HOLY CROSS CHURCH CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
God calling Throughout salvation history God has called individuals to go forth from their families and familiar surroundings to do God's work and deliver God's message. From Abraham to Moses to the prophets of old, all were called by God to go where God wanted and to speak what God wanted for the benefit of all God's people. In the gospel, Jesus calls his apostles to leave their families, their fishing business, and their homes to follow Him. St. Paul followed Jesus' call and became the great missionary to the Gentiles, establishing Christian communities and preaching the Good News. Christians throughout the centuries have heard God's call and left everything to build God's Kingdom where God led them. Many of them are our favorite saints, like Benedict, Francis, Catherine, Patrick, Theresa. God still calls individuals today! Every human person born into this world has a vocation, that is, a calling to do something for God. When people ask me, "Why did you become a priest?", I truthfully tell them, "Because God called me to be a priest." For, you see, I never wanted to be a priest! While studying business at the University of Illinois in the mid-70's, I aspired to be a millionaire! But, just when the Lord's love was taking possession of my soul, I asked a very dangerous question, "Lord, what do you want me to do for you?" The Lord answered: "I want you to be my priest." I spent years first trying to convince myself that I had a spiritual hearing problem, then spent a good part of my nine year seminary formation trying to convince God that He had the wrong person. But, the Lord prevailed. You see, God is always right the first time. And, I have never regretted answering my calling. My vocation has another element to it. Not only did the Lord call me to the priesthood, but also to religious life. I joined the Salesian Community of St. John Bosco in 1977, and professed perpetual vows in 1984. My life as a Salesian has given me opportunity to do the Lord's work from the Bahamas to Toronto to British Columbia, with a number of stops in between. We hear in the Gospel this weekend Jesus calling his first apostles. Andrew, Simon, James, and John were fishermen. They were not theologians or professional ministers, but the Lord called them to Himself to become His first evangelists and ministers in His Church. The Lord Jesus calls EVERYONE to do something for Him. Every human person is planned for God’s purpose, created to be like Christ, formed for God’s family, shaped for service, and made for mission. Especially you young people, ask the dangerous question: “Lord, what do you want me to do for you?” – and discover your vocation. Fr. Dave
January 26, 2014
PASTORAL STAFF SERVING HOLY CROSS Fr. David Sajdak, S.D.B., Pastor Fr. Joseph Santa Bibiana, S.D.B., Parochial Vicar Fr. William Bucciferro, S.D.B., in residence Deacon Henry ‘Hank’ Hart Deacon Ed Mohrbacher Deacon Robert ‘Bob’ Ulbrich TRUSTEES Tom Murray John Powers DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Marc Cardaronella LITURGY: Sunday Eucharist: Saturday: 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., & 4:00 p.m. Daily: Refer to the ‘Masses for the Week’ on the following page. HOLY CROSS PARISH OFFICE 405 W. Clark St., Champaign, Illinois, 61820 Phone: 217-352-8748 Fax: 217-366-2929 e-mail address: office@holycrosscatholic.org website: www.holycrosscatholic.org HOLY CROSS SCHOOL Christina Ellis, Principal 410 W. White, Champaign, Illinois, 61820 Phone: 217-356-9521 Fax: 217-356-1745 TRIBUNAL AUDITORS: Deacon Henry “Hank” Hart Deacon Ed Mohrbacher ADORATION: Fridays all day with Benediction at 4:45 p.m. RECONCILIATION: Saturdays: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., daily from 6:45 a.m. to 6:55 a.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment. BAPTISM: Second and fourth Sunday of the month, after the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Parents must be registered members and attend a baptismal preparation session, preferably before the birth of the child. Contact the Parish Office three months in advance to schedule. M ATRIMONY: Couples contemplating marriage should call the Pastor at least eight months in advance. At least one partner must be a registered parishioner at Holy Cross and be actively practicing the faith. If you have a previous marriage, set no marriage date until you have discussed this with your Pastor. CARE OF THE SICK: Call the Parish Office to make arrangements at any time for Communion and/or the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. BULLETIN DEADLINE: Two Wednesdays prior to the bulletin in which the information will be posted.