
Author: Cyndi

Fr. Danny Murphy 1944-2024 Memorial Mass

It is with profound sorrow and reverence that we announce the passing of our beloved Fr. Danny Murphy. Fr. Danny was called to eternal rest in the late afternoon of December 12, 2024. We are deeply grateful for the many years of faithful service he gave to Holy Cross Catholic Church, and his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him.
In keeping with Fr. Danny’s wishes, his funeral Mass was celebrated in his native New York.
His memorial Mass here at Holy Cross Catholic Church was delayed due to the damage the Church sustained from the Hurricane Milton tornado, however, it is now scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
This Mass will be live-streamed. Check back here for the livestream link.
A reception will take place afterward in the Parish Hall, offering a chance to celebrate Fr. Danny with refreshments, food, and fellowship.
We hope that all parishioners are able to attend.
Fr. Danny’s full obituary and New York Service dates can be found by clicking this link
Let us hold Fr. Danny in our prayers, entrusting him to the mercy and peace of our loving God. May his soul rest in the eternal light of Christ.

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross will take place on Friday afternoons during Lent
beginning Friday, March 7th at 4:30 p.m.
The Stations on Good Friday, April 18th will be held at 11:00 a.m.

The reopening of the Church

We are filled with joy and gratitude to announce that Mass will be celebrated once again in our beautiful Church beginning Friday, February 28th! Through God’s grace, the necessary repairs have been completed, and we are blessed to have our Church ready to serve us during this sacred Lenten season.
We humbly remind you that this project was a repair effort, guided by the Diocese and the insurance company, and not a renovation. As you enter, you may notice a few changes, such as a missing pew, some pews with fabric that may have been worn or stained, and the ceiling has been painted. These imperfections are a testament to the hard work and dedication that have gone into making our space functional and safe for worship.
We ask for your understanding and patience as we continue to care for and cherish this house of God. Below, you’ll find answers to some questions you may have about these updates:
- Why was the wood in the ceiling painted?
We have always cherished the beautiful wood in the ceiling of our Church. However, when the tornado struck, debris infiltrated the Church, causing significant damage to sections of the ceiling. Unfortunately, the damaged wood could not be repaired or color-matched due to the unique patina that had formed over many years of service. Additionally, water intrusion left stains and watermarks in other areas. After much consideration, painting the wood became the only viable solution to restore the ceiling. - Why is there a pew missing and others in disrepair?
The pews in our Church have been cleaned and repaired to the best of our ability. However, the tornado caused flying debris that damaged several pews. While we searched for a matching replacement for the pew that was destroyed, we were unable to find an exact match. Despite this, the team working on the repairs has made every effort to restore the remaining pews as much as possible. - Where is the skylight?
Due to the damage caused by the tornado, the skylight was removed as part of the necessary repairs. We understand that the skylight was a beloved feature of our Church, and it will be replaced in the near future. - Will the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament be reopened?
We are happy to announce that the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament will reopen immediately after the 8:00 a.m. Mass and will remain open according to its regular schedule, which you can find on our website. We invite you to come and spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament!
We are truly grateful for your patience and support throughout this repair process. May we continue to come together in prayer and gratitude as we move forward in our journey of faith.

Holy Cross Women’s Guild Easter Basket Drive
You can click here: Amazon Wish List to easily order items from Amazon
for this wonderful initiative.
Items must be received by March 7th.


Prayer for Pope Francis
Bishop Barbarito has called upon all the faithful to pray for the health and well-being of Pope Francis. Let us join together in prayer, seeking God’s grace and healing for our Holy Father.
The USCCB has provided the following prayer:
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on your servant Francis,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
Grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

National Marriage Week

The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 9) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. This year’s theme is “Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!”
There is an opportunity to participate in an at-home marriage retreat which will strengthen your marriage in faith and love. Click here to download the documents needed.

Office closed for President’s Day
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, February 17th in honor of President’s Day. The office will reopen at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.