Encounter, sharing, and joy with the Provincial’s visit
The Holy Cross Educational Project (PESC) experienced a special moment of encounter, welcome, and fellowship with the visit of Brother Steph LaMendola, CSC, Provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross, accompanied by his Assistant, Brother Richard Critz, CSC.
The visit provided the religious with the opportunity to learn more about the work carried out by PESC and, above all, to spend time with the people who bring the project to life. Among the most meaningful moments was the encounter with the adult women served by the project, marked by simplicity, joy, and a rich exchange of experiences.
More than just an institutional visit, the occasion became a space for fellowship. The women served were able to share a bit about their experiences, their stories, and the importance that the activities carried out at PESC have in their daily lives. Likewise, the religious shared their experiences of life and mission, creating an atmosphere of closeness and dialogue.
The interaction was filled with great joy. The spontaneity of the conversations, the curiosity, the smiles, and the warm welcome demonstrated just how important gatherings like this are for strengthening the bonds between the people served by the social ministries and the Congregation of Holy Cross itself.
For those served, it was a source of great joy to feel the visitors’ closeness and interest in learning about their experiences and listening to what they had to share. For the religious, the gathering also became an opportunity to get to know the faces and stories of the people who participate daily in the mission of Holy Cross in our community.
When the Mission Becomes an Encounter
Moments like this remind us that the mission of Holy Cross is realized, above all, through encounters with people. Every story shared, every word of welcome, and every smile helps build relationships of respect, belonging, and hope.
PESC strives to be precisely this kind of space where education, community, and human development go hand in hand. For this reason, hosting a visit from members of the Congregation also allows those involved in the project to realize that they are part of a much larger mission—one that unites different people, cultures, and places through shared values.
The visit left a lasting impression of the joy of fellowship and the certainty that the exchange of experiences is also educational. When there is a willingness to listen and share, everyone has something to teach and something to learn.
Thus, the encounter between the religious of Holy Cross and the adult women served by PESC became yet another concrete expression of a mission that seeks to bring people together, value their stories, and strengthen bonds, making education a path of hope and transformation.
