A Risky Business

We are almost at the end of our Church year and are asked to think about our lives as a whole and what we are doing with them. Today we are encouraged to look at the quality of our lives as Christians in terms of activity and passivity, of security and risk-taking.

The main point of Jesus' parable is quite clear. Sitting on our hands will get us nowhere, get nothing done, and help nobody else. Both the reading from Proverbs and the Gospel parable hammer this point home to us. The picture that we are given here of the Christian life is one of going out, of activity, of taking chances and risks. The couch potato, the one who sits around waiting for life to happen to him, is going to be in for a big surprise.

The slave who buried his one talent chose not to take any risk. As we hear in the parable, the master was extremely angry with him. The master not only called him lazy; he called him wicked. He was wicked for having done nothing. One of the reasons why mature people stop growing and learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure.

Even learning something new can be a risk, because when we discover new things about the world, about others and about ourselves, then we might be forced into seeing things differently and so act differently. Many of us are very comfortable with the way we see things. So we just settle into that feeling and refuse to allow anything into our minds or hearts that would disturb that false peace. When we fail to use our intelligence in the proper way, we resemble the slave who hid his money in the ground. May God grant us the grace of self-knowledge, of insight, and of courage to follow the path of growth and love.

Peace, Fr. John

JOHN PAUL II CENTRE WORKSHOPS
Come to the Oasis: Relax, Pray, Be Nurtured, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Spend a day nurturing mind, body & spirit. ($15, includes lunch)
Taize Prayer Night - Sr. Joyce Lorentz, Nov. 18, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Organizing a Home Ministry of Care - John Hoffort, Gabe Seiferling, Debbie Matt, Nov. 19, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Fatima/Lourdes - Ans Zwart, Nov. 21, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Tables For Two - Marriage Enrichment Evening (Dinner & Discussion) Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m.  Enjoy a five-couse dinner seasoned with guided discussion and sharing with your spouse.  ($50/couple)
Peace from Heaven - Medjugorje Workshop, Rita Medernach, Nov. 28, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

ST. MICHAEL'S RETREAT
Weekend Retreat for Professional People - Be the CEO of Your Life, Nov. 22-24 (Fri. 7:45 - Sun. 1:00 p.m.)
Weekend Retreat for Advent - Preparing for the Lord's Coming; Reflections on the journeys of Clare & Francis of Assisi, Nov. 29-Dec. 1
(Fri. 7:45 - Sun. 1:00 p.m.)

JOB OPPORTUNITY - Youth Ministry Coordinator - Weyburn.  Responsibilities include coordinating and evangelizing with the youth groups (junior, senior and young adult); involvement in parish life and with our 2 Catholic Schools.  Qualifications:  practicing Catholic, effective organizational skills, ability to work flexible hours, good rapport with youth.  Resume and 3 reference letters due a.s.a.p. to: Hiring Committee, St. Vincent de Paul Pastoral Council, 32 Hartney Bay,
Weyburn, SK   S4H 0M1, Fax: 306-842-0307.

MURRAY OF NOTRE DAME - A one hour, one man play about the life of Fr. Athol Murray,
founder of Notre Dame College in Wilcox, SK. 
Nov. 20, Casino Regina.  For tickets call: 555-3189.

SAVE THE CHILDREN CANADA - 11th
Annual Roast Beef Dinner, Nov. 22, Broadway United Church, Punch 6 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.  Guest speakers: Marian Tudor & Heather Sinclair, Topic: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. For tickets call Iris: 545-4011.

GREY CUP SUPPER & DANCE - sponsored by Little Flower Men's Club, Nov. 22, Little Flower Auditorium, Happy Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Dance: 9:00 p.m. For tickets call Ted: 352-1107.

PLANNED GIVING SEMINAR - a free seminar for those interested in learning how Planned Giving can be used to help the charity of your choice, Nov. 23, 10 a.m., St. Martin's Parish Hall.  Learn what Planned Giving involves from both the investment and legal perspectives.  There will also be a someone on hand to answer taxation questions that may arise.  To reserve your spot call: 569-1414.

