LifeSigns, July-Aug 2012 - Sisters of the Holy Cross

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Branches: Holy Cross Around the World Sister Barbara Gress holds a little boy at the Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Sister Yvonne Arcand assists at the May crowning. A child responds to a story read by Sister Yvonne. Center helps students succeed Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center staff inspire confidence LifeSigns ¡ july / august 2012 8 by Juliana Lewis, adult education coordinator, Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center Much has been done at Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, since it began eight years ago with only 15 children. We have watched it become what it is today, and it touches our hearts deeply to see how God has worked in our lives to make this possible in helping the poor who are such a joy to be with. Thanks for all you do to help the little ones with their schooling through tuition assistance funds. You should see the moms and how proud and appreciative they are when they are able to bring the little ones to school each day. Love, Sister Yvonne Arcand and Sister Barbara Gress At the end of April we learned the results of the three-month intensive English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) class. Two-thirds of the students moved into a new level of study. The teachers and students are very excited. They have been working so hard and now their efforts are showing results. The next summer session will be shorter, but the students hope to continue with their studies before vacation. The support of the Adult Education Department has been very helpful, lending computer sites, hardware and staff. Every Thursday a counselor visits the students to encourage them in their next step toward English proficiency. Those who are ready to leave the program are shown different options in the educational system. One of our students is writing for the newspaper and preparing for a real estate exam. She is being encouraged to continue her GED and enhance her resumé. Another of the students received her residency papers in October. Since then she has been asking for a citizenship class here at Holy Cross. We encouraged her to go to the public school nearby, but it would not accept her until she attained a certain English proficiency. She then corralled about 13 other students and they all asked for the class. One of the ESOL teachers accepted the challenge and offered to teach the course. We were very clear that it would be “hard” and “only in English.” The students agreed to come and persevere. After the first class they came out with their heads spinning, but they all came back again and again. Each time they have said, “Thank you for offering the course.” This
Branches: Holy Cross Around the World seems to be a case of student-directed curriculum. The annual fundraiser, “Viva Holy Cross,” honored our staff and volunteers. It was great to highlight them in such a delightful way. Our seven English teachers are wonderful enthusiasts for the English language. Every day they can make a greeting sound original and full of energy. Their enjoyment of the written word is contagious and their classes continue along that path. Our lifeskills coordinators also are creative and find unique ways to make the basics fun. Pillows and purses appeared for the auction from the sewing program. Delicious empanadas from the cooking class were served as hors d’oeuvres. There is a continual joyful energy that surrounds the classes, and the humblest effort is not lost among the students or the teachers. We are very grateful to all of our staff for their individual contributions. Homework helper has a staff of 14 during the course of a week. They are always ready with the questions and homework of the day, as well as being prepared for the activity level of children who have been in school all day. We are very grateful to the long-serving adult volunteers who give so generously of their time (and snacks!) to help the children read and understand their math. The high school volunteers are great role models for the children, and we are impressed by their end-of-the-year comments: “Thank you for having us here to do our community hours. We hope you will accept us next year also.” It is a grace to see real education in action. All they have learned overflows into the need to share. The sewing program has become very popular. The attendance of the women started very slowly, but now we have the ladies and about five young We always remember our Sisters Barbara and Yvonne, who are such great advocates for the school and center. Their presence helps us to remember that this is the mission of Jesus in which we participate, and we are privileged to be a part of it. girls who are very interested in design. They made pillows and small handbags for the auction. Now they are trying to create aprons. One of the teachers will approach them next week to see if they can make simple costumes so the children will be able to have drama during the summer activities. The volunteer coordinator, Magda, confides that she is so glad that the young students are interested because she feels a special calling to them. Here they will learn a skill that can become a lifetime occupation and learn other aspects of the total development of a good Christian person. Finally, our “energizer bunny” volunteer, Victoria, had so many students this year that she increased her cake decorating course to a third level. Two of her students want to start their own business! Victoria concluded the two-year cooking class and said goodbye to her student Israel. He decided to return to his family and try his skills with a small bakery from his home. We are happy that he will be with his family again and wish him the “sweetest” future possible! Father José has been our “special announcer” for the courses here at Holy Cross. Anytime we have needed his help, he has been very happy to take to the pulpit at Sunday Mass, informing people of our services. Many students are here because they have heard of us through Father José. He is our unsung hero. Although the number 80 may not seem like too many students, but for all the people involved, it has been a very fruitful year. We always remember our Sisters Barbara and Yvonne, who are such great advocates for the school and center. Their presence helps us to remember that this is the mission of Jesus in which we participate, and we are privileged to be a part of it.¡ july / august 2012 ¡ LifeSigns 9
Page 1 and 2: july/august 2012 volume 24 issue 4
Page 3 and 4: Branches: Holy Cross Around the Wor
Page 7: Branches: Holy Cross Around the Wor
Page 17 and 18: leaves: Sisters in Ministry These w
Page 19 and 20: leaves: Sisters in Ministry I arriv
Page 21 and 22: new leaves: Formation Hearts rejoic
Page 23 and 24: new leaves: Formation Novitiate com
Page 25 and 26: eflections Season of memory I then
Page 27 and 28: advancing the mission A “hands-on

LifeSigns, July-Aug 2012 - Sisters of the Holy Cross

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?