The Holy Cross Mission Center, in partnership with the U.S. Province’s Office of Apostolic Mission & Charism, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Holy Cross Missions Student Essay Contest.
This year, the Committee offered student travelers five essay prompts related to the Congregational Year of Mission to choose from, and as it happens, our winning essays reflected on three separate questions.
The Student Essay Contest Committee reviewed all the applications and was impressed by the diversity of personal encounters at Holy Cross’s international ministries.
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First Place: Mark Moloney
Immersion Sponsor: University of Notre Dame – Institute for Social Concerns
International Ministry: Yancana Huasy (Peru)
Essay: “A Beacon of Hope: Yancana Huasy and The Mission of Holy Cross”
Essay prompt: How does the Holy Cross apostolate you visited embody the Congregation of Holy Cross priests’ and brothers’ commitment to being “educators in the faith” who make a “preferential option for the poor”? Provide specific examples of how those pieces of the Holy Cross Mission are put into action, and reflect on their significance for the broader Mission of the Church.
Mark, an aspiring doctor studying at the University of Notre Dame, chose to spend eight weeks in Canto Grande to practice serving Spanish-speaking patients in need. At Yancana Huasy, a special education ministry that grew out of Holy Cross’s Lord of Hope Parish in the area, Mark found a ministry that lives out Holy Cross’s charism as “educators in the faith” who make a “preferential option for the poor”: “By throwing open its doors to the people who are in the greatest need, Yancana Huasy spreads the love of Christ in San Juan de Lurigancho. This school works as a channel of the Lord’s love and mercy, embracing the most vulnerable and lifting them up. By working with God in spreading His love, Yancana Huasy guides children with disabilities and their families toward their highest potential, toward true communion with Him.”
In addition to Mark’s $500 award from the Office of Apostolic Mission & Charism, the Holy Cross Mission Center will also contribute $1,000 in Mark’s honor for the ministry priorities of Yancana Huasy.
Congratulations, Mark!
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Second Place: Ashley Ramirez-Casanova
Immersion Sponsor: University of Notre Dame – Institute for Social Concerns
International Ministry: Parroquia Nuestra Madre Santísima de la Luz (Mexico)
Essay: “Serving with a Heart of Faith”
Essay prompt: Identify a key lay collaborator at the Holy Cross apostolate you visited and explain his or her role in supporting, contributing to, or advancing the Congregation of Holy Cross’s Mission to live as “educators in the faith” who make a “preferential option for the poor.” How does his or her work contribute to the ministry’s overall impact, and what does this reveal about the importance of lay participation in the Congregation of Holy Cross’s Mission?
Paying tribute to Rosalinda Sanchez, Ashley Ramirez-Casanova reflected on the way lay people collaborate with Holy Cross priests and brothers in service of the Congregation’s Mission: “Rosalinda’s service is an example of the vital role laypeople play in sustaining and expanding the mission of Holy Cross. She is one of many lay people who, moved by their faith, dedicate their lives to silent but transformative service within the community.”
In addition to Ashley’s $300 award from the Office of Apostolic Mission & Charism, the Holy Cross Mission Center will also contribute $500 in Ashley’s honor for the ministry priorities of Parroquia Nuestra Madre Santísima de la Luz.
Congratulations, Ashley!
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Third Place: Sean Starsky
Immersion Sponsor: Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, California)
International Ministry: Colegio Fe y Alegría No. 25 (Peru)
Essay: “Immense Love”
Essay prompt: What practices, behaviors, routines, traditions, or customs from the Holy Cross apostolate you visited would be valuable to bring back to your community in the U.S.? How could these practices enhance your own and your community’s ability to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ in various social circles (family, friends, teammates, etc.) or community organizations (school, parish, organizations, etc.)?
Sean’s immersion group arrived at Colegio Fe y Alegria No. 25 without having much personal interaction with the students there. But through cultural dances, sports, and shared service in constructing a neighbor’s home, he felt welcomed by their students and eager to build stronger community ties upon returning home to Southern California. A high school student himself, Sean noted something special about his Peruvian peers: “Never did I see a student go without a friend in Peru. Never was a student alone and unsupported.”
In addition to Sean’s $200 award from the Office of Apostolic Mission & Charism, the Holy Cross Mission Center will also contribute $500 in Sean’s honor for the ministry priorities of Colegio Fe y Alegría No. 25.
Congratulations, Sean!
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Congratulations, Mark, Ashley, Sean, and all applicants to this year’s contest!
All are invited to read the winning essays and others in the coming months by subscribing to the HCMC’s monthly newsletter.
Provided by the Holy Cross Mission Center, October 2025
