Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This week we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a reminder that what once was a cruel instrument of suffering has become, through Christ, the sign of victory, hope, and life. The Cross is not simply a decoration we wear or a symbol we display in our homes and churches—it is the heart of our Christian faith. On the Cross, Jesus transformed pain into healing, weakness into strength, and death into everlasting life.
All of us, in one way or another, carry crosses in our lives. They may come in the form of illness, family struggles, financial difficulties, loneliness, or daily sacrifices. Often, our first instinct is to run from them. Yet the message of the Feast is clear: if we embrace our crosses with faith, unite them with Christ’s Cross, and walk forward in hope, then those very burdens can become pathways to grace and signs of victory. The Cross tells us that God never abandons us. Instead, He transforms suffering into new life.
In the same spirit, we are called not only to lift up the Cross in our personal lives but also to exalt the Cross in our parish community. Our church is the visible place where we gather around the Cross of Christ in worship, prayer, and service. Just as we care for our spiritual lives, we also need to care for the house of God, ensuring that it remains a worthy place of prayer for generations to come.
After many years, our parish is now undertaking some major maintenance projects that cannot be delayed. These are not luxuries, but necessary repairs and improvements to preserve the beauty and functionality of our sacred space. The first four projects and a rough cost estimate, on our list are:
Upholstery of the kneelers – $35,000
Upgrade and repair of the sound system – $40,000
Replacement of the skylight – $30,000
Replacement of the carpet in the church – $80,000
Altogether, this is our major expense for the year. As in all things, we depend entirely on your generosity. With God’s grace, we hope to cover the skylight and carpet costs from the rebate we receive through the Project Advance Plan. This means we must set a bold goal: at least $200,000 in Project Advance contributions this year.
I earnestly appeal to you:
First, if God has blessed you abundantly, consider sponsoring an entire project on the list.
Second, prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift, contributing substantially to this vital work.
Third, if neither is possible, please join in by increasing your regular Sunday offering by even two to five dollars. Every gift, no matter the size, becomes part of the great offering of love that sustains our parish.
The Cross reminds us that victory comes through sacrifice. As we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, let us together embrace our responsibility to care for this church, our spiritual home, and make it ever more worthy as a dwelling place of God.
Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your love for our parish. May the Cross of Christ be your strength and your victory. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your families.
