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.
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.
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
ody 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 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 Committee
This Committee coordinates those events in the parish which bring p
arishioners 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.
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.
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.
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.
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