Welcome to Holy Cross Church

Sunday 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Masses at Holy Cross, 4492 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14612

Sunday, 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Masses at Our Mother of Sorrows, 5000 Mt Read Blvd, Rochester, NY 14612

Monday 8:30 AM Mass at Holy Cross

Tuesday 8:00 AM Mass at Our Mother of Sorrows

Wednesday 8:00 AM Mass at Our Mother of Sorrows  

1:00 - 5:00 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Cross

Thursday 5:30 PM Mass at Holy Cross 

Friday 8:30 Mass at Holy Cross          

1st Fridays 12:00 - 3:00 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at  Our Mother of Sorrows

Saturday, 8:00 AM Mass at  Our Mother of Sorrows

Saturday 4:00 PM Mass at  Our Mother of Sorrows

Saturday 5:00 PM Mass at Holy Cross

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Reminder:

The Rosary is recited every Tuesday at 7:30 AM at Our Mother of Sorrows Church. At Holy Cross Church, the Rosary is recited every   Thursday at 9:15 AM in the Parish Center and at every Sunday at 7:30 AM in church. Join us! 

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A NOTE FROM FR. COFFAS REGARDING COVID PROCEDURES FOR MASSES

Under the guidance of medical professionals, we are asking parishioners to help us protect our most vulnerable members by respecting the following guidelines.

Masking: The wearing of face masks is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED AND RECOMMENDED, but not required for those entering church. HOWEVER, the wearing of facemasks will be REQUIRED in the sections of church designated for social distancing.

Social Distancing: The halves of church that have been marked off for social distancing will remain in place. Those seated in these areas are required to keep their mouth and nose covered the whole time that they are in church.

Hand Sanitizing: We will continue to ask all those entering church to utilize the available hand sanitizer.

Please know that we will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we navigate this difficult time.

Proper Mask Wearing & COVID-19 CDC Screening Questions

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NEW Missals Available

We have purchased missals for use during the weekend liturgies. Please take only ONE per family and bring it with you each time you attend Mass. Please do not leave them in the pews.

If you would like to help defray the costs of this purchase, we are gratefully accepting $3 donations that you can simply drop in the collection basket.

Click LIVE Streaming to view Masses LIVE.

To follow the readings:

Copy and paste the letters: https://bible.usccb.org/ or scan the QR code from the screen. This takes you to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops web site which will have all the Daily/Weekend Readings. You will then be able to follow the readings along with the Live Streaming Mass. 

Click below to see previously recorded Masses. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/holycrossrochester?reload=9 

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Reconciliation

Saturdays, 2:30 -3:30 PM at Our Mother of Sorrows AND 3:30 PM until 4:30 PM at Holy Cross

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Our Church is Open for Private Prayer

Wednesdays from 1:00 until 5:00 PM 

We certainly ask anyone who is sick/not feeling well that you not come to church in an effort to avoid the possibility of making others sick. You will enter through the North door of church or the Parish Center doors (the other doors will remain locked). There is hand sanitizer available when you enter and everyone is asked to use it upon entering. We ask that everyone be very conscious of social distancing—please stay at least 6 feet apart when in church. Let each of us remember this time is set aside for private prayer and to be respectful of each other, we ask that there be no socializing in church—just social distancing. 

 

A friendly reminder:

Please DO NOT respond to any email supposedly from me asking for gift cards or money.

Fr Wiliam G. Coffas

Please do not respond to any requests like this. It is simply a scam.

ALSO Please note: the message below was recently sent out but is not from Fr. Coffas:

Hello.
Let Me Know When You Are Not Busy Via Email. 
Best Regards.....
Fr. William Coffas
Pastor

Always check the return email  address before responding.

 

Mere denial is not the goal of Lent, but a conversion through prayer, fast, penance, and almsgiving. We surrender ourselves to God.

Fasting and Abstinence Regulations

Lent and Holy Week Schedule of Actvivities

USCCB Lent 2023 Calendar

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All are Invited to Our

First Combined Holy Cross & Our Mother of Sorrows St. Joseph’s Table

THIS Sunday, March 19, 11 AM—2 PM in the Holy Cross Parish Center

The celebration begins at the Holy Cross 10:00 AM  Mass with a children’s procession and presentation of the St. Joseph relic, on loan from Our Mother of Sorrows, accompanied by the Holy Cross choir. After Mass, all will gather in the Parish Center for a blessing of our bounty before sharing in the wonderful 
food donated to honor St. Joseph. 

Scroll to Get Involved below to see how to participate.

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Holy Cross 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Video Series

in the Parish Center THIS Sunday, March 19—NO Video

NEXT Sunday, March 26 - The Church - Acts of the Apostles

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THIS Wednesday, March 22, 2:00 - 6:00 PM at Our Mother of Sorrows

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· Holy Cross on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM 
and Fridays following 8:30 AM Mass 
· Our Mother of Sorrows on Wednesdays following the 8 AM Mass
· St John the Evangelist Church, 
Greece on Fridays at 5:30 PM
· St Mark’s Church, Greece on Fridays 
at 7 PM (live-streamed on their Facebook page)

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Bible Study Began Tuesday, January 17 at 12:30 PM in the parish Center

There is no guide book for this session. Please bring a bible with you. We will be studying the book of Isaiah and interweave this with the continuation of the Eucharist, as well as weekly Mass readings. All are welcome!

