Mission Statement Holy Cross Parish, a community centered in the Eucharist, is committed in faith and love of Jesus Christ to fulfill the profoundly human and spiritual needs of its parishioners and the larger community it serves. We seek to inspire all,

through deeds and by example, to do the work of Christ: to make God known, loved, and served.

Pastoral Staff Fr. Brad Metz, C.S.C., Pastor Margaret Dwyer-Hogan, Dir.of Faith Formation Fr. Jim Preskenis, C.S.C., Parochial Vicar Paul Celia, Plant Manager Deacon Gary Donahue, Pastoral Associate Deborah Kelley, Finance Christopher Iannitelli, Director Of Music Lindsay Franzoni, Parish Administrative Assistant

Contact Information 225 Purchase Street • Easton, MA 02375

Phone - (508) 238-2235 Email– info@holycrosseaston.org Web Address - www.holycrosseaston.org

Please submit bulletin notices to the office in writing by noon. on Mondays

Office Hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mass Schedule Saturday: 4:00 p.m. - Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m.

Monday through Friday - 9:00 a.m. Holy Days of Obligation - 9:00 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Sacraments Baptism: Contact a member of the pastoral team to schedule a baptism for your child or for preparation for adult baptism. Sacrament of Christian Marriage: Please contact one of the priests eight months to a year in advance to schedule your wedding and begin preparations. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday from 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. or anytime by appointment. Sacrament of the Sick: This sacrament is available to anyone who is ill. Please let us know if you or anyone you know is hospitalized or homebound.

Welcome Please introduce yourselves and register in order to become a member of this community of believers.

We welcome your gifted presence in the life of our parish.

HOLY CROSS PARISH COMMUNITY Founded and Staffed

by the Congregation of Holy Cross

Visit us on Facebook at: Holy Cross Parish Easton, MA

Holy Cross Church

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Dear Parishioners and Guests, Happy Epiphany and Happy New Year 2021! This weekend marks the great manifestation or revelation by God, that in Jesus God’s love, grace, and life is for all peoples and not just Israel, as the Magi, three foreigners (Gentiles), are invited by God’s heavenly realm to visit the Savior of the world. For most of the world this is the major feast of the Christmas season when gifts are exchanged, not because of Santa Claus, but because of the gifts given this day to the Baby Jesus by Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. We have also moved the celebration of this feast to the second Sunday after Christmas, while many other places in the world traditionally still celebrate it on January 6th. Nonetheless, no matter when we celebrate it and how we celebrate it, the Epiphany is always a feast of inclusion and unexpected mystery into the marvelous love of God. The gifts of gold (for a King-signified in the yellow garments worn by this figure in the Nativity), frankincense (for a Deity- signified by the royal purple gar-ments worn by this figure in the Nativity), and Myrrh (a fragrant spice used for burial- signified by green garments worn by this figure in the Nativity), all point to who and what Jesus is and will be to the world, it’s King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and, it’s Suffering Servant who will die to set humanity free from Original Sin. This is also why Epiphany is the feast when people are baptized into the faith on this day. Similarly, with the blessed holy water from baptisms, houses are sprinkled with the blessed water and signed with chalk above the main door man-tle with the insignia: +G+M+B+2021 (of course the date changes each year as the three Magi letters and blessing remains the same). May you and yours know the blessings of our God this day and every day in the New Year unfolding before us. Thank God for a New Year! And I thought 2019 was bad. I have had enough of pandemics and politics for the rest of my life, not to mention masks, quarantines, hand sanitizer, and social distancing. But guess what, even though the ball dropped and it’s now 2021 – the diligence, perseverance, and resilience to continue fighting this covid 19 pandemic together continues. There is hope though – there always is with God, even though God’s tim-ing and ours isn’t always on the same calendar. There are vaccines, hopefully there will be more financial aid, and there is plenty of goodwill among men and women of good cheer to depend on as the days are getting longer!!! I think most if not all of us were lifted in spirit by seeing children’s smiling faces on family and friends Christmas cards. One of my friends on the west coast turned fifty this year – better her than I – OK, only in two more years now. I delight in knowing I will likely be able to visit family and friends later this year. I will hopefully be able to walk on the beach this summer and say “Hi” again to people without having them and me hiding behind a mask. I look forward a Fall Festival and in-person Holly Fair 2021!!! Thank you to all who supported our various agency this Outreach Sunday. Your thoughtful and kind donations help many people in need each month. Mainspring meals from Holy Cross Parish are something the people of Fr. Bill’s/Mainspring Homeless Shelter look forward to in Brockton. Birthright, Family & Community Resources, and the Jon David Louisan Family Shelter depend on food, baby, and childcare items each month. My Brother’s Keeper helps families keep going by bringing the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need. Holy Cross is a very generous and caring parish. I am awed by your ongoing generosity pandemic or not. Well, by the time this column is printed, and in your hands, we will know whether Notre Dame was able to topple the Crimson Pride. I doubt it. Maybe this isn’t that much of a New Year after all. At least only 10 more weeks until spring starts. I better start dreaming of how my garden will be laid out. That always gives me hope. Hang in there. Though the Patriots likely won’t be in it, the Superbowl is only a few weeks away. Though who knows what movies will be up for nominations and if we’ve seen any, the Golden Globes and Oscars are coming. Who knows what that pesky ground hog will do next month? See all the things we have to look forward to this New Year? Stay well. God Bless, Fr. Brad

