Photos provided by the Holy Cross Mission Center.
The Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) is excited to report continued engagement with the community through the following efforts:
- 2026 Holy Cross Missions Student Essay Contest: HCMC Outreach Coordinator Maria Kangapadan and Assistant Director Michael Jezewak launched the 2026 Holy Cross Missions Student Essay Contest in April and are looking forward to receiving submissions from immersion participants. The contest is open to students from Holy Cross institutions who participated in immersion experiences between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026. Submissions will be accepted through August 31, 2026. Participants are invited to reflect on their immersion experiences for a chance to win a monetary prize. Additional financial awards will be given to the ministries that hosted the essay winners. Learn more at studentessaycontest.holycrossmissions.org.
- Pastors’ Retreat Correspondence and FAQs: For the Congregation of Holy Cross’s Pastors’ Workshop in April, Maria compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help pastors better understand the work of the HCMC and explore potential opportunities for collaboration between Holy Cross parishes and the HCMC. Michael and Maria also handwrote notes on cards from Tanzania for the pastors to keep. Thank you to all the pastors who dedicate their time and energy to shepherding their flocks. We hope you had a restful and enriching time at the Pastors’ Workshop.
- Conversations about a Partnership with Cathedral High School, Indianapolis: Michael and Maria have been in conversation with Cole Hepp and Elliot Hershberger-Gray, both educators at Cathedral High School, a Holy Cross high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, about partnering with the HCMC by integrating the Twinning Program into a service-learning course they are designing for their students. Maria has also been discussing with them which international ministry would be the best fit for a Twinning partnership with their school, as well as ways to integrate the Twinning Program into the school as they continue planning the course. We look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration!
- Immersion Orientation Lunch for Students from the University of Notre Dame: Michael and Maria hosted a lunch conversation and orientation on Holy Cross ministries in Chile, Peru, and around the world for University of Notre Dame students who will be serving in Holy Cross ministries in Chile and Peru through the university’s Institute for Social Concerns. This summer, four students will serve in Chile and two in Peru. Please keep these students in your prayers as they travel and immerse themselves in the missions abroad.
- Uganda Immersion Presentation and Reflection from Duncan Hall Students: HCMC Director Rev. Tom Eckert, C.S.C., Michael, and Maria attended a presentation by Rector Nic Schoppe and students of Duncan Hall at the University of Notre Dame. The presentations were followed by a reflection session led by Michael, during which students shared insights from their immersion experience in Uganda, including their encounters with students and Holy Cross religious at their Twinning site, St. Joseph’s Hill Senior Secondary School (S.S.S.). The immersion participants all wore matching shirts given to them by the St. Joseph’s Hill S.S.S. community. The event was attended by members of the Duncan Hall community as well as Priest in Residence Rev. Jim Lies, C.S.C. We extend our gratitude to the residents of Duncan Hall for hosting this event and for sharing your experiences!
- Lunch Discussion on the 2026-27 Baraka and Bengal Bouts Seasons with Incoming Captains: Maria met with the vice presidents and captains of Baraka Bouts and Bengal Bouts, the University of Notre Dame’s women’s and men’s boxing clubs, to discuss collaboration and preparations for the upcoming season, including ways to advance fall planning during the summer months. Thank you to all the captains for their continued support of Holy Cross missions abroad! We look forward to continuing our partnership with you in the coming year.
- Planning for the Development of a New School at St. Felista’s in Tanzania: Fr. Tom and Michael participated in a meeting organized by seminarian Keenan Bross, C.S.C., to discuss plans for a new school at St. Felista’s in Tanzania, where Keenan served during his pastoral year from 2024–25. We were grateful to be joined by representatives from the Institute for Educational Initiatives as we explored opportunities for collaboration and support for this important project.
Provided by the Mission Center, May 2026
