Holy Cross News
January 9, 2024
The Knights of Columbus Baby Bottle Campaign begins this weekend! Learn more under "Ministries."
To learn of updates on the
Altar Renovation Project, see below under "Parish News." Tony Lexa will be in the Commons after all Masses this weekend to answer questions.
Please join us for our guest speaker this Sunday at 9:30am in the Commons. We welcome Jane Oliver, Executive Director for the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center. All are welcome.
There are no Faith Formation classes this Sunday due to the MLK holiday. Classes resume on January 21.
Holy Cross will be closed on Monday, January 15th.
Holy Cross has a newly formed pro-life ministry named after St Gianna. See under "Ministries" to learn more.
This Sunday, January 14th is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
“What are you looking for?" They said to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” John 1:38-39
To view our Annual Report for fiscal year 2022-2023, see below.
Upcoming Calendar Events
Upcoming this Week
Jan 10 Rosary after 9am Mass
Jan 10 Pastoral Council Meeting, 5:30pm
Jan 11 Adult Faith Formation, "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life", 10am
Jan 13/14 Blood pressures taken by parish nurses after all Masses
Jan 13/14 Altar Renovation Question/Answer sessions after all Masses in Commons
Jan 14 Adult Formation talk by Director of the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, 9:30am in Commons
Jan 15 Holy Cross closed for Martin Luther King Day
Next Week
Jan 16 Adult Formation, Life of St Augustine, 10am and 6:30pm in Commons
Jan 16 Our Lady of Solace, 1pm in library
Jan 16 Men of the Cross, 4pm
Jan 18 Women's Bible study, 10am in Commons
Jan 18 Knights of Columbus Round Table, 7pm in Commons
Jan 19 March for Life in DC
Jan 19 Holy Hour with Adoration, 5pm
Jan 22 Ladies of the Altar, 9:45am
Jan 22 Cenacle of Divine Mercy, 9:45am in Commons
Jan 22 Becoming Catholic, 7pm
Jan 22 Ultreya Meeting, 7-8:30pm in Commons
Upcoming
Jan 24 St Terese of Liseux Arts and Environment meeting, 10am
Jan 27 Daily Bread Service Opportunity, 9:30am -12:30pm
Feb 1 St Gianna ministry meeting, 12:15pm in Commons
Feb 10/11 St Jude Circle Bake Sale at all Masses
Feb 13 Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, 6pm
Feb 14 Ash Wednesday, Masses at noon and 6pm
Feb 16 Lenten Soup and Stations begin with start of 20 hour Adoration for Life
Feb 17 Rite of Election, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Roanoke, 10am
Feb 21 March for Life in Richmond
Feb 22 Confirmation, St Thomas More Parish, 7pm
Worship
Mass Intentions for this week
Jan 10 The Intentions of the Parishioners of Holy Cross
Jan 11 Souls in Purgatory
Jan 13 +John Macijka 4pm
Jan 13 +John Joseph O'Brien 4pm
Jan 14 +Emily Odey 8am
Jan 14 +Edward Miska 11am
Jan 14 The Intentions of the parishioners of Holy Cross 2pm
Jan 15 No Mass, Holy Cross closed
Jan 16 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
That the People of Holy Cross may may encounter Jesus more fully in the Eucharist so our lives will be transformed.
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 altar flowers are offered in loving memory of Alta Nylund.
Given by the Nylund Family
Mass Count
Dec 24/25
4pm 717
9am 167
7pm 172
Total 1056
Dec 30/31
4pm No count
8am 156
11am 200
2pm 86
Jan 6/7
4pm 139
8am 131
11am 242
2pm 107
Total 619
Parish News
Altar Renovation Update
January 2024
In the last update in August, we were working on a response to the diocesan Building and Renovation Committee (BARC) request to consider returning the sanctuary to its original orientation.
We examined this option in detail and reviewed the 1986-88 work records when the sanctuary was put into its present configuration. We identified many significant hurdles that would have to be overcome, such as removal of a load bearing wall that now separates the sanctuary from the chapel. This wall supports a crack in the original arch in front of the old altar location. This would greatly add to the expense and difficulty of reorienting the church.
A letter was sent to the BARC describing the problems and significant added expense to reorient the church and we again requested to proceed with our plan renovation of the altar area. In October, both the current and previous BARC chairman (Fr Cole and Fr Capuano) visited Holy Cross met with Fr Sal and me to examine the church and consider our request.
