In this issue: Catechists' Thank You, Pentecost Appreciation, Father Robert's 30th Anniversary, Roe v. Wade Film Showing, Calling Family Recipes, Free Shredding Event, Updated Guidelines for the Celebration of Mass, Parish Schedule, 60th Anniversary Newsletter Coming Soon, Care for Creation, Holy Cross School Openings...
Congratulations to the First Communion and Confirmation Classes of Holy Cross! Their joyful reception of the sacraments give us renewed hope in the strength of our Church!
The parish also extends a warm greeting to Tatiane Borges who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on the great feast of Pentecost!
Roe v. Wade Film Showing
A new pro-life film, Roe v. Wade, tells the story of the infamous Supreme Court case. You can find more information about the film and its screening here: https://www.roevwademovie.com/.
Sign up for a free screening hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington on June 10, 2021 here.
All are welcome to join us for a film screening and discussion! Contact the Office of Life Issues at windelsk@adw.org for more information.
Roe v. Wade Film Showing
A new pro-life film, Roe v. Wade, tells the story of the infamous Supreme Court case. You can find more information about the film and its screening here: https://www.roevwademovie.com/.
Sign up for a free screening hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington on June 10, 2021 here.
All are welcome to join us for a film screening and discussion! Contact the Office of Life Issues at windelsk@adw.org for more information.
Care for Creation and Environmental Stewardship
Levels of the two most important human-caused greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane, continued their unrelenting rise in 2020 despite the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to an April 2021 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"Carbon dioxide levels are now higher than at any time in the past 3.6 million years."
The report further stated that "to mitigate the worst impacts, it's going to take a deliberate focus on reducing fossil fuels emissions to near zero-- and even then we'll need to look for ways to further remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere." To read the report, click here.
An important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to purchase renewable ("green") energy through an electricity supplier of wind and solar. For a guide to buying green electricity for your home, click here.
Holy Cross 60th Anniversary Newsletter Reminder
The next edition will be emailed on Tuesday, June 1, via Flocknotes (our parish email system). If you’re signed up for Flocknotes and can’t find it, don’t forget to check your “Junk” or “Spam” folder. If you haven’t signed up for Flocknotes yet, you can do so on the parish website www.hcrosschurch.org.
Care for Creation and Environmental Stewardship
Tips to protect your family, home, pets, pollinators and environment: "Synthetic pesticides and herbicides cannot be used on lawns In Montgomery County." Only organic pesticides with specific labels can be used on lawns. For more information, go to: montgomerycountymd.gov/lawns
The County provides tips for mowing including:
#1 Adjust mower height so it never cuts grass shorter than about 3 to 4 inches;
#2 Never cut more than one-third of the grass at a time;
#3 Leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing;
#4 Control excess thatch with compost tea or aeration;
#5 Choose a green mower;
#6 Maintain your mower;
#7 Buy extra blades and keep them sharp.
For more information: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/lawns/homeowner/tips/mowing.html
"More disposable wipes being flushed down toilets are clogging pipes, jamming pumps, and sending raw sewage into homes and waterways." Discard wipes, paper masks, and latex gloves in the trash rather than in the toilet or along sidewalks and roadways. Source: "Trouble down the drain," The Washington Post, April 25, 2021, page C1.
CURRENT MASS AND CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:00 pm in Church
Sunday Outdoor Mass - 9:30 am (rain or shine)*
Sunday Mass – 12 Noon in Church (live-stream link at www.hcrosschurch.org)
Weekday Masses are offered Monday thru Saturday at 8:30 am in Church
On Saturdays, Confessions are heard from 9:00 to 10:00 am.
*Outdoor option for 9:30 am Mass on Sundays - Outdoor Mass is celebrated by the pastor on the steps of the portico. Parishioners and guests may remain in their cars or set-up lawn chairs for the duration of the Mass. In case the weather does not cooperate, the outdoor Mass may pivot to an indoor live-streamed event. The faithful may choose to remain in their cars and view the live-streamed Mass through the Holy Cross Church GP You Tube Channel. Extra-ordinary ministers of the Eucharist will bring communion to you in your cars.
Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Cross
Every Friday from 3 to 6 pm in the main Church.
Come spend some time with Our Lord!
Rectory Office visits are by appointment only.
Phone calls are being monitored. Leave a voicemail at 301-942-1020 x200.
Emails are monitored at parishsecretary@hcrosschurch.org.
Please wear a mask when you come to an appointment at the Rectory.
SUSPICIOUS EMAILS: "(Disclaimer) The clergy and Holy Cross will never email individuals of the Parish asking for monetary favors. In the event you should receive any email requesting untraceable monetary items such as: bank cards, iTune Cards, bitcoin, etc. Please do not respond to those communications whether it is email or telephone. If you receive any communications from Holy Cross that are threatening or seem out of character with our Parish, please flag those emails as “junk” or SPAM and contact us."
WAYS TO SUPPORT HOLY CROSS
ONLINE - Make a donation by credit card via Faith Direct. Go to the parish website: www.hcrosschurch.org and click on One-Time Donation. You do not have to enroll in Faith Direct or, if you are enrolled in Faith Direct, you can elect to not sign in.
RECURRING - Visit www.faithdirect.net or call 866-507-8757 (toll-free) to enroll in our electronic giving program using your bank account or credit card (Holy Cross Code is MD22). Another way is to use your bank's bill pay.
DROP OFF your contribution in the mail slot in the Rectory office door
MAIL your offertory to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 249, Garrett Park, MD 20896