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H.O.P.E.
Between February 29 and March 7, many students of Stonehill College travelled in different caravans to
bring H.O.P.E. to people in a variety of settings. H.O.P.E. is an acronym for "Honoring our neighbors,
Organizing for justice, Peace, and Encountering God." From New York to Peru, from New Orleans to Honduras,
the Dominican Republic and Tennessee, Stonehill College students spent their spring break doing something
to assist others.
For some, it was tearing down structures that had been contaminated and compromised by flood waters.
For others, it was engaging in teaching children in rough hewn school rooms. Still others planted
Noni trees in little bags that they first filled with soil (these plants are said to have medicinal
properties). Other students brushed and painted and, generally, cleaned up buildings and outside
areas that would otherwise be left unattended for lack of time and of hands to do the menial chores.
 The students gave much and received much
in return, not in monetary ways, but rather in ways intangible and, somehow, very concrete to them.
While it is not unique to the Holy Cross colleges of Stonehill and King's to undertake these works, those willing spirits
who give up their vacation time to help others are to be admired and celebrated. Let us thank God that the will to do
something for others is alive and well in our young people.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
SECONDARY SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT AWARDS CONVOCATION
At the National Catholic Educational Association Convention, held March 25-27 in Indianapolis, the Secondary School
Department honored the "Brothers, Fathers, and Sisters of the Congregations of Holy Cross for their contribution to
secondary education in the United States as they celebrate the beatification of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau."
The award was bestowed in the context of a prayer service. A slide show presentation was displayed as the following citation
was read:
"Over 170 years ago in France, the Catholic faith and its institutions had been almost eradicated by
the excesses of the French Revolution. In 1837, however, Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau organized a
religious community of priests, brothers, and sisters to help rebuild the faith by preaching and
teaching, believing that their schools should be places to educate the hearts and minds of young
people so that they will go out and transform the world."
Blessed Moreau's vision came to fruition and today members of the Congregations of
Holy Cross serve in schools throughout the world.
Blessed Moreau understood that while he could not change the world around him, he could change the young person who walked into his schools. Hence the
information imparted to students is meant to facilitate the formation of the student toward the transformation of the person, the community and the
world. This 'conformity to Christ - being men and women capable of living, speaking and acting like Jesus Christ' - is the vision that Blessed Moreau
proposes to the educators of Holy Cross.
Moreau's community was sent on mission to be educators in the faith. Arriving in the United States in 1841, they immediately began their
ministry teaching young people. In the early 20th century, the Brothers' ministry focused on secondary education, and as Catholic high schools flourished
in this country, the Fathers and Sisters also founded secondary schools. Today, the Congregations of Holy Cross sponsor fifteen (15) middle and secondary
schools throughout the United States, and individual Holy Cross Brothers, Sisters and Fathers serve as teachers, administrators, campus ministers, and
auxiliary staff.
 
Today we honor the men and women - religious and lay alike - who continue to keep the spirit of Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau alive through their diligence in
the classroom, sportsmanship on the playing fields, and service to the community - living the mission of educating the minds and hearts of their students
to have the competence to see and the courage to act as men and women of faith."
The NCEA Convention also featured many workshops, sessions, and exhibitions, including several presentations by Holy Cross religious: Father John
Phalen (EP), Father Christopher Cox (IP), Sister Catherine Kamphaus CSC, Sister Judith Gomila MSC, and Brother William Clifford (EB).
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