Since Archbishop Myers came to Newark four years ago, he had on the top of
his list, to make the Parishes of the Archdiocese become more effective tools
in serving the Catholics. He took some time to prepare among other things,
The Task Force on Parishes, to study the need and realities of the Archdiocese
and to make the recommendations, regarding the future of parish structures,
according to a specific timetable.
In his message, I want to quote him, "My expectation is that each parish
will find neighboring parish partners with whom to plan for the future and
in doing so, will begin to:
1. Share more resources with each other and with parishes in need;
2. Avoid unneeded duplication of services and;
3. Fill in the gaps where service and ministry have not been abailable."
He continued expressing his hopes for a stronger work and planning together,
than we will be in isolation from each other.
Immediately after, a first group formed by 48 parishes, rolled up their
sleeves and began to explore together. After they achieved a self-evaluation
of the conditions they were as individual parishes and meeting with the parishes
they intended to wok with. After the implementation of their studies and the
approval of the Archbishop, the plan became effective.
This process is known as The New Energies Parish Transition Project. And
in order to help us through all the steps, the Archdiocese hired a group of
experts from Seattle, Washington. The name of the group is, The Reid Group.
The Archbishop never had in mind to impose changes for the sake of doing
so. From the very beginning he wants us to all be involved in the process.
And now Archbishop Myers, has asked us to be part of the current ccle who
will be inolved in the planning of this project. His expectation is that each
parish will find neighboring parishes with whom to plan in order to, as I
mentioned before:
1. Share more resources with each other and with parishes in need;
2. Avoid unneeded duplication of services and;
3. Fill in the gaps where service and ministry have not been available.
The Parishes with whom we hope to work include: St. Nicholas and St. Anne's
on the Boulevard. All three of us here in Jersey City Heights.
We were invited to attend the first information meeting last Tuesday, September
13th at 10 o'clock in th emorning, where pastors of this cycle met with the
Archbishop, auxillary bishops, members of the Task Force and members of The
Reid Group. The very same day in the evening, the parshes involved, not only
the pastors, but also four members of each parish. We all met to learn more
about the specifics of this process.
My Dear Friends, this process involved a lot of work from each one of us
and I am aware that at certain moments, it will become painful because most
of us have a tendency to reject changes. But aware of our call as people of
God, our goal should remain extremely clear in our minds and hearts. This
is a great opportunity the Lord is offering us. Let's put together out time,
talents and treasure in a more effective way for the well being of the Church
of the Archdiocese. As the process progresses, I will provide you with more
information; We will have meetings at different levels, that wll provide us
with the opportunity to exchange ideas. YOUR INPUT IS VITAL IN THIS PROCESS.
My dear friends we have to pray a lot, we have to open our hearts to listen
to GodŐs call, in order to be generous to give ourselves, in the inplementation,
not of our own private, personal kingdom, but the kingdom of God,
-Fr. Andy
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here for FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As to date we the Parish of St. Paul of the Cross Church have established the following with our two neighboring parishes:
* This is a BEREAVEMENT GROUP established at St. Anne’s Church on Kennedy Blvd, J.C.. Where our Parish of St. Paul of the Cross, as you can see, provided five people out of the eight that are working.
Angela Monsanto ...................................St. Anne’s, Jersey City
Mirna Paciello ........................................St. Anne’s, Jersey City
Laura Guadalupe Godoy ........................St. Anne’s, Jersey City
Sonia Mate-Babinsky .............................St. Paul of the Cross & St. Anne’s, Jersey City
Galo Correa ............................................St. Paul of the Cross, Jersey City
Rufino Minaya .......................................St. Paul of the Cross, Jersey City
Betsy VonGizycki ..................................St. Paul of the Cross, Jersey City
Francisco Ramos.................................... St. Paul of the Cross, Jersey City
* Here is a list of names from our YOUTH GROUP formed here at St. Paul of the Cross. Although it is open to kids of other parishes, so far we have people only from ours.
1. Yamine Arevalo .............................................................18. Zyndy Arias
2. Karen Carrera ................................................................19. Jeffery Castaño
3. Vanessa Castaño ............................................................20. Madelaine Castaño
4. Juan Diaz .......................................................................21. Daniela Dondoño
5. Christian Flores............................................................. 22. Hernan Garcia
6. Luigie Genao .................................................................23. Richie Gerez
7. Juan S. Holguin .............................................................24. Cyndel Jimenez
8. Ovidio Jordan................................................................ 25. Walter Mate-Babinsky
9. Martin Mate-Babinsky ..................................................26. Nikolas Mate-Babinsky
10. Alejandro Mendoza .....................................................27. Brian Mori
11. Madeline Quevedo ......................................................28. Francisco Ramos
12. Lauren Rey ..................................................................29. Joe Reyes
13. Reyna Rivera ...............................................................30. Marlley Rodriguez
14. Marjorie Romo............................................................ 31. Fabert Valencia
15. Leo Valencia ................................................................32. Johnny Valencia
15. Kassandra Vazquez .....................................................33. Kevin Velazquez
17. Mitchell Velazquez ......................................................34. Mathew Velazquez
35. Johanna Rivera.............................................................36. Jorge Romo
* This is a list of volunteers from St. Paul of the Cross Church who assisted St. Anne’s during their festival in July20-22, 2006.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Runer, Charlie, Jorge - Put train together, lights up and zeppole vat
Friday, July 21, 2006
Cheryl Bogusz & Peter Najdzinowicz - garbage at stations, train, sand art, clean-up, Filipino table.
Tony & Nancy Plaza - Break-a-plate game
Rene Lau - Break-a-plate game
Pat Roda - Cake table
Sonja Stulich - Cake table
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Jim Wenz - security & Break-a-plate game
Richard Naviello - security
Jose Cuebas - Break-a-plate game
Tony Plaza - Break-a-plate game
Rene Lau - Break-a-plate game
Cheryl Bogusz - FatCat game, clean-up, train
Peter Najdzinowicz - Fat Cat game, clean-up, train
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Maria Santos - Basketball game & Tic-tac-toe game
Jose Santos - Basketball game & Tic-tac-toe game
Rafael Torres - Fat Cat game
Ofelia Bunoan - Cake table & Break-a-plate game
Pat Roda - Cake table
Valerie Rea - Cake table
Phyllis Graziano - Cake table
Edgar Navarrete
*CCD CERTIFICATION CLASSES in Spanish took place October 24th, 31st & November 16th & 21st 2006 at St. Paul of the Cross Church (Lower Rectory).
All classes were open to St. Anne's and St. Nicholas Church.
The Courses title: "Ecos de Fe"
Videos that were presented were: "La Moralidad Catolica" & "Creo/Creemos."
Presented by: José Planas
Among those who attended from St. Paul of the Cross were:
Shirley Navarrete
Lucy Rosa
Nancy Plaza
Antonio Plaza
Sonia Mate-Babinski
Betzy vonGizycki
Rufino Minaya
Elfi Soria
Geovanna Pineda
Galo Correa
English Certification classes took place January 13th & Jan 20th 2007 at St. Paul of the Cross Church.
