Holy Cross News
November 21, 2023
Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving!! Holy Cross is closed Thursday and Friday.
The Jesse Tree is in the Commons. Please take an ornament or two!
See more under "Ministries."
The parish directories are in!
See below under "Parish News."
Holy Cross has a special JOY fund to help parishioners experiencing financial hardship. See below under "Parish News" to learn more.
If your little ones become restless during Mass and you need to leave the sanctuary, please know that the TV in the Commmons has Mass streamed and we have a basket of books and toys for your children to enjoy.
This Sunday, Nov 26th is the
Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
The Judgment of Nations
Mt 25:31-46
2024 Lectionary manuals are available in the office for our lectors.
The Parish Advent Evening,
"Finding Jesus in the Manger" is Wednesday, Dec 6th at 6pm.
See below under "Worship" for details.
Upcoming Calendar Events
This week
Nov 21 Men of the Cross, 4pm in Commons
Nov 23 Rosary Prayer after 9am Mass
Upcoming
Nov 23/24 Holy Cross closed for Thanksgiving
Nov 25 Daily Bread Service Opportunity, 9:30am-12:30pm
Nov 25/26 L of C Advent Candle Sale at all Masses
Nov 25/26 Jesse Tree ornaments available in Commons
Nov 26 No Faith Formation
Nov 27 Our Ladies of the Altar, 9:45am
Nov 27 Cenacle of Divine Mercy Gathering, 9:45am
Nov 30 K of C group attending Adoration and Reflection, 7pm
Dec 1 First Friday Mass, Adoration and Confession, 9am-11am
Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent
Dec 3 Planning Meeting for Eucharistic Procession, 9:30am
Dec 6 Advent potluck dinner/evening in Commons, 6pm
Dec 9 Interfaith Outreach Open Church Tour, 10:00am - 2:30pm
Dec 10 Adult Formation: John's Gospel Bread of Life Discourse, 9:30am
Dec 15 Simbang Gabi Mass 6pm, fellowship and refreshments to follow
Dec 16 Delivery Day for Christmas food bags and Jesse Tree Gifts
Dec 17 Decorate the Church for Christmas, after 2pm Mass
Dec 24 4th Sunday of Advent Mass, 9am
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Masses, 4pm and 7pm
Dec 25 Christmas Day Mass, 9am
Worship
Mass Intentions for this week
Nov 23/24 Church closed, No Mass
Nov 25 +Lela Ellen Cauble 4pm
Nov 26 The Intentions of the Parishioners of Holy Cross 8am
Nov 26 +Jim and +Nancy McCabe 11am
Nov 26 +Joanne Hathway 2pm
Nov 27 +Lonnie Krueger
Nov 28 No Mass, Fr Sal's day off
Parishioners to keep in prayer
Due to the graphic nature of some scenes, parental guidance is suggested.
Please pray for...
Todd Beck
If you would also like to be added to our Prayer Line of prayer warriors, or if you'd like strickly confidential prayer,
contact Irma Campbell at mincampbell@yahoo.com.
Altar Flowers
The flowers by the Altar
are offered to the Glory of God
in loving memory of
Becky Bowman
Given by
the Bowman Family
Mass Count
Nov 18/19
4pm 161
8am 181
11am 221
2pm 102
Total 665
Since we are in the Season of Thanksgiving...
Do we make an act of thanksgiving after we receive the Eucharist?
This can be as simple as “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving yourself to me.”
Another traditional prayer of thanksgiving is the “Anima Christi”:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malignant enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That with Thy Saints I may praise Thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
Weekend Altar Flower
Sign-Ups
Please prayerfully consider reserving a weekend to offer an arrangement to adorn our altar.
These flowers express joy and remind us of loved ones, God's creation and the beauty of his handiwork.
Sign ups will be this weekend in the Commons at all the Masses.
Questions, please contact
Kaky Bowden at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org
Advent Evening 2023
"Meeting Jesus in the Manger"
Please join Holy Cross in beginning this Advent Season for an evening of prayer, reflection, fellowship and a shared meal. There will also be a craft for the kids!
Bring a family nativity set and we will display them in the Commons for all to enjoy!
Interfaith Outreach's Downtown Lynchburg
Historic Church Open House
Saturday, December 9 from 10:00am -1:00pm
This year’s event is FREE and open to the public. Donations by concertgoers to Interfaith Outreach Association will be appreciated.
This year’s event is FREE and open to the public. Donations by concertgoers to Interfaith Outreach Association will be appreciated.
The following is the concert schedule for the seven historic congregations that will be open for a 15-minute holiday concert performance:
Diamond Hill Baptist Church 10am
Jackson Street United Methodist Church 10:30am
Holy Cross Catholic Church 11am
St. Paul's Episcopal Church 11:30am
Court Street Baptist Church 12noon
Court Street United Methodist Church 12:30pm
First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg 1pm
All 7 churches are within a 5-block area of downtown Lynchburg.
