Holy Cross Parish Advisory Councils
Finance Council Members
Meetings: Virtual, scheduled by Finance Council Chair
Current Finance Council Members:
Francois Dji-Dji - Chair
Lauren Green
Erminio Alesii
Prudence Wesly
Monica Szabo
Stephanie hawkins anderson
Kiersten Abernathy-Brown
About the Holy Cross Finance Council
The Holy Cross Finance Council serves as an advisory resource for our pastor, Fr. Pius Wekesa. The Diocese of Raleigh requires that each parish have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop, to aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods….”
These diocesan norms emphasize that the Finance Council is an advisory body to the pastor in matters pertaining to the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of financial administration
Pastoral Council Members | 2026
Meetings: 7 PM, second Tuesday of each month
Current Pastoral Council Members:
Reginald Ross-Weaks - Chair
Gina Cain - Vice Chair
Barbara Hayes - Recording Secretary
Toni Hall
Jason Martin
Geovanny Martinez
Ike Nwabinwe
Dr. Desiree Palmer
Quincy Purvis
About the Holy Cross Pastoral Council
The parish's Pastoral Council serves as an advisory resource for our pastor, Fr. Pius Wekesa, bringing to him needs that have been identified by the Council members and suggestions submitted by parishioners. In collaboration with the pastor, the Council members help to develop processes, research solutions and prioritize parish needs for facility and operational improvements.
Parishioners are welcome to attend the Council meetings, and to communicate with members of the Council personally or by submitting remarks to the Pastoral Council Comments Box located in the church's gathering space, to the right of the parish office.
Holy Cross Pastoral Council expectations
- Enthusiasm about the future direction of the parish.
- Commit to attend regularly scheduled 60- to 90-minute meetings on the second Tuesdays of the month and any called special meeting with a three-day notice.
- Willingness to attend a Pastoral Council half-day retreat and orientation/training.
- Willingness to listen, to speak respectfully and honestly, and to work through discernment to reach a consensus.
- Ability to work well with others, to be flexible, and to be open with people and and their ideas.
- Ability to articulate Pastoral Council actions and goals to parishioners.
- Ability to inspire and empower others.
Holy Cross Mission Statement
Holy Cross Church was founded by the Society of Jesus to serve the African American Catholics of Durham. We are a people baptized in Christ. We gather to worship the Lord in joy, to proclaim the Gospel, and to serve the Durham community, as well as, the needs of the whole people of God. Our special character as an African American parish continues to shape our worship, our ministries, and our contribution to the wider church
