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

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
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