Holy Cross, Much Hadham

Introduction

Holy Cross Church in Much Hadham was opened for Mass in November 1955 and served Catholics for 27 more years.

History

Catholic Mass was celebrated in Much Hadham village in March 1938 for the first time since the Elizabethan Reformation. Mrs. Elsie Warner founded the Much Hadham Roman Catholic congregation; in March 1938 Colonel Hewes-Hallett offered her a room over the stable block at the 'Lordship' as a Mass centre. Construction of the Catholic church was suspended pending consultations and negotiations. A garden of reflection was created at Ash Meadow on the site of what would have been the Church of Holy Cross.

In June 1997, a new Roman Catholic Parish Priest came to Much Hadham. Foundations were laid and a damp course installed for the new Holy Cross Church. Holy Cross is the only church in the parish that has bells.

Parish life

Holy Cross church is shared between St Andrew's Church of England congregation and the Holy Cross Roman Catholic congregation, with separate weekly services but a strong spirit of Christian unity. The Daughters of the Cross of Saint Elizabeth's, a Catholic order of nuns working for women and children with epilepsy, have brought Catholics and Anglicans of the area to a special close relationship, laying foundations for the sharing of St Andrew's church.

The parish has talented musicians and singers who play each week at Mass and at weddings, funerals and other sacramental celebrations. The choir sings on Sundays and for funerals and weddings if needed.

Parishioners can volunteer to be a catechist, church cleaner, or assist with catering for parish events. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the parish priests in distributing the Body and the Blood of Christ at Mass. A catechist is someone who passes on the faith, and the parish needs catechists for all the different programmes. Holy Cross church opens only for the celebration of Mass.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Those facing illness or surgery may be anointed at home or in hospital by contacting the parish. For anyone in danger of death, the parish can be contacted for the last rites, with priests attempting to visit in an emergency.

Children aged 7 to 14 seeking baptism are prepared following the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Children, part of the RCIA. No baptisms take place during Advent or Lent.

To marry at Holy Cross, one must have a current family link with the church; permission is not considered for those outside the parish. No marriages are celebrated on a Sunday, during Lent, or during Advent anywhere in the parish.

The parish assists families in planning funerals, both after a death and in advance. First Holy Communion preparation is a parish-based programme recognising the central role of parents in their children's faith.