About Holy Cross · Morgan City, Louisiana
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Morgan City, Louisiana, in the heart of St. Mary Parish on Bayou Teche. Established June 1, 1964 as a daughter parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus, it was carved out to serve Morgan City's booming mid-century population drawn by the oil, seafood and sugar industries. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux and today offers eleven Masses a week, including a Saturday vigil, three Sunday Masses, and weekday evening Masses, plus shepherding St. Rosalie Chapel in nearby Stephensville and chaplaincy Masses at Central Catholic High School and Central Catholic Elementary. Its stated mission is the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 — to go and make disciples — lived out through adult and youth formation, RCIA, sacramental preparation, men's and women's ministry, and the parish priority teams.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Father Patrick Riviere
- Diocese
- Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux
Why belong here
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a vibrant, mid-sized bayou parish that makes it easy to belong: three Sunday Masses (8 AM, 10:30 AM, and 5:30 PM) plus a Saturday vigil, daily evening Mass Monday through Thursday, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays, and a thriving roster of small-group formation, RCIA, youth and adult faith formation, men's Bible study, and sacramental preparation for marriage, baptism, funerals, and annulments. The parish keeps members connected through its weekly bulletin, Flocknote text alerts, Facebook and Instagram pages, and YouTube channel, and it reaches beyond the church walls by shepherding St. Rosalie Chapel in Stephensville and providing chaplaincy Masses at Central Catholic High School and Elementary.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Prior to all Masses (Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM / 10:30 AM / 5:30 PM, and Monday–Thursday 5:30 PM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM in church
Parish History & Heritage
Holy Cross Parish was established June 1, 1964 and is the second Catholic parish in Morgan City, carved out of Sacred Heart of Jesus, the 'mother parish' founded in the 1850s when the town was still called Brashear. The first Mass was celebrated August 15, 1965 by Rev. Gerald Barrett. The parish originally belonged to the Archdiocese of New Orleans; in March 1977 Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux, and Holy Cross became one of the 36 founding parishes of the new local Church. In 2014 the parish marked its 50th anniversary with a year-long celebration that included the return of each former pastor to celebrate Mass, the main Jubilee Mass on June 1, 2014, and a luncheon in the Yvonne Anne Adams Life Center.
- Established June 1, 1964 — daughter parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus
- First Mass: August 15, 1965, Rev. Gerald Barrett
- Original jurisdiction: Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Joined the newly-erected Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux in 1977
- 50th anniversary celebrated throughout 2014; Jubilee Mass on June 1, 2014
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, Holy Cross nurtures a deep devotional life centered on the Eucharist, Our Lady, and Sacred Scripture. The weekly rhythm includes Tuesday all-day Adoration, regular recitation of the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet before the Saturday Vigil, and a Thursday-morning men's Bible study.
- Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary — Saturday 4:55 PM (before vigil Mass)
- Rosary — Monday following the 5:30 PM Mass
- Rosary — Friday 6:15 AM
- Men of St. Joseph Bible Study — Thursday 5:30 AM in the Life Center
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
Holy Cross is pastored by Father Patrick Riviere, who was named the parish's ninth pastor in 2025 after serving first as associate (2020), then as administrator (July 1, 2024), while continuing as Priest Secretary for the Office of the Bishop and Director of the Office of the Priesthood in the Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux. The parish is also served by two permanent deacons whose combined tenure exceeds half a century, and a deeply involved lay staff and Priority-Team leadership corps.
- Pastor: Father Patrick Riviere (ordained June 1, 2019)
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Andrew Dragna (serving since ordination in 1976)
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Vic Bonnaffee (serving since 2006)
- Administrative Assistant: Mary Streva Guidry (Central Catholic HS Class of 1976)
- Bookkeeper (listed on staff page)
- Kellye Patterson — Safe Environment and Youth Formation Coordinator
- Shana Ross, Barbara Flowers — additional staff
Pastoral Succession
Holy Cross's 2014 50th-anniversary publications identified Fr. Danny Poché as the parish's eighth pastor and listed the names of each former pastor, several of whom returned during the jubilee year to celebrate Mass. The known succession includes Fr. Gerald Barrett (first pastor, 1964–), Fr. Clyde Mahler (appointed 2016), and the current pastor Fr. Patrick Riviere (associate 2020, administrator 2024, pastor 2025).
