Holy Cross Catholic Church

Holy Cross Catholic Church
2001 Katy Ave
Bay City, Texas   77414
(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 1^st, 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 4^th, 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

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. Pyatt

The 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.

Holy Cross Catholic School

"Soaring to God on Eagle's Wings"