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Volume 23, Issue 4
Food & Wine 11
April 2019
The Crossing Church SouthShore Campus To Hold Easter Service In New Building
By Joe Kerr
11
Easter Hunts 9
Newswire 17
The first service for in the new facility of The Crossing Church SouthShore is scheduled for Resurrection Sunday, April 21. Service times are 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. For those early risers, the first service is a little less crowded, but with the first service being on Easter Sunday consider coming early. Even though this campus has been meeting for several years in its current location about half a mile away, this new campus has that feeling of the first step, but in the same direction. SouthShore campus pastor Hector Rivera embodies that proud papa emotion as he walks the building still under construction. “We are expecting," he repeated. The church is already active in the community. Neighborhoods like Del Webb, River Bend, Vista Palms, Covington Park, Waterset and MiraBay already know The Crossing SouthShore for its 'come and meet your neighbor' events. Sponsoring events or partnering with local block parties, the church thrives outside the building in its community. The church's heart for the communities includes individuals, businesses and local first responders.
areas, and office space for the growing volunteer staff who ministers to its ever-increasing body. Architects incorporated that sense of a growing family into the building design. Gathering space is built into the lobby, so it functions as a place to meet, greet and fellowship. Come early to enjoy coffee with friends. Don’t be surprised if your neighbors are already there. The build"We will be ing design feeding the fire has a covand police ered drop-off departments area for parfour different ents to get times," said kids in and Pastor Rivera. out at the "They bring their main trucks and inter- The new facility at The Crossing Church at SouthShore entrance. The act with the fam- is close to completion. The first service is scheduled brand-new for Easter Sunday. ilies at our SouthShore events." location is 2409 East College Ave. in He added, “People know Ruskin on the corner of College and SouthShore [the church] is here, now 24th St. they will be able to join us in our new For more info or to see a video of location.” the new campus in progress, visit The new campus features a spawww.wearecrossing.com/southshore and cious auditorium with seating for 1,000 click on New Building Info. The church people, expanded youth and children’s office can be reached at 626-0783.
Memorial Mass Held For Longtime Nativity Pastor Msgr. Lara
Cathedral 13
Columns: GraceNotes:
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Your Monthly Catch: Page 8 Faith & Footprints:
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Hooked On Books:
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For three decades, Monsignor James ‘Jaime’ Carreras Lara served as pastor of Nativity Catholic Church. In February, Msgr. Lara passed away from a sudden heart attack while in the hospital near his home in Spain. Nativity Catholic Church held a Memorial Mass on February 23 to celebrate his life. In 1957, Msgr. Lara was ordained for the Diocese of Toledo, Spain. Two years later, he was sent as a missionary priest to the Diocese of St. Augustine. Then, in 1969, Msgr. Lara transferred to the newly-established Diocese of St. Petersburg. He faithfully served as the pastor of Nativity Catholic Church mourns the passing Nativity Catholic Church until retirof Msgr. James Carreras Lara. ing in 1999. During those 30 years, the parish experienced tremendous growth. Reverend John Tapp, the current pastor of Nativity Catholic Church, said, “Msgr. Lara pastored Nativity In August 1999, at the request of Parish in a time of unparalleled Bishop Robert Lynch, Pope St. growth. He took this small mission John Paul II bestowed the title of community and built up a church, Monsignor upon Lara. Within four school and parish to the vibrant months of his retirement, Msgr. community which it is today.” Lara was asked to temporarily
By Amanda Boston
assume the role of Administrator of St. Brendan Parish in Clearwater. In 2014, Msgr. Lara returned to Spain to live closer to his siblings, and he remained there until his death. Rev. Tapp continued, “While Msgr. Lara built buildings and set up this city set on a hill, he above and beyond all else, attempted to be a beacon of hope to so many who otherwise might feel helpless. In the five years I have been here, I have heard incessant stories about how Msgr. Lara reached out to individuals to help them in their need, to comfort them in their sorrow, to encourage them in their vocations, and, yes, to even give them a kick in the pants when they needed someone to push them when they just felt they couldn’t go any further.” Although Msgr. Lara has moved on from this world, the profound impact he had at Nativity is still felt by its parishioners. Nativity Catholic Church is located at 705 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon. For more information on the church, visit www.nativitycatholicchurch.org.