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The Epiphany of the Lord

Saturday, January 2 4:00p.m. Michal and Norah Connor Requested from Family Sunday, January 3 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Annette Sutera Requested from Tim O’Leary Monday, January 4 9:00 a.m. A.J. Nykiel Requested from Virginia Polanski Tuesday, January 5 9:00 a.m. Angie Walker Requested from Rosemary and Gerry Burke Wednesday, January 6 9:00 a.m. Thursday, January 7 9:00 a.m. Paul Goebel Requested from Virginia Polanski Friday, January 8 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 9 4:00p.m. Christine Muchowski Requested from Kathleen Nardi Sunday, January 10 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Season of Christmas

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God (Psalm 98:3c)

Isn’t this the ‘reason for the season’?!

Parish Special Appeal

Our sincere thanks to all who have already made a pledge on behalf of our Parish Special Appeal, dedicated to raising funds needed for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of our parish plant as well as some major projects.

Our Goal: $45,000 Pledged as of 12/20/20: $32,480 Still Need: $12,520

It is through your generous support that we are able to maintain our high level of parish activity as well as the quality of our par-ish facilities. We appreciate your generosity in this year’s Spe-cial Appeal.

Please place your pledge card and envelope in the regular Sunday collection baskets in the back of the church. You can also mail or bring it to the parish center. Extra pledge cards are available upon request after Masses or call the parish office. You can also give online. Click the “Online Giving” button on our website holycrosseaston.org. Thank you to the following parishioners that gave during the week ending 12/20/20: Fred & Mary Adams Claire Berg David & Christine Blelloch Patricia Boucher Virginia Bulger David Catinella Cross Family John & Denise Curran Paul & Ellen DeCristofaro Dan & Kristen Denette Jim & Diane Dias Kerim Evin Susan Fornaro Patricia Gentile Ed & Erin Gianni Paul and Janice Golder Lori Grant Marie Hassan Roberta Hobaica Vincent & Joan Iacono Susan Johnson Bob & Mary Kirk Laura McIntyre Tomas & Jame Madden James & Mary Marsh Elaine Mather Margaret Merlino Karen Michetti Christopher & Kerry Mills Dan & Jane O'Brien Mary O'Brien Geraldine Osborne Roy Owens Jeff & Tray Robarge Harold & Claire Smith Denise & Bill Urquhart

January 3, 2021

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We concluded this year's Sponsor-A-Day fundraiser at the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.

420 parish households donated $43,220 to our goal of $43,800, sponsoring 360 of the 366 days in the 2020

calendar. Very good for a very unusual year!

Thank you to the following parishioners!!!

October:

Karen Roche Ed & Patricia Miller

Jeff Muir

Barbara & Charles Delpidio

William & Judith Pope

Catherine Creamer

Fred & Carrie Clark

The Peloquin family

Brad & Sandra McMenimon

Robert White

Angela & Mike Grazioli

Thomas Bono

Glyn West

Susan Johnson

Karen Michetti

Wayne Brundige

Deneen Cloutier

Kristyn Glennon

Scott & Jasmin Tower

Forrest & Janice Lindwall

Kerry Bourne

November:

Lisa McLauglin

Peter Passanisi

Steve & Kerry Pires

Stephen Wilson

John and Barbara O’Donnell

John & Jackie St. Cyr

Kathleen Crane

David & Christine Blelloch

Bryan Blood

Bryan Abramoske

Thomas & Natalie Fitzgerald

Bob & Donna Cunha

Breef-Pilz Family

Tim Meyers

Mike & Amy Grucan

May Anderson

Lloyd & Gail Douglas

Jean O’Neil

Mary Nathan

Manny Domingos & Kay

Curtis

Julie Hanscom

Erin Cahill

December:

Wayne Brundige Deborah Brown

Stephanie Sanpietro James Abate

Matt & Clare Leitzmann Joseph Rolfe

Deborah Brown Elizabeth Hocking

Bill & Leslie Van Laarhoven Mary Jane Brophy

Vincent & Joan Iacono Anne Desmond

Suzanne & Thomas Botelho Robert & Kristin Byron

Paul Cahill The Edward’s family

Claire Pacchielat Jane Pike-Benton

Anthony Fontes

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Holy Cross Church

THE NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

READING 1

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, drom-edaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

READING 2

Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,

GOSPEL

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Ju-dah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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The Epiphany of the Lord

Please recycle this bulletin.

The Social Action Commission will meet on Mon-day, January 11th at 7 p.m. in the parish center. Our Commission coordinates the Holy Cross Par-ish outreach programs of the Easton and greater-Easton communities. Our parish supports: Birth-right of Taunton, The Louison Shelter, MainSpring House, My Brother’s Keeper, Family and Commu-nity Resources, Abundant Hope Pregnancy Re-source Center, The Giving Tree and We Do Care. All are welcome. For questions and more infor-mation, please contact Claire Smith at 508 238-1899 or claire.smith@comcast.net. Thank you.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society would like to thank all the parishioners who have been so very generous donating to us throughout last year. Without your support, it would be impossible to continue doing our works of charity. We wish you a very safe, healthy and happy New Year.

https://projecthelping.org/helping-with-heart-volunteering/helping-hands-heart-1276562/