Sacraments

The Eucharist or Holy Communion

The Eucharist is the heart of Catholic worship. We celebrate the reception of the Body and Blood our our Lord Jesus Christ at each mass.

We also participate in Eucharistic adoration on the second Saturday of each month from 9 am to 3 pm in the small chapel of the church

Baptism

Baptism is the entrance into the faith of Christians. Since the days of the New Testament, the Catholic Church has followed the apostles in baptizing the faithful and their households.

If your child is to be baptized, please contact the office to arrange for pre-baptismal instructions and to arrange a date.

Baptisms are usually on the second and fourth Sunday after the 11:00 am Mass or at a time agreed upon by pastor and parents.

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation is complementary with Baptism. The Acts of the Apostles records that the receipt of the Holy Spirit might come before or after Baptism.
In the eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Confirmation and Baptism are celebrated together.
In the western rites of the Catholic Church, the sacrament of Confirmation is ordinarily reserved to the bishop.
At Holy Cross, we spend two years preparing our teenagers for this sacrament. For adults who have not been confirmed we offer special programs (such as the RCIA).

Reconciliation

As Jesus told his apostles, 'And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

We present our sins to the absolute confidence of a trusted advisor, and that man, standing in the person of Jesus Christ, absolves us of these sins.

At Holy Cross we celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation each Saturday from 5:00-5:45 PM, and each day before our weekday Masses.

Anytime by appointment

Marriage

In the wedding feast at Cana (John 2), the Catholic Church celebrates the sacredness of the covenant bond of marriage.

Jesus taught us that what God has put together, no man should tear apart. To this end, the Catholic Church continues to uphold the permanence of sacred marriage.

The couple planning to be married in church should first contact the church office and pastor no less than 6 months prior to the wedding date. A longer period of preparation is even
better. A couple will need to first take marriage instructions from the pastor or his delegate, and also make an engaged encounter weekend. Couples - remember that the wedding is one day, but your marriage is for life.

Mrs. Melissa Trevino is the parish wedding coordinator.
 

Holy Orders

The Catholic Church follows the example of the New Testament in maintaining the orders of deacon, priest and bishop.
Our current deacon, Wally Rodriguez, spent approximately five years in formation for this ministry.
Our priest, Father Casey, celebrated 42 years of the priesthood on May 26th, 2002.
Our bishop, David Fellhauer, resides in Victoria, Texas.
 

Anointing of the Sick

(James 5:14-15) 'Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."

If you or a loved one are sick, or facing surgery, please contact the rectory