Every year, the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) facilitates the Mary Jane DeLaney Endowment Fund grant cycle, which supports vulnerable women and children in several regions where the Congregation of Holy Cross serves. This year, the HCMC is proud to fund 29 projects across five different countries. Below is a preview of a few of the initiatives that will unfold in the coming year.
“Solidarity Bags” for Hungry Students
Lima, Peru
At Fe y Alegría no. 25, many students arrive at school too hungry to fully participate in the classroom. To address this need, senior students will prepare monthly “solidarity bags” of food for each of the 35 most impoverished students over a 10-month period. Each bag will contain staple food items, such as rice and tomato sauce, and will cost approximately $11.50 USD.
“Enlightening Education:” Classroom Furnishings
Mymensingh, Bangladesh
St. André Kindergarten serves many families who cannot afford full tuition costs, leaving the school under-resourced. This project will provide funding for the materials to build tables, chairs, and benches for the classrooms. Students at the Congregation’s nearby technical school will assemble the furniture themselves, fostering a spirit of collaboration and service.
“Empower Her: Advancing Girls’ Health Education”
Jinja, Uganda
At Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School, leaders are committed to reducing the stigma surrounding menstrual cycles and feminine hygiene, which is a major contributor to absenteeism and dropout rates among female students. This project will include 12 monthly feminine-health workshops, a two-day “health ambassador” training for 50 female student leaders, and a two-day teacher formation program. In addition, 300 female students will each receive two reusable hygiene pads that will be knit by their peers, helping ensure that they can attend school with confidence and dignity.
Awareness Programs for Women and Children
Various locations, Bangladesh
Nine parishes throughout Bangladesh will each present an educational workshop series targeted at vulnerable women and children in their areas. While each awareness program shares the same model, the workshop topics are tailored to the specific needs of each local community, as determined by each parish’s committee of lay and clergy leaders. The session topics include land rights, financial literacy, vocational training, and personal safety, among others.
The Mission Center and all of the Congregation’s international ministries are grateful for the support of our donors who make projects like these possible. As we recently celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we reflected on the vulnerability of Saint Anne as she carried her daughter, Mary, in her womb. May our hearts be united to Saints Anne and Mary as we pray for women and children everywhere, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Provided by the Mission Center, December 2025
