From Monday to Wednesday, October 14-16, the presidents and board chairs of the 11 schools sponsored by the Moreau Province and the three schools of the Province’s District of Brazil gathered for their annual meeting. The meeting was organized by Mr. Terry Lee, Director of School Sponsorship for the Moreau Province.

This year’s host was Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, under the leadership of Dr. John Barnhardt, President, Mrs. Dian Carter, Principal, and Mrs. MaryBeth Baumgartner, Executive Secretary.

Read more about the Education Ministry of Holy Cross

After a festive dinner on Monday evening, the presidents and board chairs were warmly greeted Tuesday morning by Bishop McNamara students, who also gave them tours of campus. In the morning sessions, Mr. Lee addressed the group on the schools’ Holy Cross theme for this year: building respect. Then Br. Thomas Dziekan, C.S.C., Superior of the Moreau Province, updated the group on the Moreau Province Chapter. Br. George Schmitz, C.S.C., Provincial Steward, followed with a presentation focused on mission, emphasizing: “Mission is not our work. Mission is God at work. We work with God.”

The afternoon featured a panel discussion on the role of the board chair and his or her working relationship with the president or head of school. The panel included the current and past board chairs of Bishop McNamara High School, Mr. Robert Summers and Mrs. Ronnete Meyers respectively, and Dr. Barnhardt. Following the panel, the board chairs and presidents met in separate groups to discuss best practices. The day ended with Mass in the school’s chapel and then a social and dinner.

On Wednesday, the board chairs and presidents were treated to an outstanding student presentation that showcased the various performing arts programs at Bishop McNamara. Then there was time for further debriefing from the previous day’s group discussions before a commissioning prayer service and a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant officially ended the gathering.

As in past years, the boardchairs and presidents spoke gratefully of the opportunity to gather and share together about their common mission as Holy Cross Educators.