About Holy Cross · Dover, Delaware
Church of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Wilmington, located at 631 South State Street in Dover, Delaware. The parish serves a diverse community through weekly Masses in English and Spanish, a Catholic school (Holy Cross School, PreK 3 through Grade 8), a cemetery, religious education programs, and a wide range of ministries. It is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, and five deacons, supported by an administrative team that coordinates religious education, youth ministry, Hispanic ministry, and music.
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Fr. James S. Lentini
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wilmington
Why belong here
Church of the Holy Cross offers the full sacramental life of a Catholic parish — daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, daily Eucharistic Adoration from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday confessions, and preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Holy Orders. Members find family-style faith formation through Holy Cross School (PreK 3–Grade 8), a CCD program, an OCIA process for adults, and dedicated youth and Hispanic ministries, all rooted in central Dover on South State Street.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Anytime by appointment (call 302-674-5787 ext. 110)
- No confessions prior to the 5 p.m. Mass
Adoration times
- Daily, 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
About Holy Cross Parish
Church of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Wilmington, rooted in Dover, Delaware. Its mission is to worship God through the sacraments, form disciples in faith, and serve the wider community. The parish reaches across generations with a parish school, religious education, youth ministry, Hispanic ministry, music, and outreach to the sick and homebound.
Clergy
Holy Cross is led by a pastor supported by a parochial vicar and a strong diaconate team.
- Fr. James S. Lentini — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 113)
- Fr. John Enemuo — Parochial Vicar ([email protected], ext. 117)
- Deacon Philip A. Belt
- Deacon John Harvey
- Deacon Richard Kosier
- Deacon Robert E. McMullen
- Deacon Vincent F. Pisano
Administrative Staff
A full administrative team coordinates faith formation, liturgy, school, business, and facilities for the parish.
- Tammy Korosec — Coordinator of Religious Education (ext. 122)
- Linda Darling — Director of Youth Ministry (ext. 123)
- Arline Dosman — Director of Hispanic Ministry (ext. 118)
- Mallory O'Mara — Holy Cross School Principal (ext. 137)
- Diane Belt — Assistant to the Pastor / Office Manager (ext. 113)
- Leonard Dornberger — Cemetery Administrator (ext. 135)
- Jane Green — Parish Office Receptionist (ext. 110)
- Michael Perza — Music Director (302.698.9302)
- Sharon Seelig — Records Manager (ext. 116)
- Kenneth Trojan — Business Manager (ext. 119)
- Justin Wurzel — Maintenance Manager (302.272.3426)
- Laura Belt — Office Assistant / Physical Education Aide
Sacraments
Holy Cross prepares members for and celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with clear contacts for each one.
- Baptism — Pre-Baptism Instruction required; register via parish office (ext. 110)
- Confirmation — Parish youth prepare in 9th grade (age 14) after two years of CCD or Catholic school
- Holy Eucharist (First Communion) — Children prepared at age 7 through RE and school
- Reconciliation — Children first prepared at age 7 as part of First Communion; offered Saturday and by appointment
- Marriage — Meet with a priest or deacon one year in advance; Pre-Cana required
- Anointing of the Sick — Administered by a priest; request via the parish office
- Holy Orders — Information through the parish office
- Communion to the Sick and Homebound — Visitations arranged through the parish office
Religious Education and OCIA
Faith formation at Holy Cross spans children, youth, and adults.
- CCD / Religious Education for school-age children, coordinated by Tammy Korosec (ext. 122)
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation beginning at age 7
- Two-year Confirmation track in 9th grade (after 7th and 8th grade CCD or Catholic school)
Holy Cross School
Holy Cross School is a parish-based Catholic school serving children from PreK 3 through Grade 8 on the parish campus.
- Principal: Mallory O'Mara (ext. 137)
- Enrollment: PreK 3 through Grade 8
- Integrated with parish sacramental preparation
Youth and Hispanic Ministries
Two named ministries focus on key demographics of the parish community.
- Youth Ministry — directed by Linda Darling (ext. 123)
- Hispanic Ministry — directed by Arline Dosman (ext. 118), supporting the Spanish-language Sunday Mass at 11:30 a.m.
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at Holy Cross is coordinated by a dedicated Music Director who supports the Mass schedule, weddings, funerals, and devotions.
- Music Director: Michael Perza ([email protected], 302-698-9302)
Parish Cemetery
Holy Cross maintains an on-campus cemetery, with administration handled through the parish office.
- Cemetery Administrator: Leonard Dornberger (ext. 135, [email protected])
Outreach: Sick and Homebound
The parish brings Holy Communion to those who cannot attend Mass and coordinates Anointing of the Sick through the parish office.
- Visitation for Holy Communion to the Sick or Homebound — contact 302-674-5787
- Anointing of the Sick available by request to the parish office
Contact and Visit
The parish office is open during business hours and serves as the gateway to all sacramental and pastoral inquiries.
- Address: 631 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901
- Phone: 302-674-5787; Parish Office ext. 110
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://holycrossdover.org/
- Diocese: Diocese of Wilmington (cdow.org)