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Parish Update & Livestream
If you are sick or unwell, please refrain from attending Mass or parish activities.
January 22, 2021
Dear parishioners,
Thank you for your prayers during my retreat. They were greatly appreciated! My retreat was a very refreshing time of praying before our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Please note, this weekends’ Masses will all be at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Bay City. Sacred Heart in Wadsworth is currently having the flooring refinished. Also, the livestreamed Mass will be the Noon Mass on January 31, 2021.
Please note the following bulletin corrections for this week’s Mass Intentions.
January 25, 2021 – January 31, 2021 HOLY CROSS CHURCH – BAY CITYMonday 8:00 a.m. Jordan Carr
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. W.L. & Leola Ludwig
Dorothy Cunningham *B
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. Erika Lafota, Diane Rejcek, Leonard Rejcek
Thursday 8:00 a.m. Ann Marie Amico
Friday 8:00 a.m. No Mass
Saturday 6:00 p.m. Michael Kroll
Sunday 7:30 a.m. Parish Family
10:00 a.m. Holy Cross Choir Members
12:00 p.m. Holy Cross Catholic School Students & Faculty, Families, Alumni, & Benefactors
6:00 p.m. Bridget & Cormac HayesPlease be assured of my prayers! May God bless and keep you!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
January 14, 2021
Dear Parishioners,
On this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we will have the livestream of the Mass at the 10:00 am Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Thank you for watching Bishop Cahill's video Return to the Eucharist!
Please see below the January 6, 2021 letter for the litmus test for fulfilling my Sunday Obligation.
There will be no Daily Mass on Monday, January 18 through Friday, January 22. I will be on my annual retreat. Instead we will have Adoration from 8:00 am – 12:00 Noon, Monday through Friday. For those who desire to receive our Eucharistic Lord, please consider attending Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe. May God bless you!
Please note that on Sunday, January 31, 2021, we will have an additional Mass at Noon. It will be the Catholic Schools' Week Opening Mass. All are invited to attend. Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the parish and school community!
If you are concerned about crowds, please see the bulletin for current Mass counts. The Mass counts have been recorded in the bulletin since October 2020. The 6:00 p.m. Masses have had the least attendance. Please be assured of my prayers!
May God bless and keep you!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
January 6, 2021
Dear Parishioners,
Thank you for your prayers and support of our community.
Unfortunately, this weekend there will be no livestreaming of the Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Please remember that if you or your family members are sick or unwell you are not obliged to attend mass. We hope you get well soon.
I invite you to watch the Bishop Cahill's address to the diocese Return to the Eucharist https://youtu.be/tMKpS2G3agM. In it he speaks about the obligation to attend Sunday Mass effective October 1, 2020. He also encourages a well-formed conscience with the assistance of the priest. As a pastor, I care about your physical and spiritual well-being. If you are concerned about returning to Mass, please reach out to me either in person or by phone at the parish office. I have already spoken to several families about on this matter.
A good litmus test for fulfilling my Sunday Obligation is the following:
Am I going to town? Am I shopping at stores? Am I meeting with friends? Am I going to events and/or gatherings? Am I partaking in other normal activities, etc?
If the answer is "no" to these questions, then this is a great opportunity to reach out to your parish priest about the obligation. For those who are unable to attend the Mass this weekend, you are encouraged to watch the Mass through TV or livestream with EWTN at 7:00 a.m., Noon, 6:00 p.m. or Midnight. There is also the option to watch the Cathedral Mass at 9:00 a.m. at http://ourladyofvictory.sermon.net/.
If the answer “yes” to any of these questions, and I am not attending Mass, I have to ask myself,why am I not attending Mass?
If you are concerned about crowds, please see the bulletin for current Mass counts. The Mass counts have been recorded in the bulletin since October 2020. The 6:00 p.m. Masses have had the least attendance. Please be assured of my prayers!
May God bless and keep you!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
December 31, 2020
Dear parishioners,
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. It is wonderful to see everyone returning to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Holy Days of Obligation and Sundays! Tonight and tomorrow, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. This also coincides with the New Year. The mass times for the Holy Day of Mary God are as follows:Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Mass Schedule
December 31, 2020
6:00 pm Holy Cross
January 1, 2021
9:30 am Holy Cross (Livestreamed)Please keep our fellow parishioners in your prayers as we give thanks for the coming of the Christ Child. May God bless you this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
December 19,2020
Dear parishioners,
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. As we arrive at this 4th Week of Advent, we will have the normal weekend schedule. Confessions will be offered before the 6:00 pm Masses. Please check the bulletin for this week's Daily Mass schedule. Please keep our fellow parishioners in your prayers as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. May God bless you!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
December 17, 2020Christmas Mass Schedule
December 24, 2020 – Christmas Eve
5:00 pm Holy Cross
7:30 pm Sacred Heart
10:00 pm Christmas Concert Holy Cross
10:30 pm Holy Cross
December 25, 2020 – Christmas Day
9:30 am Holy Cross
Please join me in praying to God for our sick and suffering in the parish community and community. Thank you for the power of your prayers!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
December 16, 2020
Dear parishioners,
As we prepare for the O Antiphons tomorrow, we recall the coming of the long awaited Messiah and the prophecies of Isaiah. Tomorrows’ O Antiphon:“O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!”May the Lord guide each of us as we seek to know the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of God revealed in His creation!
