FINANCE COUNCIL
This council gives direction and advises the pastor in the area of finances and parish stewardship in order that the parish completes its mission.
4 to 12 members are chosen by the pastor and asked to serve.
VIBRANT PARISH LIFE
The vibrant parish concept is a diocesan process to involve parishes in the evaluation of their ministries and services to their parishioners. After the evaluation, the parishes are encouraged to collaborate with neighboring parishes in areas of common concern.
Celebration
FUNERAL READERS AND SERVERS
Adults are trained to act as servers and readers at funeral Masses, generally during the day.
Servers and readers are contacted as needed. No experience is necessary and we provide training. There are no meetings.
GREETERS
Those serving as Greeters offer a sign of welcome and hospitality to those arriving at the weekend liturgies.
LITURGICAL ART COMMITTEE
This committee is comprised of artists, craftspeople, and those brave enough to climb tall ladders to hang our seasonal pieces inside the Church. At times, persons with specific artistic abilities are called upon as consultants for some of our projects, or to design something for a particular purpose or event.
The time commitments and meeting schedule are seasonal. Please watch the bulletin cover for meeting times.
LITURGY COMMISSION
The Liturgy is the best expression of our worship together. A committee gathers several times a year to plan, assist and coordinate Sunday and special liturgical celebrations as well as para-liturgical celebrations during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter time. If you would like to lend your faith and prayer life to this committee, your presence is welcomed.
SACRISTANS
This group of dedicated parishioners shares in the care of our parish worship space. Each week on a rotating basis, a small group of 2 or 3 people prepares the church for weekend liturgies by replacing candles, arranging flowers, polishing, light dusting and cleaning, and providing tender loving care as needed. Everyone in the parish is invited before Christmas and Easter to do a thorough housecleaning.
New Sacristans are recruited through the bulletin and by word-of-mouth. The time requirement depends on the number of helpers working together and is usually ½ hr to 1 ½ hrs. every 4 to 6 weeks.
SERVERS
Young men and women assist in our parish liturgies as servers. These are usually students in sixth through eighth grades who go through a preparation process and then help in preparing the altar for Mass and assisting the presider.
Recruitment for new servers begins after Easter in the fifth grade (or older) and includes training held on Saturday mornings during the month of May. Servers are assigned to serve during weekday masses (a week at a time) and weekend masses (a month at a time) - when appropriate. The server schedules are published every four months.
USHERS
The Ushers provide assistance to the presider as well as to all persons present in the celebration of Mass on Sundays, Holy Days, and other special occasions.
The time commitment is one hour per week during Mass. There is no special training and there are no meetings. Couples, men, women and young people are encouraged to join this rewarding ministry.
Social
COURT OF MARY
By joining together in both spiritual and social activities, the Court of Mary strives to support members and the needs of the parish. Through their activities, they have been able to assist the parish and school in building improvements, repairs, and other necessities.
This group is open to all women of the parish. Monthly meetings begin with the rosary and are followed up by a program. Please join them the first Tuesday of each month in the church hall at 1:15 p.m.
BOY SCOUT TROOP 143
Scouting provides boys with adventure, friendship, skills - experiences and responsibilities that help them to mature and will enrich the rest of their lives. The Scout Oath and the Scout Law provide the guidelines to help boys grow into confident, self-reliant adults.
Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the church hall. Camping opportunities are offered once a month. Boys ages 11 - 17 or completing 5th grade are welcome. Prior Cub Scout experience is not required. Adult involvement is always appreciated.
GIRL SCOUTS
Girl Scout Troop 1092 is a Cadet Group of 7th and 8th grade girls. At the bi-weekly meetings, the girls participate in group activities that promote friendship, loyalty and the Girl Scout Tradition.
Moms are welcome and encouraged to help out periodically with crafts, field trips and camping.
HOLY CROSS PARISH BOOSTER CLUB
The Booster Club is dedicated to help children in our parish learn about sports, grow in their abilities, and develop skills particular to the sport as well as qualities and values of fairness, acceptance, honestly and respect. Sports such as basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, football, track and cheerleading are offered.
We need coaches, team representatives and parents' support throughout the year. In June, we hold the annual sports banquet and honor the student athletes of our parish. The booster club meets on the first Monday of every month. Meetings are announced in the parish bulletin.
