Plan Your Visit
We are grateful for your interest in visiting Holy Cross Parish and Friary. Whether you are new to the Old Catholic tradition, returning to church after time away, or simply looking for a place to pray, we want your first visit to be peaceful, welcoming, and easy to navigate.
At Holy Cross Parish and Friary, you will find reverent worship, sacramental life, pastoral warmth, and a community that seeks to hold together ancient faith and gracious hospitality. We welcome longtime believers, newcomers, seekers, families, and all who desire to encounter Christ in prayer, Word, and Sacrament.
Service Times
Sunday Mass: [Insert Sunday Mass time]
Weekday or Additional Services: [Insert weekday Masses, feast days, or prayer service times]
If you are planning your first visit, you are welcome to contact the parish in advance with any questions about worship, arrival, accessibility, or pastoral needs.
What to Expect in the Liturgy
Worship at Holy Cross Parish and Friary is reverent, prayerful, and sacramental. Our liturgy is rooted in the historic life of the Church and centers on Scripture, prayer, preaching, and the Holy Eucharist. You can expect an atmosphere that is sacred without being distant, and traditional without being unwelcoming.
If you are unfamiliar with liturgical worship, please do not worry. You are welcome simply to pray, observe, and participate as you feel comfortable. No one is expected to know everything on a first visit, and visitors are received with kindness and respect.
Our hope is that everyone who enters will encounter the grace of God, the beauty of holiness, and the peace of a community gathered in Christ’s name.
How to Prepare for Mass
We encourage visitors to arrive a few minutes early so there is time to settle in, pray quietly, and become comfortable with the space before the liturgy begins. A calm and unhurried arrival can help make the first visit more peaceful.
You do not need to bring anything special in order to attend. If service leaflets, worship guides, or printed prayers are available, they will help guide you through the liturgy. If you have questions before or after Mass, clergy or parish leaders will be glad to assist you.
If you are returning to church after a long absence, please know that you are especially welcome. You do not need to have everything figured out before you come.
What to Wear
Visitors are encouraged to dress in a way that is respectful and comfortable for worship. Some people may choose more traditional Sunday attire, while others may come in simple, modest clothing. There is no expectation of formal dress, and no one should feel unwelcome because of what they wear.
Our concern is not outward display, but reverence, dignity, and a spirit of prayer. Come as you are, and come ready to worship.
Holy Communion
The Holy Eucharist is the heart of the Church’s worship and the sacramental center of our life together. If you are accustomed to receiving Holy Communion and wish to do so, you are welcome to inquire in advance if you have questions about local practice.
If you do not wish to receive, or are unsure whether to receive, you are still warmly welcome to come forward for a blessing if that is the parish custom, or simply remain prayerfully in your place. No one should feel embarrassed or singled out.
The Church’s desire is always to receive people with reverence, gentleness, and pastoral care.
Families and Children
Families are warmly welcome at Holy Cross Parish and Friary. Children are part of the life of the Church, and their presence is a blessing to the worshiping community. Parents and guardians should feel at ease bringing children to Mass.
If your family has particular needs or questions before visiting, you are welcome to contact the parish ahead of time. We will do our best to help your visit be comfortable and peaceful.
Parking and Arrival
Parish Address: [Insert full street address]
Parking Information: [Insert parking instructions, lot details, entrance notes, or nearby parking guidance]
Clear arrival information can be especially helpful for first-time visitors. If possible, include where guests should enter, where to park, and any landmarks that make the location easier to find.
Accessibility
Accessible Entrance: [Insert accessibility details]
Accessible Parking: [Insert parking accessibility details]
Restroom Access: [Insert restroom accessibility details]
If there are additional accessibility accommodations available, this is a good place to include them. Holy Cross Parish and Friary desires to welcome visitors with dignity, care, and practical hospitality.
A Warm Welcome for Newcomers
If you are visiting Holy Cross Parish and Friary for the first time, we want you to know that you are welcome here. You do not need to know every prayer, understand every custom, or have every question answered before you come. The Church is a place of grace, and there is room for sincere seekers as well as lifelong believers.
We hope your first visit will be the beginning of a deeper sense of peace, belonging, and spiritual homecoming.
Contact and Visit
Phone: (832) 900-0304
Email: bishopben@myholycross.org
Location: The Woodlands, Texas 77380