In 1927, Eva Torvi Taborelli’s father was part of the original Holy Cross parish. Today, she drives past multiple churches close to her West Warwick home in order to continue that legacy.
“My father loved this parish just like I love it,” she said from the office of Father David Procaccini.
Taborelli was there to help with preparations for the upcoming 60th anniversary and rededication celebration. On Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m., the Most Rev. Thomas Tobin, the bishop of Providence, will celebrate a special mass. A dinner will follow at 1 p.m. at the West Valley Inn.
Originally developed as a chapel to serve immigrants by the Missionary Scalabrini priests, Holy Cross became an official parish in the Diocese of Providence in 1949, hence the anniversary.
The rededication component came into play when an evaluation of the facilities in 2007 showed that Holy Cross needed some help.
“We needed work on basically everything,” Fr. Procaccini said. “There’s been a lot of work done to improve and just maintain, so we’ll be here for another 60-plus years.”
Fr. Procaccini, who has been at Holy Cross for five years, started by creating a building and grounds committee to develop a priority list of necessary projects. At the same time, the church embarked on a capital campaign.
“It’s not a wealthy parish and yet people were so willing and ready and generous when it came to the capital campaign,” Fr. Procaccini said.
To date, the campaign has raised approximately $590,000.
“They all come through and work for the church. Everyone comes forward to help,” Taborelli said.
Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, Holy Cross kicked off construction last summer with a new roof. A slew of improvements followed, including interior painting, restoration of stained glass windows, refinishing of pews, masonry work and installing central air conditioning.
The church doesn’t look quite the same, but parishioners maintain it’s the same atmosphere.
“I see the parishioners here really consider Holy Cross Church to be a second home. It’s their spiritual home,” Fr. Procaccini said.
His parents were married in 1957 at the church, which was also the spot where his sister was baptized and his grandfather buried.
“I feel that this was a part of my own heritage,” he said.
Stories like that are not uncommon in the parish. Taborelli’s sister was the first bride at Holy Cross, and every one of her four siblings was baptized there.
“I was 14 years old when my girlfriend and I walked door to door when we collected for the Catholic Charity Fund,” she recalled, laughing at the thought of their asking price – 50 cents a household.
Although Holy Cross is located on King Philip Street in Providence, Fr. Procaccini says the majority of the parish is still from Johnston, a tribute to its roots in the Italian community.
“We have people who have moved to other parts of Rhode Island but still come here,” he said.
Guests that visit the church during one of its holiday celebrations or fundraisers are sure to find plenty of Italian baked goods and the stained glass windows highlight a host of Italian saints.
“This is still considered an Italian parish,” said Fr. Procaccini.
That is not to say other communities are not welcome. Holy Cross attracts parishioners from different backgrounds and areas. More than ever, the priest said, families must rely on faith and fellowship to get through their dark days.
“We try to do a lot within the parish so Holy Cross Church can be a place where people can find peace and comfort in the difficult times,” he said, adding with a smile, “We’re still here and alive.”
Holy Cross has come a long way from its modest chapel beginnings that served maybe 100 families. Today, the parish has more than 800 families. With that base, Fr. Procaccini would like to give back to the community that has supported his church family.
“I would like for people to give of their time and talent to their parish community in many different ways,” he said.
The church recently held a missionary fair to show area residents what volunteer opportunities, as well as religious opportunities, were available to them.
Ellie Panichas, president of the Women’s Guild, was there to share her love for the parish. Though she came to Holy Cross three years ago, Panichas considers herself a newcomer. With a long history in the community, it’s no wonder.
What she was surprised to find, however, was the warmth with which she was received. Panichas had spent some time looking for the right parish, and as she helps plan the anniversary and rededication, she says she knows she made the right choice.
“I was absolutely amazed at the number of people who talked to me even though they didn’t know me,” she said of her first day at Holy Cross. “That, if nothing else, personifies the parish.”
Tickets for the celebratory dinner at $35. For more information, call the parish office at 274-5225.
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