Since 1885, when Sisters of the Holy Cross were invited by the local bishop to address the needs of the mining and pioneer communities there, Holy Cross sisters have been bringing the spirit and vision of Basil Moreau to communities in the West.

In six years of early history in Utah, California and other states, the sisters opened 40 schools. Moreau-style, these education pioneers consistently exhibited a collaborative spirit in their efforts to bring religious and laity together in their educational projects and augment academic knowledge with holistic learning.

St. John the Baptist Elementary School, part of the new Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper, Utah

Over the years Holy Cross educators have served in nearly 70 schools across six Western states, in both urban and rural areas. While sisters no longer serve in many of these schools, the legacy they left still implements Moreau’s vision in both the public and private sectors – through mentoring and teacher education, in creative curriculum and teaching methods, and in involving the community as much as possible in the education of its children.

Today in the West, Holy Cross sisters serve in various capacities in the fields of education, social outreach and diocesan services.

As they have for the past 160 years, their goals are their Congregation’s vision: “to discern the needs of the people” and to “respond generously to the call to be disciples of the Lord and pilgrims on the journey,” in order to help all people realize the fullness of life.

~From reports by Sisters Catherine Kamphaus, CSC, superintendent of Salt Lake Diocesan Schools, and Karla McKinnie, CSC, former principal of St. John the Baptist Elementary School

Service projects are an integral part of school curriculum and activities. During the annual Advent service project, St. John the Baptist students collected items for some 40 “adopted” families in the community who could not afford Christmas gifts for their children. Each class supplied a Christmas tree and ornaments, Christmas dinner, and gifts for one family.