About Holy Cross · Springfield, Massachusetts
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a welcoming Catholic parish in the East Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts, founded in 1949 by the Diocese of Springfield in partnership with the people of Holy Name Parish. The parish lives out a mission to build the Body of Christ by fostering an inclusive community, celebrating the Mass and sacraments, serving neighbors, and embracing the diversity of its congregation. It is pastored today by Father Quỳnh Tran and is supported by a Knights of Columbus council (Council 15864), a Parish Pastoral Council, and a broad array of liturgical, faith-formation, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Rev. Quynh Tran (Fr. Quỳnh Tran)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield
Why belong here
Holy Cross offers a stable, welcoming Catholic home in the East Forest Park neighborhood, with a full weekly Mass schedule, daily Mass Monday through Thursday, a half-hour of Eucharistic adoration on Wednesdays, and an active roster of devotions including the Miraculous Medal Novena, the Chaplet of the Unborn, and the Rosary. Parishioners of all ages are drawn into the life of the church through faith formation for children and adults, RCIA, a Haitian Mass, Knights of Columbus Council 15864, the Parish Pastoral Council, and a deep bench of liturgical ministries. The parish's mission statement is explicit: 'No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church … you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here at Holy Cross Church.'
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM, and by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (followed by Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 5:00 PM)
About Holy Cross Parish
Holy Cross Church is a welcoming Catholic community founded in 1949, dedicated to building the Body of Christ by fostering an inclusive parish community where all feel welcomed, valued, and supported. According to its mission statement, the parish radiates Christ's love through the celebration of the Mass and the Sacraments, service to neighbors, and fellowship events, embracing the diversity of its congregation and encouraging active participation in parish life. It is located in the heart of the East Forest Park section of Springfield, Massachusetts, and is part of the Diocese of Springfield.
- Founded 1949
- East Forest Park, Springfield, MA
- Diocese of Springfield
- Welcoming parish mission: 'You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here at Holy Cross Church.'
Parish History
Holy Cross was founded in 1949 by Monsignor John Mitchell, an alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Parish lore holds that the new community was originally to be called Holy Trinity before an assistant priest prevailed upon Mitchell to name it Holy Cross. It was created out of portions of Holy Name, Holy Family, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart parishes, with Holy Name's pastor donating building-fund money to help purchase the land for the new church. On June 14, 2025 — the Feast of the Holy Trinity — the parish celebrated its 75th anniversary with a Mass concelebrated by Father Quynh Tran, Father David Darcy, Monsignor Christopher Connelly, Father Daniel Pacholec, and Father Thomas Shea, followed by a banquet at the Cedars Banquet Hall. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno proclaimed the day 'Holy Cross Church Day in the city of Springfield.'
- Founded 1949 by Msgr. John Mitchell
- 75th anniversary celebrated June 14, 2025
- Anniversary Mass concelebrated by Fr. Tran, Fr. Darcy, Msgr. Connelly, Fr. Pacholec, Fr. Shea
- 'Real to Reel' commemorative video produced for the anniversary
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Holy Cross Youth Faith Formation Program (formerly known as the Religious Education Program) supports the faith journey of parish children through weekly religious education classes, special activities, and sacramental preparation, running from September through April. The program is supported by volunteer teachers, substitutes, and administrative help, and is overseen by the Director of Religious Education.
- Weekly classes September through April
- First Communion preparation for children entering second grade
- Confirmation preparation for teens entering ninth grade
- Online registration form available
- Director of Religious Education: Richard Shone
Sacramental Preparation
Baptisms are celebrated on the third Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM, and expectant parents are asked to call the parish office to make arrangements. First Communion and Confirmation preparation are parish-based, with First Communion for second graders and Confirmation for teens entering ninth grade.
- Baptism: third Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM
- First Communion: contact the rectory
- Confirmation: contact the rectory
RCIA & Adult Faith Formation
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and continuing faith-formation programming for adults fall under the parish's Spiritual Life Committee, which coordinates all levels of educational programming in the parish from children through adults.
