Holy Cross Institute Convocation 2026
Convocation 2026 Schedule
Monday, Feb. 23 - Launch Day
9:00 AM
Introduction/Music-Prayer/Keynote Sponsor, 20th Anniversary Video
9:30 AM
Keynote Presentation: “The Holy Cross Institute: Seasoned by Hope - A Providential Perspective”
Br. Joel Giallanza, C.S.C
10:15 AM
Break/Questions submitted via QR code
10:30-10:50 AM
Questions and Discussion with Keynote Speaker
11:00-12:00 PM
Breakouts by Affinity Groups in Mabee Ballrooms
12:00-2:00 PM
Mass, Lunch, HCI Open House
2:00-2:45 PM
WORKSHOPS
​K-8/High School
Encouraging Mistakes in the Classroom: Learning by Mistakes (Noah Wilson, Notre Dame High School, Calif.)
The Freshman Experience - Giving HOPE to the Incoming Freshman Class (Megan Schmidt, Cole Hepp, Cece Kasberg, Cathedral High School)
Grounding Innovation in Mission: Hope in AI Adoption (Jurenne Belanio Balderston, Michelle Fanara, Chris Lanehart, Notre Dame High School, Calif.)
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College/University
Living the Holy Cross Mission: Supporting Students in Need (Kathleen Wilburn, St. Edward’s University)
Educating Hearts and Minds: What Makes a Holy Cross Student? (Michelle Landon, Kings College)
The Power of Community: Forming Educators and Leaders in a Time of Change (Kevin Baxter, Mary Ann Remick, University of Notre Dame)
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The World of Holy Cross
Meeting Them Where They Are: Holy Cross Education as a Mission Field (Kristian Jaloway, John Oberg Associates)
A Hopeful Act: Educating Minds and Hearts through Respect and Appreciation for Popular Culture (Fernando Frozzo, Márcia Regina Savioli, Congregation of Holy Cross - District of Brazil)
Holy Cross Spes Unica Ministries: Carrying Forth the Educational Legacy of the Holy Cross Brothers (Terry Lee; Br. Ken Haders, C.S.C.; Mary Anne Beiting; Br. Stephen LaMendola, C.S.C., Holy Cross Spes Unica Ministries)
Porters of the Heart: Serving Jesus in the Poor as a Call to Hope (Nick Belt, Andre House of Hospitality​)
3:00-3:45 PM
WORKSHOPS
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K-8/High School
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Ancestry Classroom: Heritage and Digital Humanities as Pathways of Hope (Connie Scarfone, Holy Cross High School, Conn.)
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Integrating Catholic Social Teaching throughout the Catholic High School Curriculum (Kelly Laster, Diocese of Austin)
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Resilience as a Virtue of Hope: Educating Hearts and Minds for the Future (Hayley Gard, Notre Dame High School, Calif.)
College/University
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Educators in the Faith: Prophets of Hope (Dianne Barlas, Holy Cross College)
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Can you teach HOPE? (Karen L. Anderson, Stonehill College)
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The Value of Institutional Values (Fr. John Donato, C.S.C. and Fr. Peter Walsh, C.S.C., University of Portland)
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Seasons of Hope: Resistance and Reform among Holy Cross Ministries in Texas History (Mitty Myhr and Joseph Howe, St. Edward’s University)
The World of Holy Cross
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The Art of Prayer Retreat: Guiding Souls to Experience Intimacy with God (Craig and Amy Dyke, Holy Cross Family Ministries)
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Cultivating Confidence (confianza), Connection (conexión) and Community (comunidad) with Latino Families in our Catholic Schools (Jocelyn Smith, University of Notre Dame)
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Twinning & Immersions: Incarnate Student Formation in a Tech-Saturated Time (Michael Jezewak, the Holy Cross Mission Center)
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Educators in the Faith in Poor Areas (Fr. José Luis Tineo, C.S.C., Fe y Alegria Schools, Peru) *This workshop will be presented in Spanish.
4:00-4:45
WORKSHOPS
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K-8/High School
Hope as Praxis: Teaching Beyond Information Toward Transformation (Eireen Ty, Notre Dame High School, Calif.)
