The 1980s
Parish life
Parish council oversaw many new committees:
- The Social Needs committee, headed by Carol Anonsen, collected food and funds for the Martin de Porres Center, Sister Henrietta of Our Lady of Fatima, and St. Augustine.
- Mike Murphy headed the Recreation Committee that planned the annual parish picnic at Saxon Acres and occasional potluck suppers. Their latest idea had been "Pray and Stay", which encouraged people to gather for a social after Sunday Mass and enjoy coffee and donuts.
- The Spirit Committee made little posters and stickers with pictures or sayings on them to generate enthusiasm for the parish. "Happiness is at Holy Cross" or "Father Scully Loves You" were a couple of examples.
- The Administration Committee was concerned with capital improvements, such as a new roof for the church, kneelers, wall coverings, surfacing the parking lot, a new speaker system, and new vestments. They had plans in the works to redecorate the sanctuary and choir loft.
The "Family of the Month" display in the church vestibule featured photos of a parish family, including art work by the children.
Richard and Colette Lieb coordinated the monthly Anniversary Mass for married couples. The first one was celebrated on May 21, 1981. The pastors were very supportive. Fr. Scully did most of the Masses himself. At times, they were poorly attended, but Fr. Scully had said that if even one couple was there it was worth it and he would still do the Mass.
In 1984, Bill Dirk became the first permanent deacon ordained from the parish. Today, Holy Cross is served by the ministry of three deacons: Jerry Vrabel, Bob Payne, and Jim Croniger.
Fr. Scully Retires
On April 16, 1989, the parish had a thank you reception for Fr. Scully in anticipation of his up-coming retirement. After 12:30 Mass there was a brief program in the church, followed by a social in the hall. A hand-written note from Fr. Scully was printed in the following week's bulletin. It read:
I was shocked, thrilled and delighted with last Sunday- Thank you for your generosity to me- I'll keep you all in my daily prayers- Fr. Scully
Father Scully officially retired on July 1, 1989, and moved to his sister's house at 177 East 201st Street, where he lived until his death in 1993. (This house is the convent now.)
A Time of Transition
By the mid-80s Holy Cross had developed a reputation as a conservative parish because we were slower than neighboring parishes to respond to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Vatican II had invited Catholics to look more deeply at their familiar beliefs and practices and return to the roots of those traditions– a process that requires courage, openness, and a willingness to learn. Implementing the new theology of Vatican II was a major task for every parish to face and some, like Holy Cross, were reluctant to embrace the challenge.
The parish did not introduce many liturgical changes; however, when a change was made, parishioners recalled that it was done abruptly, with little explanation. The lack of communication made the transition very painful for some people; they felt the religion that had been a constant in their lives since childhood was being taken away and no one was telling them why.
As the years went by, a number of parishioners had come to understand and appreciate the ideas of the Council on their own; they had attended "newer" liturgies elsewhere and longed for a similar experience of Mass in their own parish. Disheartened by the resistance to change at Holy Cross, they began drifting away to the brothers' house at St. Joseph High School, the Shrine, the Newman Center, or other churches in search of spiritual nourishment. At the same time, people from neighboring parishes who preferred the old way of doing things were drawn to Holy Cross.
