Our Lady of the Cross

About Our Lady of the Cross Parish

Our Lady of the Cross Parish was founded on July 1, 2011, as the result of a diocesan-mandated merger of two venerable Holyoke parishes — Mater Dolorosa (founded 1896) and Holy Cross (founded 1905). The parish worships at the former Holy Cross church on Holy Cross Avenue, located 1.2 miles from the former Mater Dolorosa parish church. The parish has been entrusted to the Conventual Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, continuing a Franciscan presence in Holyoke that began in 1896 with the founding of Mater Dolorosa to serve the growing Polish immigrant community. The parish includes Mater Dolorosa Catholic School, serving children from 3- and 4-year-old preschool through 8th grade, and Mater Dolorosa Cemetery in South Hadley, all under its administrative care.

• Founded: July 1, 2011
• Predecessor parishes: Mater Dolorosa (1896) and Holy Cross (1905)
• Administered by: Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.), Our Lady of the Angels Province
• Diocese: Springfield in Massachusetts

Mission Statement

The parish mission states: 'We, the parish family of Our Lady of the Cross, with openness to and acceptance of change, are united by our worship of God in the Eucharist. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we strive for a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and are called to be instruments of peace in our parish, school, community and beyond.' The Franciscan Friars are dedicated to preaching the message of peace in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, inviting all parishioners to be Instruments of Peace.

Clergy & Parish Staff

The parish is led by Conventual Franciscan Friars alongside a dedicated lay staff. Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv., serves as pastor, with Fr. Gregory Wierzowiecki, OFM Conv., as parochial vicar. Two friars — Fr. Jack Leszczynski, OFM Conv., and Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. — live in residence. Lay staff include Secretary Laura Yofre, Bookkeeper Bob Grzelak, Director of Religious Education Dorothea MacNeil, Music Director Robin Sheehan, Maintenance staff Robert Maziarz, Cemetery contact Bob Koske, and Parish Child Advocate Marybeth Kass.

• Fr. Albert Scherer, OFM Conv. — Pastor ([email protected])
• Fr. Gregory Wierzowiecki, OFM Conv. — Parochial Vicar
• Fr. Jack Leszczynski, OFM Conv. — In Residence
• Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. — In Residence
• Laura Yofre — Secretary ([email protected])
• Bob Grzelak — Bookkeeper
• Dorothea MacNeil — DRE ([email protected]; 413-244-6546)
• Robin Sheehan — Music Director (413-355-2164)
• Robert Maziarz — Maintenance
• Bob Koske — Mater Dolorosa Cemetery
• Marybeth Kass — Parish Child Advocate (413-313-6118)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at Our Lady of the Cross welcomes children who do not attend the parish school, with grammar-school classes (K through 6th grade) held on Mondays from 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm, and Confirmation preparation for grades 7 through 11 held on Sundays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Classes meet in the meeting room of the John Paul II Social Center to allow for proper social distancing. If Holyoke public schools are closed on Mondays due to inclement weather, Religious Education classes are canceled as well. The parish also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those seeking to become Catholic, or for baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation.

• Religious Education (K–6): Monday 4:15–5:30 pm
• Confirmation prep (7–11): Sunday 6:00–7:30 pm
• RCIA — contact parish office for details
• DRE: Dorothea MacNeil — 413-244-6546

Sacraments

The parish prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Infant Baptism requires a single parent preparation class; older children and unbaptized adults are prepared through the RCIA process. Confirmation is normally conferred on young people by the bishop in a special ceremony; adults may be confirmed when the bishop visits or at the Easter Vigil. First Eucharist is usually celebrated in 2nd grade. Reconciliation is offered Monday through Saturday at 8:00 am and Saturday at 3:15 pm (and by appointment). The Anointing of the Sick is available for the seriously ill, elderly, or infirm — contact the parish office. Those discerning a call to Holy Orders, or couples preparing for Matrimony, are invited to call the parish office.

• Baptism (infant class; older through RCIA)
• Confirmation (youth with Bishop; adults at Easter Vigil)
• First Eucharist (typically 2nd grade)
• Reconciliation (Mon–Sat 8:00 am; Sat 3:15 pm; by appointment)
• Anointing of the Sick
• Holy Orders — vocations discernment
• Matrimony — preparation

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School

Mater Dolorosa Catholic School is a Preschool through Grade 8 Catholic school located along the Connecticut River in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and is part of the ministries of Our Lady of the Cross Parish. The school has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since 2005, and follows guidelines of the Diocese of Springfield, NEASC, and Massachusetts educational frameworks. With an average class size of 16 students, the school emphasizes Catholic religious education, cultural diversity, moral development, service to others, and leadership, following the spirit of St. Francis — teaching peace, justice, and kindness from preschool through Grade 8. It offers full-day preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, a kindergarten program (children may be 5 by September 1), intensive reading and math support, computer classrooms with iPads and SmartBoards, and a before- and after-school program.

• Address: 25 Maple Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
• Phone: (413) 532-2831 | Fax: (413) 532-8588
• Preschool (3 & 4 yr) through Grade 8
• NEASC accredited since 2005
• Average class size: 16 students
• Mission: 'Live out the spirit of St. Francis' — peace, justice, kindness
• Before- and after-school program available

Outreach & Community Life

Generous outreach to the local needy is a hallmark inherited from both founding parishes. Holy Cross and Mater Dolorosa were each distinguished for their food, clothing, and Christmas toy collections, and Our Lady of the Cross continues and unites those traditions today. The Pope John Paul II Social Center, which hosted the many community-building activities of the former Mater Dolorosa parish, remains in use by the merged parish (including for Religious Education classes). Adult faith formation offerings such as the ALPHA and Life in the Spirit seminars — long associated with Holy Cross — also continue.

• Food, clothing, and Christmas toy collections for the local needy
• Pope John Paul II Social Center (parish gatherings, Religious Education)
• ALPHA and Life in the Spirit seminars
• Eucharistic Adoration tradition

Bulletin, Calendar & Contact

The parish publishes a weekly bulletin with Mass intentions, liturgical assignments (lectors, Eucharistic ministers), and parish announcements. Parish Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at 15 Maple Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (phone 413-532-5661; fax 413-532-7889). The church itself is located on Holy Cross Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040. General inquiries can be emailed to [email protected]. The parish also offers online giving through its website.

• Parish Office: 15 Maple Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
• Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Phone: (413) 532-5661 | Fax: (413) 532-7889
• Email: [email protected]
• Online giving via website
• Weekly bulletin published on the parish website