From The Rector's Desk... April 16, 2023
From the Rector’s Desk…
God’s blessings to all of you on this Octave Day of Easter as we continue to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection from the dead.
In this bulletin you will see a Decree of Suppression of Holy Cross parish that was signed by Bishop Fernandes last week. This decree followed a required meeting of the bishop, myself and the Presbyteral Council on Tuesday, April 4th. The issuance of a decree is a necessary step in the canonical process of merging Holy Cross parish (its territory, parishioners, liabilities, and assets, including the church and property) into the parish of St. Joseph Cathedral. The decree explains how the territory of St. Joseph Cathedral will be expanded to now include the territory of Holy Cross parish. The boundaries are listed. The decree will be effective July 1, 2023.
I want to make it clear that the decree suppresses the parish but does not close the Holy Cross church or relegate the church for sale or profane (non sacred) purposes. For these events to happen, a separate canonical process, like the one we are going through now, would have to occur. This would include consultation meetings with the parish and the Presbyteral Council (a body of priests that advises the bishop). As I have mentioned at the Town Hall meetings, we plan to continue to have regular worship at Holy Cross, with a Sunday Mass at 9 a.m. We continue to have weekday Masses on Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m. This schedule may be subject to change. The Holy Cross church will continue to be used for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other liturgical and sacramental events. The rectory house will be maintained. St. Lawrence Haven, a venture of the St. Vincent de Paul Society that provides food to the poor, will continue to operate in the old school building. Money restricted to Holy Cross from wills and bequests will be restricted as such in designated accounts within the Parish Aid Fund, as is required by canon law.
The Transition Team, made up of parishioners of both parishes, will continue to meet to facilitate the change that effects parishioners of both parishes. The aims of the Transition Team are to bring parishioners into one parish so that parishioners from each parish feel comfortable in participating in worship and other activities of our Catholic faith. The Team also seeks to preserve traditions and customs of each parish. With this in mind, a joint Town Hall meeting is being planned for the near future.
If you have concerns or questions, please let me know.
Fr. Kitsmiller