- RCIA coordinated through the Spiritual Life Committee
- Adult continuing faith formation available
Liturgical Ministries
The Spiritual Life Committee oversees recruitment, training, and scheduling for the parish's liturgical ministries. Volunteers serve as Eucharistic Ministers (including visiting the homebound), Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, Assistant Sacristans, and members of the Liturgical Environment and Music Ministry teams. The parish also celebrates a Family Mass and a periodic Haitian Mass, and prepares for funerals and the Mass of Remembrance through a dedicated Bereavement Support ministry.
- Eucharistic Ministers (including homebound visits)
- Lectors
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Altar Servers
- Assistant Sacristans
- Music Ministry (Director: Brian Rucci)
- Liturgical Environment
- Family Mass
- Haitian Mass
- Funeral Preparation / Bereavement Support
- Mass of Remembrance
Parish Pastoral Council & Committees
The Parish Pastoral Council sets goals and annual objectives to ensure Holy Cross Parish is responsive to the needs of its people. It meets on the 4th Monday of each month from 6:30–8:00 PM, September through June, and is supported by a Prayer Team of parishioners who pray from home during meetings. Three commissions flow from the Council — a Spiritual Life Committee, a Community Life Committee, and a Communications Committee — each meeting monthly and feeding a representative back to the Council.
- Parish Pastoral Council meets 4th Monday, 6:30–8:00 PM, Sept–June
- Spiritual Life Committee
- Community Life Committee
- Communications Committee (Bulletin, Chronicle, website, Facebook)
- Council contact: [email protected]
Parish Communications & Newsletter
The parish publishes the Holy Cross Chronicle, a weekly email newsletter with previews of upcoming events and items of interest, and a weekly bulletin. The parish also maintains a Facebook presence and its website at holycrossparish.org. The Communications Committee works to keep messaging consistent across all channels.
- Holy Cross Chronicle (weekly email newsletter)
- Weekly bulletin
- Facebook page
- Website: holycrossparish.org
Knights of Columbus
The parish website is proudly sponsored by Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Council 15864, which supports the parish community through fundraising, service, and fellowship. The Knights sponsor many parish events and are a visible presence in parish life.
- Council 15864
- Parish website sponsor
Sister Parish Relationship
Holy Cross maintains a Sister Parish Relationship, including an annual Sister Parish Fiesta, reflecting the parish's commitment to solidarity with Catholic communities beyond Springfield.
- Sister Parish Relationship
- Annual Sister Parish Fiesta
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Father Quynh Tran and supported by two deacons and a dedicated lay staff team. The Music Director leads liturgical music, while the Director of Youth Faith Formation oversees faith formation and serves as Child Advocate.
- Fr. Quynh Tran — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Odell 'Danny' Daniel — Deacon
- Marc-Arthur Jean-Mary — Deacon
- Mrs. Catherine Daniel — Director, Youth Faith Formation; Child Advocate
- Mr. Brian Rucci — Director, Liturgical Music
- Richard Shone — Director of Religious Education
Visit & Contact
Holy Cross is located at 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118, in the heart of the East Forest Park neighborhood (GPS address: 219 Plumtree Road). The Rectory can be reached at 413-783-4111 (fax 413-788-6143), and the parish can be contacted online through the website's contact form. Prayer requests may be made by calling Sue Callahan at 796-1950.
- Address: 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118
- Phone: 413-783-4111
- Fax: 413-788-6143
- Prayer requests: Sue Callahan, 796-1950
- GPS: 219 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Mitchell (later Msgr.)1949–
Founding pastor; alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, who named the parish Holy Cross (parish lore says the community was originally to be called Holy Trinity).
- Rev. Thomas Shea1989–2003
Served as pastor and later co-pastor; preached the homily at the 75th anniversary Mass in June 2025.
- Rev. David M. Darcy
Second-most-recent pastor before the current pastor; concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in June 2025.
- Rev. Quynh Tranpresent
Current pastor; celebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in June 2025.