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of Dryden, New York |
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Parish Ministries |
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PARISH & DIOCESE Parish Pastoral Council The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the pastor. The purpose of the Council is to form community as a sign of witness of unity for the larger parish, to provide recommendations for the parish priorities and directions through pastoral planning, and to promote communication and understanding among parish organizations and between parish, diocese and universal church. Pastoral Planning for the New Millennium II Each parish and faith community of the Diocese of Rochester is involved in a planning process, which assesses pastoral and ministerial needs in light of priest personnel, and financial/ material resources. In Tompkins County in New York State, this planning process, under the direction of the Covenanting Council, involves the faith communities of Saint Anthony Church in Groton, Holy Cross Church in Dryden, All Saints Church in Lansing, St. Catherine of Siena Church in Cayuga Heights, Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca, Cornell University and Ithaca College.
FAITH FORMATION Adult Faith Formation Parish programs and inter-parish and regional programs of adult education are offered on a regular basis throughout the year. Religious Education A program of religious education is provided for Pre-K to eighth grade for children not enrolled in a Catholic School. Youth Ministry The Youth Ministry Program involves Senior High Youth in grades 9-12. Sacramental Preparation A program of preparation exists for each of the Sacraments. Participation in the preparation program is necessary before receiving any of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Marriage. Reception of the Sacraments is readiness based and presumes the candidate is participating in ongoing formation. Hands of Christ Award Each year high school seniors, who have demonstrated church and community service, are nominated for this diocesan award presented by the Bishop of Rochester. Bible Study Bible Study takes place in the Fall and Spring on Wednesday mornings. A different book or aspect of the Bible is studied and explored from a personal and communal faith dimension. Catholic School Education Immaculate Conception School in Ithaca and Saint Mary School in Cortland are available to parishioners of Holy Cross Church in grades K through 8.
SPIRITUAL LIFE & WORSHIP Liturgy Committee This Committee has the responsibility for assessing the spiritual needs of the people of the parish and making recommendations on sacramental policies and practices consistent with the norms established by the diocese and the universal church. Members for this Committee are drawn from those involved in the various liturgical ministries of the parish. Altar Servers Boys and girls from Grade 3, who have received their first Eucharist, are invited to become altar servers for Sunday Masses and other special liturgical celebrations. Adults often serve at funerals and holy days. Lectors Women and men volunteers, both young and old, who are prepared and comissioned are scheduled to proclaim the Word at Sunday Mass and special liturgies. Ministers of Communion Men and women volunteers who are prepared and commissioned, distribute the consecrated bread and wine at the Liturgy at Sunday Masses and special Eucharistic Liturgies. They bring Holy Communion to the Nursing Homes and Hospitals and the Homebound. Ministers of Hospitality and Ushers Women and men volunteers prepare the church for the celebration of the Mass, cordially welcome all who arrive for Mass, and invite people to participate in the presentation of the gifts at Offertory time, take up the collection, secure it in security bags amd lock it up at the end of the celebration. After Mass they also turn off the ligts and tidy up the body of the church. Pastoral Care of the Sick Hospitals in Cortland and Ithaca are visited on an as needed basis. Nursing Home ministry takes place on a regular basis in facilities in Groton, Ithaca, and Cortland. Those who are homebound are visited with Holy Communion on a regular basis and arrangements are made for the celebration of the Sacraments of reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. Feast of the Holy Cross Each year on September 14, the Parish observes its patronal feast day with a festive Eucharist and a parish picnic. Sacristan & Sanctuary Care The parish relies on volunteers to fulfill these ministries. Choir The choir participates at Sunday Mass from September through June and is open to all. Organist A new, rebuilt 1906 E.M.Skinner pipe organ was installed in Holy Cross Church in 1995. Jeanne Pellerin is the organist at Sunday Mass. Cantor Various Cantors aid the Assembly by leading the Hymns and Responsorial Psalms. Prayer Chain Parishioners are called to pray for special intentions at the request of individuals. Retreats Annual Retreats for the men and for women of the parish are scheduled each year at Notre Dame Retreat House or Stella Maris Retreat House Knights of Columbus Men of the parish are invited to join the Knights of Columbus Council headquartered in Ithaca, New York.
