Holy Cross Parish is holding its first book sale. 

Come find that novel you missed the first time around or some new-to-them books for the children in your family.

Where: Parish Hall at 3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus, NY

When: Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Paperbacks: $0.50 each

Hardcovers: $1.00 each

Special table: as marked

Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

  Spring is here! Celebrate with a delicious Polish dinner.

  Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 4:00 til 6:30 PM at our Parish hall.

  3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus.

The dinner includes: kielbasa: home-made haluski, golumpki, potato pierogi, and kapusta (Polish sauerkraut); bread; dessert; and a drink (coffee, tea, or lemonade).

$10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors 65 and over, $5.00 for children 4-12.

  Take-out and Frozen Bulk Orders Available

For more information call 315 468-6140.

After Mass, Father Madej will bless Swienconka baskets containing the Easter food that parishioners traditionally share on Easter morning.

A Typical Swienconka Basket

Breakfast on Easter Morning

Bring your food in a basket lined and covered with clean linen or cotton towels. A typical swieconka basket contains:

• Hard-boiled eggs (pisanki). Symbols of life and rebirth
• Sausage (kielbasa), ham and/or smoked bacon.
• Paschal lamb. It can be made of butter, cake or even plaster. It is the centerpiece of the meal. Christ is seen as the “Lamb of God.”
• Horseradish/pepper. They symbolize the bitter herbs of the Passover and the Exodus.
• Salt. Joins bread in Polish tradition as a sign of hospitality.
• Bread. Christ is “the Bread of Life.”
• Vinegar. Symbolizes the gall given to Christ at the crucifixion.
• Wine. Symbolizes the blood of sacrifice spilled by Christ at the crucifixion.

Traditions vary from family to family and have changed with each passing generation. Some families allow children to place chocolate into the basket. A colorful ribbon and sometimes sprigs of greenery are often attached.

Come join us in this meaningful tradition that celebrates rebirth and renewal.

In just a few short days we will enter into the season of Lent. It is a time when we are asked to leave the cares and concerns of the world behind and concentrate instead on the passion and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are familiar with the disciplines and practices of Lent: ashes, abstinence and fasting, almsgiving and the familiar Lenten services that the church offers to us. Yet Lent isn’t just a gloomy or dreary time if we look at it from another prospective. It can also be a time of challenge and change for our lives. It is meant to be a time of increased spiritual growth and sacrifice for others. I quote from a pamphlet entitled, “You are my friends” written by M. Basil Pennington OCSO. He quotes from the book of Isaiah with these words: “This is the fasting I wish … ” Isaiah 58:6  

“As it is Lent, many of us give thought to fasting, and some may have even been doing it. Some of us find reasons of our own to fast during Lent: it is good for health, it feels good, it takes off some of those unwanted pounds, etc. But why does God want us to fast? God has a very different idea about fasting than most of us, a much broader one. He tells us through the prophet Isaiah: ‘This is the fasting I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and homeless; clothing the naked…‘ Yes, the Lord favors our fasting from food, just as He did for forty days in the desert, when it makes’ us more free from our demanding appetites, when it helps us to grow in self-control. But even more, when it helps us to share with others in need. He wants us to fast from anything that oppresses – ourselves or others. God, our Friend, wants us to be free. And He wants us to care for one another’s well-being, for we are all His friends.”

We know that in many instances, even amongst “the churched,” our adherence to Lenten practices has waned. We have forgotten that in order to get to the empty tomb on Easter Sunday, we must also walk the road toCalvarywith our Lord. We certainly want the crown of glory, but would rather pass on the crown of thorns. We see the signs of sinfulness and shame around us in the headlines of the morning paper and in the lead story on the evening news. Yet Christ wants us to find freedom and well-being in Him.

 I hope and pray that as we walk this Lenten journey, we may put aside those things of the world that drag us down. May we look for new opportunities not only to fast, but to exemplify those traits of Christ by sharing, feeding, sheltering, healing and loving those around us. By freeing others with our kind words and actions, we ourselves find those things that bind us released and freed.  

Let us also remember to find ourselves in the Lord’s presence during this Holy Season of Lent. Participate in Lenten devotions. Come and receive the sacrament of penance at a penitential service or at general confession prior to mass. Come to church a few minutes early and read the examination of conscience in the front of the pew book. Find time to read Scripture and to go away to a quiet place so that you can spend time in contemplation and prayer. All these will lift the burden of sin from our shoulders and draw us closer to Him.

May this Lenten Journey uplift you and make you whole. May we walk faithfully with Christ throughout these forty days.

Faithfully in Christ — Bishop John

When: Saturday March 1o from 4:00 to 6:30 PM

Where: Our parish hall at 3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus

$10.00 Adults, $9.00 Seniors 65 and over, $5.00 children 4-12 years old.

Call Steve or Pat for more information: 315-468-6140.  Take-out available.

The group will discuss passages of the Bible selected by group members. We hope to learn from each other, inspire each other, and promote the use of the Bible to direct our everyday lives. Father Senior Madej will attend whenever possible, and we will be able to call on him to help us with difficult questions and issues.

If you would like to attend, add your name to the sign-up list in the Church foyer.

If you are not a parishioner but would like to attend, just come to a session. You are welcome to join us.

What: Get warm with good food and good company. Come enjoy Pat’s scrumptious home made chicken and biscuit dinner. With it, we’re serving a vegetable, drink (coffee, tea, lemonade, or water), and a dessert.

Where: Our Parish Hall at 3690 Armstrong Road, Camillus/Lakeland  NY

When: Saturday, Feb. 4 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM

Donation: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and over, and $5 for children 4-12.

Sauerbraten over egg noodles, sweet and sour red cabbage, green beans, bread, a beverage, and dessert.

3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus

 Seniors: $9.00

Adults: $10.00

Children 4-12: $6.00

Take-outs available .                                           

For more information, call 468-6140.

Top off your Fall day with great food and good company!

Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 4:00 til 6:30 PM at our Parish hall.

3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus.

The dinner includes: kielbasa: home-made haluski, golumpki, pierogi, and kapusta (Polish sauerkraut); bread; dessert; and a drink (coffee, tea, or lemonade).

$10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors 65 and over, $5.00 for children 4-12.

Take-out and Frozen Bulk Orders Available

For more information call 315 468-6140.

Enjoy the fall weather with great food and good company!

Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 1:00 til 4;00 PM at our Church grounds and Parish hall.

3690 Armstrong Road, Lakeland/Camillus.

Free Admission.

Order a Polish Sampler Platter or order your favorites separately:

Kielbasa Sandwiches                                        Haluski
Hamburgers                                                         Hot Dogs
Golumpki                                                              Kapusta (Polish Cabbage)
Pierogi (Potato or Kapusta)                          Salt Potatoes
Soft Drinks  and bottled water                     Coffee, Tea
Ice Cream Sundaes

Take-out and Frozen Bulk Orders Available

For more information call 315 468-6140