Dr. Dianne Barlas, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Carolyn Kitz, Director of Student Activities, and Maria Gorecki, Coordinator, Summer Programs and Special Projects had the privilege of attending the Holy Cross Institute’s Convocation 2024 a few weeks ago on the campus of St. Edward’s University. The convocation is the largest annual gathering of Holy Cross educators from across the country and around the world. More than 300 members of the Holy Cross family to gathered in Austin, TX to experience the HOPE that inspired Bl. Basile Moreau, the Congregation’s founder. Moreau’s visionary concept “With Hope to Bring” was the theme of Convocation 2024.
Attendee Maria Gorecki ’23 took a moment to share her thoughts about her time at the convocation. Holy Cross Institute’s Convocation 2024 was a reunion of various Holy Cross schools and organizations from around the world at St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX.
I am so thankful for having the chance to attend to meet people that share the same internal fire that transforms a school into a community centered on Catholic education that focuses on more than just academic achievements. This fire warms an academic building to make it a home. I listened to sessions and participated in group discussions that centered around this year’s theme “With Hope to Bring”. Conversations spanned various topics as we discussed how Catholic educators are instrumental in maintaining a healthy learning environment in and out of the classroom. The sessions I attended were about: sharing Holy Cross history, language, values, and traditions in curriculum and social settings; inspiring others to be curious about Christ rather than stacking Him as an obligation on already overwhelmed shoulders; striving to reveal the good potential in others; recognizing how an ethical leader works; caring for God’s creation in light of Laudato Si’; questioning the role and impact of Artificial Intelligence in authentic human development and overall society; challenging whether charitable actions alone are enough to solve immediate problems without instilling a shared altruistic mindset in society; adopting moral courage to face your fears and act anyway; exploring how institutional practices can help students desire community, human dignity, and the common good. Overall, my experience at Convocation 2024 clarified the purpose of Holy Cross College and solidified new goals I’ll strive to achieve while serving in my new position as coordinator of summer programs at my alma mater.
