Holy Cross News
December 5, 2023
Holy Cross has a special JOY fund to help parishioners experiencing financial hardship. See below under "Parish News" to learn more.
The Parish Advent Evening,
"Finding Jesus in the Manger" is Wednesday, Dec 6th at 6pm.
See below under "Worship" for details.
Please bring your Jesse Tree gifts to the church by this Sunday, Dec 10th WITH the yellow tag on each gift. The tags help us indentify to whom the gift belongs. Thank you!!
Please reserve Christmas Flowers for the church in honor of your loved ones. Order forms in Commons and below under "Worship."
St Paschal's Food pantry needs food for Christmas bags and help packing them. See below under "Ministries."
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Please take an Advent Daily Meditation booklet as our gift to you. They are in the Commons. Blessed Advent to you!
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is this Friday, Dec 8th. Masses are at noon and 6pm.
There is NO 9am Mass.
It is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Upcoming Calendar Events
This week
Dec 5 Adult Formation: G.K. Chesterton and the Catholic Church, 10am & 6:30pm
Dec 5 Men of the Cross, 4pm in Commons
Dec 6 Rosary after Mass, 9:30am
Dec 6 Advent potluck dinner/evening in Commons, 6pm
Dec 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception, noon and 6pm NO 9AM MASS
Dec 9 Interfaith Outreach Open House, 10am -1:30pm
Dec 9 Vigil celebration of Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 7pm
Dec 10 Adult Formation: John's Gospel Bread of Life Discourse, 9:30am
Dec 10 Parish nurses to take blood pressure after all Masses
Dec 10 Jesse Tree Gifts due back to church
Dec 10 Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Celebration, 2pm
Dec 11 Ladies of the Altar, 9:45am
Dec 11 Cenacle gathering of Divine Mercy, 9:45am
Dec 11 Mass at Westminster Canterbury, 4pm
Dec 11 Becoming Catholic, 7pm
Dec 12 Jesse tree gift sorting, 9am in Church
Dec 12 Staff Christmas lunch, office closed noon-2pm
Dec 13 St Joseph of Arimathea meeting, 10am in Commons
Upcoming
Dec 15 Simbang Gabi Mass 6pm, fellowship and refreshments to follow
Dec 16 Delivery Day for Christmas food bags and Jesse Tree Gifts, 9am
Dec 17 Decorate the Church for Christmas, after 2pm Mass
Dec 17 Knights of Columbus Christmas Party, 2pm-4pm
Dec 18 Our Lady of Solace, Bag lunch in Commons, noon
Dec 23 Daily Bread volunteer opportunity, 9:30am -12:30pm
Dec 24 4th Sunday of Advent Mass, 9am (ONLY ONE AM MASS)
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Masses, 4pm and 7pm
Dec 25 Christmas Day Mass, 9am
Dec 31 Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, midnight
Jan 1 Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 9am
Worship
Mass Intentions for this week
Dec 6 +Forrest and +Jean Light
Dec 7 Souls in Purgatory
Dec 8 +Rosa Maria Cuadrado noon
Dec 8 +Henry J Campbell noon
Dec 8 +John Tipton 6pm
Dec 9 +Chic Delledera 4pm
Dec 10 +David Tester 8am
Dec 10 +Damaso de Guzman 11am
Dec 10 +Jesus Garcia 2pm
Dec 11 Souls in Purgatory
Dec 12 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.
Mass Count
Dec 2/3
4pm 155
8am 153
11am 222
2pm 100
Total 630
Altar Flowers
We will have a beautiful Advent wreath displayed in our Sanctuary during this preparatory season.
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!
Did you know that Jesus is present each and every day in our tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament? That you may come and pray before our Lord? Jesus is also present in a profound way when we worship him in Adoration.
At Holy Cross, we have many opportunities to worship in Adoration::
- Each Thursday evening before the First Friday of the month at 7pm
- Each First Friday of the month with Mass and Confession from 9am-11am
- Each First Sunday of the month after the 2pm Mass at 3pm
- Each third Friday of the month for Holy Hour at 5pm
We will also have:
- A 40 hour Adoration Offering in February 2024
- An Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi in June 2024
Come adore Jesus Christ, your healer, Savior, and best friend, in the Holy Eucharist. He longs to be with you, and to bring you peace, joy, and His unending love.
You're invited to be part of a historic event: The first Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession in living memory at Holy Cross!
If you're interested in being part of planning this event,
please reach out to Barb Hoyer babhoyer@gmail.com or
Cathy Wills cathywills99@comcast.net.
