About Holy Cross · South Easton, Massachusetts
Holy Cross Parish is a Roman Catholic community of approximately 1,300 families in South Easton, Massachusetts, founded in 1966 and staffed by the Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.) Priests and Brothers. Part of the Diocese of Fall River, the parish is centered on the Eucharist and committed to fulfilling the human and spiritual needs of its parishioners and the wider community. The parish is rooted in the vision of Vatican II and emphasizes hospitality, justice, and service. Originally drawn from South Easton, the community now welcomes members from surrounding towns and is blessed with many young families among members of all ages.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- The Holy Cross
- Rector
- Rev. Bradley J. Metz, C.S.C.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
Holy Cross offers the stability of being one of 15 parishes in the U.S. staffed by the Congregation of Holy Cross, a religious order dedicated since its founding to education and parish ministry. With about 1,300 families and a notably young demographic, the parish runs a robust family-centered faith formation program (Families & Faith for grades 1–7), youth and young adult discipleship with a dedicated associate minister, daily and weekend Masses, regular Confession and Eucharistic Adoration, and a music program led by a Director of Music. Its stated mission — to be a community centered in the Eucharist, welcoming to all, and committed to outreach to those in need — makes it a strong fit for Catholic families in the South Easton area looking for an engaged, growing parish home.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
About Holy Cross Parish
Holy Cross Parish in South Easton, Massachusetts is a Catholic community of approximately 1,300 families, founded in 1966 and continuously staffed by the Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Fall River, follows the Roman Catholic tradition, and seeks to fulfill the vision of Vatican II by being welcoming, practicing justice, and using the gifts of time, talent, and treasure to serve those in need. The parish describes itself as a community centered in the Eucharist, committed in faith and love of Jesus Christ to fulfilling the profoundly human and spiritual needs of its parishioners and the larger community.
- Founded in 1966 by the Diocese of Fall River
- Staffed by the Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.) Priests and Brothers
- Approximately 1,300 families; many young families
- Located in South Easton, MA; part of the Diocese of Fall River
History and Founding
The parish was canonically established on April 14, 1966 by Bishop James L. Connolly of the Diocese of Fall River. The Very Rev. Richard H. Sullivan, C.S.C., Eastern Provincial of the Holy Cross Fathers, nominated Rev. Joseph F. Hanna, C.S.C., to serve as the first administrator. Father Hanna, a Pawtucket native and longtime director of the Holy Cross Mission Band in North Easton, began offering Sunday and Holy Day Masses on April 24, 1966 in the Holy Cross Fathers Seminary Chapel in North Easton, while funerals and weddings were held at Immaculate Conception Church. The parish has remained under the pastoral care of the Congregation of Holy Cross ever since.
- Established April 14, 1966 by Bishop James L. Connolly
- First administrator: Rev. Joseph F. Hanna, C.S.C.
- Initial Masses held at Holy Cross Fathers Seminary Chapel, North Easton
- Created concurrently with suppression of Holy Rosary Church, New Bedford
Pastoral Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Fr. Bradley J. Metz, C.S.C., serves as Pastor, having previously been Parochial Vicar at the same parish from 2015 to 2017. Fr. John M. Santone, C.S.C., serves as Parochial Vicar, and Deacon Gary Donahue serves as Pastoral Associate. Danielle Schmitz serves as Parish and Youth Associate Minister through the Echo Graduate Service Program while pursuing a master's degree in Theology.
- Fr. Bradley J. Metz, C.S.C. — Pastor (since 2017)
- Fr. John M. Santone, C.S.C. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Gary Donahue — Pastoral Associate
- Danielle Schmitz — Parish and Youth Associate Minister (Echo Program)
- Margaret Dwyer-Hogan — Director of Faith Formation
- Christopher Iannitelli — Director of Music
- Deborah Kelley — Finance
- Paul Celia — Plant Manager
- Lindsay Franzoni — Parish Administrative Assistant
Faith Formation — Families & Faith
Families & Faith is the parish's family-based faith formation program for children in grades 1 through 7, with younger siblings welcome. Families attend the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass together and then gather in the Great Room of the Parish Center for one hour of teaching led by other parish families. Parents receive a background and understanding of each chapter so they can continue the lesson at home through readings, games, crafts, and other activities. The program runs September through May and fulfills the year's faith formation requirements, with additional at-home or in-person sacramental preparation required for grade 2 children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
- For children in grades 1–7 (younger siblings welcome)
- Monthly meetings after 10 AM Sunday Mass
- Held in the Great Room of the Parish Center
- Runs September through May
- Sacramental prep required for grade 2 children
Youth and Young Adult Discipleship
Holy Cross maintains an active youth and young adult discipleship ministry, currently led by Danielle Schmitz as Parish and Youth Associate Minister. Danielle came to the parish through the Echo Graduate Service Program — a two-year placement — while simultaneously earning her master's degree in Theology. She holds a bachelor's in Theology and Philosophy from the Catholic University of America and has done missionary work with Damascus Catholic Mission Campus, Franciscan University of Steubenville, and the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage & Congress. She is available for one-on-one meetings via Calendly.
- Parish and Youth Associate Minister: Danielle Schmitz
- Echo Graduate Service Program participant
- Pursuing M.A. in Theology
- B.A. in Theology and Philosophy, Catholic University of America
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLW) offered at Sunday Mass
Music Ministry
Liturgical music at Holy Cross is led by Christopher Iannitelli, Director of Music, supporting the parish's weekend and daily Masses.
- Director of Music: Christopher Iannitelli
Pastoral Council and Parishioner Leadership
Lay parishioners share in the pastoral leadership of Holy Cross through the Parish Council. Members such as Bill Mulvey (2023–2026) represent the body of active parishioners, which includes Eucharistic ministers, faith formation catechists, and other volunteer ministries.
- Pastoral Council members serve three-year terms
- Bill Mulvey (2023–2026), Eucharistic Minister at 8:30 Sunday Mass
Parish Identity and Mission
Holy Cross's stated mission is to be 'a community centered in the Eucharist, committed in faith and love of Jesus Christ to fulfill the profoundly human and spiritual needs of its parishioners and the larger community it serves.' The parish seeks to inspire all, through deeds and by example, to do the work of Christ: to make God known, loved, and served. As part of the Congregation of Holy Cross's U.S. Province — which staffs 15 parishes in the United States and one in Mexico — Holy Cross shares in the order's broader mission of education, outreach to the poor, spiritual ministries for families, and Catholic publishing through Ave Maria Press.
- Eucharist-centered community
- Affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. Province
- Part of the Diocese of Fall River
Visit, Contact, and Giving
The parish office at 225 Purchase Street, Easton, MA 02375 is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and closed on Fridays. Visitors are encouraged to introduce themselves and register to become members of the community. Online giving is available through the parish's ParishSoft giving portal, and the parish maintains a Facebook page at facebook.com/holycrossparisheaston.ma for ongoing news and events.
- Address: 225 Purchase Street, Easton, MA 02375
- Phone: 508-238-2235
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM; closed Fri
- Facebook: facebook.com/holycrossparisheaston.ma
- Online giving via ParishSoft
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph F. Hanna, C.S.C.1966 (founding administrator)
First administrator appointed by Bishop James L. Connolly; Holy Cross priest from Pawtucket, former Mission Band director in North Easton.
- Rev. Bradley J. Metz, C.S.C.2017–present
Served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Cross (2015–2017) before becoming Pastor.