PLAYGROUP
The Holy Cross Playgroup is an opportunity for children ages 4 and under, along with their parents (or grandparents) to enjoy an hour of playing, story telling, prayer and socializing. They meet the first Friday of each month (September to May) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Rectory.
Volunteers with special talents like story telling, craft projects, etc. are welcome to offer their assistance.
THEATRE GROUP
The Theatre Group is an organization devoted to encouraging interest in the performing arts. All children in the parish are welcome to participate in an annual production. Auditions are held and parts assigned so that everyone who auditions will get a part. Watch parish publications for notices of audition and production dates and times.
Volunteers are needed to assist with sound, lighting, costumes, music, set design and creation, publicity and tickets. If you have prior experience with any of these (or are willing to learn) please join us!
Outreach
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The society's purpose is to serve the needy of our parish and beyond. Assistance offered may include food, grocery certificates, and/or emergency help with utility bills or rent. Thanksgiving and Christmas packages are prepared. Funding comes from donations of food, poor box donations and semi-annual collections.
There is one brief meeting per month.
PARISH HEALTH AND WELLNESS MINISTRY
This vibrant group serves the health care needs of our parish community. Most members have some association with the health care field as nurses, therapists, social workers or counselors, but no specific qualifications are required other than a willing spirit. Projects include monthly blood pressure screenings, semi-annual baby-sitting seminars, and annual flu shots. Members also do home visits and evaluations, and provide transportation to medical appointments.
Meetings are held quarterly.
ISAC
The Inter-faith Suburban Action Coalition is a community organization, which currently includes 10 congregations of various faiths. It embraces a grassroots process that uses community outreach as its foundation to evaluate, study and promote changes to government leaders. Holy Cross presently is an "observer" of ISAC and does not participate in decisions.
Each church has representatives who participate in the various levels of ISAC. There are general meetings monthly, as well as, time spent on committees and reporting to our own parish. Parishioners are encouraged to become involved in activities.
WELCOMING COMMITTEE
This friendly group helps to make new parishioners feel at home and encourage them to become more deeply involved in the life of the parish. By visiting the homes of those newly registered, members help parishioners experience the warmth, hospitality and love of our parish community.
Home visits are arranged at the convenience of the volunteer. There are not meetings.
BAPTISM VISITORS
After meeting with a member of the parish staff and scheduling a time for a child's Baptism, a visitor goes to the home and delivers a gift bag for the parents and new baby. The commitment would be about 1 visit per month.
MINISTRY TO THE BEREAVED
From time to time, a six-week program is offered to help those dealing with the loss of a loved one to cope with their emotions, decisions and changes that come about because of such a loss. Evening Prayer on the Feast of All Souls (November 2) is held yearly to remember in a special way all those family members and parishioners who have died in the past year. Each family who has buried a member from Holy Cross Church receives a special invitation to attend.
SERVICE COMMITTEE
This committee helps to keep the parish community aware of the needs in our parish, neighborhoods and society and of ways we might meet those needs. As we strive to bring the gospel message to all, we try to provide opportunities for adults, teens, young people and their families to put their faith into action and to "serve with love." Our sacramental programs for Confirmation and Communion are intrinsically connected to this program.
MINISTRY TO THE HOMEBOUND
Each Sunday, members from this group of dedicated Eucharistic ministers bring Communion to folks unable to attend Mass.
Generally, volunteers alternate months, working all Sundays one month, and no Sundays the following month. Sunday visits usually take about 2 hours. There are no meetings.
HOLY CROSS BABY CORNER
The bassinets located near the Church entrances are for donations of formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, new or like-new baby clothes and hygiene products for babies and mothers. The Holy Cross Baby Corner collects items and distributes them to local non-profit assistance organizations such as St. Al's, St. Augustine, the West Side Catholic Center, the Metzenbaum Center and Birthright, which then pass them onto mothers and mothers-to-be who have very little and need so much. Monetary donations (checks payable to Holy Cross) are always welcome and will be used to directly purchase essential items.
Parishioners of all ages are invited to join the Baby Corner committee at any time. We meet regularly on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Rectory. Volunteers are needed to sort the donations, wash and sort the clothing and to deliver items. Time commitments may be flexible.
