In this issue: Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December Marian Morning, Giving Tree Extended, Soliciting Players for Children's Pageant, Confessions During Advent, Retirement Fund for Religious Collection, Altar Flowers, Outdoor Living Nativity, Christmas Mass Schedule, Lift High Holy Cross Campaign, Synod of Bishops, Remember in Prayer, Please Share Your Pictures, Faith Direct Donor Match Program, Current Mass and Confession Schedule, Join the New Year Prayer Challenge!
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
(Holy Day of Obligation)
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Mass at Holy Cross
will be offered at 7:30 pm.
Giving Tree 2021
‘Tis the season to be giving
33rd Holy Cross Giving Tree Season
extended to December 12
Again this year, instead of a physical Giving Tree we will have a virtual one, providing a variety of gift cards for designated charities. We began the Giving Tree season November 16 with a Flocknote outlining this year's program. If you have any questions or concerns, please email the Holy Cross Giving Tree Committee at givingtree.hcc@gmail.com. The 2021 Holy Cross Giving Tree Program has been extended to December 12.
CHILDREN’S GOSPEL PAGEANT
4 pm Mass on Christmas Eve
If your child is in Kindergarten through 8th grade and would like to participate in the Gospel Pageant at the 4 pm Mass on
Christmas Eve, please contact Mrs. Yvie Killian today at holycross.pageant@gmail.com. Include your child’s name and grade, parent’s name, preferred email contact, and cell phone number. Roles will be assigned before the first rehearsal.
Pageant practices are in the church
✯ December 11 from Noon to 1 pm
✯ December 18 from Noon to 1 pm
✯ December 23 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm (full dress rehearsal)
7th and 8th Grade Students: Want to be one of the Gospel readers during the Pageant? It is an honor to do so. We are looking for 2 to 4 very strong readers. If you wish to audition, please send an email to Mrs. Killian. She will email the readings to you and schedule a time to listen to you read AND you can earn service hours!!! Please email TODAY!
CONFESSIONS DURING ADVENT
Confessions will be heard after all Masses on
December 11 (Saturday) and December 12 (Sunday)
December 18 (Saturday) and December 19 (Sunday)
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS. Elderly religious need your help. Thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for years in Catholic schools, hospitals, and parishes—often for little to no pay. Now, many religious communities do not have enough retirement savings and struggle to provide for aging members. Your gift to today’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. Please give generously to the second collection the weekend of December 11 and 12.
ALTAR FLOWERS
The Parish appreciates your help with the seasonal flower expense at Christmas. We would like to recognize our donors or those you want honored or remembered. Donations received through Monday, December 13, will be included in the Christmas Flower Memorials in the bulletin. An envelope was included in the recent mailing of the offertory envelopes. There are envelopes located in the Church vestibule also. Simply complete the envelope (limit 10 names), enclose your donation and drop it in the collection basket, the Poor Box or the mail slot in the front door of the Rectory. Thank you for your help with this decorating expense.
Outdoor Living Nativity
December 17 at 5:00 pm
Holy Cross School invites you to our First Outdoor Living Nativity. The students will share the story of Jesus’s birth and a festive concert with Christmas carols for all to enjoy. The program will take place on the Church steps and green space between the Church and School. The HSA will be selling coffee, hot chocolate and cookies.
We hope to see you all there!
Materials on Lift High Holy Cross can be found on the parish website, www.hcrosschurch.org, including details on the renovation of our former convent, Quinn Hall, to serve as a parish and school center, and the other projects incorporated in this campaign. We encourage everyone to participate in this capital campaign. 100% of your contribution remains at Holy Cross, solely for capital improvements. No professional fees were undertaken.
We ask for your pledge in support of Lift High Holy Cross. Once you have prepared your pledge card, you may:
- Bring it to the Rectory (Monday thru Friday between 9 am to 4 pm),
- Drop it thru the mail slot in the Rectory door anytime,
- Mail it to Rectory (PO Box 249, Garrett Park, MD 20896) or
- Place it in the collection basket.
Donations may be made by check, direct transfers of stocks or securities, or online thru Faith Direct (www.faithdirect.net Code MD22). Many, many thanks to everyone who has responded so favorably so far! Any questions, please call the rectory at 301-942-1020.
SYNOD OF BISHOPS. The entire Catholic Church is called to participate in the upcoming Synod of Bishops! In preparation for the international Synod of Bishops in 2023, Pope Francis wants your input on the topic of
“For a Synodal Church, Communion, Participation, and Mission.” People of all ages, Catholics and non-Catholics, are invited to give their feedback on the Church’s mission.
To participate in the survey, visit www.adw.org/synod.
Our parish Listening Session will be on January 22 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm in Lewis Hall.
60th Anniversary Request
Please share your pictures!
We are celebrating our 60th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Catholic Church and School in November 1961.
We would love to have your photo of events that happened at Holy Cross over this 60 year period. You might have photos of First Communions, Confirmations, or other sacramental moments. Maybe you have a photo of a community event like a play, dance, reception, the 25th,30th, 40th or 50th anniversary celebrations at Holy Cross? We would love to add it to our Holy Cross album. Would you take time to locate those photos for our archive and email them to: hc60anniversary@gmail.com ? Or bring a copy to the rectory so we can scan it and return it to you. If possible, we ask that your submission identifies the event, the date and the names of those present in the photo. Thank you for your effort in making the history of Holy Cross possible.
Remember in Prayer those who have died.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
CURRENT MASS AND CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Please note that wipes for the pews and hand sanitizer continue to be available for your use. The clergy will continue to wear a mask and sanitize their hands during the distribution of the Eucharist. The faithful are encouraged to remain respectful of their neighbor in all circumstances. For updates, visit www.adw.org/coronavirus.
Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:00 pm
Sunday Mass with choir 9:30 am (live-stream link: www.hcrosschurch.org)
Sunday Mass – 12 Noon (live-stream link: www.hcrosschurch.org)
Weekday Masses are offered Monday thru Saturday at 8:30 am
On Saturdays, Confessions are heard from 9:00 to 10:00 am.
You can access the parish bulletin by:
- viewing it here,
- select "News" on the parish website (www.hcrosschurch.org) or
- pick up a copy at Church.
- select "News" on the parish website (www.hcrosschurch.org) or
- pick up a copy at Church.
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
Thank you!
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ALTAR FLOWERS