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Mass Books Open NOW for April through August, 2023.

The Stipend for a Mass Intention is $10.

Procedure

Includes Instructions for Offerings for the Bread & Wine, and Sanctuary Candle

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Calendar and Upcoming Events

Parish Life is how we define fellowship at Holy Cross. It’s the many opportunities to share and enjoy God’s gifts of friendship and fun with other who share the same Christian values.

 

Pastoral Planning Task Force Page

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Parish Offices OPEN

Every Monday at Holy Cross, 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM

Every Wednesday at Our Mother of Sorrows, 9:00 AM  until 3:00 PM

Calls will be returned within five business days. Thank you.

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@Holy Cross Church of Charlotte, Rochester New York
 
 
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The Family Zone March 19, 2023

St Joseph

While many families will be celebrating St. Patrick's feast day this weekend, our churches will often take the time to host a special celebration today for the Feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. St. Joseph is remembered as a quiet carpenter whose willingness to trust in God, and lovingly care for mother Mary and Jesus, makes him the patron Saint of fathers, families and our universal Church! The Feast of St. Joseph is a solemnity, which means it is an important day in our faith. It was because of St. Joseph, that Jesus had the prophesized connection to the lineage of David. If you do not have a St. Joseph's table celebration at your parish, you'll find ideas for celebrating it at home in this edition of The Family Zone.

Sign Up Today to Receive The Family Zone

https://oec.dor.org/evangelization/the-family-zone-newsletter/

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Invite Someone to Join Us at Holy Cross or Our Mother of Sorrows

JESUS tells us to go and make disciples of all people; to seek out the lost sheep; to spread the “Good News” of the Gospel message.

Want to share the joy and peace that you experience through your faith? Have you been wanting to invite a relative, friend, or neighbor to join you? Now is the perfect time!

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HELP WANTED

Our Multi-Parish Finance Office is looking for a team player to join us who has payroll, accounts receivable & payables experience. This is a full-time position with a flexible schedule and limited travel. Please email your resume to cbowest@dor.org.

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We are encouraging everyone to always pick up a bulletin AND to subscribe to Flocknote.

What is Flocknote?

A great communication tool. 

Subscribe today to receive notices and reminders, on your phone or in your email, about many of the activities taking place at Holy Cross and Our Mother of Sorrows parishes. 

You can stop notifications at anytime. See how to stay connected below.

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Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, contact our Victim Assistance

Coor: Deborah A. Housel, 585-328-7177, x1555; Toll-free: 1-800-388-7177, x1555 or by e-mail to victimassitance@dor.org

Safe Environment Policy

Online Training for Adults

For more information, visit 

https://www.dor.org/safe-environment/office-of-safe-environment/

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Prayer for Peace in Ukraine

Lord Jesus, born under the bombs of Kyiv, have mercy on us.

Lord Jesus, dead in the arms of a mother in Kharkiv, have mercy on us.

Lord Jesus, in the 20-year-olds sent to the frontline, have mercy on us.

Lord Jesus, who continues to see hands armed with weapons under the shadow of the cross, forgive us, Lord.

Forgive us if, not content with the nails with which we pierced your hand, we continue to drink from the blood of the dead torn apart by weapons.

Forgive us if these hands that you had created to protect have been turned into instruments of death.

Forgive us, Lord, if we continue to kill our brother. Forgive us, Lord, if we continue to kill our brother, if we continue like Cain to take the stones from our field to kill Abel.

Forgive us if we go out of our way to justify cruelty, if, in our pain, we legitimize the cruelty of our actions. Forgive us the war, Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, we implore you to stop the hand of Cain, enlighten our conscience, let not our will be done, do not abandon us to our own doing.       

Stop us, Lord, stop us, and when you have stopped the hand of Cain, take care of him also. He is our brother.

O Lord, stop the violence. Stop us, Lord. Amen.

Composed by Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples . Recited by Pope Francis at his weekly general audience, March 16.

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Prayer for Vocations

Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of souls, who called the apostles to be fishers of men, raise up new apostles in your holy Church. Teach them that to serve you is to reign: to possess you is to possess all things. Kindle in the hearts of our young people the fire of zeal for souls. Make them eager to spread your kingdom upon the earth. Grant them the courage to follow you, who are the Way, the Truth and the Life, who live and reign for evert and ever.  Amen

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Prayer for Our Faith Community

God Our Father,

Your Son, Jesus Christ, is “the way, the truth and the life” and His Holy Cross is the bridge of Mercy.

Help us, your servants to build a bridge of nourishment to the hungry, a bridge of comfort to the suffering, a bridge of welcome to the lonely, a bridge of collaboration to the our sister parish, and a bridge of faith to all people through Your Sacraments. For You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Mother of Sorrows pray for us. +

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Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Update

Diocesan News Release Nov 3, 2022

Letter to the Faithful

FAQ

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 Who We Are

Holy Cross Church is a community, rich in talents, skills and gifts, and united in faith. We are a stable parish, fortunate to have a cross-section of ages including many who are second or third generation parishioners. Bring your gifts or your needs and you will find a hand to join with yours.

 

Funeral Planning

Funeral directors usually make contact with the church for funeral arrangements. Once this has happened, the families are encouraged to be involved in the planning of the liturgy. Contact Donna Petrella by calling the parish office at 585-663-2244.

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