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M E D I A R E L E A S E CONTACT: Amy H. Smessaert, Communications Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Notre Dame, Indiana – The Sisters of the Holy Cross have been recognized by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) with an award that honors all Holy Cross priests, brothers and sisters for their contributions to Catholic education in the United States and around the world. During the NCEA’s convention, held March 25–28 in Indianapolis, the association’s Secondary Schools Department presented the award to the Congregations of Holy Cross “in honor of the beatification of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau and in recognition of the extensive and unique contributions of the Congregations of Holy Cross to Catholic education in the United States and throughout the world.” Father Moreau, the founder of the Congregations of Holy Cross, was beatified in Le Mans, France, on September 15, 2007. Accepting the award on behalf of the Sisters of the Holy Cross was Sister Rose Anne Schultz, CSC, vice president for Mission at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana. “During the award ceremony I experienced a deep sense of gratitude and of pride: gratitude for Basil Moreau’s vision for education and pride in the many women and men of Holy Cross, and our lay colleagues, who have lived that vision and made unique contributions to Catholic education in this country and throughout the world,” said Sister Rose Anne. “It was particularly meaningful to have representatives of the family of Holy Cross present to accept the award.” “It is especially gratifying to receive this recognition during the year of Father Moreau’s beatification,” commented Sister Joy O’Grady, CSC, president of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. “Father Moreau possessed a deep desire for unity within the family of Holy Cross. He would have been pleased that all branches of Holy Cross were honored collectively, and that the ministry of education continues in the tradition of excellence.” The award was bestowed by the NCEA in the context of a prayer service. A slide show presentation was displayed as the citation was read. The citation reads, in part: “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 in the United States, and individual Holy Cross Brothers, Sisters and Fathers serve as teachers, administrators, campus ministers, and auxiliary staff in Catholic secondary schools throughout our nation. “Today we honor the men and women — religious and lay alike — who continue to keep the spirit of Blessed 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.” In addition to Sister Rose Anne, the award was accepted by Brother John Paige, CSC, Father John Blazek, CSC, and Sister Judith Gomila, MSC, on behalf of the Congregations of Holy Cross. * * * |