The Holy Cross Mission Center is pleased to take this opportunity to share how we have engaged with the community in the past month.
- World Mission Month Outreach: In order to support their celebration of World Mission Month this October, our new Outreach Coordinator, Maria Kangapadan, worked with the Congregation’s United States parishes and campus ministries to provide them with tabling materials.
- Connecting with Higher Education Partners: As she steps into her new role, Maria has been getting to know the directors of Campus Ministry at Stonehill College, King’s College, and the University of Portland to learn more about Holy Cross apostolates in the United States.
- Baraka Bouts Partnership: As the Notre Dame Women’s Boxing Club has been preparing for their season, Assistant Director Michael Jezewak and Maria have been connecting with the club in various ways over the last month to plan for the three nights of the Bouts. Maria and Holy Cross Mission Center Director, Rev. Thomas Eckert, C.S.C., both attended practices. Maria worked out with the women, and Fr. Tom gave several Mission Monday talks to the club, educating them on the Ugandan ministries, St. Joseph’s Hill Senior Secondary School, and Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School, which the club spends its season raising money to support. All are invited to purchase tickets and support the We are preparing for the Baraka Bouts Tournament this November.
- U.S. Twinning Partner Relations: The Outreach Coordinator has had some wonderful conversations with Twinning Partners in the United States. She has worked with hall directors at our domestic colleges and universities, professors committed to Holy Cross missions around the world, and Holy Cross parishes around the United States.
- Holy Cross Missions Weekend at Notre Dame: Thank you to the University of Notre Dame’s Campus Ministry and Rector of the Basilica, Rev. Brian Ching, C.S.C., for welcoming us to the Basilica for our second annual Holy Cross Missions Weekend on October 11th and 12th. Their generous donations were sent to support our ministries around the world. Thank you for your generosity!
- Bengal Bouts Collaboration: Continuing our partnership with Bengal Bouts, the Outreach Coordinator met with Bengal Bouts leadership as they kicked off their season. In the last season alone, the Men’s Boxing Club at Notre Dame has raised over $320,000 for the missions in Bangladesh.
- Student Essay Contest: We are grateful to those who applied to this year’s Student Essay Contest, taking the time to reflect on their experiences with international Holy Cross Ministries. Our three winners have been announced! Please see this article to find out who they are and what ministries they engaged with.
- Br. Xavier’s Visit to the United States: We welcomed Br. Xavier Rozario, C.S.C., to the United States. Br. Xavier is a member of the St. Joseph Province located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he serves as the Province’s Steward. In this role, he acts as the liaison between the Holy Cross Mission Center and the Congregation’s ministries in Bangladesh, among other responsibilities.
Provided by the Holy Cross Mission Center, November 2025
