About Holy Cross · Morris, New York
Holy Cross Church is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the village of Morris in Otsego County, New York. Founded in 1948, it is a community of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, part of the parish family that includes nearby St. Mary's in Oneonta. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:30 am, and the parish maintains an active schedule of ministries for seniors, women, men, and outreach to the homebound. Its mission statement calls the parish a pilgrim people called to bring the Gospel, equipped with the mind of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- Holy Cross (the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- Rector
- Rev. Chris Welch (Sacramental Minister)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a small, close-knit country parish where nearly every parishioner can find a way to serve: from lectoring and choir, to bringing Holy Communion to the homebound, to running hospitality for funeral receptions. Its shared ministries with neighboring St. Mary's (Food Pantry, Peace and Justice, Prayer and Worship) give members a wider circle of impact across Otsego County. With a calm Sunday Mass, First Friday Holy Hour, and active groups like the Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus Council 4989, and Young at Heart seniors, it offers both a quiet place to pray and a real place to belong.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only
Adoration times
- First Friday: 6:30 pm Holy Hour
- Friday 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Adoration (First Fridays)
About Holy Cross Church, Morris
Holy Cross is a small Catholic parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany serving the village of Morris in Otsego County, New York. Its formal mission statement describes the parish as 'a pilgrim people with a responsibility to bring the message of the Gospel to all,' a community 'blessed with a diverse group of Christians with a conglomerate of talents.' The parish sees itself not as an end in itself, but as 'a place where one can go to be renewed and supported in the struggles of life' and as 'an extension of Jesus' mission.'
- Founded in 1948 (per GCatholic)
- Located at 98 Main Street, Morris, NY 13808
- Phone: (607) 263-5143
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: parishes.rcda.org/holycross/
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is currently served by Sacramental Minister Rev. Chris Welch, who helps celebrate the Sunday Mass, with assistance from Fr. Jim O'Rourke. Maureen E. Joy, the retired Parish Life Coordinator, continues to be a familiar contact for the parish. Mathew Tabone is listed as a Leader in Training (Volunteer). The parish also relies on a strong team of lay leaders through its councils and committees.
- Rev. Chris Welch – Sacramental Minister
- Rev. Jim O'Rourke
- Maureen E. Joy – Parish Life Coordinator (Retired)
- Mathew Tabone – Leader in Training (Volunteer)
- Pastoral Council Chair: Kerry L. Mess
- Finance Council: Dana Mochovciak, Jessica Aikins, Marguerite Webster
- Liturgical Committee Chair: Marguerite Webster
- Trustees: Michael Stensland, Richard Meyers
Worship Schedule
Mass is the heart of parish life at Holy Cross. The community gathers for a weekly Sunday Mass and a weekday Mass on Thursday morning, with a Liturgy of the Word on Saturday afternoons. Adoration is offered on First Fridays.
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 am (with Fr. Chris Welch and Fr. Jim O'Rourke)
- Thursday Mass: 10:00 am
- Liturgy of the Word: Saturday 3:00 pm
- Reconciliation (Confession): By appointment only
- First Friday Holy Hour: 6:30 pm
- Adoration: Friday 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (First Fridays)
Sacraments
Holy Cross offers Reconciliation by appointment and brings Holy Communion to the homebound and those in healthcare facilities through its Pastoral Care Visitors. The parish's Lazarus Ministry is specifically devoted to walking with families at the death of a loved one, providing presence, prayer, song, and liturgical ministry at funeral Masses.
- Reconciliation by appointment
- Holy Communion to the homebound
- Funeral liturgy support through the Lazarus Ministry
Ministries and Committees
Holy Cross runs a wide variety of ministries, many of them in collaboration with neighboring St. Mary's. Volunteers are welcomed into liturgical roles, faith formation, outreach, and parish operations. Many ministries offer on-site training.
- Pastoral Care Visitors (homebound visits, training provided)
- Catechist (faith formation for parish children and youth)
- Liturgical Ministries – Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Musician/Choir, Greeter, Server, Usher
- Food Pantry (with St. Mary's – Regional Food Bank & Walmart distributions)
- Peace and Justice Committee (Family Service Association, Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County, food pantries)
- Lazarus Ministry (funeral liturgy support)
- Hospitality Ministry (receptions for funerals and parish celebrations)
- Prayer and Worship Committee (with St. Mary's)
- Building and Grounds (Andrew Turner, Daphne Thompson)
- Liturgical Committee (Marguerite Webster, Chair)
Parish Life and Organizations
Beyond its ministries, Holy Cross hosts a handful of parish organizations that knit the community together socially and spiritually. The Young at Heart seniors meet weekly, the Widows Tea gathers every other month, and the Rosary Society and Knights of Columbus give women and men of the parish structured ways to grow in faith and fellowship.
- Young at Heart – seniors' social gatherings on Tuesdays at 12 noon in the Parish Center (contact Angie VanBramer, 607-432-6088)
- Widows Tea – every other month, 3rd Tuesday at 10 am
- Rosary Society – spiritual and social organization for Catholic women (contact Kathy Jones, 607-432-9015)
- Knights of Columbus Council 4989 – Catholic men's organization; Grand Knight Andrew Capra (607-432-6366)