Dear Holy Cross Family,

We began the summer celebrating 50 years of service for Fr Emmons. Who would have anticipated we would close the summer celebrating the funeral of our pastor, Fr Grogan. I am still trying to wrap my head around this new reality, even as we race around getting the house ready for company on Thursday.

That said, like any celebration, Fr Grogan’s Celebration of Life being no exception, there is much to be done. Tidying the church, helping visitors and mourners feel welcome (and find the bathroom or a tissue) and hosting a repast after the funeral Mass are the first tasks at hand -- all to be done as we process our own individual feelings about our loss.

We are in this together as a church family. We will hold on tightly to each other and God as we navigate the next few days and weeks. One thing is for certain, we are a courageous church family that is compassionate in the way we serve each other and we will continue to grow our parish, our faith and our community as Fr Grogan would expect.

If you are available, please consider helping out in a special way as we honor Father Grogan and demonstrate how vibrant, welcoming, and relevant a church community we are. 

HOPE + LOVE + FAITH + UNITY and a huge embrace to each of you. 

Blessings,

Veronica