Holy Cross

I was baptised at Holy Cross and my brothers went to school there the years before I was born in 1951. My dad sang in the choir and I can remember singing Holy God We Praise Thy Name on Sundays of the Holy Name Society. I went with my parents often to the St. Anthony devotions on Tuesday nights. In September of 1956 I started school at Holy Cross to continue until June of of 1965. First and second grades were in the new part of the school which was not there when my brothers went there. For grades 3 thru 5 I was in the old building, and then back to the new section for the duration. At the start of fourth grade St. Gerards opened their school which was the beginning of the end. The church had also built a new friary for the Franciscans who had 3 priests there and made Holy Cross an unique parish. I walked home from school almost everyday once I was a little older with the Curtins who lived on Main Street. We walked down Jenison Street about a mile to Saint Joseph. We had a huge first communion class and third grade confirmation class also. On September 6,1975 Jane and I were married at 6:30 by Father Keith at Holy Cross. My mom,dad, and brother Frank were all buried out of Holy Cross. I was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Respect Life committee, and an Eucharistic Minister. Today is Fathers Day and the beginning of summer as well as the closing of Holy Cross parish at 1:00 this afternoon. I attended the last parish mass last night at 4:00 and the church was full to capacity and was a beautiful remembrance of my 58+ years of Holy Cross. Father Maurice did a great job and Father Pius gave me communion. I could not attend today as I was told I wouldn't be needed to be a minister for the bishop's dioceses closing the doors mass. I wanted to keep my positive memories so avoided the negative. It has been hard thinking about this final day as each week brought it closer, so I saved my emotions for this tribute to my parish, Holy Cross. Amen,that they can't take away from us.