Holy Cross

Introduction

The Parish of Holy Cross in Croy was founded in 1902 to serve a mining community.

History

Archbishop John Maguire sent Father Francis McCann as missionary rector on the eve of All Saints Day in 1902. The original parish covered the communities of Auchinstarry, Castlecary, Condorrat, Craiglinn, Croy, Cumbernauld, Drumglass, Dullatur, Smithstone, and Twechar. The twelve lights symbolising the apostles are miners' lamps, and the tabernacle lamp is a larger miner's lamp. The church building was opened sixty years before its solemn dedication in 2018.

Parish life

The parish's Music at Mass group involves various Friends of Saint Cecilia. The parish has a Pastoral Council, a representative body of Christ's faithful whose purpose is the promotion of the mission of the Church in Holy Cross Parish. Two Catholic primary schools and two Catholic high schools are closely associated with the parish. The Justice & Peace Group meets monthly to promote and implement Catholic Social Teaching.

The Bereavement Group meets to accompany the bereaved, though it is not a professional service. The SCIAF Group keeps one eye on Third World Issues. Men's Acoustic Nights meet regularly on certain Friday evenings, supporting a different charity each month. The Holy Cross Stream Team attends to live-streaming and some recorded events of parish life. The parish publishes a bulletin of local parish news, wider Catholic news and notices most weekends.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish offers a time of preparation for those about to receive sacraments. Children in Primary 7 who are properly catechised are eligible to be enrolled for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Six months notice must be given for a marriage, whether it takes place here or abroad, to enable the required preparation.