Weekend Altar Flower
Sign-Ups
We still have 4 open weekends to reserve altar flowers to honor/remember our loved ones.
They are:
April 27/28
May 18/19
June 22/23
Oct 26/27
To reserve one or questions, please contact Kaky Bowden at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org
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.
Reserve your Christmas Flowers for the Church!
Would you like to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one with a beautiful poinsettia?
We will have the flowers in the sanctuary in front of the altar for the 12 days of Christmas!
Open the file to fill out the form and return it with your donation to the Holy Cross Office or collection basket in the Commons.
Questions? Contact Kaky Bowden at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org
Parish News
Spread Christmas Cheer by writing Military Christmas Cards!
Please help spread holiday joy and keep Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan included in your prayers! We have a parishioner, Alex Enriquez, son of Teresa and Jose Enriquez, who is stationed there and will not be home for Christmas. He and others would appreciate a note! Cards can be written in Spanish too.
Please address letters and cards to these following groups of servicemen and servicewomen:
Dear…
-7th Comm Bn
-Alpha Company
-Jump Platoon
-1st Platoon
-2nd Platoon
-Headquarters
-Radio operators
-Data/Networkers
-Satcom
Letters will be collected in a basket in the Commons and sent as a batch or can be mailed to:
Cpl Enriquez, Alejandro
7th Comm Bn, A Co, Jump Plt
Unit 35608
FPO AP 96385
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.
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
As a convert to the Catholic Church, Chesterton uniquely addressed a culture that had lost its moorings after World War I. To people suspicious of Christ, he evangelized with joy. Come learn more about Chesterton and trace the parallels between his time and ours.
Adult Formation
Join us for a study on
G. K. Chesterton and the Catholic Church
This study will begin on
Tuesday, December 5 at both10am and 6:30pm and will feature a video on the writer G. K. Chesterton from
Bishop Barron's Pivotal Players series.
Did Jesus Really Mean It When He Said We Needed to Eat His Flesh?
It's right there in the Bible: Jesus says "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink" (John 6:53-43). But many have argued that this has to be just a metaphor. Jesus couldn't really mean what he said... could he? To believe in the Eucharist, we have to be able to trust that Jesus meant what he said.
Come to the Commons at 9:30 This Sunday, December 10 for a deep dive into the meaning behind Jesus's words.
Questions about the Church or our Catholic Faith?
Our apologists from "My Neighbor Said" can give you the answers!
My Neighbor Said:
“Why Is the Sunday Mass Schedule Changing for December 24 and how many Masses may a priest celebrate that day?”
Ministries
St Paschal's Food Pantry Christmas Packing
Your help is needed to donate, sort and pack food bags for families.
Sunday, Dec 10th: 12 noon-1:30pm
Monday, Dec 11th: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Also, write in the notes when signing up below if you are interested in volunteering with the Food Pantry regularly, once a month. Please review the available slots below, add your email info, and click on the button to sign up. Any questions can be directed to Mimi C Amate via email at campmimi@hotmail.com.
To sign up to help, Click HERE.
Holy Cross Jesse Tree Ministry
Please return all wrapped gifts - with Jesse Tree tags attached to Holy Cross by December 10th.
Gifts may be placed around the large tree in the sanctuary or returned to the office during office hours (8:30 to 4:00).
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS!!
DEC.17TH 2-4 P.M.
SANTA VISIT 2:30-3:30
201 SWEENEY CIRCLE, FOREST
SANTA VISIT 2:30-3:30
201 SWEENEY CIRCLE, FOREST
COME CELEBRATE JESUS BIRTHDAY,
CRAFTS, SNACKS, TREATS AND CHRISTMAS STORIES
ALL ARE WELCOME!!
Support Interfaith Outreach ministries and purchase raffle tickets below!!
To learn more and purchase raffle tickets,
click HERE.
Financial News
Collections for Weekend of
Dec 2/3
Mail 3,905.00
Online 8,352.00
Env/loose 7,617.62
Total $ 19,774.62
Contingency Fund
$2,484.00
Jesse Tree Donations
$1,815.00
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.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS!!
DEC.17TH 2-4 P.M.
SANTA VISIT 2:30-3:30
201 SWEENEY CIRCLE, FOREST
COME CELEBRATE JESUS BIRTHDAY,
CRAFTS, SNACKS, TREATS AND CHRISTMAS STORIES
ALL ARE WELCOME !