For more information, please visit
To learn more about Interfaith Outreach, click HERE.
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Come join the Hispanic Community to celebrate our Lady of Guadalupe!!
Saturday, December 9 noon Decorate the Image of Our Lady (Downstairs classroom)
Saturday, December 9 at 7:00pm Vigil of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Saturday, December 9 noon Decorate the Image of Our Lady (Downstairs classroom)
Saturday, December 9 at 7:00pm Vigil of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sunday, December 10
1:00pm Decorate the Commons
2:00pm Mass with procession and reception.
Holy Cross will have our 3rd Annual Simbang Gabi Celebration here at our parish on Friday, December 15th. We will have Mass at 6pm with Fr Sal as the celebrant followed by food and fellowship. We anticipate a great number of Filipinos and the Catholic faithful to be part of this wonderful celebration.
Please plan to join us!
The “Simbang Gabi” is a long treasured Philippine tradition originally known as a series of “dawn masses” for nine consecutive days before Christmas Day. Its liturgical significance emanates from the Season of Advent, being the time of spiritual preparation and purification to worthily welcome and receive the Child Jesus in our midst. The Mass at Dawn, Simbang Gabi, is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. It starts every December 16th and is one of the longest and most important religious celebrations in the Philippines that has lasted over 600 years.
Parish News
The Parish Directories are here!
If you had your picture made, you may pick up your directory in the Commons. Your directory will have your name on the front of it.
If you did not have your picture made and would like a directory, they can be purchased for $5 in the office during office hours.
Thanks to all who helped make our directory successful, and a special thanks to Annette Flagg and Cathy Wills for leading this project!
JOY Fund: Jesus, Others and You!
We are called to put Jesus first in our lives, then our brothers and sisters in Christ and then ourselves.
Did you know that we have a special fund at Holy Cross that helps parishioners who may be experiencing hard times? Who need financial assistance? Who need our love and support?
The JOY fund is funded by fellow parishioners who donate to assist others in need. It is specifically set up for this sole purpose.
If you are experiencing a difficulty and need help, please contact a staff member. There is complete confidentiality and help is available.
Seminarian Support Needed!
Thank you for all who purchased Christmas cards and made donations to our seminarians. It is much appreciated but we can all do more!
Did you know most seminarians spend 6 to 9 years in formation learning philosophy and theology while growing spiritually on their way to priesthood? While tuition, room, and board expenses are covered by the diocese, financial support from family, friends, Knights of Columbus, and you, helps with the day to day expenses that a lot of us have…car payment, insurance, cell phone, clothes, going out to dinner, and the list goes on.
This year we are truly blessed in Central Virginia to have five seminarians from our area in various stages of formation. We also have Graham Fassero, who interned with us this past summer.
Please continue to pray for them as we know they are praying for us! If you feel so inclined to write them a letter of encouragement or send them a donation of support, see the link below for their address. Thank you!!!!
Sam Hill, Holy Name of Mary
Paul Flagg, Holy Name of Mary
Chad Wilson, Holy Name of Mary
Carl Baumann, Holy Cross
Neal McCaffrey, Holy Cross
Graham Fassero
OPEN POSITION: FACILITIES COORDINATOR
Holy Cross Facilities Coordinator shall be responsible to keep the buildings and facilities, including all facilities at 710 Clay Street, the Rectory, the Cemetery, and the rental house on Bedford Ave, in good working order.
This is a Regular Part-Time Position, 25 hours per week.
For specific details on the job description, please see the document below.
If interested, please fill out the diocesan application below and forward it with your resume to Glynda Flores at gflores@holycrosslynchburg.org.
Faith Formation
Questions about the Church or our Catholic Faith?
Our apologists from "My Neighbor Said" can give you the answers!
My Neighbor Said: “Why Does God Allow Suffering?”
Women in their 30s – join us for a new Advent Scripture Study!
We will be studying the Advent Sermons of St. Frances de Sales for the four Advent weeks beginning Wednesday, Nov. 29th @6:30pm.
Email us for location and bring an appetizer or dessert to share.
Lizzie Jordan: Elizabethannejordan@gmail.com or
Jane Irwin janeirwin33@gmail.com
Ministries
Thank you to all who brought in food, helped with bagging and delivering the Thanksgiving bags!
Thank you to our Jesse Tree Ministry! Ornaments are on the tree and available for you.
The Ladies of Charity circles wish to thank all the wonderful people who baked for our recent "Holiday Bake Sale" and those who purchased the delicious baked goods.
Thank you to Dianne Delledera for the beautiful Gingerbread House which we raffled.
Congratulation to John Grubba who had the winning ticket!
We raised $2,128.75 to be used for the Daily Bread, the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center and One Community One Voice. The three circles will also receive a portion so that they can continue to fund their other projects.
