Holy Cross News
September 1, 2026
We will have a 24 hour Adoration on the at the parish on Friday, September 11, 10am to Saturday, Sept 12, 10am. To spend time with Jesus during this 24 hours, click HERE.
Come to a dinner and learn more about the upcoming extreme abortion amendment we will vote on this fall. Virginia Catholic Conference's Jeff Caruso will be here to talk more about what on the ballot this fall and what we can do as faithful citizens to have our vice heard. More details under "Parish News." To sign up, click HERE.
Join the St Gianna Pro-Life Ministry in attending the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center's Annual Banquet Saturday, October 10 at 6pm at LU. See more info and how to register below under "Ministries."
The St Joseph of Arimathea Cemetery Ministry has updates on flower protocol at the gravesites. See under "Ministries."
ALL Volunteers must be Virtus trained in child and vulnerable adult protection safety. See below under "Parish News' to register for a class and learn more. Questions, contact Kaky at kbowden@holycropsslynchburg.org.
Don't forget about our picnic Saturday, September 12th HERE at Holy Cross beginning at 12noon. See below under "Parish News" for more events of that day!.
Calendar
This WeekAugust 25 Adult Bible Study, 10am & 6:30pm in Commons
August 26 Rosary prayer after Mass
August 26 St Jerome Library, 9:30am
August 26 St JP II Young Adults Adoration and potluck dinner, 5:30
Next Week
August 31 Becoming Catholic, 7pm in Commons
Sept 1 Adult Bible Study, 10am & 6:30pm in Commons
Sept 2 Rosary prayer after Mass
Sept 2 St Jerome Library, 9:30am
Sept 2 St Clare Prayer Shawl, 10am in downstairs classroom
Sept 2 St JP II Young Adults Adoration and potluck dinner, 5:30
Sept 3 St Gianna Pro-Life Group meeting, 12noon in Commons
Sept 3 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 7pm
Sept 4 First Friday, Reconciliation, and Adoration, 9am -11am
Sept 7 Holy Cross closed for Labor day
Save the Date
Sept 9 Pilgrimage to St Francis Parish in Amherst, VA
Sept 10 Virtus Training, 7:30pm in upstairs classroom
Sept 12 Parish Picnic at Holy Cross Parish
Oct 3 Blessing of the Animals, 10am in Parking lot
Oct 3 Diocesan Youth Day at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
Oct 4 Presentation on St Francis of Assisi, 9:15am in Commons
Oct 5 Anointing of the Sick Mass followed by lunch, 11am
Oct 10 America Needs Fatima Rosary Rally, noon at Holy Cross
Oct 10 Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center Annual Banquet, 6pm
Oct 24 Diocesan pilgrimage at Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington, DC
Dec 12 Interfaith Outreach Downtown Church Tour
Prayer and Worship
Mass Intentions
Sept 2 The Souls in Purgatory
Sept 3 Living Intention for Jim Blandine
Sept 4 Living Intention for Alejandro Enriquez
Sept 5 Intentions of Parishioner of Holy Cross 4pm
Sept 6 +Donald Bernard Butt 8am
Sept 6 +Walter Griffith 11am
Sept 6 +Concepción & +Ramon Rodriguez 2pm
Sept 7 No Mass, Labor Day
Sept 8 No Mass, Fr Sal's day off
Please pray for...
Cody Beck
Anne Blandine
Jill King
Joanne Clifton-Wirth
If you would also like to be added to our Prayer Line of prayer warriors, or if you'd like strictly confidential prayer,
contact Irma Campbell at mincampbell@yahoo.com.
Congratulations to
Peter Benedict Lemire and his parents on his baptism this past weekend!
Welcome to the Body of Christ!
Altar Flowers
The flowers this weekend are offered to the Glory of God in celebration of the 63rd Wedding Anniversary of
Hank and Barbara Dowgielewicz.
Given by the Dowgielewicz Family
Mass Count
August 29/30
4pm 187
8am 207
11am 323
2pm 125
Total: 842
Trainings for Liturgical Ministers
Lectors or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
If you are currently a Lector or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion OR would like to be one, please come to the these training opportunities below:
Sunday, September 20 at 9:15 in between the Masses
Saturday, September 26, after the 4pm Mass
Sunday, September 27 at 9:15am in between the Masses
If you are interested or have any questions, please see Kaky Bowden or email her at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org.
I hope many of you feel a call to boldly serve our ever-growing Eucharistic community through God’s love!
Below are some of the ways you can serve with descriptions for each ministry.
In honor of Our Lady of Fatima's Apparitions, Holy Cross will gather for the Annual Public Square Rosary Crusade
Saturday, October 10 at noon on the Esplanade at Holy Cross
By participating in the annual America Needs Fatima Public Square Rosary Crusade, you will a part of one of over 20,000 groups praying the rosary for our country. Public prayer is a powerful witness to our neighbors. Plan on attending!
The the Feast of our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on Oct 7th each year.
Questions, contact Cathy Wills at 434 229-4749 or cwills@holycrosslynchburg.org.
Parish News
Stop the Extreme Abortion Amendment!
Join Holy Cross as we welcome Virginia Catholic Conference Executive Director Jeff Caruso. This fall, Virginia voters will decide three ballot questions, including one that would write virtually unlimited abortion into Virginia’s constitution. Mr. Caruso will explain why a constitutional amendment is so significant and highlight the dangers of the extreme abortion proposal. His talk will also offer insights on the other two ballot questions. Come hear how you can participate in these vital decisions as faithful citizens!
