THE CRUX€¦ · A Rube Goldberg Machine, a device made of many simple machines that do a simple task. Remember the Mousetrap game? Since returning from the holidays, Holy Cross’s

THE CRUX

THE NEWSLETTER OF HOLY CROSS PARISH, CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PEORIA

405 w. Clark St., champaign, Illinois 61820 MAY—June 2012

Holy Cross is a community of one heart and mind de-voted to the Eucharist, the Word of God, and the sacra-mental life. United and guided by the Holy Spirit, we witness to the conversion that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and invite all to share in that experience.

CRUSADER COR-

NER 6

SPRING MUSI-

CAL PICTURES 6—7

SCHOOL TEAM BUILDING PRO-

JECT

8

FOCUS: LENTEN FISH FRIES

9

BOOK REVIEW 11

Crux (krux, krooks)

n., pl. cruxes or cruces

1. A critical or crucial point.

[Latin, CROSS]

In this issue: Holy week pictorial on pages 2 through 5

On-line edition problems solved (We hope!)

If you use Internet Explorer as a web browser and have tried to access the on-line edition of The Crux lately, you are aware of the problem of your screen locking up on page 2. We apologize for your inconvenience and are pleased to announce that the problem is now solved. When you click on the edition you want to view, you’ll find instructions that will take you to a full screen view, and from that point, it’s just a matter of turning the page. If you encounter a problem, call the parish office to report it. Those of you who use the Google Chrome browser have been immune, somehow, to the frozen screen glitch.

WATCh barbecue coming up

The parish WATCH team invites all parishioners to a barbecue to be held after the 4 o’clock Mass on Sunday, June 10th, at the parish center. Meat and drinks will be provided. If at all possible, attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. If you plan on coming, please RSVP by notifying the parish center no later than June 3rd. Come along and be part of the fun and fellowship!

Page 2 the crux may—june 2012

A holy week pictorial

Palm Sunday

Holy thursday


Good Friday

Easter vigil


Easter

vigil


Blessing of the Easter Food Father Steve presides over the Blessing of the Easter Food, an Eastern European tradition that has become more and more popular at Holy Cross over the last few years. For further understanding of the tradition, reference the article on the subject in the last issue of The Crux.

Catholicism: going back to our roots

Catholicism, a 10-week look at the roots and tradi-tions of our faith featuring a video hosted by noted Catholic scholar Fr. Robert Barron, brought all those who attended the Monday evening/Tuesday morning sessions closer to the origins of our beliefs and traditions. Following the video presentation, the attendees split up into discussion groups.

Meet the newest members of our faith family!

Brought into our faith at the Easter Vigil were (From left to right): in row 1: Brock Umland, Josh Jones, Shelly Ander-son, Ashlee Roderick, and Beth Popp; in row 2: Blaine Tufte, Patty Giertz, and Peyton Roytek; in row 3: Dustin Darling, Dustin Patton, Ed Giertz, and Jaqueline McGavran


CRUSADER CORNER HAPPENINGS AT HOLY CROSS SCHOOL

BY ROSE COSTELLO, PRINCIPAL

In re-reading my column in the last issue of The Crux, I feel I didn’t give as many details as I should have regarding the visit from a team from AdvancEd/North Central Accredita-tion and the quality assurance review they performed. They visited classrooms and spoke with teachers, parents, and stu-dents. They reviewed documentation of curriculum, proce-dures, resources, test results, and lessons. Through this proc-ess, Holy Cross School earned AdvancEd/North Central Ac-creditation that puts us on a 5-year track of ongoing school improvement using the AdvancEd/North Central system of standards that define quality practices and conditions that re-search and best practice indicate are necessary for schools to achieve quality student performance. This is a major accom-plishment, and I am re-visiting the process to make sure that point is driven home. For additional information about our school’s performance, please check out our website (www.holycrosselem.org) to view our school’s test results under the heading, Resources. We hope you were able to attend one of our three

performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in April. As the accompanying pictures attest, it was quite a col-orful production and a good reason to view the on-line edition of The Crux, which is in color. Mrs. Becky Moore directed our cast of over 100 students with the help and support of many parents. We always look forward to our annual spring musical, and this one didn’t disappoint. The acting, singing, dancing, and music were exceptional! Thanks to all who made it possi-ble. We are still accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year. Please spread the good news about our school and the many opportunities available here. Those wishing to visit or find out more about our school should call to set up a visit (356-9521) and check out our website. As the school year draws to a close, we are reminded of the generosity of our parents and parishioners who make our school possible. We are truly grateful for your support finan-cially as well as in your prayers. With your help, we hope to continue to educate young people for another 100 years.

http://www.holycrosselem.org/�



Building teamwork through coopera-tion

By

Judy Krull

Flip a coin into a cup - piece of cake. Flip a coin into a cup with a diameter of three inches or less, and the coin must be four inches away from the rim of the cup-maybe a little harder. Now add at least six simple machines in front of the coin flipping….What do you get? A Rube Goldberg Machine, a device made of many simple machines that do a simple task.

