1210 E. Wood St., Paris, TN 38242 (731) 642-4681 CONTACT US
We are called by Jesus to be a living community of God's people through worship, teaching, and service.
Our mission is as follows:
• To worship with one another in prayer, liturgy, and sacraments.
• To nurture our Catholic life as individuals, families, and as a parish community.
• To provide an authentic Catholic vision of the Roman Catholic Faith.
• To personally live the Gospel of Jesus as Catholic individuals, families, and as a parish community.
• To continually renew our faith as we grow to understand its significance in our daily Christian life.
• To offer a program of Catholic Education to all members of our parish and community at large.
• To personally reach out and share our faith-filled lives within our parish and beyond.
• To care for each other as Jesus has taught us and to extend that care to others beyond our community.
Rev. Martin Orjianioke, Pastor
Deacon Rodney Seyller
Kim Rutherford, Director of Religious Education
Mrs. Leila Kackley, Office Manager
Mrs. Judy Warrer, Receptionist
If you would like to schedule a Mass or Sanctuary candle, please download the form and fill it out, put the donation with it and mail it to Holy Cross Church, 1210 East Wood St., Paris, TN 38242 or Mark office on the envelope and put it in the Weekend collection basket.
Sunday Vigil Mass
Saturday 5 p.m. (Rosary begins at 4:30 p.m.)
Sunday Masses
8 a.m. (Rosary at 7:30 a.m.), 10 a.m.,
noon (in Spanish)
Weekday Mass times vary.
Please see the bulletin
each week for the schedule.
OFFICE HOURS:
8:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Mon-Thur
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fri
Phone: (731) 642-4681
Fax: (731) 644-9668
Saturday 3:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 9:15 - 9:45 a.m.
First Friday of the month 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
Anytime by appointment
The history of the Catholic Church in Tennessee goes back to 1836, with the foundation of the Diocese of Nashville. In those days, both before and after the Civil War, traveling priests on horseback would come ministering to the needs of the small pockets of Catholics scattered about the state.
The organized membership of Holy Cross Catholic Church goes back approximately to the turn of the century. There were occasional visits to this area by priests from Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky prior to this, but the first recorded gathering of the congregation for Mass took place in the home of Mr. & Mrs. James M. Dean on Depot Street in 1901. Father John F. Hayes, stationed in Humboldt, Tennessee, was for a time a visiting pastor of the original congregation. Mass was said only once a month at that time, and for several years thereafter, continued to be offered in various homes. Following Father Hayes was Father Edward Keutter and Father (later Monsignor) Alois F. Maurath, the fiery Frenchman who would become an important personage in the history of Catholic Tennessee.
As the number of Catholics increased, a larger place was needed, so Sunday use of the Odd Fellows Hall was arranged. This continued for some time, but that place, also, became too small for the growing congregation. On July 28, 1917, Father Charles C. Reid became the first designated pastor of the congregation soon to be known as Holy Cross Church.
With the growth of Paris and the continuous increase in the size of the congregation, the need for a larger and more permanent church structure was evident. A lot was purchased on West Wood Street and definite plans drawn up for the original church. In 1921, the cornerstone was laid and with the completion of the construction, the dedication ceremony was held on June 18, 1922, with Msgr. D. J. Murphy, Vicar General of the Diocese of Nashville, officiating.
Priests who served at Holy Cross immediately after the time of Father Reid were Fathers Thomas A. Giblin, Charles V. Schrimpf, F. A. Stock, C.P.P.S., William Neidert, C.P.P.S. (Precious Blood Fathers). It was in 1936 that Father Edward Dolan became Pastor. Before then, Holy Cross had been a mission Church of Sacred Heart in Humboldt. It was during Father (later Monsignor) Dolan's time that Holy Cross became a mission of Immaculate Conception in Union City. Father Dolan was followed by Father James A. Nally in 1943 for a short time and, also in 1943, by Father Charles O'Donnell, who remained until 1944.
From 1945 to 1947, Father William R. Nelson shepherded the P
aris congregation. From 1947 until 1951, Father Robert A. Wiley served as Pastor. Father Joseph B. Tarpy came in 1952, and was succeeded by Father John J. Schelly, who served from 1952 to 1953. Father Charles O'Donnell returned and served in 1954 and 1955. Father John Baltz followed him in 1955, and served until 1957. The years 1957 and 1958 saw Father (later Monsignor) Edward O. Heymer as Pastor, he being followed by Father James W. Murphy, who served the years 1958 through 1962. Father Coleman Ballinger was pastor in 1963 and 1964.