SOCIAL MINISTRY Social Ministry Committee This Committee recommends strategic policies and programs, which address the social mission of the church. The Committee is engaged in careful study of church teaching and monitors social needs present in the area. Pro-Life Network Efforts to promote the Consistent Life Ethic and respect for all aspects of life is done in collaboration with other parishes and organizations dedicated to this cause. Samaritan Center This outreach ministry of Catholic Charities of Ithaca is regularly supported by parishioners of Holy Cross Church. Works of Love Students in the religious education program actively support this program of good works, promoted by the Diocese of Rochester Dryden Food Cupboard Parishioners are generous contributors of food for the needy, along with monthly monetary donations. Christmas Baskets Each year, food baskets are prepared for those who are in need. Funeral Brunch As a ministry to those who are bereaved, a luncheon is provided for the family of loved ones following the funeral and cemetery rites. Operation Rice Bowl This fund raising event takes place during the Season of Lent. Crop Walk This national event usually takes place in the fall and provides funds for food and those in need. WIC (women, infants, children) This is a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children sponsored by the Health Department of Tompkins County. WIC is available at Holy Cross Church on the third Tuesday of every month. Justice and Peace Advocacy Committee This is a cluster committee that helps to educate about and advocate for those issues of justice selected annually by the Diocesan Public Policy
PARISH LIFE Parish Life Committee This Committee coordinates those events in the parish which bring parishioners together, such as spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts and children’s Christmas parties. Annual Parish Picnic The picnic ordinarily takes place on or near the patronal feast of the parish - September 14th. McGilligan’s Ball This annual event, started by Father Thomas Cleary, the founding pastor, takes place in March around the Feast of Saint Patrick. Hospitality/Coffee Hour From time to time, coffee and baked goods are served in Cleary Hall after Mass on Sunday.
STEWARDSHIP Finance Committee The Finance Committee is a consultative body, which provides advice concerning the administration of parish financial and material resources. Stewardship Program Each parishioner is invited to consider giving a proportionate amount of his or her income to the Lord through the Sunday collection. Parishioners are encouraged to remember Holy Cross Church in their Will and/or take advantage of other financial instruments that would benefit the ministry and work of the parish. Tithing Committee This group of parishioners reviews requests for funding that are received and make recommendations for teh distribution of funds in the Tithing account. Catholic Ministries Appeal The Diocese of Rochester holds its annual financial appeal for the work and ministry of the local church every Fall during the month of October. Collection Counters Four teams, on a rotating basis, count the Sunday collection on Monday mornings. Memorial Fund Committee The parish has a memorial fund made up of contributions given to the parish in memory of a loved one. Proceeds from this fund are used for items relating to worship and liturgy. Buildings & Grounds Committee This committee assesses all the maintenance needs of the parish buildings and grounds and seeks to enlist parish volunteers for specific maintenance projects. Facilities Planning Committee This Committee is charged with analyzing the present facilities and making recommendations for future development. Bingo The parish sponsors the game of Bingo for the surrounding community on Saturday nights at the Dryden FireHouse from September through June.
EVANGELIZATION Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process of bringing into full communion of the Roman Catholic Church those who were never baptized or those, baptized in another tradition, but who want to join the Roman Catholic Church. This process is on-going and is guided by a committee made up of members of each of our cluster parishes: All Saints, Lansing; Holy Cross, Freeville and St. Anthony, groton. Thsi process is adapted for children of catechetical age. Web site Holy Cross Church maintains a Web site at <holycrossdryden.org>. Advertisements The parish seeks to make its present known in the wider community through newspaper articles and advertisements of its special and holiday events. Pictorial Directory A picture book of parishioners and a welcome packet are available for new all new parishioners. Publications of the parish A Sunday Bulletin, a monthly calendar and a occasional bulletin insert are published to keep parishioners and friends of Holy Cross informed of the activities and ministries of the parish. Catholic Courier This is the official newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester and serves as a communication tool for the Bishop to keep in touch with members of the diocese and the various local communities of the twelve county diocese. |