- Rev. Gerald Barrett — first pastor, celebrated the inaugural Mass Aug 15 1965
- Rev. Danny (Daniel) Poché — 8th pastor, served ~9 years; native of Houma; led the 50th anniversary (2014); retired 2016
- Rev. Clyde Mahler — appointed pastor July 1, 2016 (six-year term); native of Kraemer; ordained May 22, 1999
- Father Patrick Riviere — associate 2020, administrator 2024, pastor 2025–present
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Formation is treated as a lifelong pursuit at Holy Cross, with parallel tracks for adults and young people. The Adult Formation Team facilitates the parish's small-group experience, 'Holy Cross Connections,' drawing on Pope Benedict XVI's vision of discipleship as learning 'the art of living.' Youth Formation (HCYF) covers Elementary, Junior High, and High School students, plus a Children's Church experience during the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass for the parish's youngest members.
- Adult Formation — small groups called 'Holy Cross Connections'
- Holy Cross Youth Formation (HCYF) — Elementary, Junior High, High School tracks
- Children's Church during 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Youth Formation Coordinator: Kellye Jo Patterson ([email protected])
- RCIA for adults — led by Colleen Hunter and Vickie Hall
Sacramental Preparation (Major Life Moments)
The Major Life Moments Priority Team walks closely with parishioners through the most important milestones of Christian life — marriage, baptism, first Communion, confirmation, funerals, and the annulment process when needed. Couples preparing for marriage, families arranging baptisms, those needing an annulment, and families arranging funeral rites are all paired with a dedicated team contact.
- Marriage Preparation — Keith and Lisa Thibodeaux
- Annulments — Colleen Hunter
- Funerals and Bereavement — Kellye Jo Patterson
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation preparation through Youth/Adult Formation
- Senior Leadership Team contact: Leanne Landry
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Worship and Welcome team coordinates the parish's liturgical environment, with cantors, an organist, greeters, and hospitality ministers dedicated to creating a warm, prayerful experience for every Mass. Liturgical music is led by Cantor Rose Hale and Organist Eddie Dugas, Jr.
- Liturgical Music — Cantor Rose Hale; Organist Eddie Dugas, Jr.
- Worship & Welcome team — greeters, hospitality, liturgical ministers
- Senior Leadership (Worship): Dwayne & Maria Barbier; Randy Aulds
Outreach & Communication
Holy Cross keeps parishioners and seekers connected through a multi-channel communication strategy: weekly bulletin, Flocknote text alerts, Facebook, Instagram, a YouTube channel, and the parish website. Homebound parishioners can call the office to receive regular Holy Communion visits.
- Text 'holycrossmc' to 84576 for Flocknote alerts (free)
- Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels
- Weekly bulletin and breaking-news updates via email
- Homebound Communion List — call the parish office
Parish Campus & Mission Outposts
Beyond the main church at 2100 Cedar Street, the parish operates the Yvonne Anne Adams Life Center (used for Bible studies, parish luncheons, and anniversary celebrations), and ministers to St. Rosalie Chapel in nearby Stephensville. The parish also provides chaplaincy Masses for Central Catholic High School (CCHS) and Central Catholic Elementary School (CCES), making it a hub of Catholic life across St. Mary Parish.
- Main church — 2100 Cedar Street Unit #3, Morgan City
- Yvonne Anne Adams Life Center — parish hall / formation space
- St. Rosalie Chapel, Stephensville — Saturday 4:00 PM Mass
- Central Catholic High School (CCHS) chaplaincy
- Central Catholic Elementary School (CCES) chaplaincy
Joining & Getting Involved
Holy Cross's stated motto is 'Come. Worship. Belong.' — a reflection of its threefold pattern of hospitality, liturgical worship, and small-group community. Visitors and newcomers are welcomed by the Worship and Welcome team; formation and ministry involvement is coordinated through the parish's Priority Teams (Adult Formation, Youth Formation, Major Life Moments, Worship & Welcome, Social Media/Communications, Liturgical Music).
- Parish motto: 'Come. Worship. Belong.'
- Get involved through one of the Priority Teams
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–Noon and 1:00–3:00 PM
- Mailing address: 2100 Cedar Street Unit #3, Morgan City, LA 70380
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Gerald Barrett1964– (first pastor, celebrated first Mass Aug 15 1965)
Officiated the parish's first Mass
- Rev. Danny (Daniel) Poché2005–2016 (approx. 9 years)
Eighth pastor; native of Houma, ordained March 4, 1978; led the 50th anniversary in 2014 and retired in 2016
- Rev. Clyde Mahler2016– (six-year appointment)
Native of Kraemer, ordained May 22, 1999; appointed pastor July 1, 2016 from Maria Immacolata
- Father Patrick Riviere2020, then administrator 2024, pastor 2025–present
Associate 2020; administrator July 1, 2024; named pastor 2025 by Bishop Simon Peter Engurait