FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK . . .
Dear School Families,
Beginning in the fall of 2010, Holy Cross began instituting households in the grade school and parish religious education program. The idea came to me while on sabbatical at Franciscan University where they have households. The households are a way to promote brotherhood and a culture of family within a larger setting.
In the grade school, each class will function as a household for which they choose a name, put together a motto and emblem for a banner, have a mission statement and develop a life of prayer and accountability with each other. They will take the name and develop the mission with each other as they go through the school, with each year adding more richness and depth to their Christian purpose. While the younger grades will participate according to their abilities, it will really begin to take shape with the beginning of second grade. I'll give an example. The fifth grade has chosen the name of Warriors of the Word. This will be their household name throughout their time at Holy Cross. They will develop a mission that describes how they act, learn, pray and love each other as members of a household family. The name, motto, emblem and banner will be part of their communal experiences, including special Masses throughout each year. In addition, the mission statement will be developed as they mature in wisdom, age and grace while the banners will be changed as they grow in artistic ability.
Another aspect of households is Lord's Day where the students will take 10-15 minutes before Friday dismissal for praise and worship, intercessions, opening up the Gospel for the coming Sunday, thanksgiving prayer and a closing song. The point is to get them ready for Sunday with awareness of the Gospel and its meaning (I'll provide that to the teachers to assist them in breaking open the Word). In addition, the intercessory and thanksgiving prayer will help the students articulate what is on their hearts and to allow their prayers to be known to the other members of their household. In this way, we continue to build an atmosphere of compassion, trust and family in which each is known and loved. Practically speaking, it's much harder to be unkind to someone when I know who he or she is, care about them and am praying for the difficulties they shared during Lord's Day.
Please pray for the success of this exciting new idea for our children. Happy Lord's Day!
Msgr. Deutsch
Here are the 2011-2012 Household Names for our Holy Cross Catholic School community.
Preschool: Mary's Lambs
First Grade: Joseph's Workers
Second Grade: Hearts of Fire
Third Grade: Knights of God
Fourth Grade: Lambs of the Lord
Fifth Grade: Courageous Saints
Sixth Grade: Warriors of the Word
Seventh Grade: Guardians of the Faith
Eighth Grade: Branches of the Holy Vine
Faculty/Staff: House of Wisdom and Love


classes, sports, friendships, challenges and joyful expectation for all that is to come, Holy Cross School is a place of love diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ. Only in openness to the Holy Spirit can we continue to grow in body, mind and soul and give glory to Christ by becoming all that He calls us to be in His Holy Name.