Indulgence Walk

 

On the first weekend of November, we conduct a "one-hour pilgrimage" of nearby historic Holy Cross & St. Joseph Catholic Cemeteries. There we stop at six locations, listen to the fascinating stories of those who are buried there, and take advantage of the Church's annual indulgence for the Poor Souls. Every year there are new stories to hear. Click here to see the most recent poster for the event, and click below to hear the stories told at the 2020 Walk:

 

1. John Zwara, artist  mp3   wav

2. Mark Billman, race driver  mp3   wav

3. Ellen Toomey, Titanic survivor  mp3   wav

4. Sadie McGroarty, socialite  mp3   wav

5. Patrick Harrington, soldier  mp3   wav

6. All Souls  mp3   wav

 

 

Italian Street Festival

The city's much-loved and most-attended church festival is held every June. Thousands of friends gather in the streets and the city park outside the church to enjoy fine Italian food and beverages, live music and children's amusement rides. Visit here for more information. Visit here for more information.

 

 

Giving Tree

 

The First Sunday of Advent kicks off the parish's annual program which helps disadvantaged families have a merry Christmas. Parishioners and friends are invited to take a paper ornament from a tree in the back of church, purchase the gift listed on the ornament, wrap the present and return it to the church. Cash donations also are accepted for the program. A team of volunteers delivers the presents to the families.

 

 

Epiphany Water Blessing

 

The blessing of water on the eve of the Epiphany of the Lord is solemnly and publicly conducted in church. This water is considered "more powerful" than simple holy water, and it has traditionally been used in the blessing of homes. At Holy Rosary, this water is made available for the faithful to take home in their own containers; it will remain in church for as long as the supply lasts.

 

 

Blessing of Wine

 

On the Second Sunday after Epiphany/Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the faithful may bring bottles of wine to be blessed at each Mass that weekend. A table is placed near the Christmas crèche for the bottles. Please be sure to clearly label your bottles with your name!

 

 

Tenebrae

 

In addition to the usual Masses and liturgies of Holy Week, our parish offers this traditional part of the Divine Office at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Tenebræ of Holy Thursday), 9 a.m. Good Friday and 9 a.m. Holy Saturday. A custom dating back centuries, it acquired the name because of the mourning ritual surrounding the ceremony, which includes a triangular stand with 15 candles. These are put out one by one until, after the last candle is extinguished, a prayer is said in darkness, one candle is lighted, and the assembly disperses in silence.

 

 

May Crowning

 

May is the Month of Mary. On the first Sunday of May, girls of the parish process into the church at the beginning of the 11:30 a.m. Mass and place flowers at the feet of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After a short blessing, one of the girls places a crown on Mary's head to signify our love and devotion to our Blessed Mother, the Queen of Heaven.

 

 

Stations of the Cross

 

On all Fridays of Lent, except Good Friday, the traditional Stations (or Way) of the Cross is made after the Masses at 7:50 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

 

 

Corpus Christi Procession

 

On Corpus Christi Sunday, members of the parish congregate at 1:30 p.m. and, weather permitting, process outdoors through the surrounding neighborhood with the Most Blessed Sacrament leading the way. The group stops at three altars for Benediction, then returns to the high altar in the church for final Benediction.

 

 

Parish Picnic

 

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in early September than to meet in Edna Balz Lacy Park (across the street from the church) for a picnic lunch with parishioners and friends? Members of the Knights of Columbus Santo Rosario Council 14449 provide hamburgers, hot dogs and the manpower to set up and run the picnic, while parishioners bring side dishes, desserts and their appetites.