03/21/2026
What's Going On @ Holy Cross 3/21 - 3/27 2026
Reverend Ugochukwu Jerome Cletus, S.S.J., a member of Saint Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart (The Josephites), is appointed Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Durham.
Reverend Pius K. Wekesa, Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Durham, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Saint Mark Parish in Wilmington.
Fr. Pius announced last Sunday that he accepted a new ministry assignment effectivee June 30. Fr. Ugochukwu Jerome Cletus, S.S,J. of the Josephite order will begin his ministry as pastor at Holy Cross Catholic Church. The Josephites (Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart) are a Roman Catholic society of priests and brothers based in Baltimore, Maryland. They are exclusively dedicated to serving the African American community through parishes, schools, and social justice ministries Holy Cross is a "personal church" serving multiple ethnicities and cultures.
The Josephite Mission Statement
St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart, The Josephites, a religious community of Catholic Priests and Brothers, is committed to serving the African American community through the proclamation of the Gospel and our personal witness. Our commitment is expressed through sacramental, educational and pastoral ministry, service to those in need, and working for social justice.
🧭 Origins & Founders
Since 1871, the Josephites have been in the mission of serving the African American community. It began with a determined man named Cardinal Herbert Vaughn. In 1866, he opened a school named St. Joseph College of the Sacred Heart located in Mill Hill, England. Cardinal Vaughn’s greatest desire was to send missionaries into all parts of the world. In May 1870, he petitioned the pope for a mission field. The choice was the United States. For years the archbishop of Baltimore, Martin John Spalding, had been appealing to Rome for help in ministering to the thousands recently released from slavery. In 1871, Pius IX handed down the Negro Oath, which would shape the modern-day Josephites.
🎯 Ministry Focus
Serve exclusively African American Catholics , especially in historically underserved communities. Emphasis on parish ministry , education , and racial justice . Originated in response to the need for priests to minister to formerly enslaved people after the Civil War.
🕊️ Spirituality & Charism
Josephites Focused on pastoral presence , community uplift, and sacramental ministry. Charism shaped by the struggle for racial equality and the dignity of Black Catholics. 🌍 Geographic Scope
Josephites: Almost entirely U.S.-based, especially in historically Black parishes. 🧩 In Short
If you imagine the Catholic Church as a vast ecosystem:
The Josephites are a specialized, mission-driven community dedicated to one crucial area: the flourishing of African American Catholics.
Josephites Seminarians
Confirmation 2026
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Our Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowl journey is coming to an end. Thank you to everyone who has responded to God's call to serve our brothers and sisters around the world. Together, we changed lives this Lent. Don't forget to turn in your donations on Holy Thursday, April 2. Please convert your cash to checks made out to Holy Cross Catholic Church with CRS Rice Bowl on the memo line or donate on the church website Give Online and click on Catholic Relief Services . Twenty-five percent of donations stay in the Diocese of Raleigh to help fight poverty and hunger.
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***** Parish Life *****
Where did the Stations of the Cross actually begin?
Early Christians longed to walk the path Jesus walked in Jerusalem. Pilgrims traveled to the Holy Land to follow the footsteps of Christ’s Passion.
Over time, this practice spread throughout the Church, allowing the faithful to spiritually walk the Way of the Cross wherever they were.
When you pray the Stations today , you are stepping into a devotion formed over centuries. You are praying alongside countless believers and Saints who turned to these reflections to grow in love for Christ.
Join us at 7pm on Fridays during Lent!
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What are you doing Sunday, March 29, Palm Sunday ? Would you like a way to visit with friends, make new friends, enjoy the outdoors, get exercise AND help change the world. Come walk with the Holy Cross CROP Walk Team to raise funds to fight hunger in Durham and around the world. We’ll start at Duke Chapel. Registration starts at 1:30 PM and the Walk starts at 2:30 PM. There will be music, fun, and entertainment. Contact the Team Captain, Debbie Hilliard for more information and to get your Walker envelope at [email protected]
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Confirmation 2026
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The Holy Cross Social Action and Outreach Ministry invites parishioners to donate items to the Feast of the Annunciation Baby Shower. The Feast of the Annunciation marks the visitation of the Virgin Mary by the archangel Gabriel and the incarnation of Jesus within Mary's womb. This year the Feast is celebrated on March 25. Donated items will be given to the Durham Community Food Pantry. The last date for the Baby Shower is Sunday, April 5. These essential items will help children in our Community to thrive and grow:
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Women's History MonthJust the Facts
March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the contributions of women to history, culture, and society. This annual commemoration has its origins in International Women’s Day, which was first observed on March 8, 1911. It has since been celebrated globally as a day to recognize the achievements and struggles of women. Women’s History Month was established in the United States in 1987, after Congress passed a resolution designating March as the month to celebrate and honor the role of women in history.
The month-long celebration strives to honor the historically significant but sometimes under-appreciated achievements made by women, as well as to encourage and enable younger generations of women to leave their own mark on the world.
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The Holy Cross Backyard Garden needs volunteers!
Prepare the garden beds for Spring planting. Tasks include clearing debris and weeds, loosening compacted soil, amending the soil with compost and applying mulch. Middle and High School students who need volunteer hours for school and community organizations are welcome to come to the garden on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help.
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The Backyard Garden at Holy Cross provides fresh and organically grown produce that is given to the Catholic Charities Durham Community Food Pantry to assist with its efforts to support our Durham and Orange Counties neighbors who are food insufficient. Last year Holy Cross donated hundreds of pounds of produce from the garden. Volunteers are needed now to prepare the garden beds for Spring planting. If you can help, please come to the garden on Saturdays, from 10 AM to 12 PM. Gardening tools are available, but feel free to bring your own. Volunteering is open to families with young children and teens. It is a great way to build community relationships. If you have questions, contact Lorie Crump at [email protected] .
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What is the purpose of Lector Ministry?
For more information...click here. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ntYkSbZ2Z6rfH9F_UB0ecHTaPhWMwexKpHx7qVZ6ARM/edit?usp=sharing
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