Holy Cross Institute Convocation 2026
Convocation 2026 Schedule
Monday, Feb. 23 - Launch Day
(Sponsored by Notre Dame Federal Credit Union)
9:00 AM
Introduction/Music-Prayer/Keynote Sponsor
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
9:30 AM
Keynote Presentation: “The Holy Cross Institute: Seasoned by Hope - A Providential Perspective”
Br. Joel Giallanza, C.S.C.
(Sponsored by Spes Unica Associates)
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
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10:15 AM
Break/Questions submitted via QR code
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
10:30-10:50 AM
Questions and Discussion with Keynote Speaker
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
11:00-12:00 PM
Breakouts by Affinity Groups
(Sponsored by Hallow and Foundation Ministries)
Mabee Ballrooms A&B
12:00-2:00 PM
Lunch, Mabee Ballrooms A&B (Lunch Sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries)
Mass, Our Lady of Peace Chapel
The Holy Cross Institute - Open House, Premont Hall 110
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.) St. Andre-East Multi-Purpose Room
The Freshman Experience - Giving HOPE to the Incoming Freshman Class (Megan Schmidt, Cole Hepp, Cece Kasberg, Cathedral High School) Maloney Room - Main Building
Grounding Innovation in Mission: Hope in AI Adoption (Jurenne Belanio Balderston, Michelle Fanara, Chris Lanehart, Notre Dame High School, Calif.) John Brooks Williams - South (JBWS) 180
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College/University
Living the Holy Cross Mission: Supporting Students in Need (Kathleen Wilburn, St. Edward’s University) Holy Cross Hall 105
Educating Hearts and Minds: What Makes a Holy Cross Student? (Michelle Landon, King's College) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Seminar Room 205E
The Power of Community: Forming Educators and Leaders in a Time of Change (Kevin Baxter, Mary Ann Remick, University of Notre Dame) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Community Room 231
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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) Ragsdale Center, Rice Room 319
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) Ragsdale Center, Lucas Room 301
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) Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
Porters of the Heart: Serving Jesus in the Poor as a Call to Hope (Nick Belt, Andre House of Hospitality) Ragsdale Center, Bain Boardroom 330
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.) St. Andre-East Multi-Purpose Room
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Integrating Catholic Social Teaching throughout the Catholic High School Curriculum (Kelly Laster, Diocese of Austin) Maloney Room - Main Building
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Resilience as a Virtue of Hope: Educating Hearts and Minds for the Future (Hayley Gard, Notre Dame High School, Calif.) John Brooks Williams - South 180
College/University
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Educators in the Faith: Prophets of Hope (Dianne Barlas, Holy Cross College) Holy Cross Hall 105
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Can you teach HOPE? (Karen L. Anderson, Stonehill College) Ragsdale Center, Bain Boardroom
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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) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Community Room 231
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Seasons of Hope: Resistance and Reform among Holy Cross Ministries in Texas History (Mity Myhr and Joseph Howe, St. Edward’s University) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Seminar Room 205E
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) Ragsdale Center, Lucas Room 301
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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) Ragsdale Center, Rice Room 319
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Twinning & Immersions: Incarnate Student Formation in a Tech-Saturated Time (Michael Jezewak, the Holy Cross Mission Center) Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
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Educators in the Faith in Poor Areas (Fr. José Luis Tineo, C.S.C., Fe y Alegria Schools, Peru) Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC *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.) St. Andre-East Multi-Purpose Room
Bringing Hope Through Inclusivity: Serving Hispanic Communities with Heart and Purpose (Angelica Saldana, San Juan Diego Catholic High School) Maloney Room - Main Building
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) John Brooks Williams - South 180
College/University
Reflect, Discern, Respond: What the Sisters Teach Us about Living as Pilgrims of Hope (Nicole Labadie, Saint Mary’s College) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Seminar Room 205E
Redesigning Gateway Courses for Student Success: Strategies for Transformative Change (Christine Staab, St. Edward’s University) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Community Room 231
Playing with Purpose: Using Games to Build Teams and Reflect Mission (Jenna Morgan, University of Portland) Holy Cross Hall 105
The World of Holy Cross
Road Signs of Hope on the Journey: Lessons from Systematizing Radical Accompaniment (Alec Torigian, University of Notre Dame) Ragsdale Center, Lucas Room 301
Pope Francis on the Practice of Nurturing Hope Amid Difficulty (William Gregory, Brothers of Holy Cross – Midwest Province) Ragsdale Center, Rice Room 319
Spes Unica Associates: Living Hope in Mission (Jessica Plaspohl, Paul Acampora, Chris Haug, Spes Unica Associates) Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
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) Ragsdale Center, Bain Boardroom 330​
5:00
DINNER ON YOUR OWN​
Tuesday, Feb. 24 - Pinnacle Day
9:00 AM
Introduction/Music-Prayer/Keynote Sponsor
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
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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
(Sponsored by Holy Cross Heritage Month)
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
10:00 AM
Takeaways from the HCI’s Montréal Pilgrimage 2025
Jurenne Belanio Balderston, Notre Dame High School, Calif.
(Sponsored by Verso Ministries)
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
10:15 AM
Break/Questions submitted via QR code
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
10:30-10:50 AM
Questions and Discussion
Ragsdale Center, Jones GEC
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
Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch and Student Speakers
Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
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(Sponsored by Hallow & McGrath Institute)
1:15 PM
Group Photo
Main Building, Front Steps
1:30 PM
Memorial Service at Sorin Oak
Outside of Main Building
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) St. Andre-East Multi-Purpose Room
Pioneering Pilgrimage: the Holy Cross School Way of Life (Richard Vasquez, Holy Cross High School San Antonio) Maloney Room - Main Building
Basing an Athletic Board on Holy Cross Core Values (John O'Hara, Cathedral High School) John Brooks Williams - South 180
A Guide to Advancement: Relating Student and Donor Responsibilities to our Holy Cross Charism and Values (Carolina Scipioni; Jason Curtis, Saint Francis High School) Holy Cross Hall 105
College/University
A Holistic Approach to Vocational Development (Kim Garza, Monique Jimenez Herrera, Jeannetta Williams, St. Edward’s University) Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) Seminar Room 205E
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) Ragsdale Center, Lucas 301
A Reflection on Embracing Our God-Given Self-Identity Through the Lens of Blessed Father Moreau (Jaime Regan, Holy Cross School New Orleans) Ragsdale Center, Rice Room 319
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) Ragsdale Center, Bain Board Room 330
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) Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
4:30 PM
Mass
Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel
5:30 PM
Social Hour
Munday Library, 2nd Floor
6:30 PM
Banquet and Awards
Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
(Dinner Sponsored by Holy Cross Office of Vocations)
7:30 PM
Closing Keynote Speech
Linus Akanoh, Jr., Principal at Deloitte and Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Edward's University
Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballrooms A&B
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.