Church of the Holy Cross 450 Clementi Ave One Singapore 129955 www.holycross.org.sg OUR MISSION: We strive to deepen our faith by knowing the Word of God, living it in love and service, thereby being witnesses of Christ. 25th Jan 2015 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 2nd reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 There will be a 2nd Collection this weekend for Church Maintenance Fund. RCIA 2015 conducted by Fr. Richards has begun. * Inquirers are still welcome * It will be held every Thu from 7:45-9:45pm in the Auditorium at level 4. Registration forms are available at the entrance of the Church or outside the parish office. From the Catechists’ Office Parents Briefing in the Main Church Parents of P2 & P3 students on Sun 25 Jan 2015 at 12.45pm Parents of P4, P5 & P6 students on Sun 1 Feb 2015 at 12.45pm Parish Faith Formation 2014 * GOSPEL OF MARK * Speaker: Fr. Eugene Vaz CHANGE OUR LIVES In today’s first reading, Jonah, sent by God to warn the people, storms through Nineveh, frightening the citizens out of their wits. It works! They repent before Jonah makes his way through a third of the city, and God sees “by their actions” how they have turned from evil. Then we hear Paul telling the Corinthians that “the world in its present form is passing away.” He calls for a change of heart. He stops short of telling them to set aside their everyday lives, but still he urges them—rather mysteriously—to live as though they aren’t doing the things they’re doing. Finally, Jesus stands on the shore and cries, “The kingdom of God is at hand!” The apostles-to-be abandon their nets and follow him. Thus in all the readings we hear an invitation to a radical and immediate change in our lives. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. Duration: 12 Mondays - 9 Feb to 27 Apr 2015 Dates: Feb 9,16,23 * Mar 2,9,16,23,30 * Apr 6,13,20,27 Time: 8pm Venue: Church Auditorium at Level 4 School of Witness The School of Witness (SOW) will be doing an outreach to the youths of Holy Cross Church. Fri 30 Jan 2015 at 8pm @ St Michael's Room. All youths, especially those who had completed their confirmation and above, till age 25 years old are invited and encouraged to come for this event. It will be a time of prayer, songs and reflection. Calling ALL Music-Loving Youths 13 Years and On! Join the Choir for the Youth Mass on Sat 14 Feb as a MUSICIAN or a SINGER! Choir Practices are as follows: 1. Wed - 28 Jan - 7.30pm to 9.30pm 2. Sat - 7 Feb - 2pm to 4pm 3. Sat - 14 Feb - 2pm to 4pm If interested, please contact Gretel Lim @ 90661753 by 27 Jan. Mass for the Sick * Sun 8 Feb 2015 at 5pm * For anointing request (seriously ill or old age), please come 15mins before Mass for registration at the church entrance. On this day, we also offer communal prayers for the sick and aged, care givers and healthcare professionals. In imitation of Our Lord, the Good Samaritan par excellence who moved with compassion, dismounts from his course and reaches out to suffering humanity, we are all called to come and pray for our suffering brothers and sisters, the Sick and Aged and with them especially for those who are unable to attend. Fr. Richards Ambrose 67771173 Fr. Peter Zhang Si Qian 6776 1330 Fr. Jovita Ho 6777 2523 Secretariat 6777 5858 Fax 6773 5676 ra@catholic.org.sg petersiqian@hotmail.com jovitaho@gmail.com holycross@singnet.com.sg MASS SCHEDULE Weekdays: Lauds - 6.15am, Mass - 6.30am Vespers - 6pm, Mass - 6.15pm Saturday: Lauds - 6.15am, Mass - 6.30am Novena - 4.15pm Sunset Mass - 5pm Mandarin - 6.30pm Sunday: 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.15am & 5pm Tagalog (Every 3rd Sun) - 3.30pm Public Holiday: Mass @ 8am followed by potluck breakfast. No Lauds before Mass. P.A.R.I.S.H Holy Hour: Every 1st Friday at 8pm Prayer Room Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 7am - 9.45pm Sat & Sun: 7am - 6.15pm Public Holidays: 7am - 9.30am Sacrament of Reconciliation: 15 minutes before sunset mass on Sat and all masses on Sundays. Infant Baptism: 1st Sunday of: Jan, Mar, May, July, Sep & Nov. Funeral Arrangements: Please check with the Secretariat and Priests for the availability of the Church before making arrangements for funeral mass, cremation or burial. Wedding: Please check with the Secretariat, at least six months before for availability of dates. Parish Counseling Service This is available every Wednesday evening. Please call our Parish Secretariat @ 67775858 during office hours (9am to 1pm) for an appointment. Ash Wednesday 18 Feb 2015 (Eve of Chinese New Year) There will be imposition of ashes at all Masses on Ash Wednesday. Mass timings: * 6.15am (English) * * 12.30pm (Mandarin) * * 2pm (English) * Fasting can take place on Ash Wednesday itself OR another day to be decided by the individual (yourself). The decision was made by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei for pastoral reasons to facilitate maximum participation. It tries to accommodate the cultural needs of those who are celebrating the family reunion dinner on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Others may continue with the norm of Ash Wednesday. How can I dispose off my old palms? Feast of Presentation of the Lord There will be blessing of candles and incense at both Masses (morning & evening) on Mon 2 Feb 2015. Bring them to church next Sunday when you come for Mass. These will be burnt and the ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday (18 Feb). Those who would like to get their candles and incense blessed, please do bring them along with you for Mass. Holy Cross Charismatic Prayer Group * Topics for the Month of February * * 7.45pm in St Michael room @ level 1 * 3rd Feb “Make Jesus known and loved. Pope Francis understanding of Jesus today.” 10th Feb “You are God’s special child.” 17th Feb Thanksgiving and Fellowship 24th Feb “Have you found salvation?” All are welcome to praise and thank the LORD with us! WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER invites you to a private getaway weekend with your spouse. Treat yourselves to a most loving gift and reignite your romance by spending a weekend of undivided attention to each other, as you learn how communicate more deeply than ever before. * Coming Weekends: 6-8 Mar, 1-3 May and 5-7 June 2015 * To register, call 9670 5390 or go to our website at wwmesg.org Marriage Preparation Course 2015 Q1: 4 Jan to 8 Feb 2015 Q3: 19 Jul to 30 Aug 2015 Q2: 26 Apr to 31 May 2015 Q4: 4 Oct to 8 Nov 2015 Come journey with your partner in the Marriage Preparation Course (MPC) where you will learn the cornerstones of a happy marriage, how to live a Christian marriage, discuss challenges that couples face and along the way the way discover even more about each other. * Forms are available at the Parish Office or through www.catholic.org.sg/MPC * Applications should be made at least six months in advance. For enquiries, please email to mpcsingapore@gmail.com or contact: Terence & Lynette @ 98571829 (Registration Couple), Peter & Rita @ 93673411 (General Enquiries)