The Holy Cross Mission Center is pleased to report that we have been actively engaging with our community in the following ways:
- Travel to SEEK26: Outreach Coordinator Maria Kangapadan traveled to Columbus, OH, for SEEK, a Catholic conference for college students, from January 1–5. Her trip was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of our partners in person, ahead of her upcoming site visits throughout this year. While at the conference, Maria was able to engage with campus ministers from several domestic Holy Cross higher education institutes including: Kayla Garchar and Br. James Walters, C.S.C., (University of Portland); Fr. Tim Mouton, C.S.C., (Stonehill College); Fr. Brogan Ryan, C.S.C., (King’s College); and Brett Perkins (University of Notre Dame). In addition to learning about their different ministries and engaging with students, she attended talks in the Making Missionary Discipleship Track to better connect the work of the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) with the apostolates of Holy Cross that she interacts with here in the United States. On January 2, the Office of Apostolic Mission and Charism hosted a dinner to gather together Holy Cross institutes and ministries. Students at Holy Cross colleges were welcomed to the dinner, which was also attended by apostolates of Holy Cross. Maria was pleased to meet members of Holy Cross Family Ministries and André House, as well as leaders from Holy Cross higher education institutes. During the dinner, Maria gave a brief talk on the work of the HCMC with students and representatives of different Holy Cross apostolates.
- Lenten Almsgiving Initiative Preparation: Ahead of Lent, Assistant Director Michael Jezewak and Maria Kangapadan have been working on updating the Lenten Almsgiving Initiative. This year, they have chosen three different ministries—Audrey Veldman Vocational Training Center in Tanzania, Notre Dame School and College in Bangladesh, and Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Our Lady of Mercy Parish) in Chile. Maria created useful promotional materials that ministries are welcome to use as needed. Learn more at lent.holycrossmissions.org.
- Travel to Portland, OR: Maria was in Portland on January 27, 28, and 29 to connect with the ministries and apostolates of Holy Cross that are based there. During her time at the University of Portland, she engaged with Fr. John Donato, C.S.C., Special Assistant to the President for Mission; Fr. Tim Weed, C.S.C., Director of Campus Ministry; Claire McIlwain, Director of the Moreau Center for Service and Justice; Andrew Weingarten, Director of Residence Life; and Hall Directors Lexi Totten and Jenna Morgan. Maria also attended the student Mass at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and School, and took time to meet the pastor of Holy Redeemer, Fr. Paul Ybarra, C.S.C.; Deirdre McPheeters, the principal; and Philippe Kreiter, Director of Religious Education and Music Director at the parish and Director of Campus Ministry at the school. Additionally, Maria visited Fr. Randy Rentner, C.S.C., who gave her a tour of his ministry, St. André Bessette Catholic Church in downtown Portland. Many thanks to Fr. Bob Loughery, C.S.C., and the Holy Cross community at Portland for hosting Maria!
- Preparation for Travel to Easton, MA: Maria is preparing for her visit to Holy Cross apostolates in Easton, MA in February. She plans to connect with Stonehill College, Immaculate Conception Church, Holy Cross Church, and Holy Cross Family Ministries. She is looking forward to presenting to and engaging with students who recently returned from an immersion to Holy Cross ministries in Mexico, as well as students who will be going on an immersion trip to Peru.
- Preparation of Presentations for Outreach to Apostolates: In preparation for her expected travels to domestic Holy Cross ministries this year, Maria is preparing a series of presentations focused on the Works of Mercy and living out the Gospel within one’s state of life and professional vocation. This work highlights practical ways to integrate the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy into everyday personal and professional contexts. The presentations are tailored to different age groups, including adults in parishes, students in grade schools, and college students at higher education institutes, and draw on stories of saints and individuals on the path to canonization.
Provided by the Mission Center, February 2026
