March 2026
Archbishop Hoban High School
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Women’s History Month Pages 6-7
SPANISH STUDENTS SERVE HOLY CROSS COMMUNITY IN MONTERREY, MEXICO BY CATHERINE BORDENKIRCHER
be able to communicate freely with local residents without the aid of a translator. Furthermore, Commitment to service participants are expected to assist is an integral aspect of Holy communities through Christian Cross’s core values, an attribute service in several facets. that Hoban’s administration “We do get to see and do a strives to nourish. Numerous lot of amazing things with the opportunities to connect with idea of service behind it,” said local communities are made Spanish teacher and four-year accessible and encouraged by chaperone of the Monterrey trip, the faculty, granting students the Amy Zeller. chance to aid others. Of these Additionally, Monterrey opportunities, few compare to currently possesses a Holy that of Hoban’s service trip to Cross community of their own, Monterrey, Mexico. uniting Hoban students with Contrasting the many local residents through familiar immersion experiences offered aspects of the congregation’s by Hoban, traveling to Monterrey culture. Faced with this relation, prioritizes actively serving the participants accompanied community rather than simply Eucharistic Ministers to the observing. Attendees must homes of vulnerable individuals exhibit a baseline understanding to deliver the Eucharist, holding a of the Spanish language and secluded mass while connecting with residents. M o r e o v e r, H o b a n students were invited to local Catechism classes to meet and play with Monterrey’s youth. In another display of Christian Trip attendees assist Monterrey social service, workers in the sorting and distribution of students goods. Students work to organize necessities, assisted social including food items and sanitary products. workers in PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY ZELLER the sorting
Hoban students pose with La Luz youth group. The traveling party enjoys an evening with Monterrey locals, celebrating the unity of Christian service. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESUS RODRIGUEZ and distribution of food items and sanitary products for food pantries. One of the most prominent aspects of these service opportunities was the experience of immigration houses. Students were permitted to understand the history of the facility, the services they provide, and hear the trials faced by individuals on their path to citizenship. The house assists immigrants to gain valid identifications and employment opportunities to sustain themselves, acting as a support system for them to build their new lives. “It was a very heartfelt place to be in,” said Senior attendee Ehbway Nay. “Hearing the stories of those people, not from
the perspective of an outsider, but as someone who was speaking with them face to face was an extraordinary experience.” While the 2026 Monterrey group accomplished great feats, Christian service does not require an itinerary or plane ticket. Many residents right here in Akron face similar challenges to those in Mexico, and although the afflictions of vulnerable individuals may know no bounds, neither does selflessness. For those hoping to pursue similar endeavors, Zeller encourages speaking with the trip’s attendees, finding a way to “bring that sense of community, whether that directly relates to Holy Cross or not. Think of the core values.”