We couldn't help so many people without the prayers and support of the entire Holy Cross community.
We wish you all a blessed holiday season!
Advent Candles Sale
St Jude Circle will be selling Advent Candles the weekend of:
November 25th and 26th, before and after all Masses.
December 3rd is the first Sunday of Advent.
$7 for a set of 4 candles
In all cases, the wrapped gifts - with Jesse Tree tags attached - will be due back at Holy Cross by December 10th. Gifts may be placed around the large tree in the sancuary or returned to the office during office hours (8:30 to 4:00).
Holy Cross Jesse Tree Ministry
The Jesse Tree Ministry helps brighten the holidays for parishioner families by providing Thanksgiving food baskets, Christmas food baskets and gifts.
The Jesse Tree will have ornaments on the tree this weekend for you to sign out.
Gold Ornaments: Gifts
Blue Ornaments: Gift Cards
Green Ornaments: $$/Cash to supplement gift purchases
Questions, contact Gwen Naples at 434 818-2976
Support Interfaith Outreach ministries and purchase raffle tickets below!!
To learn more and purchase raffle tickets,
click HERE.
The Knights of Columbus will be collecting...
ANY 2024 Calendars and tabs from soda cans to support Veterans here in Virginia and the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia.
Please place your donations in the Commons on the black marble table
Thank you!!!
Financial News
Collections for Weekend of
Nov 18/19
Mail 370.00
Online 6,837.00
Env/loose 5,359.26
Total $ 12,566.26
To Give online, click HERE
Have you signed up with Kroger Rewards Program???
Holy Cross earns money each time you shop at Kroger and use your card. Connect your Kroger card to Holy Cross if you have not already!
Diocesan and Universal Church News
Click here to learn more about Twin River Outfitters.the rto see the
Click here to learn more about Twin River Outfitters.
Fr Sal will be installed as the Pastor of Holy Cross on Sunday, September 19th at the 11am Mass by The Most Reverend Bishop Barry Knesout. All are invited!
We have a New Confession Schedule!
See under "Parish News".
The Feast of our Lady of Sorrows follows the Exaltation of the Cross Why? Read HERE
Holy Cross website click HERE
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”It is easier for a camel to pass through the needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” -Gospel of Mark 10 : 25
Gus Lloyd is coming to Holy Cross this Saturday!!
Join us for a day retreat on Magnetic Christianity!
Saturday, October 16, 8:30am-3:30pm
Light breakfast and lunch included
Retreat is FREE but there will be an opportunity to make a good will offering to cover costs of the retreat.
The blind eyes but seeing heart of Bartimaeus. Mark 10:46-52
Veterans Appreciation Lunch! See below under "Fellowship".
Veterans Day Lunch on Sunday, Nov 7th at 12 noon. See below under fellowship to sign up.
To see the schedule and how you may become involved, see below.
To see the schedule and how you may become involved, see above left.
The Book of Life is in the Santuary for names of our faithful departed. Please add your loved one's name if not in it yet. We will pray for them this month.
The
Come participate in these Mexican Traditions during Advent!
There will be sign up sheets to help at the Food Pantry table in the Commons or by contacting Catherine Madden: cmadden105@gmail.com to sign up
Mass Count
Dec 11/12
The Christmas Masses
are at 4pm and 10pm on Christmas Eve and 10am on Christmas Day.
2021 Jesse Tree Ministry
Elves Delivered! This past week Jesse Tree gifts, food, and even stockings for the younger children, were distributed to 77 households in our area. Families came from our parish community, as well as those referred to us by Interfaith Outreach Association, Lynchburg Social Services, Miriam’s House and McGurk House.
Thanks: Many thanks to all those who made the 2021 Jesse Tree Ministry a success!
We will resume distributing the monthly bags in the Commons the first weekend in February.
SYNOD group sessions available to share and listen about how we are Church. See below to sign up!
What is the Transfiguration?
Please return any books or videos checked out from The Holy Cross Library. It will be c losed for 2 weeks for "spring Cleaning" and reorginization.
Thank you!
We are so blessed to have Cathy as she is a committed parishioner and is involved in many ministries such as the Altar Guild, Greeter ministry, Fellowship to name a few. Welcome Cathy!!
To learn more about Diocesan YA activities, Click HERE.
Nurses will be available to take blood pressures after Masses the weekend of August 13th and 14th.
To learn more about the Orchard, click HERE.
The Diocesan Synodal Synthesis Report is available to review. Please click HERE to read it.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession, Mass and celebration is this Sunday at 2pm. All are welcome!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is this Thursday, August 3 at 7pm and First Friday Mass, Confession and Adoration will be on Friday, August 4th. All are welcome.
Please come worship our Lord in Adoration this Thursday pm and Friday am. All are welcome.
New Job Posting for Holy Cross.
See under "Parish News."
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, click
2024 Altar Flower Sign-ups in the Commons this weekend.