The office will be closed this Friday December 18, 2020 through January 4, 2021. The weekend Mass schedule at Holy Cross and Sacred Heart remains as published. I continue to celebrate the Daily Mass in private for the scheduled intentions.
An update on my health: I remain fever free and have a lingering allergy cough. For the past 15 years, after getting sick, I usually retain a cough for at least a month. Please don't be alarmed if I cough well into 2021.
Please join me in praying to God for our sick and suffering in the parish community and community. Thank you for the power of your prayers!
Fr. Stephen Vacek
December 14, 2020
Dear parishioners,
I have tested positive for Covid-19. At this time, I am doing well and only have my normal seasonal allergies (for the last 30 years!). After consultation with the Doctor, I am cleared to return to active ministry on Saturday. I wish to thank Fr. Dominic Nguyen for his assistance with Masses this past weekend.
Weekday Masses and adoration have been canceled this week. I am offering the masses privately at the rectory. No RCIA Class this week.
We will still retain the current schedule for Christmas. Please continue to pray for the members of our parish and community who are sick. Your prayers are powerful! I am grateful for the gift of this blessing in my own illness.
Fr. Stephen Vacek
December 13, 2020
The CCD/Confirmation Class scheduled for Wednesday, December 16 has been canceled. Please have a blessed Advent as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We look forward to the beginning of next years classes on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
There will be no Daily Mass Monday, December 14 at 8:00 am. There will be adoration from 8:00 am until Noon.
Fr. Stephen is still waiting on his testing results. In an abundance of caution, he will not be celebrating the Mass publicly. Please be assured the Mass will still be offered.
December 12, 2020
There will be no confessions Saturday Dec. 12, or Sunday Dec. 13.
At this time, the weekend Mass schedule will continue
Saturday, 6:00pm Holy Cross
Sunday, 7:30am Sacred Heart
10:00am Holy Cross
6:00pm Holy Cross
Please remember, if you are sick or unwell, please refrain from attending Mass or parish activities!
May God bless you! St. Joseph, pray for us!
December 11, 2020
Dear parishioners,
Thank you for your prayers and concerns regarding the recent Covid-19 outbreak. Please keep all of the sick and those in quarantine or awaiting test results in your prayers.
At this time, we intend to keep the current Mass Schedule for the weekend. If anything changes, we will let you know.
If I may take a moment to speak about myself. At this time, I am doing well and only have my normal seasonal allergies (for the last 30 years!). I am self-quarantining as I await the test results. My doctor ordered a more thorough and accurate Covid-19 test instead of the quick test. I will keep you updated on this website with the results.
I had hoped to celebrate the weekend Masses, however it seems best to request another priests in the event that my test results do not come back in time.
I pray that we as a Church Family, may be anchored to the Eucharist and our Mother Mary in the midst of the trials and storms of our days. Please keep everyone in your prayers.
Fr. Stephen Vacek
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Taking into consideration the recent increase in COVID-19 Cases at Holy Cross Catholic Church and considering that many may be quarantined, it has been decided that the livestreaming of the 10 am Mass will be reinstated until further notice. It will begin this weekend, December 13th. -
Online Giving NoteAs we are unable to gather for regular worship in our churches, due to COVID - 19, for those accustomed to using envelopes, this has affected their regular method of giving. Due to this, some have inquired about online giving. As in the past, this has been an option for our parish. As a clarification, if one wishes to donate, but not make online giving the norm by which they contribute, there is the option of making a "quick give" donation, which does not require creating an account as one would do to make this their regular form of giving. To use this option, if desired, click on the regular Online Giving button above, and proceed from there.
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News from the Vatican
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With a number of nations considering some form of a "Green New Deal" for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that these efforts respect diverse cultures and economic policies,
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Climate change is a global problem that requires the commitment and collective response of all humanity, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.
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Unable to preside over Mass on the Sunday of the Word of God because of a recurring bout of sciatica, Pope Francis's homily was read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head of the Pontifical Council for...
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More than 40 years ago, then-Archbishop William Borders of Baltimore issued a pastoral letter signaling his intention to ask that the "official ministries" of lector and acolyte be opened...
