish member or what needs to be kept silent regarding Church matters. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in its chapter about Life in Christ, a sub-section entitled Respect for Truth: “Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication. The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it.”
So, if I ever take a foul ball to the eye and need stitches, everyone will know it because I’d be happy to share my story of trauma. However, if we truly invite the Spirit of Truth to dwell within us we will allow the Truth to lead and guide us, and not giving into the temptations of rumor and gossip.
THIS AND THAT: My thanks go to all our volunteers who make Our Lady on the River a strong, faith-filled community. The appreciation dinner is a small token of our thanks to all who give of their time and energy to build upon our church. Words cannot express my gratitude. Also, congratulations to all our children who received First Holy Communion last week. Fr. Matt and I were grateful to all who made the celebration meaningful not only for the children but for us as well. My thanks go to all the teachers and parents who helped make the day possible.
All my prayers for a good and holy week,
Fr. JimFrom the Archdiocese
May Prayer Theme:
"The Gospel-In-Action: 175 Years of Service"
During this month of May 2008, as we continue to celebrate our 175th anniversary, we reflect on our tradition of Christian service and social justice on behalf of the Gospel. Many outstanding ser-vants of the Lord have embodied the “Gospel-in-action”– the Vener-able Solanus Casey, Monsignor Clement Kern, Eleanor Josaitis, and Father William Cunningham, to name just a few.
Much of Christian service actu-ally happens in hidden and quiet ways, often behind the scenes through countless organizations and by individuals and families. We praise the Lord for this beautiful chorus of voices and hearts coming together in loving recognition of the Lord in the least of our brothers and sisters.
Almighty God and Father, you sent your only Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us in the hidden and humble form of a child. From the beginning of His life until His last breath on the cross, He was dependent upon the hospitality and goodness of those around Him. By His own word and example, He has taught us to recognize His abiding presence in the least of our brothers and sisters. As we adore His presence in the Holy Eucharist and celebrate His presence in the Sacred Scriptures, may we also be attentive to the gift of His presence in the least of our brothers and sisters until the day that we hear His voice and are called to His side in the Kingdom. We ask all this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Announcements from the Archdiocese, Week of May 3-4
From the United States Council of Catholic Bishops
Readings and Psalms of the Month
Please go to this page for Daily Mass Readings, Palsms and much more, provided by the USCCB.
From the Vatican
BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
VATICAN CITY, 30 APR 2008 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for May is: "That Christians may use literature, art and the mass media to greater advantage in order to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person".
His mission intention is: "That the Virgin Mary, Star of evangelisation and Queen of the Apostles, may still guide today with maternal affection the missionaries, both men and women, throughout the world, just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the Church".
BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/MAY/... VIS 080430 (330)>
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Parish Mission Statement
We the people of Holy Cross, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Mark parishes, state in a common voice that we are a Catholic community. As a clustered parish family, we teach, serve and pray together to support the human and spiritual dignity of each person, and to strengthen our bond as members of the Body of Christ. We strive to teach the faith to our youth through Catholic education. We welcome all people into our community and look forward to sharing the unique gifts of each parish member.
General Information
Guidelines for Reception of Holy Communion, from the USCCB
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops "What's New"
Links and Resources
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