About Holy Cross · East Templeton, Massachusetts
Holy Cross Parish is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the village of East Templeton in the town of Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. It is a Latin-Rite parish of the Diocese of Worcester and is currently linked with St. Martin Mission in nearby Otter River, sharing a pastor between the two communities. The parish welcomes visitors to its weekend Masses in English and offers Eucharistic Adoration on the last Tuesday of each month. Its mission center, faith formation program, and active parish council reflect the warm, family-sized character of this rural north-central Massachusetts Catholic community.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Holy Cross (the True Cross of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick A. Ssekyole
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a small, neighborly Catholic parish where parishioners know one another by name and newcomers are welcomed into the parish family. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, daily Mass on Monday and Wednesday is followed by Eucharistic Adoration on the last Tuesday of each month, and a religious education program for children keeps the faith being passed on to the next generation. Active parish council leadership, a religious education team, AA meetings, monthly fellowship gatherings after the 7:45 a.m. Sunday Mass, and the shared pastoral mission with St. Martin's Mission in Otter River make this an easy parish to plug into — whether you're a lifelong Catholic returning to practice or a new resident of Templeton looking for a spiritual home.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
- Or anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (last Tuesday of the month)
Welcome and Parish Identity
The parish website opens with a warm welcome: 'Here at Holy Cross we are happy to welcome you into our parish family and invite you to enter fully into our spiritual and social life.' The parish is a Latin-Rite (Roman) Catholic community of about 550 registered families in East Templeton, part of the town of Templeton in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
- Roman-Latin Rite
- Diocese of Worcester
- Approximately 550 registered families
- Welcomes new parishioners through the rectory office
History of Holy Cross Parish
Established in 1956 by the Diocese of Worcester, the parish grew over decades as East Templeton developed. The 1994–2006 pastorate of Fr. George L. O'Brien brought a major building program and a near-doubling of parish rolls. Subsequent pastors Fr. Joseph Jurgelonis (2006–2015) and Fr. Marcin W. Nowicki (from 2015) continued the work, and today the parish is shepherded by Fr. Patrick A. Ssekyole.
- 1956 – Parish founded by Diocese of Worcester
- 1956–1957 – Church built on Lake Ave. (architect: Dirsa & Lampron, Manchester, NH)
- 1994–2006 – Fr. George L. O'Brien: six-classroom addition, church and rectory renovated
- 2006 – Parish celebrated its 50th anniversary
- 2006 – Fr. Joseph J. Jurgelonis succeeds Fr. O'Brien
- July 2015 – Fr. Marcin W. Nowicki appointed by Bishop McManus
- Currently – Fr. Patrick A. Ssekyole as pastor
Staff and Pastoral Leadership
The parish staff, as listed on the website, includes the pastor, an administrative assistant/bookkeeper, the parish council chair, and the religious education supervisor. Fr. Patrick A. Ssekyole serves as pastor and also ministers to St. Martin Mission in nearby Otter River.
- Rev. Patrick A. Ssekyole – Pastor
- Jennifer McNeaney – Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper
- Thomas Royer – Parish Council Chair
- Dr. John Worden – Religious Education Supervisor
Religious Education and Faith Formation
The parish's Religious Education program, supervised by Dr. John Worden, supports youth faith formation for parishioner children. The program's adult-education component reflects the parish's belief that Catholics are lifelong disciples — students of Jesus at every age.
- Youth Religious Education classes for parish children
- Adult Religious Education opportunities
- Mission: lifelong discipleship through Scripture, Tradition, liturgy, and the sacraments
Parish Life and Fellowship
Beyond Mass and devotions, Holy Cross nurtures its community through fellowship gatherings and supports members in recovery. AA meetings are held regularly at the parish and the community gathers after the 7:45 a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of every month for 'good conversations and tasty treats.'
- Monthly fellowship after 7:45 a.m. Sunday Mass (first Sunday)
- AA Meetings (recurring, dates on parish calendar)
- Parish Council under Thomas Royer
- Online Giving available through the website
Stewardship and Outreach
Holy Cross participates annually in the Diocese of Worcester's Partners in Charity Appeal. For 2024 the parish reached $20,390 in pledges — 108% of its $18,800 goal. Online giving is available for ongoing parish support.
- 2024 Partners in Charity Appeal: $20,390 pledged (108% of goal)
- Online Giving via parish website
- Mass Intentions can be requested for $10 stipend
Visiting and Practical Information
The church, rectory, and parish offices are located at 25 Lake Ave. in East Templeton. Visitors are encouraged to use the 'Get Directions' link on the parish website. The rectory can be reached at (978) 632-2121 for Mass intentions, appointments, or sacraments.
- Address: 25 Lake Ave., East Templeton, MA 01468
- Phone: (978) 632-2121
- Website: holycrossparishet.org
- Get Directions link on parish homepage
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George L. O'Brien1994–2006
Worcester native, Holy Cross College Class of 1954, ordained 1958; oversaw $350,000 capital campaign, six-classroom addition, and parish growth from ~480 to 550 families; retired after 48 years of priesthood; celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary.
- Rev. Joseph J. Jurgelonis2006–2015
Previously at St. Denis, Ashburnham and St. Anne, South Ashburnham; reassigned in July 2015 to become founding pastor of Annunciation Parish in Gardner.
- Rev. Marcin W. Nowicki2015–
Appointed July 2015 by Bishop McManus, transferring from St. Mary Parish, Shrewsbury, where he had been associate pastor; serves Holy Cross and St. Martin Mission, Otter River.
- Rev. Patrick A. Ssekyole
Current pastor; also serves St. Martin Mission in Otter River.