The Parish of the Holy Cross/Immaculate Conception Church/

History of the Parish

Catholic life in Bridgeton reaches back to before the Revolutionary War, with records of Catholics in the area circa 1771. The modern parish story begins on June 16, 1864, when Rev. Martin I. Gesner of Millville came to Bridgeton and oversaw the building of the first Catholic church in town that same year. Father Theophilus Degen (1873–1878) is regarded as the first official pastor of what was then known as St. Mary's Parish, Bridgeton. The parish was later renamed Immaculate Conception and built its present church and second rectory in 1913–1915 under Father Arthur D. Hassett. Over the next century successive pastors built the school (Father Langan, 1924–1925), installed the marble interior (Father Gooley, 1950–1952), erected the present rectory (1964) and convent (1969), and expanded the mission into Port Norris with St. Anthony's.

• 1864 — First Roman Catholic church built in Bridgeton under Father Martin I. Gesner
• 1873–1878 — Father Theophilus Degen, first official pastor of St. Mary's/Immaculate Conception Parish
• 1913–1915 — Present Immaculate Conception Church built under Father Arthur D. Hassett
• 1924–1925 — Present school building erected under Father Francis X. Langan
• 1950–1952 — Interior marble renovation under Father Thomas J. Gooley
• 1964 — Present rectory built (Father/then-Msgr. D. Leonard Donohue, pastor 1961–1991)
• 1969 — Convent built; mission at Port Norris (St. Anthony) added
• October 13, 2010 — Five parishes merged to form the Parish of the Holy Cross by decree of Bishop Joseph Galante

Our Five Worship Sites

Although they now share one pastoral team and one administration, each of the five historic churches of Holy Cross Parish continues to celebrate its own Masses and devotions, preserving the character of the Catholic communities that formed them.

• St. Teresa of Avila — parish seat, 46 Central Avenue, Bridgeton (English Mass Friday 8:00 AM; 1st, 3rd and alternating 5th Sundays at 11:30 AM)
• Immaculate Conception / Inmaculada Concepción — 312 N. Pearl Street, Bridgeton (Spanish daily Masses including Sun 7 PM; English Sat 8 AM with Benediction/Rosary; Adoration Thu 9 AM–6 PM)
• St. Mary / Santa María — 732 Morton Avenue, Rosenhayn (English Sun 10:30 AM; Spanish Sun 1 PM; Adoration Wed 9 AM–3 PM)
• St. Michael / San Miguel — 363 Main Street, Cedarville, NJ 08311 (English Mass 2nd, 4th and alternating 5th Sundays at 11:30 AM)
• St. Anthony / San Antonio — 1560A Main Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349 (English Masses Mon/Tue/Wed 8 AM; Sat 5 PM; Sun 9:30 AM; Confessions Sat 4–4:45 PM)

Faith Formation & Religious Education (P.R.E.P.)

The Parish Religious Education Program (P.R.E.P.) prepares children for First Holy Communion (typically by age 8, after two years of catechesis) and Confirmation (received at the end of 8th grade after a two-year 7th–8th grade track and a parish retreat). Older children in grades 6+ who are baptized but have not received First Communion must register in person.

• Coordinator: Sr. Maria de Jesus Herrera, M.D.P.V.M., CRE; Administrator: Melissa Kiessling
• Contact: (856) 455-2323, ext. 309 — [email protected]
• Class sessions resume each year in early January after the Christmas break
• Teens and adults seeking sacraments enroll in OCIA (Order of Catholic Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA)

OCIA — Order of Catholic Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA)

The parish OCIA process welcomes unbaptized adults, baptized Christians preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church, and baptized Catholics seeking First Communion or Confirmation. Inquiries go through the St. Teresa of Avila parish office at (856) 455-2323.

Outreach & Charity

Holy Cross Parish has a robust network of outreach ministries serving low-income and homeless neighbors throughout Cumberland County. Volunteers are needed in nearly every ministry.

