Holy Cross Parish, Granville

06/06/2026

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh." (John 6:51)

Today we celebrate Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. While Holy Thursday is marked by the shadows of Gethsemane, today the Church rejoices with pure gratitude for the gift of the Blessed Sacrament.

Fulfill your sacred Sunday obligation today. Come to the Altar and adore our Eucharistic King, who did not leave us orphans but humbles Himself daily to nourish our souls with His very life. Please also join us for the Corpus Christi Procession and Benediction directly following the 10:00am Mass.

05/06/2026

SAINT OF THE DAY - St. Marcellin Champagnat

Known as the founder of the Marist Brothers, St. Marcellin Champagnat dedicated his life to education, youth ministry, and making Jesus known and loved through the gentle spirit of Mary.

Born in France during the turmoil of the French Revolution, Marcellin grew up with very little formal schooling and didn't learn to read or write until his teens. Despite these early struggles, his determination and faith led him to the seminary, where he was ordained a priest in 1816 alongside St. John Vianney.

Assigned to a remote, impoverished parish in La Valla, Marcellin was deeply shocked by the spiritual and educational isolation of the local children. The turning point in his ministry came when he visited a dying 15-year-old boy, Jean-Baptiste Montagne. Marcellin realized the teenager had reached the end of his life without ever hearing basic truths about God's love.

Moved by this tragedy, Marcellin acted immediately. In January 1817, he gathered a small group of young men and founded the Little Brothers of Mary (the Marist Brothers). His vision was simple yet revolutionary: to provide poor, rural children with a quality education grounded in practical skills and Christian values. He famously told his brothers, "To raise children properly, we must love them, and love them all equally."

Marcellin’s educational method was built on presence, simplicity, and family spirit, always looking to Mary as the "Ordinary Resource" and model for their mission. He worked alongside his brothers, helping to build schools and clear land, despite his failing health.

St. Marcellin died on 6 June 1840 at the age of 51, leaving behind a rapidly growing network of schools. Canonised in 1999, his global educational legacy continues to shape millions of young lives today, reminding us that meeting people exactly where they are with love can transform the future.

St. Marcellin Champagnat, patron of educators and youth, pray for us!

05/06/2026

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi.

To honour this great Solemnity, our parish will once again hold a procession after the 10am Mass at Holy Trinity Church where we will take our faith to the streets and give thanks to Almighty God for His gift of the Blessed Sacrament.

We hope you will join us this Sunday!

05/06/2026

This week's edition of the Granville Catholic Church Record is available to download!

Please take the time to read the weekly bulletin for important news and announcements on all things taking place across Holy Cross Parish.

Granville Catholic Church Record Granville Catholic Church Record Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ / 7th June 2026

04/06/2026

SAINT OF THE DAY - St. Boniface

Known as the "Apostle of Germany," St. Boniface was an English Benedictine monk who left his homeland to bring the light of the Gospel to the pagan tribes of Central Europe.

Born Winfrid in Devon, England, he was a brilliant scholar and ordained priest who felt a powerful missionary calling. Commissioned by the Pope, who renamed him Boniface, he set out for Germany. He faced a culture deeply rooted in pagan customs, but his approach was marked by immense courage and direct action.

His most famous moment occurred at Geismar, where he challenged the local worship of Thor by taking an axe to their "Sacred Oak." As the pagan crowd watched, expecting him to be struck down by lightning, Boniface chopped the massive tree down. A sudden wind blew it over, splitting it into four pieces. In its place, he pointed to a small fir tree, using its evergreen leaves to symbolise the eternal life of Christ and its triangular shape to explain the Trinity. This event broke the fear of the pagan gods and led to thousands of conversions, famously initiating the tradition of the Christmas tree.

Boniface was made Archbishop of Mainz and spent decades establishing well-organised dioceses, founding monasteries, and reforming the local Church with remarkable administrative skill.

In old age, still burning with missionary zeal, he travelled to Frisia (modern-day Netherlands) to preach. While preparing to confirm a group of new converts, a band of armed pagans rushed the camp. Refusing to allow his companions to fight, Boniface declared, "The day we have long desired is at hand."

St. Boniface died a martyr on 5 June 754, using a book of the Gospels to shield his head from the sword blows. He is revered as the patron saint of Germany and brewers, leaving a legacy of fearless witness and structural renewal that shaped Christian Europe for centuries.

St. Boniface, fearless apostle and defender of the Faith, pray for us!

04/06/2026

Do you know someone in our parish that deserves to be recognised for their service to the Church? Nominations are currently open for the 2026 Diocesan Awards.

Nominations can be made by clicking the link in the post below.

04/06/2026

Come along tomorrow evening for the monthly devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

04/06/2026

A reminder that there will be no Latin Mass in June.

Please check the bulletin and our social media for updates and details of the next Latin Mass offered in our parish.

03/06/2026

SAINT OF THE DAY - St. Francis Caracciolo

Known as the "Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament," St. Francis Caracciolo lived a life of profound humility, intense prayer, and selfless service to the poor and outcasts.

Born to a noble Italian family, Ascanio Caracciolo seemed destined for worldly success until a severe, disfiguring skin disease brought him to the brink of death at age 22. In his suffering, he made a vow to God: if he were healed, he would dedicate his remaining years entirely to the priesthood. His miraculous recovery changed his life forever, and he was ordained in 1587.

Shortly after, a misdelivered letter altered his path. It was intended for another priest with the same name, inviting him to help found a new religious order. Seeing this as a sign of divine direction, Francis joined in co-founding the Minor Clerks Regular (often called the Caracciolini). Out of deep humility, he changed his name to Francis, out of admiration for St. Francis of Assisi.

The order was unique for its commitment to the "Circlet of Prayer"—ensuring that at least one member was always in perpetual adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, day and night. Despite becoming the superior of the order, Francis insisted on doing the most menial tasks, sweeping floors, washing dishes, and begging for the poor. He spent his nights in prayer and his days walking the streets, tending to the sick, prisoners, and those on the margins of society.

St. Francis Caracciolo died on 4 June 1608 at the age of 44, worn out by his intense penances and exhausting work. His final words were, "Let us go, let us go to heaven!" Canonised in 1807, he is revered as the patron saint of Italian chefs and cooks due to his immense hospitality, reminding us that true greatness is found in serving others with a joyful heart.

St. Francis Caracciolo, patron of chefs and lover of the Eucharist, pray for us!