Bringing Hope Through Inclusivity: Serving Hispanic Communities with Heart and Purpose (Angelica Saldana, San Juan Diego Catholic High School)
Teaching in a Time of Turmoil: Holy Cross Values as a Source of Hope for New Teachers and Their Mentors (Jamie Adaway, Mike MacDonald, Hoban High School)
College/University
Reflect, Discern, Respond: What the Sisters Teach Us about Living as Pilgrims of Hope (Nicole Labadie, Saint Mary’s College)
Redesigning Gateway Courses for Student Success: Strategies for Transformative Change (Christine Staab, St. Edward’s University)
Playing with Purpose: Using Games to Build Teams and Reflect Mission (Jenna Morgan, University of Portland)
The World of Holy Cross
Road Signs of Hope on the Journey: Lessons from Systematizing Radical Accompaniment (Alec Torigian, University of Notre Dame)
Pope Francis on the Practice of Nurturing Hope Amid Difficulty (William Gregory, Brothers of Holy Cross – Midwest Province)
Spes Unica Associates: Living Hope in Mission (Jessica Plaspohl, Paul Acampora, Chris Haug, Spes Unica Associates)
Transformation Process of Catholic Holy Cross School in a Brazilian Context Starting From HOPE: The Document Produced in the 2024 Convocation Institute (Sr. Diane Cundiff, C.S.C., Sisters of the Holy Cross)
Tuesday, Feb. 24 - Pinnacle Day
9:00 AM
Introduction/Music-Prayer/Keynote Sponsor
9:30 AM
Keynote Presentation: Family of Holy Cross – Hope for our Future
​Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General, Congregation of Holy Cross
Sr. Ann Lacour, M.S.C., Congregational Leader, Marianites of Holy Cross
Sr. Raymonde Maisonneuve, C.S.C., Animatrice générale, Sœurs de Sainte-Croix
Sr. Sharlet Ann Wagner, C.S.C., President, Sisters of the Holy Cross
10:00 AM
Takeaways from the HCI’s Montréal Pilgrimage 2025
Jurenne Belanio Balderston, Notre Dame High School, Calif.
10:15 AM
Break/Questions submitted via QR code
10:30-10:50 AM
Questions and Discussion
11:00-11:45 AM
Pedagogy of Pilgrimage
Chris Haug, U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers, Congregation of Holy Cross
Katy Lichon, University of Notre Dame
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch and Student Speakers
1:15 PM
Group Photo at the Main Building
1:30 PM
Memorial Service at Sorin Oak
3:00-3:45 PM
WORKSHOPS
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K-8/High School
Navigating AI Use in our Holy Cross Schools (Candace Bates, Archbishop Hoban High School)
Pioneering Pilgrimage: the Holy Cross School Way of Life (Richard Vasquez, Holy Cross High School San Antonio)
Basing an Athletic Board on Holy Cross Core Values (John O'Hara, Cathedral High School)
A Guide to Advancement: Relating Student and Donor Responsibilities to our Holy Cross Charism and Values (Jason Curtis, Saint Francis High School)
College/University
A Holistic Approach to Vocational Development (Kim Garza, Jeannetta Williams, St. Edward’s University)
Hope is a Thing with Muscles: Bringing the Camino de Santiago to your School (Fr. Pat Hannon, C.S.C., University of Portland)
The World of Holy Cross
Prophetic Pedagogy: Living Our Holy Cross Educational Mission With and Through Hope—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Sr. Elaine Poitras, C.S.C., Innovative Catholic Schools Network)
A Reflection on Embracing Our God-Given Self-Identity Through the Lens of Blessed Father Moreau (Jaime Regan, Holy Cross School New Orleans)
The Grief Elevator: Choosing the Next Floor of Hope and Action (Jessica Lewis, Elisia Harkins-James, Notre Dame High School, Calif., Dinah Sbelgio, St. Edward’s University)
A Shared Vision Rooted in the Holy Cross Tradition; Opening a Future of Hope (Fr. Paul Valentin, C.S.C., Marie-Gaelle Clementi, Holy Cross Schools in France)
4:30 PM
Mass
5:30 PM
Social Hour
6:30 PM
Banquet and Awards
7:30 PM
Closing Keynote Speech
Linus Akanoh, Jr., Principal at Deloitte and Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Edward's University
Wednesday, Feb. 25 - The Third Day
We are excited to share an updated format for our annual Convocation, scheduled for February 23-25, 2026, at St. Edward's University in Austin! While Convocation remains a vibrant three-day event, we've refined the schedule to better serve your needs. Day 3 is for team and affinity group meetings. FAQs located here.
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If you do not have a cohort or affinity group that is meeting on the Third Day, we encourage you to join a day-long retreat at St. Edward's that is offered free of charge by the Spes Unica Associates. This experience will allow you to reflect, pray and discuss the values and vision of Holy Cross with other educators and ministers from across the country and around the world. It's a special opportunity not to be missed. For information and registration, click here.