We received the attached letter from the bishop on 11/8/23. The letter stated, “Since, it was your original intention to simply have a proper tabernacle stand constructed for the sanctuary, at this time, it might be best to return to this initial plan and put on hold the remainder of the project until a future time when other elements of a master plan might be revisited that would include reviewing and addressing the crack in the triumphal arch and the possibility of reorienting the nave and sanctuary.”
Fr Sal has decided to replace the existing temporary tabernacle stand with a permanent wooden tabernacle stand. (A marble stand cannot be used because the floor cannot support the weight.) The plan to renovate the altar area will be placed on indefinite hold. We may also replace the carpet on the altar platform.
I will be in the commons the weekend of January 13 and 14 after all Masses to answer your questions.
Tony Lexa
Building Ministry Chairman
To see the entire letter from the Bishop, see below
Faith Formation
New! Adult Formation Featuring Three Saints!
January’s adult formation classes will focus on three great saints of the Church.
On January 16, we’ll learn about St. Augustine of Hippo, a bishop of the fifth century whose life still speaks to us. The account of his conversion to Christianity describes the conflict of a man drawn to Christ, yet still attached to the world. How he overcame his fears has much to say to us in our struggles today.
Come and learn more about this remarkable woman through a video from Bishop Barron’s Catholicism: The Pivotal Players series, followed by discussion.
There is no workbook, no fee, and no need to sign up—just show up in the Commons at 10:00 a.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Topics for January will be:
- January 9: St. Catherine of Siena
- January 16: St. Augustine
- January 23: St. Benedict
Future topics of study for 2024 will include a series on King David and another on the Old Testament Prophets. Watch FlockNote for more details!
New Women's Bible Study beginning this year!
Join us Thursdays at 10am beginning this week as we study the Ascension Press Series, "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
Over 10 weeks we will be immersed in scenes from the Holy Land coming face to face with the Incarnate Son of God. This series is designed to help us know who Jesus is, what he taught, what he did for our salvation, and what this means for us.
Please join us!
For more information or if you would like to join us, contact Kaky Bowden kbowden@holycrosslyncbburg.org or Susan Oliver (942-3870).
Questions about the Church or our Catholic Faith?
Our apologists from "My Neighbor Said" can give you the answers!
My Neighbor Said:
“Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25th.”
See what the Church teaches below.
Ministries
St Gianna Pro-Life Ministry
We welcome all committed to praying for and acting on behalf of all life, from womb to the tomb.
Upcoming events include hosting a guest speaker from the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center this Sunday at 9:30am, mentoring expecting mothers, promoting and attending Marches for Life in both DC and Richmond, 20 hour adoration for life and more.
Who was St Gianna and why was she chosen to be the patron Saint of the unborn? See below.
If you are interested in joining this ministry, contact Kaky Bowden. Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 1st at 12;15 in the Commons.
Needed!
Volunteer Sewers!
Holy Cross is in need of several 4 x 4 ft altar linens to adorn our altar.
If you like to sew and desire to help beautify our worship space, please consider this ministry. We will provide the fabric and pattern for you to complete the piece in your time frame.
If interested, contact Cathy Wills,
Chair of the Ladies of the Altar, at cathywills99@comcast.net or
Fill the Crib with Baby Bottles!
Help us Fill the Crib!!!! The Knights of Columbus will host a Baby Bottle Fundraiser Campaign the weekends of January 13-14 and January 20-21.
Return the bottles with your donation by an January 28th to the parish. Makes checks to Knights of Columbus – Council #595, and indicate it’s for the Respect Life Campaign.
One hundred percent of money raised will go to support respect life/prolife agencies, such as the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, Bedford Pregnancy Center, More Aid and others.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
St Paschal's Food Pantry are in need of ther following food items:
Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti
Mac and Cheese Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken Canned Fruit
Cocoa Tea bags
Dry Beans Jelly
Masa Coffee
Thank you for your generosity!
Financial News
Collections
Dec 24/25
In the Mail $ 8,094.81
Online 3,577.00
Env/Loose 8.090.29
Total $19,762.10
Christmas
Online $1,708.00
Env/Loose 5,127.00
Total $ 6,835.00
Dec 30/31
Online $ 6247.00
Env/Loose 6714.17
Total $12,961.17
Jan 6/7
Online $ 9,713.00
Env/Loose 8,996.00
Total $18,709.00
Contingency January
$2,043.00
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 !
Please see under "Parish News" if you are interested in making a last donation to Holy Cross this year.