PRAYING WITH THE CROSS – A prayer ministry program taking place throughout our diocese in connection with World Youth Day 2002.  Anyone is welcome to take the cross home for a week and pray for the needs expressed on the prayer sheet.  Sign up on the sheet provided at the Douglas Ave. entrance.

BEEF ON A BUN – Holy Cross Youth will be serving Beef on a Bun on Mar. 9 following the 5 p.m. Mass and for the Parish Appreciation Luncheon on Mar. 10 after the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  Proceeds go to Development and Peace.  Please sign up in the Gerein Centre if you plan to attend to help the Youth plan for this event.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY – Sign up now to have your photo included in our parish directory.  Photo times are:

Thur., Mar. 7, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 8, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 9, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thur., Mar. 14, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 15, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

ALPHA – A 10-Week Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith begins Mon., Mar. 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Come and bring a friend!  For more information, or to register call Rita: 761-9123 or register after Mass Mar. 2/3.

WORLD YOUTH DAY – Patsy Fisher will be at Holy Cross on Mar. 10, at the 11 a.m. Mass to speak about World Youth Day.  There will be a brief information meeting afterwards in the Gerein Centre for anyone interested in attending World Youth Day. For more information on World Youth Day check the website: www.wyd2002.org.

ANNUAL APPRECIATION LUNCHEON AND GENERAL MEETING – March 10, following the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  All parishioners are welcome.  This is your opportunity to be acknowledged for your contributions to the life of our parish family and to learn first hand about our many activities.  Annual Report Booklets are available for pick-up at both entrances. 

Notice of Motion:  Members of Holy Cross Parish are hereby given notice that a motion will be introduced at the Parish Annual General Meeting to amend the Constitution and By-laws as follows:

1. To reflect the constitution of the Liturgy Committee as the Liturgy Council.
2. To establish Fundraising as a standing committee
3. To clarify Article VII 

    Section 2 -- frequency of meetings 
    Section 4 -- definition of quorum
4. To clarify Article VIII 

      Section 4 -- representation of committees on council in the absence of the chair
      Section 5 -- preparation of annual objective review and budget
5. To incorporate new and revised committee mandates into the By-laws

Emergency Aid  Up to ten percent of all Share Lent donations go to help victims of unforeseen and terrible emergencies, whether flood, famine, or war.  More recently, we have been helping the people of Afghanistan and elsewhere.  Our immediate response provides the most vulnerable with basic food, water, shelter and health services.  Where possible, our longer-term efforts help people rebuild their communities.
Give generously, so that those in desperate need may be helped.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE 
 

The brainchild of Dollette Hluska and Frank Laurans, the Supper and Surprise Auction was held this past Saturday and raised $2,062.84 for the parish.  Our numbers were down this year and the profit likewise by nearly $600.00, which we attribute to a loss of parishioners to Resurrection.  About 130 people were in attendance, many of them for the first time according to a show of hands.  A faithful group of volunteers manned the kitchen, decorated, set up and cleaned up.  Church secretary Anne Collins arranged for a group of young people to collect bids, many repeats with experience from last year.  They did a great job.  Pat Wickenhauser bravely took on some of the auctioneering with Frank, our resident auctioneer, for which we are very appreciative.  Father Norm was seen to bid, also bravely, on Surprise auction items.  We even had a guest auctioneer, a real one, who gave us a fantastic demonstration as he cajoled another few loonies or toonies out of the crowd.

The evening ran smoothly with lots of KFC chicken to satisfy the hungry.  Our thanks to the Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus, CWL and Youth Group for their donations of salad, potatoes, dessert and buns for the Supper.  An effort was made to have some items for children to bid on or win as prizes.  It looks like most of them went home happy.  Thanks to all the volunteers who helped to make this evening another success.

As we have said each year, the only real problem we have with this event is that it goes too long.  If an item starts with a bid of one loonie, and we get $80 for it, we have acknowledged 80 bids along the way.  That takes time.  We are trying to look at some alternate ways to auction along with the progressive auction which may take less time, i.e., a Dutch auction in place before and during supper until part way into the evening when these draws could be made.

Following is a breakdown of income:
 

Our next fundraiser is the No Show Ball, scheduled for April 31st.  This will be a mail-out to all parishioners.  Start putting on your thinking caps.  Does anyone have a contact with someone in the restaurant business who could get a dinner-for-two prize for the best excuse as to why they cannot attend?

Debbie and Tony Howell, who had the original idea, have already begun making contacts for sponsorships and donations for the Golf Tournament in June.  We’re looking for some new golf committee members.  If you’re interested in getting involved or you have some connections for prizes or sponsorships, please let us know.  We can’t wait too long to approach businesses since once their charitable donations budgets are depleted, we will be out of luck.

Cal and Joyce Murphy, Co-chairs, Fundraising Committee