Annual Meeting

Holy Cross Church held its Annual Meeting following the service on February 28. A Potluck lunch proceeded the meeting. Fr. Sanchez as the Rector called the meeting to order. The budget was adopted. Delegates to the Diocese of the West Synod to be held in October were elected.

Craft and Recycle Sale

The women of Holy Cross held a successful Craft and Recycle (i.e. rummage) Sale on November 7th in the Church parking lot. There were several tables of crafts including items for babies, the home, the holidays, and baked goods. Leftover items of clothing, etc, were donated to charity. The proceeds were used in part to sponsor a needy single mother and support the Food Bank.

Bishop Williams Institutes Holy Cross Rector

Fr. Juan in prayer

On August 2, 2009, using a lovely liturgy the Rt. Rev. Daren Williams instituted the Rev. Juan S. Sanchez as Rector of Holy Cross Anglican Church, Tucson. The church was beautifully appointed with flowers, and it was the first use of the new Bishop's Throne. Speaking to a full house, Bishop Williams reminded the church of its duties to the rector, and the rector's duties to the church.

The service was followed by a luncheon provided by the congregation. Thanks to much forethought, tables and chairs were arranged so that most could sit together in the main room. Everyone did a wonderful job in their appointed tasks.

Room for the Children

Recently a room that had been used for storage was repurposed for the use of the children. Now it is an inviting space for retreat during the service, use as a Sunday School room or a place the children can play while adults visit after the service. Already the little ones are enjoying the change.

The Clericus & Mission Retreat, held again at Malibu, was a great success, both in participation and in content. Well planned workshops offered a number of opportunities for all of us to grow in our ministries in the Diocese.

The Rev. Canon Davis gave us a thoughtful look at the Sacrament of Penance. Canon Bower presented a helpful view in the work of Evangelism & Outreach. Our own Fr. Juan presented an overview and the importance of Home Visitation. Canon Rivers shared his experience in Hospital Visitation and Father Chris Kelley offered to us a wonderful workshop on Sermon Preparation, and School programs (Vacation Bible School, Sunday School) was presented from St. Columba's Parish (materials, concepts and organization).

“Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of Angels! Jesus Christ, our King, is Risen”.
(Lk 24:1-7; Mt 28:1-6; Mk16:1-7; Jn 20:11-18)

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

On this beautiful day of Easter Sunday, God our Father invites us to rejoice together with the heavenly powers, angels and together with the members of Holy Cross Church.

We Rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior, we rejoice because Christ Jesus lives within our hearts, within our families and within our community, yes, Jesus Christ the Risen Lord lives and is the hope of a new beginning, the beginning of a new journey with a new redemptive heart, God’s supreme act of love is His greatest gift to humanity, His Son.

Jesus Christ conquered the power of death with His Sublime, Unique and Divine act of Love for us, He gave us the power of the Holy Spirit, pouring into our hearts the source of Grace to change ourselves so that humanity might flourish again with values and the fire of true love, true respect for human life in its diverse stages, to recuperate the Sanctity of Matrimony, the Sanctity of every Sacrament and the Sanctity of God’s Creation.

Let not this Easter Sunday pass through time as another Religious holiday, therefore lets us be inspired and sustained by the power of Christ’s Resurrection, building the new City of God, shaping our world with dialogue, unity and with peace among all humankind.

The Body and Blood of the Risen Christ will be our strength, rejoice and be glad in it,

The Lord is Risen, Christ Jesus has Risen Indeed. Alleluia, Alleluia.