About Holy Cross · Linden, California
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving the small rural community of Linden, California, in San Joaquin County. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Stockton and is one of four parishes in Deanery III, alongside St. Joachim in Lockeford, St. Anne in Lodi, and St. Michael in Stockton. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with a Saturday vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, and a Wednesday morning weekday Mass. The parish also maintains an active Faith Formation program for children in grades 1 through Confirmation, plus sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
- Established
- 1882 (as a mission); became a parish in 1962
- Patron
- Holy Cross (the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- Rector
- Rev. William (Bill) L. Kraft
- Diocese
- Diocese of Stockton (Deanery III, with St. Joachim, Lockeford and St. Anne, Lodi)
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a small, bilingual parish in the heart of rural Linden where members know one another by name. The community offers Saturday vigil and two Sunday Masses (one in English, one in Spanish), a Wednesday morning daily Mass, a regular Saturday confession window, religious education in both languages, liturgical ministry opportunities (altar servers, lectors, Communion ministers, music, hospitality), and lay care for the sick and homebound. For families wanting a country parish with a deep history — a 1915-built community that has worshipped together for more than 140 years — it is a welcoming place to call home.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (30 minutes before the vigil Mass)
History of Holy Cross
Holy Cross traces its roots to 1882, when Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco designated it a mission of St. Joachim's in Lockeford to serve the Catholic families of the Linden area. It remained a mission for 80 years, attached at different times to St. Joachim, St. Anne's, St. Mary's in Stockton, and St. Gertrude's. The first church on the present property was built in 1915; the current stucco church replaced it in 1953 and was dedicated on April 4, 1954. The parish was formally established in 1962 with the creation of the Diocese of Stockton, with Msgr. Walter Doyle as its first pastor (1962–1966).
- 1882 — Designated a mission of St. Joachim's, Lockeford by Archbishop Alemany
- 1904 — Became a mission of St. Mary's, Stockton
- 1913 — Placed under St. Gertrude's, Stockton
- 1915 — First church built on the present property
- 1953 — Current stucco church constructed by Ben Merlo and Dan Nomellini
- April 4, 1954 — Present church dedicated
- 1954 — Cathedral-style stained-glass windows by Carl Huneke installed
- 1962 — Diocese of Stockton established; Holy Cross becomes a parish
- 1962–1966 — Msgr. Walter Doyle serves as first pastor
- 1975 — Rectory built (architect Edward C. Merlo)
- 1996 — Activities center and classrooms completed
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
Holy Cross provides a comprehensive religious education process for children in 1st through 7th grade and sacramental preparation through Confirmation, offered in both English and Spanish. The parish describes its role as teaching, encouraging, and supporting the faith formation of all the faithful in a safe, caring, and hospitable environment — supporting parents and guardians as the first and primary educators of their children's Catholic faith.
- English classes for 1st Grade through Confirmation: Wednesdays 2:30 – 3:45 PM
- Spanish classes for 1st – 5th Grade: Wednesdays 6:15 – 7:30 PM
- Director of Religious Education: Susane Boysen
- Coordinator for Religious Education (Spanish): Nina Guzman
- Faith Formation Office phone: 209-887-4063
- Catechist and Catechist Assistant volunteers needed (youth 8th grade and up, and adults)
Sacramental Preparation
All seven sacraments are available through the parish, with preparation programs tailored to each. Infant Baptism is prepared through a class for parents of children under six; older children and adults are prepared through the RCIA process. First Reconciliation and First Communion begin in 1st grade with at least two years of formation. Confirmation requires two consecutive years of enrollment in 7th grade and above. Marriage preparation begins six months in advance. Anointing of the Sick is offered to any gravely ill, aging, or dying person.
- Baptism — Infant class; older youth/adults via RCIA; Spanish baptisms 2nd and 4th Sundays at 11:30 AM
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — begins 1st grade, two-year formation minimum
- Confirmation — two consecutive years in 7th grade and above
- Marriage — 6 months of preparation plus a marriage prep course
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish; for emergencies call 209-887-3341
- Holy Orders — discernment conversations with Fr. Bill Kraft by appointment
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for older youth and adults
Faith in Action — Liturgical Ministries and Outreach
The parish invites parishioners to serve in liturgical roles and to bring Holy Communion to those who are sick or homebound. Trained Ministers of Holy Communion visit the ill and homebound as an extension of the parish's loving presence, and the parish also offers catechist and office volunteer opportunities.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Communion (Eucharistic) Ministers
- Music Ministry
- Hospitality / Ushers
- Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound
Youth Ministry and Quinceañeras
Holy Cross has hosted diocesan 'Young Neighbors in Action' (YNIA) mission trips for teens, built around the theme 'Anointed to Serve' from Luke 4:18. Quinceañera celebrations are scheduled on Saturday afternoons and follow diocesan guidelines.
- Young Neighbors in Action — week-long teen mission trip (Catholic Mission Network)
- Quinceañera preparation — Saturday afternoon celebrations; see parish guidelines
- Youth Group — currently inactive; contact [email protected]
Parish Staff and Office
The parish is led by Fr. Bill L. Kraft, supported by a Director of Religious Education, a Spanish-language Faith Formation coordinator, and an administrative assistant. Office hours are limited to three mornings a week to ensure in-person coverage.
- Pastor: Fr. Bill L. Kraft (ordained 11/08/1986)
- Director of Religious Education: Susane Boysen
- Coordinator for Religious Education (Spanish): Nina Guzman
- Administrative Assistant: Janice Colombini
- Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Parish office phone: 209-887-3341 | Fax: 209-887-2973
Diocese of Stockton and Deanery
Holy Cross is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton, led by Bishop Myron J. Cotta. The parish is grouped in Deanery III — the rural deanery covering Linden, Lockeford, Lodi, and part of Stockton — under the deanship of Rev. Raju Gudimalla, H.G.N.
- Diocese: Diocese of Stockton
- Bishop: Most Rev. Myron J. Cotta, D.D.
- Deanery: III (Dean: Rev. Raju Gudimalla, H.G.N.)
- Cluster parishes: St. Joachim (Lockeford), St. Anne (Lodi), St. Michael (Stockton)
The Church Building and Campus
The current stucco church was built in 1953 and dedicated April 4, 1954. The campus also includes a rectory (1975, architect Edward C. Merlo) and an activities center with classrooms (1996). The interior of the church is defined by its cathedral-style stained-glass windows, created in 1954 by Carl Huneke of Century Stained Glass Studio in San Francisco and donated by parish families.
- Present church: built 1953, dedicated April 4, 1954
- Stained-glass windows: Carl Huneke, Century Stained Glass Studio, San Francisco (1954)
- Rectory: added 1975, designed by architect Edward C. Merlo
- Activities center and classrooms: completed 1996
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Walter Doyle1962–1966
First pastor when Holy Cross was established as a parish of the new Diocese of Stockton in 1962.