In this issue: Holy Week-Easter Schedule, Stations of the Cross, Devotion to the Divine Mercy, Easter Basket Blessing, "Way of the Cross" at Wildwood Center, Coronavirus Vaccine FAQs...
GOOD FRIDAY
Join us for
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
at
Holy Cross Church
3 PM
Inside and Outside - Weather Permitting
Also on Good Friday . . .
Confessions will be heard following Stations from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast. Fasting means eating only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening – depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.
Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from eating meat.
The Novena Prayer begins on Good Friday, April 2 and ends on Saturday April 10. The novena and chaplet will be recited after the 8:30am (daily) Mass in church following Easter Sunday.
Holy Cross will be celebrating the Feast of the Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 11 at the 12:00pm Mass. The Litany to the Divine Mercy will be recited after Mass to venerate the Divine Mercy.
“From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s. The message is nothing new, but is a reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that God is merciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and forgiveness. But in the Divine Mercy devotion, the message takes on a powerful new focus, calling people to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone - especially the greatest sinners.” – EWTN
Good Friday “Way of the Cross” at Wildwood Medical Center
Through His Holy Passion, Our Lord united Himself with all the victims of suffering in this life. None suffer more innocently than children in the womb whose lives are taken by abortion. None suffer more deeply than their mothers, who carry such a burden of guilt and shame.
During the hours of 12 noon and 3 pm, there will be "Stations" set up along the white fence at 10401 Old Georgetown Road, the site of a late term abortion clinic. You are invited to come whenever you might be available to pray for healing for the victims of abortion and for an end to this injustice in our land. For more information or for a ride call Barbara, 301 704-6682.
Easter Basket Blessing
April 3 at Noon
Holy Cross Church
Holy Cross Parish invites you and your family to bring your unique family basket(s) to the Church for a brief blessing service at the Church steps. Do come and share in this beloved custom with your parish family or make this the start of a new Easter tradition with your own family, relatives, and friends!
Adult Formation Meetings are currently held via Zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87494545896
Meeting ID: 874 9454 5896
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87494545896# US (Washington DC)
Ongoing Offerings for Drop-in!
Thursdays 10am-11am Gospel Sharing (Reflecting on upcoming Sunday Gospel)
Fridays 10am-11am Parish Rosary
Additional spring offerings to be announced.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION at HOLY CROSS
After Easter, Eucharistic Adoration hours on Fridays will return to the 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm schedule. This will begin on Friday, April 9. You are invited to make a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on Fridays anytime between the hours of 3 and 6. What a blessing to know that in the pandemic Our Lord is still so present to us!
There is a special need for a few people who might be able to make a commitment to be there for the 3 pm hour each week. If you are able to attend on most Fridays at 3 pm please call and let us know.
Thank you,
Barb and Dave Ruppert, 301 933-7646
PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL PREGNANT MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES.
During the past 2 months, more than 50 NEW client mothers and their families have requested help from the Gabriel Project Cluster. This is in addition to the over 200 already being assisted. More women volunteers are needed, especially bi-lingual women.
The Gabriel Project Cluster of Montgomery County is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that assists low-income pregnant women and their children. During the pandemic and economic crisis, the need for the Gabriel Project’s services has grown tremendously while typical sources of support are greatly reduced. During this Holy Season you can help provide critically needed material resources by purchasing essential items like baby gear, diapers, and clothing through the Gabriel Project’s Amazon Charity List. For more information about the Gabriel Project and to support our efforts, please visit the website at www.gpmoco.org and look for the link for the Gabriel Project’s Amazon Charity List at the top of the home page. Thank you for your generous support!
Coronavirus Vaccine FAQs
The Archdiocese of Washington Office of Life Issues is providing the information below to respond to any questions you might have about the COVID-19 vaccine and Catholic moral teaching on this matter. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Life Issues at windelsk@adw.org if you would like more information or resources.
Rectory Office closed on Good Friday.
Rectory Office visits are by appointment only.
Phone calls are being monitored. Leave a voicemail at 301-942-1020 x200.
Emails are monitored at parishsecretary@hcrosschurch.org.
Please wear a mask when you come to an appointment at the Rectory.
Holy Cross Church will continue to communicate with our parish family
by Flocknotes,
our website: www.hcrosschurch.org, and
the Holy Cross Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hcrosschurch/.
We are posting the bulletin on the parish website at www.hcrosschurch.org. Limited copies are available in the back of Church. Our weekly bulletin is made possible by the continued support of our advertisers. Please patronize our generous businesses and let them know you saw their ad!
WAYS TO SUPPORT HOLY CROSS
ONLINE - Make a donation by credit card via Faith Direct. Go to the parish website: www.hcrosschurch.org and click on One-Time Donation. You do not have to enroll in Faith Direct or, if you are enrolled in Faith Direct, you can elect to not sign in.
RECURRING - Visit www.faithdirect.net or call 866-507-8757 (toll-free) to enroll in our electronic giving program using your bank account or credit card (Holy Cross Code is MD22). Another way is to use your bank's bill pay.
DROP OFF your contribution in the mail slot in the Rectory office door
MAIL your offertory to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 249, Garrett Park, MD 20896