Parish Ministries.

Cluster Parish Council

The Cluster Parish Council is a consultative body to the pastor. Made up of members from All Saints Church, Holy Cross Church and St. Anthony Church, the purpose of the Council is to provide recommendations to the pastor for parish priorities and directions, and to promote communication and understanding among the various parish organizations and between parishes, our diocese and universal church.

Faith Formation

Kathy Curry
A program of religious education is provided for Pre-K to eighth grade for children not enrolled in a Catholic School. Also, opportunities for Adult Faith Formation are offered at various times during the year.

Youth Group

Carolann Darling

The Youth Ministry Program involves Senior High Youth in grades 9-12.

Music Ministry

Doreen Alsen

Our Music Ministry provides music and singing at our Sunday celebrations and at other special events. Opportunities for music training and for children's participation are available.

Sacramental Preparation

Kathy Curry
A program of preparation exists for each of the Sacraments. Participation in the preparation program is neccessary 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.

Bible Study

Deacon George Kozak provides Bible Study in Adevnt and Lent. 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. Members of the Holy Cross Liturgy Committee are also members of the Cluster Liturgy Committee headed by Deacon George Kozak.

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 lights 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.

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 (Justice & Peace) Committee

The Cluster Social Ministry 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.

Samaritan Center

This outreach ministry of Catholic Charities of Ithaca is regularly supported by parishioners of Holy Cross Church.

Groton Food Pantry

Parishioners are generous contributors of food for the needy, along with monthly monetary donations.

Crop Walk

This national event usually takes place in the fall and provides funds for food and those in need.

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 Feast of St. Anthony

The Feast of St. Anthony takes place on June 13. We celebrate with Mass, Novenas and with social gatherings.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is a consultative body, which provides advice concerning the administration of parish financial and material resources.

© 2011 All Saints Church; Holy Cross Church; St, Anthony Church