Opportunities to grow in faith 

Liturgical Ministries


Right-click to open the current first-quarter 2024 Lector Schedule in a new window. You can then download and save it to your computer.


Holy Cross parishioners are encouraged to be active participants in the liturgical and prayer life of our faith community. We currently have more than 20 liturgical ministry opportunities, including adult and youth choirs. Explore our Alphabetized Ministry List  and contact the ministry coordinator for details or to sign up.  Our Liturgical Ministry training was held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 read more here.


For our Children

Fr. Pius encourages our children to be actively involved in church ministries.

  • Youth Ministry Sunday: second Sunday of the month (during regular school year). At this Mass, children serve as lectors and ushers.
  • Music (singing) lesson: All children in Faith Formation at Holy Cross participate in a brief music lesson which takes place in the choir space, to the left of the altar. Time: right after the 10 AM Mass and just prior to the start of the Faith Formation classes. 

    > Parents and grandparents: Discuss these opportunities with your children and encourage them to participate. 

    > Contact:          Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Holy Cross faith formation director.


Read what the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have to say about liturgical ministries. 


"In addition to the ordained ministries there are roles in the liturgy which are exercised by lay people who place their time and talent at the service of the liturgical assembly as acolytes (altar servers), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, cantors, choir members, instrumentalists, leaders of song, and ushers.


"Others contribute their time and talent to planning and organizing the liturgy, to keeping the church and the vestments, vessels and appointments clean and well-ordered or to providing decorations that reflect the spirit of the liturgical feast or season." At Holy Cross, members of our Altar Society help to maintain the altar, vestments and other appointments. Alphabetized Ministry List

 

Holy Cross Liturgical Ministry Contacts


To make arrangements:


Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

This silent personal prayer time is available Tuesday through Friday, following the 8:00 AM Daily Mass. It concludes with Benediction at 12 Noon. Prayer guides for Benediction are avaialble at the entrance to the sanctuary. Please return them when finished.


Holy Cross Liturgical Ministry Contacts

Send email to the contact provided to request assistance.


 

Confession Times

Fr. Pius is available for confession on Saturdays, 3:00-3:45 PM, prior to the Saturday Vigil Mass . 


Confession Aids

 

 

 

Rosary Prayer Group


7 PM each Wednesday, via Zoom

Click here to receive a link to join the Rosary Prayer Group. 


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Submit Prayer Intentions

 

Click here to submit your prayer request

to be included in Intentions listed in our Bulletin. 

 

Click here to send your prayer request

to our pastor, Fr. Pius Wekesa.


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then click links at bottom of the file
to open each month's lector assignments.


Youth Mass: 10 AM on the Second Sunday of each month.

On this day, our children serve as lectors and ushers.


 

Prayer Ministries 
Anointing of the Sick

Jesus came to heal the whole person, body and soul

 

The blessing of the sick by a priest is a very ancient custom, having its origins in the practice of Christ himself and his apostles.


When to call for a priest

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive this Sacrament. It is for anyone of the faithful who begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation, and for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. — from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

 

Contact Fr. Pius:

If Fr. Pius is not available, contact: Deacon Phil Rzewnicki, OFS (919-961-0206). He will help to make arrangements for another priest to administer this sacrament.


Anointing of the Sick is one of the Seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church. In this sacrament, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin— and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising. 

 

— from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults


Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  


Immediately after the 8 AM Wednesday daily Mass, 8:30 AM to 12 noon. Adoration guides are available at the entrance to the sanctuary. Please replace them when finished.

 

Praying the Rosary

 

There are many options for praying the Rosary. Following are a few opportunities.

 

 

A small group of parishioners has been gathering to pray the Rosary on Wednesdays. Details will be posted here once this prayer ministry has resumed. 

 

Mass Intentions

 

Any individual may ask a priest to offer a Mass for reasons such as in thanksgiving for an answered prayer, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday), or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. A donation is typically offered to the parish, with the funds applied toward the cost of  church operations. Prayer intensions can be included in the weekend Bulletin, so that others may join in offering  prayers. Submit intentions for the Bulletin by email to office@holycrossdurham.org . 

 

Light a Votive Candle and Pray

 

Our Votive Candle station, to the right of our altar area, is a quiet spot during the day or after Mass. You can light a candle in memory of a loved one or for a special intention. Spend some time in prayer at the kneeler in front of the candle stand or in an adjacent pew. 

 


Our flameless candles provide less risk of fire hazard than wax candles. To light a short votive candle, simply push the button in front of the candle; these remain lit for 15 minutes. You can place your donation in the offertory slot in the first row of candles. 

The taller perpetual candles in the back row remain lit for one year from the time your donation is processed through our Online Giving account. The annual donation can also be dropped off at the church office, sent to the parish office, or placed in the collection basket during Mass. When paying by check, write Perpetual Candle on the check's memo line. Donations Votive Candle Station help to defray the cost of maintaining this prayer resource. 

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