Remember the Mousetrap game? Since returning from the holidays, Holy Cross’s fifth grade classes have spent two class periods every Thursday with several local engineers building a Rube Goldberg Machine. This program, Engineers in the Classroom, is designed to ex-pose students to the field of engineering. Prior to the holidays, the students spent time learning about work, force, energy,

and simple machines; then they put their knowledge to the test. Broken into groups--Design, Construction, Theme, Advertising, and Journal--they tackled the job of figuring out how to flip a coin into a three-inch diameter cup using simple machines. Learning how to work in teams was probably the biggest challenge. Once the groups figured out how to listen to the ideas of others and compromise, progress was made.

With piles of junk; dads and their power tools; and guidance from the engineers, the fifth graders completed the construc-tion of two amazing Rube machines. Both classes competed on Saturday, February 25, for a chance to move onto the regional competition. Although our teams may not be moving on to the regional event, they have much success to be proud of. Both classes shared their accom-plishments and knowledge with the school after the Jump Rope for Heart assembly. Hopefully, Holy Cross has some future engineers in its midst.


A closer look at the people, places, and

activities at Holy Cross. In this issue,

Holy Cross''s Lenten Fish Fries

Before Lent gets to be a distant memory rapidly disappearing in the rear-view mirror, let’s take a look at one of its main-stay features: The Friday Lenten fish fry in the parish center’s great hall. According to the event’s Chairperson, Jessica McMahon, this year’s six fish fries were immensely popular with a conservative estimate of 2,150 meals being served. On March 9th, the kitchen crew served a record 430 meals! These kind of numbers don’t just happen. Behind every piece of cod, every French fry, and every morsel of cabbage in the Cole slaw was a volunteer who, every Friday, was there either setting up the tables and chairs in the great hall, selling tickets, preparing the food, serving it up, manning the beverage & cake tables, setting up the condiment tables, and cleaning up afterwards. All of these tasks added up to many countless hours. Before we take a peek at some of the scenes from this year’s fish fries, here’s a list of all the people who chipped in with their ‘time and talent’ to make this undertaking possible.

Gloria Fellers Greg Koerner Tom Pankau AJ Wilson Brooke McMahon

Pat Dixon Jarred Koerner Rich Pankau Rich McMahon

Dwain Shuler Jeff Hasenstab Chuck Wilson Syd McMahon

Teresa Zielinski Steve Wilson Mark Wavering Bailey McMahon

Dave Atchley Steve Pankau Terry Clennon Jack McMahon


Piece o’ cake!

A Lenten fish fry wouldn’t be a Lenten fish fry without the cake table. Thanks to all who contributed—cake mixes & baking supplies, the bakers & workers, and those who bought--to its success. This year, the cake table raised $832.77 to support the children and projects of Children of Hope and Faith (COHF), the Champaign-based non-profit organization that helps provide for orphans and needy children in Tanzania. The next fund-

raising event for COHF is a garage sale at The High School of St. Thomas More on Friday, July 20th, and Saturday, July 21st. Items for the sale will be collected the week before the event. Drop-off times will be posted closer to the date. The date for the COHF Ice Cream Social and Arts and Crafts Fair has been set for Sunday, October 21st, in the parish center. If you are interested in becoming part of the group that supports COHF, contact Tracy Duchinsky at 359-3616.

“Movie and a meal” add up to a memorable evening

Approximately 80 people attended a “Movie and a Meal” night at the parish center on April 1st . There were 14 crock pots of soup to choose from, a variety of bread, as well as an assortment of veggies. Following dinner, the inspirational movie The Way was shown. The event was sponsored by WATCH, and as always, there are numerous people to thank: John De-ponai, Dave & Sharon Kristovich, Dennis Menke, and especially Harry & Cheri Rakers. Thanks also to those who provided baby-sitting services: Jessica Duchinsky, Scott Kristovich, Alicia Drook, Patrick Ahasic. A com-ment that was frequently heard was what a sense of community there was. There may be more such eve-nings, so stay tuned!