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Catholic News Service
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WASHINGTON (CNS) — The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee called it “deeply disturbing...
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National Catholic Register
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Daniel X. O'Neil Father Michael Pfleger Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago asked Fr. Pfleger to step away from his duties in early January after the first accusation.
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Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, “Saint Peter in Tears,” 1650-1655 The papacy has seen a small handful of villains in 2,000 years — and almost 100 saints.
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Helena Piot-Syska “I ask St. Martha to work her charm and leave it at that,” she says.
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SAFE ENVIRONMENT & REPORTING ABUSE
Child and Vulnerable Adult Reporting Procedures
If you witness, suspect, or know of child and/or velnerable adult abuse,YOU MUST REPORT IT WITHIN 48 HOURS!
Contact Civil Authorities:
Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or www.txabusehotline.org
If the person is in immediate danger, call 911.
If Church Personnel Is Involved In Alleged Abuse:
Step One - Contact Civil Authorities.
Step Two - Contact one of the following:
Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Outreach, Vicki L. Pyatt, LMSW at
(361) 573-0828 or email pastoralcare@victoriadioces.org
Bishop or Chancellor of the Diocese of Victoria at (361) 573-0828
Written Allegations Should Be Sent To: Office of the Bishop
P.O. Box 4070
Victoria, Texas 77903
"Mark as "Personal and Confidential"
We will also help you bring your concerns to church officials outside the diocese if the abuse occurred elsewhere and you now reside in the Diocese of Victoria. If you are unsure about bringing a complaint or would like further information, please contact Vicki L. PyattThe Safe Environment Coordinator for Holy Cross Parish is Sandra Thompson. She may be contacted at (979) 245-6379, or by email, at hc3_office@holycrossbaycity.org.
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Today's Readings
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Reading I 2 Tm 1:1-8Responsorial Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10Gospel Mk 3:31-35
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Please visit ourParish School!!
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Diocesan Counseling Center
The Emmaus Center provides individual, marital and family counseling services from a Catholic perspective. The counseling staff are Licensed Professional Counselors and Registered Interns who devote themselves to assisting those in need regardless of their religious affiliation, gender, race or age. The staff at The Emmaus Center empowers individuals, couples and families, struggling with emotional or relationship issues, to seek a more healthy and Christ-centered place in their lives. They consider it a privilege to be invited into your lives and entrusted with the opportunity to provide professional counseling services to you. -
Letter from the Pastor
Holy Cross Catholic Church
2001 Katy Ave
Bay City,
(979) 245-6379 † (979) 244-5481 fax
Web site: www.holycrossbaycity.org
E-mail: hc3_office@holycrossbaycity.org
Rev. Stephen Vacek, Pastor
September 18, 2020
Feast of St. Joseph Cupertino
Dear Parish Family,
As we prepare for our Fall Festival and the month of October, we hear in the Gospel of Luke,
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So, he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” (24:28-32)
These past 6 months, we have walked on the road to Emmaus listening to the scriptures from our homes with The Facebook Live Mass and with social distancing interactions. We may have and still feel like these disciples, abandoned by God, Jesus and his apostles. Yet through it all, Jesus was with them as he explained the scriptures to them. The key to this passage is “their eyes were opened” in the breaking of the bread, an early term used for the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass.
It is with great joy that I invite you back to Holy Cross Catholic Church and Sacred Heart to partake in the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass once again! In the attached letter from Bishop Brendan J. Cahill and in his video “Return to the Eucharist,” Bishop Cahill welcomes each of us back to the Eucharistic Sacrifice. If you wish to view Bishop Cahill’s video “Return to the Eucharist” you may see it at: https://youtu.be/tMKpS2G3agM. Also, the video is available on our parish website. Effective October 1st, the dispensation of attending Sunday Mass is lifted.
I wish to share a few details about our current situation at Holy Cross and Wadsworth. Regarding Mass attendance at Holy Cross, with social distancing and safety protocols, we currently fit 150 people. A question is which mass should I attend? The current Masses and estimated general attendance numbers are as follows. Saturday 6:00 p.m. 60 people; Sunday 10:00 a.m. 125 people; & 6:00 p.m. 60 people. Confessions are at 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday or contact me at the Church Office.
Effective October 4th, the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass will return to Sacred Heart in Wadsworth! For those who wish to attend, there will be folding chairs to sit inside, courtesy of our Knights of Columbus. Once the church fills up, overflow attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles and listen to the broadcast via their vehicle radios. At the conclusion of Mass, those who have joined via radio are requested to enter and receive Holy Communion. The good news is we have a whole city block to fit all of the parishioners’ vehicles and even a few boats in for overflow! Please know you remain in my prayers!
May God bless and keep you!
Rev. Stephen Vacek