KARIBU AFRICA - an evening of exquisite
African culture, cuisine and entertainment sponsored by Holy Rosary Cathedral Refugee Sponsorship Committee, Nov. 23, 6 p.m. Holy Rosary
Cathedral Auditorium.  Discount on advance
tickets.  Call: 565-0909 days, or 584-0307
evenings.

Thank you to each and every one of you for sharing your time, talent and treasurer's with your parish
community of Holy Cross.

In reviewing our financial picture for the period January to October 2002, we see that our expenses are on budget but our actual income remains lower that budgeted resulting in a deficit at the current time.

For the period January to October 2002, our total collection revenue was $168,995. This compares to our budget of $173,412 (or 97%) for the same period. (This collection revenue relates to an average of $3,930 per week).

For the period January to October 2002, our total income was $190,019 (including fowl supper). This
compares to our budget of $193,462 (or 98%) for the same period. Total income includes fundraising,
interest and sundry revenue.  (Total incomes relates to an average of $4,419 per week)

For the period January to October 2002, our total expenses were $205,858. This compares to our budget of $205,965 (or 100%) for the same period. The net result (revenue less expenses) for this ten month period was loss of (-$15,839).  (Our expenses relate to an average cost of $4787 per week.)

In comparing our average weekly collection revenue with average weekly expenses, we see that we are short $857 per week or $3,428 per month. When we add in fundraising and sundry revenue the shortfall is reduced to $368 per week or $1,472 per month. Since our fundraising has been completed for this year, we need to increase our weekly collection revenue to help offset our weekly expense cost.

You ask what is sundry revenue? Sundry revenue is mainly revenue generated from the use of the church and Gerein Center for functions that are not Holy Cross Parish sponsored. In 2002 we levied a charge of $100 for each funeral and wedding to help off set the cost of utilities, setup and clean up for these functions. The Gerein Center is also available for rent by parishioners for small gatherings (contact the office).

A reminder: all your donations to Holy Cross Parish are classified as charitable donations and can be used as a deduction when you file your income tax for 2002. A clarification: the only donations that we can credit you with are those that identify the contributor through use of envelopes, cheques or other identification. Loose collections can not be credited.

As parishioners of Holy Cross, we not only have obligations to support our parish but also to support the Archdiocese of Regina in their work and programs. To support the new Resurrection Parish, the Archdiocese of Regina has assessed Holy Cross Parish, along with Little Flower Parish and Holy Child Parish $20 per average attendee determined from the previous pastoral report for each of the five years (2000 to 2004). To all parishioners who have supported this Building Fund project, THANK YOU!  To others, we encourage your support to allow Holy Cross to meet its assessment.

The third annual "Commitment to the Future" Archbishop's Annual Appeal is in its final stage and we need all parishioners to return their pledge cards with or without a donation as soon as possible. 

Remember Holy Cross Parish community includes and needs everyone; by working and sharing
together we can make a difference - we can be successful. All committees including Finance Council
are always ready to welcome new members. Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.

Wayne Rutten - Finance Council Chair
e-mail - rutten.w@sasktel.net

At our 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Nov. 24, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  This time was chosen to make it easier for our sick and elderly parishioners to come, or be brought, to the Church for this Sacrament.  It is appropriate that this Sacrament be celebrated with the community present.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sign of the presence of Christ and the Church to those who are critically ill, have suffered a serious accident or are debilitated by old age.  The sacrament brings the total care of the Church to the sick person.  It incorporates him or her into the prayers of the community for their temporal and spiritual well-being.  It also invites and encourages the community to serve the sick by lovingly caring for them.  In turn, the sick witness to the community by their faith, patience, acceptance of God's will and rearrangement of life's priorities.
The Sacrament is not exclusively for those who are at the point of death but more for those who are seriously ill.  Those who are encouraged to receive the Sacrament are those who are at the point of death because of sickness, accident or old age; those who are seriously ill but death is not imminent; those undergoing major surgery; elderly who are debilitated by old age; people with serious heart conditions; people with severe psychological problems; and those with alcoholic and other drug additions.

If you are someone for whom the Sacrament is intended, plan to attend this celebration.  If you know of someone who is usually unable to attend Mass, make an effort to accompany them.  If you need transportation to Church for this celebration, call the office and arrangements can be made.