Best of the Week 2020-2021: Holy Cross Values

ST. ED'S CELEBRATES HOLY CROSS WEEK AND THE SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH

Throughout this week, students have celebrated Holy Cross Week by donning St. Ed's theme t-shirts that they've collected over their time at St. Ed's. From "With All Your Heart" and "Come Follow Me" to "Go and Do Likewise" and this year's "Side by Side theme, St. Ed's students, faculty and staff displayed these different themes throughout the week to commemorate the messages rooted in Holy Cross values the community has exemplified throughout the last four years. "I think it's really important to not lose focus of our Holy Cross standards and values during such a tumultuous year. Inviting our community to wear these different themed shirts was a way for us to not only remember how the St. Ed's theme has changed over time, but to also serve as a reminder for why we should still continue to live out these messages every day," says Matt Mistysyn '21. Student Ministers who are part of the Holy Cross Identity and History committee, led by Matt, not only came up with the t-shirt idea for the week, but also took the time to interview Br. Dennis Bednarz about his experience as part of the Brothers of Holy Cross, St. Joseph, and what Holy Cross means to him both as a brother and a teacher at St. Ed's. Click the video above to watch our students' interview with Br. Dennis. To cap off this Holy Cross Week, St. Ed's community celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron of the Brothers of Holy Cross, with an all-school virtual liturgy today. In the midst of celebrating a year-long recognition of the 200 years of the Brothers of Holy Cross, Pope Francis dedicated this whole year to celebrating St. Joseph, who plays an integral part in the spirituality of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Heeding St. Andre Bessette's advice to "Go to Joseph," St. Ed's gathered in prayer and devotion to the work and reverence of St. Joseph. "In declaring a year to celebrate St. Joseph, Pope Francis remarked that Joseph was 'the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence' in many ways, a model of servant leadership, a model that we have been blessed to witness through the contributions of the Brothers of Holy Cross since the earliest days of St. Edward High School," says VP of Mission Effectiveness Liam Haggerty '02. "While I certainly hope that the Brothers' contributions aren't unnoticed, as our school community owes everything that we are to the daily sacrifice and dedication of the Brothers of Holy Cross, I do know that the Brothers have never done anything for recognition or fanfare. Instead, the Brothers or Holy Cross, who we celebrate during Holy Cross Week, are a wonderful example of following the model of St. Joseph, a humble servant, giving their lives in service to the will of God."