• Pope Francis Food Pantry — Open the third Saturday of each month, 9:00–11:00 AM; donations received the second Saturday. Contact Ginger Supernavage (856) 498-2096
• God's Giving Hands Food Giveaway — Fresh-food distribution in partnership with the Community Food Bank of South Jersey and Southern Regional Food Distribution Center; packing at St. Anthony, Port Norris one Friday a month. Contact Stephanie (text only) (856) 503-3339 or Sr. Maria de Jesus (856) 455-9960
• Code Blue Winter Shelter — Parish hosts rotating shelter nights for the homeless during winter months. Contact Rusty Brady (856) 455-3992 or (856) 371-0935
• Parish Poor Box — Dedicated funds for those in need; donations may be placed in the collection basket or mailed to 46 Central Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Health Ministry

The Holy Cross Health Ministry promotes wellness through the integration of faith and healthcare. It invites new members and offers community support, spiritual growth opportunities, health-education resources, and health-related outreach volunteer options.

• Contact: Roseanne Racano, 609-774-7613

Catholic War Veterans Post 1578

The Catholic War Veterans Immaculate Conception Memorial Post 1578 is based at Immaculate Conception Church and is the only CWV post in the Diocese of Camden. The post celebrated its 75th jubilee in 2024 (diamond jubilee Mass on May 17). Father Matthew Weber serves as chaplain, and deacon Bill Johnson (U.S. Air Force veteran) is a member.

• Anniversary Mass regularly held at Immaculate Conception Church
• Honors veterans from World War II to the present, with one pew left symbolically empty for prisoners of war and those missing in action
• Includes a memorial to past service members and plays of the national anthem and 'God Bless America'

Marriage & Family Life

Beyond parish-based marriage preparation, Holy Cross parishioners are encouraged to consider Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends, supported by Bishop Sullivan. The parish bulletin advertises upcoming weekends and provides contact information for sign-ups.

• Worldwide Marriage Encounter (South Jersey) — [email protected] or (609) 741-8012; visit wwme-southjersey.org

FORMED Catholic Streaming

Holy Cross Parish offers a free FORMED subscription to all parishioners. FORMED is an online Catholic streaming service providing talks, videos, and movies — including a dedicated library of content for children and content available in Spanish. To sign up, parishioners enter parish ZIP code 08302 on the FORMED website.

Parish Staff, Offices & Contact

The pastoral team is led by the pastor and parochial vicar, supported by three deacons and four religious sisters of the M.D.P.V.M. congregation, plus lay staff handling liturgy coordination, religious education, communications/cemeteries, bookkeeping and secretarial duties. The parish operates two offices (St. Teresa of Avila and Immaculate Conception) plus a convent.

• Parish Office (St. Teresa of Avila): 46 Central Avenue, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 — (856) 455-2323 / Fax (856) 455-7291; Mon–Fri 9 AM–12:30 PM and 1:30–5 PM
• Immaculate Conception Office: 312 N. Pearl Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 — (856) 451-0254; Mon–Fri 5–9 PM, Sat 10 AM–3 PM
• Convent of the M.D.P.V.M. Sisters: 64 North Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 — (856) 455-9960
• After-hours sacramental emergencies: (856) 301-0109
• Safe Environment Coordinator: Rev. Matthew R. Weber — [email protected]

Getting Involved

The parish's bulletin and 'Ways to Help Others' page list many practical volunteer opportunities — from food-pantry shifts and Code Blue overnight hostings to joining the Health Ministry, teaching PREP, or volunteering at the God's Giving Hands fresh-food distributions. Contact information for every ministry is published in the bulletin and on the parish website.

• Volunteer one Friday a month at God's Giving Hands
• Help at the Pope Francis Food Pantry (third Saturday each month)
• Host or donate to Code Blue winter shelter
• Teach PREP or serve on the Health Ministry team
• Donate to the Parish Poor Box (mail to 46 Central Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302)