Feast of The Exaltation of The Holy Cross.
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a feast with a special place in our hearts. As the patron feast of our parish, the Holy Cross has been a beacon of light, hope, and faith in South Omaha for over a century; and a testament to our rich legacy of education and sacramental life.
The recent Journey of Faith program, adopted by our Archdiocese, has created a new dynamic with our sister parish, Our Lady of Lourdes-St. Adalbert’s. Together, we are now a new family of parishes dedicated to a core mission: forging a new chapter in evangelization, discipleship, and the transformation of our neighborhood. Our mission bears witness to Christ crucified but raised in glory, offering new life and salvation to everyone.
We are surrounded by images of the cross—as jewelry, a decorative piece, or an article of devotion—and we often take it for granted. Its meaning can seem less profound because of our familiarity with it. But as we are drawn to the Cross, we are called to see vividly the immense love of Christ for each person. As St. John reminds us, “For God so loved the world, he gave his only Son that anyone who believes in him will have eternal life” (John 3:16).
As we reflect on the mystery of the Holy Cross, let us be inspired by its poverty and the redemptive graces of Jesus Christ. As noted in The Imitation of Christ:
"In the Cross is health, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection from enemies, in the Cross is heavenly sweetness, in the Cross is strength of mind... There is no health of the soul, no hope of eternal life, except in the Cross. Take up, therefore, your Cross and follow Jesus, and you will go into eternal life."
Let us celebrate this feast with devotion and appreciation as we pray, “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.” To adore God is to humbly acknowledge His ultimate power and praise Him for His love. This worship sets us free from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world (cf. CCC #2097).
The only perfect sacrifice is the one Christ offered on the Cross— a total offering to the Father’s love for our salvation. By uniting ourselves with His sacrifice, we can make our own lives a total offering to God.
Sincerely Yours In The Lord,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