The recent history of Holy Cross Church begins with the appointment of the next Pastor, Father Patrick F. Heenan. Holy Cross Parish, until the time of Father Heenan, was always a mission of another Church. It was as Pastor of the Church in Union City that Father Patrick Heenan began his significant association with Holy Cross. This association began in 1964. The Paris congregation was outgrowing the small church on West Wood Street. Father Heenan petitioned Bishop Adrian for the need for a larger worship facility. In early 1966, Father Heenan became the first residential pastor of Holy Cross Church. He took up residence next to the Church building in a house that had been purchased previously as a place for catechetical instruction.
Father Heenan set about to find a new Church home for the Holy Cross congregation. Property on East Wood Street was purchased in 1967, at a cost of $15,000. Groundbreaking took place on November 5, 1967. Construction began soon after on the new facilities and the first Mass was celebrated in the newly completed Church on December 8, 1968. The cost of the facilities, which included a Church, parish hall and rectory, was $180,000.
With a residential Pastor in Paris, Holy Cross would in turn be responsible for mission churches. St. Mary's Church in Camden and the Newman Catholic Student Center at Bethel College in McKenzie would both be served by the Pastor of Holy Cross in Paris. On January 6, 1971, a new Diocese was erected for Western Tennessee as the Diocese of Memphis. Jurisdiction for Holy Cross Church was transferred from Nashville to Memphis, with Carroll T. Dozier being named the first Bishop. In 1971, Father Heenan was assigned to St. Mary's Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Desiring to show their gratitude to Father Heenan for his foresight and leadership in this period of growth, parishioners secretly came together to name the parish hall as Heenan Hall. Father Vincent P. King became Pastor in the summer of 1971, remaining until his resignation in 1974. Father David Foley was administrator for a brief time until a new pastor could be named.
When Father (later Monsignor) Patrick J. Lynch became Pastor in 1974, Holy Cross was again beginning to feel the pinch of growth. Father Lynch purchased a trailer to help meet the needs of the growing religion classes. It was at this time that the house on Hillcrest adjoining the Church property was purchased for the rectory and the priest's former residence behind the Church became classroom and meeting space. A change in administration with an anti-Catholic bias brought a closing at Bethel College of the Catholic Student Center during Father Lynch's administration.
Father William R. Kantner became the pastor in November of 1978. Father Kantner would have to focus on debt reduction, knowing the need of the Church to expand. It was also during this time that St. Mary's Church in Camden became independent with a residential pastor. Father Kantner was followed by Father John B. McArthur in 1981. Father McArthur initiated the annual parish festival of Oktoberfest. All because of the financial assistance afforded by Oktoberfest's proceeds, the parish debt on the East Wood Street facilities was finally paid off, additional property was purchased on Pennsylvania Avenue, the pavilion was built, and the rectory on Hillcrest was expanded, adding a kitchen and deck.
In 1987, Father Bryan P. Timby became Pastor. The need for additional space was critical and Father Timby organized efforts to build an addition to the parish facilities. A capital funds campaign was held and ground broken for the new Holy Family Parish Center. The new facilities were dedicated and in use in the fall of 1991. Father Timby was transferred in the summer of 1992.
Father Victor Paul Ciaramitaro became Pastor in July of 1992, and continues to shepherd Holy Cross Parish. In 1996, the same year that the Diocese of Memphis celebrated its 25th anniversary, Holy Cross celebrated the 75th anniversary of its establishment in West Tennessee changes. Beautiful stained-glass windows, each one dedicated by parishioners in memory or honor of loved ones, now brighten the interior of the church. In September 2002, renovations were completed on the Sanctuary, now adorned with Durango marble flooring and stunning gold appointments, a one-of-a-kind design built in Madrid, Spain.
Our parish population continues to increase significantly, thanks to the growing number of young families, as well as the influx of Hispanics into our community (a Mass in Spanish is now celebrated every Sunday at Holy Cross). In 2000, we were fortunate enough to add a full-time Director of Religious Education to our staff. Now religious instruction classes are offered not only to our children, but to adults as well, in the form of Bible Study, R.C.I.A., and informal discussion groups.
Toward the end of the 1990s, it became apparent that our premises were again too small for our numbers. Plans were started for a building expansion, pledges were solicited, and in May 2002, ground was broken for the new addition, which will include an all-purpose facility, as well as additional classroom and kitchen space. Completion of this expansion is expected sometime in the Spring of 2003.
In recent years, Holy Cross's congregation has been affected by the economic instability that has plagued the country, and the demography in Henry County has changed. Some industry has left the area or ceased business. While some families have relocated due to these changes, Henry County's population has remained steady, even growing. Many older couples and individuals retire to this area in search of a better way of life and a lower cost of living. As the Kentucky Lake area continues to expand its recreational appeal, Holy Cross sees its congregation grow even more diverse, comprising the young, the not-so-young, and the strangers-in-our-midst vacation visitors.
What will the future bring to this Catholic community whose history covers almost a century of presence in Henry County? Most certainly it is a bright future for this parish, which continues its growth both physically and spiritually.