The event will take place on Wednesday, September 16 here at Holy Cross. Dinner will be at 6pm followed by the presentation at 6:30pm. Sign up in the Commons or online.
To attend this event, sign up HERE.
All volunteers at Holy Cross must have the VIRTUS training to continue in their ministries. This is a diocesan policy and we must adhere to keeping our children and vulnerable safe. If you HAVE NOT been through this training, you must sign up ASAP before continuing in your ministry.
Handouts will be in the Commons with more information.
Questions, contact Kaky Bowden at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org.
Directions to register for a session are below.
The year 2026 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. A special Jubilee Year of St. Francis invites all pilgrims to transform their hope into action, following the example of St. Francis of Assisi to become models of holiness of life and constant witnesses of peace.
Join Holy Cross on a Pilgrimage to Amherst to visit St Francis Catholic Church for Mass, lunch and to learn more about this special Saint. All are welcome. To go, contact Kaky Bowden at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org
Virginia Catholic Day at Busch Gardens Saturday, October 3, 2026
We invite families, youth ministries, and young adult groups from around the Diocese to Busch Gardens for a day of fun and fellowship. The day includes admission to the park, Sunday Vigil Mass with Bishop Knestout, and optional dinner as a Diocese.
Click HERE for more info on tickets and the schedule for the day. Contact Kaky Bowden if interested in going at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation registration is open for the upcoming school year for PK3 - 10th grade!
We are excited to add preschool to our offered classes. Children ages 3 & 4 are welcome to be registered for this class and children
must be potty-trained to attend.
There are no fees for the classes this year. Please register early so that we can order the right number of books for each class.
Classes begin on Sunday, September 13!
To register in English, click HERE.
To register in Spanish, click HERE.
Airing in September, Please join us in viewing Bishop Robert Baron's new movie:
Heaven in Stone and Glass
Sunday, September 2o at 6pm
Just beyond the doors of Europe’s Gothic cathedrals, light pours through colored glass, stone soars toward heaven, and something stirs deep within the human soul.
Millions of pilgrims and tourists visit cathedrals each year, sensing in rose windows and sacred imagery a transcendent beauty that the secular world cannot explain.
In Heaven in Stone and Glass: Experience the Spirituality of the Gothic Cathedrals with Bishop Barron, journey across France to explore sacred mysteries built into the crown jewels of Gothic architecture: Chartres, Notre-Dame, Reims, Amiens, and Saint-Denis.
Please let Kaky know if you would like to go at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org.
Ministries
The St Joseph of Arimathea Cemetery Ministry
Announcement
To all site owners and families with grave markers:
There will be a clean up of all gravesites that do NOT adhere to the rules and regulations of the cemetery.
There are currently issues maintaining the grounds of the cemetery due to flowers, flags, wreaths and other items outside the confines of the gravesites. Any flowers must be placed in existing vases or secured on the markers themselves.
A cleanup program will begin mid September. Please remove any items that hinder mowing and maintaining the cemetery grounds and are not in compliance with our policies. We thank you and appreciate your cooperation.
A cleanup program will begin mid September. Please remove any items that hinder mowing and maintaining the cemetery grounds and are not in compliance with our policies. We thank you and appreciate your cooperation.
Any questions please contact Jim Naples @ 262-6337
Correct Placements
Incorrect Placements
Flowers should not be placed on the grass beside the marker. They should be on the marker somewhere or in a vase attached to the marker.
Join St Gianna Pro-life ministry members and others on Saturday, October 10th, 2026 for Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center’s Annual Banquet at Liberty University’s Champion Center. Parking is available in the parking garage, and we’ll have signs directing you to the venue.
Learn more about the Pregnancy Center and how to sign up to attend the banquet HERE.
Thank you to all who contribute to the St Paschal's Food Pantry.
The following items are most needed at this time:
Canned soup (chunky, meaty)
Ramen
Jello
Coffee
St Pachal Food Pantry
Financial News
Collections
August 29/30
In the Mail 130.00
Online 3,894.00
Envelope/Loose 6,422.00 -------------
Total 10,446.00
Contingency 40.00
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 !
Please see under "Parish News" if you are interested in making a last donation to Holy Cross this year.
Parishioner Warren Wittkopf was born into life eternal. His funeral will be Wednesday, June 12 at 1pm.
An excellent read!
Review by: Cathy Wills
The Sanctuary/Commons Renovation
The carpet installation in the Commons is curently under way. The blue chairs in the sanctuary in the back and to the side of the altar platform will be recovered in stages starting this month.
We hope that this renovation enhances your devotion and celebration of the liturgy. If you have any questions, contact Kaky Bowden kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org.
The St Pascal's Food Pantry is very very low on: Instant coffee/ Tea,
Cereal (Hot or Cold), Canned chicken,
Non-fat dry milk
Former Parishioner Ann Svitek died and will have a graveside service this Thursday at 11am in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Former Parishioner Ann Svitek died and will have a graveside service this Thursday at 11am in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Former Parishioner Ann Svitek died and will have a graveside service this Thursday at 11am in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Former Parishioner Ann Svitek died and will have a graveside service this Thursday at 11am in the Holy Cross Cemetery.