IN THE DIOCESE
tvc.dsj.org | December 12, 2017
3
Reconstruction of Holy Cross Church Almost Complete
By Liz Sullivan
Holy Cross Church is almost ready
for its close up.
On Nov. 16, 2014, just after the 1
p.m. Mass in Italian had concluded,
fi re broke out in the second fl oor of
the church. More than 100 San Jose
Fire Department personnel battled the
fl ames for two hours before the fi re
was contained.
While there were no injuries the
church was heavily damaged by fi re,
of which the cause was never deter-
mined. It resulted in all liturgies being
moved to the Parish Hall behind the
church.
Now more than three years later, at
a reconstruction cost of more than $6.1
million, the Church located at 13 th and
Jackson streets in San Jose, is inching
closer to opening.
“We are certainly seeing the results
we have been waiting for,” said Father
Livio Stella, CS, pastor. “The outside
looks almost done. The community
has been helping out with the fund-
raising eff orts and they have been very
generous. I am pleased to see that.”
On Nov. 16, 2014, just after the 1 p.m. Italian Mass had concluded,
fi re broke out in the second fl oor of the church. More than 100 San
Jose Fire Department personnel battled the fl ames before the fi re was
contained after a couple of hours.
One of the milestone moments in
the reconstruction came in early No-
vember when a huge cross was placed
on top of the roof of the church.
“It was very majestic to see the
cross put up there,” said Stella. “It is
wonderful.”
Father Stella expects the scaff old-
ing that surrounds the outside of the
One of the milestone moments in the reconstruction came in early
November when a huge cross was placed on top of the roof of the
church.Father Stella hopes the church can reopen in April.
church to be taken down in time for
Christmas. The focus of the recon-
struction now shifts to the interior of
the church. Stella said he hopes the
church can reopen in April.
“There is still a bit to be done in-
side,” he said. “Inside we kept the
same structure and had the eight stain
glass windows restored and the cross
behind the altar cleaned. The commu-
nity is already looking to the future.
They want to schedule events in the
new church. It’s exciting.”
Holy Cross Parish was founded in
1906 and the church was built in 1919.
It is home to about 740 families and
is ministered to by the Scalabrinian
order of priests and brothers.
Bishop McGrath’s Annual Christmas Card Winners
Recently, Sister Maria
Teresa of Jesus, a nun in
the Carmelite Monastery
in Santa Clara, made her
Solemn Profession after
six years in formation
there. Mass was celebrated
by Bi s h o p Pat r ic k J.
McGrath. The beautiful
liturgy of a nun’s final
vows: a wedding Mass to
remember.
(above) Winner was designed by Giselle M. At the
time of the contest, she was a sixth grader from
Saint Elizabeth Seton School. (below) Second
place winner designed by Esther Y. At the time of
the contest, she was a sixth grader at the Catholic
Academy of Sunnyvale. (right) Third place winner
designed by Madis on D. At the time of the contest,
she was an eighth grader at Holy Family School.
Invites Everyone To Hear
Phil Gregory
Former President of SJ Catholic Professionals
OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR CLIMATE, OUR KIDS:
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