Rev. Victor P. Ciaramitaro
rev. 10/17/02
Holy Cross has a library filled with books, CD’s and DVD’s. Also available are audio cassettes and VHS tapes. The library is available from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. Please see Judy Warrer, our librarian, for assistance in checking out your books.
Al-Anon meets every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs conference room.
Holy Cross Catholic Women (HCCW) meets the third Wednesday of each month after noon Mass from September through May. After Mass, they meet in Conference Room #1 next to the kitchen in Heenan Hall. Bring your sack lunch; dessert will be provided. All women of the parish are welcome to attend.
For more information, please call Lorraine Hamilton or the church office.
Holy Cross Catholic Preschool is a loving, Catholic preschool dedicated to helping your child grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. We believe that children are a gift from the Lord, and our mission is to further your child on the path to know Him and to enrich his/her early childhood experience.
At Holy Cross Catholic Preschool, we are committed to the families we serve and the children we care for. We offer the following incentives
†---Rated a 3-Star Quality Child Care Program
†---Qualified, Professional Staff (TN Certified Director)
†---All Staff Members CPR and First Aid Certified
†---Parent Involvement
†---Preschool Programs & Graduation
†---Field Trips
ABOUT US
Our preschool program is conducted from 8:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. daily, Monday through Friday during the school year. Our school year begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and ends in mid-May. Children must be four years old on or before September 30th of the year they would like to attend.
PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
Every child should know the joy of self-worth and the love of God. Through both discovery and spiritual guidance, the child will find that God's world is a wonderful place, and that He is an important part of it.
Our curriculum includes the following:
†---Practical life experience & social skills
†---A continuum of activities for pre-reading
†---Math concepts
†---Science & language development
†---Music & movement
†---Physical development
†---Art & creativity
†---Social studies
†---Prayer & devotions
Holy Cross offers religious education at no cost to students in First through Eighth Grade.
Classes are held each Wednesday night from 6:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. during the regular school year. At this same time, parents may attend the adult class when offered and/or spend time in our library.
Teens in the 9th through 12th grades are also invited to join LifeTeen, which meets on Sunday evenings.
Adult classes and workshops are held at various times throughout the year. Please consult the weekly bulletin for those times.
In the event of inclement weather, Wednesday PRE classes will follow the PSSD and Henry Co. Schools schedule of cancellation.
If either school system cancels or dismisses school on a Wednesday, PRE classes will be canceled also. If you live outside Henry County or are in doubt you may call the Holy Cross Church office.
Have you ever wanted to become Catholic or had questions about what Catholics really believe? Are you a “non-practicing” Catholic and now desire to return to the church? Have you received some of the sacraments, but not all of them? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then these inquiry classes are for you!
These classes will meet every Tuesday at 6 p.m. and discuss issues such as:
--- In 33 AD Jesus founded His one Church on Peter (Matthew 16:18-19)
--- What came first, the Church (founded by Jesus in 33 AD) or the Bible?
--- What is the "pillar & foundation of truth," the Church or the Bible? (1 Tim 3:15)
--- Who decided which 73 books would be in the Bible?
--- The Bible alone or the Bible plus Tradition (1 Cor 11:2 and 2 Thess 2:15)
--- Mary, the Mother of God (Luke 1:35 & 1:43)
--- Confession to priests (John 20:22-23)
--- Different degrees of sin (1 John 5:16-17)
--- Faith alone or faith plus works (James 2:24 & 2:26 and 1 Cor 13:2)
--- Judged according to our deeds (Rom 2:5-8; 2 Cor 11:15; 1 Pet 1:17 & Rev 20:12-13)
--- Jesus truly present in Communion (John 6:35-71; Luke 22:17-20
& 1 Cor 11:23-29)
There is no need to register in advance and the classes are free.
Holy Cross is located at 1210 E. Wood St, Paris, TN.
Any questions call 642-4681.
Everyone is cordially invited.
God bless.
The Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Catholic Church is the local chapter of the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization.
They meet the second Thursday of every month. Locally they have helped students with scholarships and raise money for local services, such as Tomorrow's Hope.
It is a men's organization whose principal work involves helping others in need.
The Knights of Columbus was founded by an Irish-American Catholic priest, The Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut.
He gathered a group of men from St. Mary's parish for an organizational meeting on October 2, 1881 and the Order was incorporated under the laws of the U.S. state of Connecticut on March 29, 1882.
The primary motivation for the Order was to be a mutual benefit society. As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to a family when the breadwinner died, and wanted to provide insurance to care for the widows and orphans left behind.
He himself had to temporarily leave his seminary studies to care for his family when his father died.
Oktoberfest is a parish and communitywide festival to provide fellowship, participation, and enjoyment for all. The secondary purpose is to generate funds for our charitable organizations within our community and our Holy Cross Catholic parish.
Beginning on February 5, 2020, all high school teens from 9-12 grades will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm in the gym conference room.