Photo provided by the Holy Cross Mission Center. Pictured from left to right are Michael Jezewak, Maria Kangapadan, and Rev. Joe Moyer, C.S.C.
The Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) is excited to report continued engagement with the community through the following efforts:
- Ganguly Exchange Debrief: Between August 5-6, four U.S. Province men in formation who spent 8 weeks ministering abroad this summer attended a debrief facilitated by HCMC Assistant Director Michael Jezewak collaborated with Moreau Seminary & Scholasticate Assistant Rector Fr. Dan Parish, C.S.C. Using the Road to Emmaus as a framework, the men reflected on their ministerial experiences abroad and placing those experiences within the context of their ongoing discernment. We pray that, like Servant of God Theotonius Ganguly (C.S.C.), the namesake of the Ganguly Exchange, these men might be aided by their international experiences of the Congregation’s ministries.
- Twinning Kickoff information session: HCMC Outreach Coordinator Maria Kangapadan hosted a required information session for Twinning Site Liaisons at Holy Cross ministries in Bangladesh, Chile, Haiti, India, Kenya, Peru, Uganda, and Tanzania on July 15. The session provided practical tools and resources for strengthening relationships between international and U.S. Twinning Partners. International Twinning Site Liaisons were encouraged to reach out to their U.S. Twinning Site Liaisons in August to continue deepening their relationships and fostering connections within the international Holy Cross community. The U.S. and international Twinning Site Liaisons will then plan a Kickoff Call between the two communities during World Mission Month in October. Thank you to all international Twinning Site Liaisons for participating and for initiating these conversations with your U.S. Twinning Partners.
- Conversation with Rev. Joe Moyer, C.S.C., on the Twinning Program: Fr. Joe, campus minister and chaplain at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, met with Maria and HCMC Assistant Director Michael Jezewak to discuss the Twinning Program and ways to continue building the school’s Twinning relationship. Fr. Joe shared that students who visited their Twinning Partner, Colegio Fe y Alegría no. 25 in Peru, in the summer of 2025 continue to talk about their immersion experience as they become school leaders. Thank you, Fr. Joe, for meeting with us and continuing to foster this relationship with Fe y Alegría no. 25.
- Advent initiative planning with communications director: Maria and Michael met with Lisa Kochanowski, the U.S. Province’s Director of Communications , to discuss the Advent reflection series that Maria has been working on and how it could align with the broader Mission of the Congregation. They discussed ways to engage partners, primarily through social media, and areas of focus for developing the initiative. Thank you, Lisa, for meeting with us and sharing your tips and insights.
- St. Monica’s and Holy Cross Parish Dandora Encounter Call: Michael facilitated an Encounter Call between St. Monica’s Parish in California and Holy Cross Parish Dandora on July 23. The quarterly call gave parishioners an opportunity to reconnect, share updates from parish life, discuss World Cup experiences, and reflect on faith and the liturgical season. We look forward to continuing these opportunities for connection between the two communities.
- Holy Cross Heritage Month planning: Planning for Holy Cross Heritage Month has begun! The steering committee and the HCMC are brainstorming ways to engage the international ministries of the Congregation next year. Learn more at www.holycrossmonth.org.
- Mission Commission meeting in Rome: HCMC Director Rev. Tom Eckert, C.S.C., traveled to Rome for the Mission Commission meeting hosted by the Generalate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, held July 27–31. The Commission reflected on the recently completed Year of Mission and explored ways to carry its missionary momentum and zeal forward.
Provided by Maria Kangapadan, and the Holy Cross Mission Center, August 2026.