I Like Being Catholic: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories, A Book Review

By Elaine Hershbarger

“FEARSOME FORECAST: Before too long, the average age of the parish priest will be 102, and all three of them will be doing baptisms, weddings, and funerals in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles until they drop.” --Michael Leach What do you like about being Catholic? The ability to laugh at a ridiculous statement such as the one above, to poke fun at our failings and oddities as a people of faith? Or are you of a more serious mind? You like being Catholic because you know you are loved by God, you belong to His community, you can step into a Catholic church anywhere in the world and know you are home, you love the traditions and rituals. Or, a combination of all of these. Perhaps you have never truly thought about it. For inspiration, I recommend the book I Like Being Catholic: Treas-ured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories, edited by Michael Leach and Therese J. Borchard. After the solemnity of Lent and the joy of Easter, it’s time to sit back and relax with this delightful book from the parish library. Famous Catholics and ordinary parishioners share their feelings, sometimes quite powerful, sometimes humorous, always moving, of what Catholicism means to them. Cradle Catholics recall Catholic schools, the blessings of the sacraments, how nuns and priests influenced their lives, the comfort of saints, and the true meaning of Mass. Converts share why they joined the Church, why the Catholic Church is “different”, why they could not keep away. Missionaries tell of experiences of deep sorrow and greater joy. Priests, nuns, bishops, and lay ministers have their stories as well. And actors, race car drivers, baseball players, and coaches also join in. The book also contains the editors’ picks for the ten best Catholic novels, the ten best Catholic movies, and the best Catholic music. Whew! I seem to have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll close with a quote from R. Timothy Unsworth, a columnist and author from Chicago. He sums it all up for me.

“The church’s DNA is all over the place. Being

Catholic is a way of looking at the world. It isn’t simply church. It’s music and art and architecture and literature and philosophy. It’s a language all its own. Good God, it’s even food and drink. It’s also community. I go to Mass to be with people. I never tire of watching them go to the altar to re-ceive the Eucharist. It’s a messy church. Filled with faults because it is filled with people. It’s a church that often puts barbed wire around its own charisms. But, as James Joyce said, being Catholic means ‘Here comes everybody!’ I like that.”

Who are the Holy Cross Women?

By

Cindy Howie

Funeral luncheons are one of the biggest ministries we have here at Holy Cross. When the call comes in that a family has lost a loved one, the Holy Cross Women start getting ready for the luncheon. They get a count of family members and friends who will attend, order enough meat to feed them all, and start making phone calls to parish volun-teers to make as many side dishes and desserts as needed. Not only does this give the family and friends of the deceased parish member a place to come together and share time with each other, it also gives them the gift of support from Holy Cross, letting them know that we are there for them in their most difficult time. If you are a woman and a member of Holy Cross, then you are a member of the Holy Cross Women. Your financial support through payment of the annual dues allows the group to provide a substantial funeral luncheon for the family of the deceased parishioner. Please look for the mem-bership dues envelope marked ‘Holy Cross Women’. Even if you are not a Holy Cross Woman, you can still show your support through your donation. The amount requested is only $3.00 a year, but you are welcome to donate more. If you would like to be an active Holy Cross Woman, please call the parish office and join your fellow sisters in Christ in caring for our parish family.

Holy Cross extrovert extraordinaire Charlie Bell talks with Janet and Jim Peoples at the Parish Centennial Gala that was held in the school gym on March 10th. More than 200 pa-rishioners and guests attended the event. After dinner, the pro-gram consisted of reminisces and comments from former pastor Monsignor Hallin and Pastor Emeritus Father Mullen, current pastor Father Stephen Willard, Holy Cross School principal Rose Costello, as well as from former Holy Cross staff members. Monsignor Merdian from St. Matthew and Father Hogan from St. Patrick each presented gifts from their respective parishes.


THE CRUX

THE NEWSLETTER OF HOLY CROSS PARISH, CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PEORIA

AVAILABLE ON-LINE IN COLOR AT WWW.HOLYCROSSCATHOLIC.ORG CLICK THE NEWSLETTER TAB

“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” — Luke 2:11

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

405 W. Clark St. Champaign, IL

Phone: (217) 352-8748 Fax: (217) 366-2929

Email: [email protected]

The pharaoh and his court rock on in Holy Cross School’s spring musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Apparently, Elvis hasn’t left the building. Find more pictures of the musical on pages 6 and 7.

“He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said.” —Matthew 28:6

Documents

THE CRUX€¦ · A Rube Goldberg Machine, a device made of many simple machines that do a simple task. Remember the Mousetrap game? Since returning from the holidays, Holy Cross’s