Holy Cross News
October 20, 2026
Calling all 6th - 12th graders!
Come to St Carlos Acutis Youth Night at Holy Cross this Sunday, October 25, from 6-8 pm in the Commons. There will be food, fellowship, and pumpkin decorating! Sign up HERE.
October is Respect Life Month.
See more information below under "Parish News."
See more information below under "Parish News."
Mark your calendars for Fall Clean-Up Day outside on the grounds here at Holy Cross, Saturday, Nov 7th at 9am.
Please read through Flocknote to discover the many things happening in our parish the coming months like the Bake Sale, Advent Candle Sale, Christmas Card Sale, Thanksgiving Food Bag needs, St Victoria Christmas Bazaar plus formation & worship opportunities.
Please find the 2025-2026 Annual Parish Financial Report below.
Holy Cross will have a second unforgettable pilgrimage in June 2027 visiting the Sacred Shrines of Mary. See more information below under "Parish News."
Calendar
This WeekOct 21 Rosary and Dinner, 6pm
Oct 22 St Catherine of Siena Women's Group, 10am in Common
Oct 24 Diocesan pilgrimage at Basilica of the National Shrine, Washington, DC
Oct 24 Daily Bread Volunteer Opportunity, 9:30am -12:3opm Oct 25 Rachel Pietsch's birthday!
Oct 25 Sunday Faith Formation, 9:30am
Oct 25 St Carlo Acutis Youth Group, 6-8pm in Commons
Next Week
Oct 26 St Faustina Divine Mercy Cenacle, 9:45am in library
Oct 26 Becoming Catholic, 7pm in Commons
Oct 27 Deacon Chris Murphy's birthday!
Oct 27 Bible study, 10am in Commons
Oct 28 Rosary after 9am Mass
Oct 28 St John Paul II Young Adult gathering and potluck , 5:30pm
Oct 29 St Catherine of Siena Women's Faith Group, 10am in Commons
Oct 31 All Hallows Eve, Vigil All Saints Day Mass at 4pm
Nov 1 All Saint's Day Masses at 8am, 11am and 2pm
Nov 2 All Soul's Day, Mass at noon at the Holy Cross Cemetery
Save the Date
Nov 4 St Clare of Assisi Prayer Shawl meeting, 10am downstairs classroom
Nov 5 St Gianna Pro-Life gathering, 12noon in Commons
Nov 7 Parish Fall Grounds Clean-up, 9am
Nov 7 Remembrance Service before Vigil at 3:30pm
Nov 14 Confirmation Retreat at St Thomas More
Nov 21-22 Ladies of Charity Bake Sale after all Masses
Nov 21-22 St Nicholas Jesse Tree up in Commons
Nov 21-22 Billy Campbell with Religious Goods here
Nov 29 First Sunday of Advent
Dec 6 Presentation on Magnifica Humanitas, 9:30am in Commons
Dec 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Masses at noon and 6pm
Dec 10 Presentation of "Every Church is Your Church", 6:30pm in Commons
Dec 12 Interfaith Outreach Downtown Church Tour
Dec 13 Feast our Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession, Mass and Reception
Dec 17 Simbangabi Mass and Dinner, 6pm
Dec 19 Christmas Caroling at McGurk House, 10am
Jan 15, 2027 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Prayer and Worship
Mass Intentions
Oct 21 Living Intention for Matthew James
Oct 22 Living Intention for Jim and Michelle
Oct 23 Souls in Purgatory/+Donald Guyton
Oct 24 +Olivia Naples Bostic 4pm
Oct 25 Intentions of Parishioners of Holy Cross 8am
Oct 25 +Collins & Andreano Johnson 11am
Oct 25 Living Intention for Damian Santiago 2pm
Oct 26 +Ildefenso Fulay
Oct 27 No Mass, Fr Sal's day off
Please pray for...
Cody Beck
Anne Blandine
Jill King
Martina McFadden, daughter of the Redlers
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,
Altar Flowers
The flowers this weekend are offered to the Glory of God in loving memory of Frank & Helen Kavanaugh
William & Gloria Hughes
Given by the Hughes Family
Mass Count
October 17/18
4pm 171
8am 203
11am 272
2pm 125Total 771
November: Month of Remembrance
In the Catholic Church, November is known as the Month of the Holy Souls, or the Month of Remembrance, and is a time to remember and pray for those who have died but may have not yet reached heaven, the souls in purgatory. It's also a time to pray for those who may not have anyone to pray for them.
Book of Remembrance: Placed in Sanctuary the month of November to add names of deceased loved ones
All Saints' Day: November 1 Masses at 4pm (Vigil) on Oct 31, 8am, 11am and 2pm
All Souls' Day: November 2 Mass at cemetery at 12noon (no 9am Mass)
Time of Remembrance: November 7 at 3:30pm before Vigil Mass at 4pm
Parish News
The U.S. bishops, in their Respect Life Month resources, point to Mary as “our model for upholding the sanctity of all human life.”
“In becoming the mother of Jesus, Mary becomes the mother of life.” “Mary’s acceptance in this unforeseen moment demonstrates how each of us must welcome the gift of new human life, even when that gift is unexpected or calls us to make sacrifices.”
This reflection unpacks this year’s theme, “Mary, Mother of Life,” demonstrating how the life of the Blessed Mother teaches us to respect each human life in every stage and circumstance.
For more information on Respect Life Month, click HERE.
Join Holy Cross Pilgrims visit Marian Shrines
in France, Spain and Portugal!
June 3-14, 2027
Paris, Lourdes, Barcelona, Montserrat, Zaragoza, Salamanca, Seville & Fatima
Fr Sal will once again be our Spiritual Director.
See below for details on cost, early bird registration discount until Oct 31st and the itinerary.
For more information, contact Kaky Bowden at kbowden@holycrosslynchburg.org.
Ministries
Help the
Knights of Columbus
this Christmas!
Buy
Christmas Cards!
The weekends of
November 7th and 8th
All proceeds will provide grants for our seminarians.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Advent Candles!
If you need Advent Candles for your Advent wreath this year, the Ladies of Charity has the perfect solution!
But your Advent Candles after all Masses November 14th and 15th.
Each box of 4 candles is $6. Payment only in cash or check to
St. Jude Circle.
St Paschal's Food Pantry is preparing for Thanksgiving!
See needed food items for the baskets below.
Thank you for your contributions!
All proceeds from the sale will go to local charities.
Thank you!!
Ladies of Charity Holiday Bake Sale!
November 21 and 22
Get your goodies for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Sign ups for those baking will be held 2 weeks prior to the sale.
Bring baked goods before Masses on Sat, Nov 21 and Sun, Nov 22 .
Credit Cards ARE NOT accepted.
Come join us on this fun day!
All are welcome!
St. Victoria Catholic Church
305 Victoria Drive, Hurt, VA
Saturday, November 14, 2026
9:00am to 1:00pm
9:00am to 1:00pm
Delicious food and homemade crafted items.
Raffle Tickets will be available for five valuable Prizes including a Queen Handmade Quilt & Rack.
There will also be a Silent Auction for a variety of quality items.
Youth and Young Adults
St Carlos Acutis Youth Night at Holy Cross!
Sunday, October 25, from 6-8 pm in the Commons.
6th -12th graders are invited for food, fellowship, and pumpkin decorating!
There is no fee. Please register HERE.
Financial News
Collections
Oct 17/18
In the mail 1,805.00
Online 6,115.00Envelope/loose 9,870.00
Total 17,790.00
World Mission Sunday $2,926.00
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.