While Friday the 13th in popular culture is often associated with bad luck, Friday Sept. 13 was a day of blessings for The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Maryland, first at a schoolwide Mass celebrated by Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory, and then at a ground blessing ceremony for the new Athletic and Wellness Center there.
Donning purple plastic hard hats reflecting their school colors, the 370 Holy Cross students attending the ground blessing were joined by teachers, staff, parents, Board of Trustee members and other guests, as the cardinal blessed the site of the Athletic and Wellness Center and sprinkled holy water on it.
As he stood near shovels propped up against the fence surrounding the site of the future center, Cardinal Gregory said, “This new modern building will be where the athletic development of skills and abilities of the talented young women of the academy will be showcased and celebrated. Here, future student leaders will experience growth and renewal as they continue their path of excellence as young women of strong character, compassion and courage.”
Plans are for the new Athletic and Wellness Center to be completed by June 2026. The facility will feature seating for 500 people and include basketball and volleyball courts and practice courts. In addition to hosting athletic competitions, the center will also be a space for community gatherings, school assemblies, pep rallies, dances, clubs and other activities.
Addressing those gathered for the center’s ground blessing, Emily A. Kasof – the new president of The Academy of the Holy Cross – said, “We are truly standing on the shoulders of many who are here today. This new Athletic and Wellness Center represents a continued growth for the academy in its mission towards academic excellence and athletic achievement. This space will foster community involvement and support our girls’ future endeavors.”
That point was echoed by Kelly Flaherty, the director of athletics at Holy Cross, who said, “This Athletic and Wellness Center will be a space where our students can maximize their God-given abilities and pursue their passions in a state-of-the-art facility, while becoming the best version of themselves. This incredible resource will enhance The Academy of the Holy Cross and position us for generations to come. Through God’s will, our opportunities are endless. It’s truly an exciting time to be a Tartan.”
The day’s excitement continued as the students participated in Holy Cross Day Games and participated in races and other activities.
Before the ground blessing, Cardinal Gregory celebrated a schoolwide Mass to mark the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the all-girls’ Catholic high school established by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1868. The Holy Cross sisters attending the Mass stood and were applauded, and after Communion, senior Gabby Hill, who serves as the Executive Board student president there, announced that students made a quilt with hand-painted squares for the Sisters of the Holy Cross to celebrate their work advancing peace and justice around the world and the sisters’ commitment to promote care for God’s creation.
“We continue to live out the legacy of the sisters each and every day here. We are blessed by your witness of faith and action in the world,” said Kathy Hannah, the new principal of The Academy of the Holy Cross.
Concelebrating the Mass with Cardinal Gregory were Jesuit Father James Van Dyke, the president of nearby Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda; Father Stephen Wyble, the administrator of neighboring Holy Cross Parish in Garrett Park; and Msgr. John Enzler, the chaplain of St. John’s College High School in Washington. Deacon Keith Somerville, whose daughter Karlena is a Holy Cross freshman, assisted at the Mass.
In his homily at the Mass, Cardinal Gregory noted that crosses are displayed at Catholic churches and in Catholic school classrooms.
“The cross is a powerful image of redemption and salvation,” the cardinal said. He added that crosses remind him “of the Lord’s triumph, not His death. When we see the cross, we should take comfort and strength.”
And while some crosses and crucifixes are artistically beautiful, “the most important display of the cross is to be found in the lives of those who call themselves Christian,” Cardinal Gregory said.
Addressing the Holy Cross students, Washington’s archbishop said, “You young women are examples of the exaltation of the Holy Cross. You young people are to be to the world a sign of Jesus’ triumph… Let it bring courage, hope, trust and confidence in all who see you, so people can say, ‘She is a student at Holy Cross, and she herself is a living, beautiful cross.’”
Later before the Mass ended, Cardinal Gregory offered a prayer of blessing to the school’s new president, Emily Kasof; and to its new principal, Kathy Hannah.
“The Academy of the Holy Cross has as a basis for its mission the education of young women to be leaders in our world,” the cardinal said, as he asked God to bless the new president and principal of Holy Cross in a special way. He also prayed that they and the school’s staff will be “servant leaders, following in the footsteps of Jesus,” and that they and the school’s students will be guided by the Holy Spirit to live their faith in the world.
Before the Mass, a table in a hallway near the school auditorium was stacked high with diaper packages that students had collected as the new school year began.
“This was run by students,” said Ashley Gardner, the dean of students at The Academy of the Holy Cross, who noted that students collected 5,000 diapers to support women and babies helped by the Greater DC Diaper Bank. “A big thing at Holy Cross is our compassion and service… The girls never disappoint us, never… They have the most compassionate empathy for anyone in the community. They’re grateful for the education they have and always want to give back.”
Holy Cross Sister Sharon Ann Mihm was among the sisters attending the Mass. A 1963 graduate of The Academy of the Holy Cross, she served on its Board of Trustees for 15 years and is now a trustee emerita on the board.
Asked about how her Holy Cross education changed her life, Sister Sharon Ann, who has been a Sister of the Holy Cross for 57 years, says she found her vocation at the school. “Because I loved the sisters so much, I felt God’s calling,” she said.
The former principal of St. Martin’s School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, now serves in the spiritual care department at Holy Cross Hospital in Germantown.
“I love it. The Lord has blessed me so much, because I’m able to be with those who are vulnerable and sick and with mothers who lost their babies, giving them love, prayers and support,” Sister Sharon Ann said.
The legacy of the Sisters of the Holy Cross continues with students who are “the Ladies of the Academy” today.
Academy of the Holy Cross students interviewed after the ground blessing ceremony expressed excitement about the new Athletic and Wellness Center and appreciation for their school.
“The new athletic center means a lot… It’s (going to be) a better place to support our girls,” said senior Emmah Reese, who noted that in addition to the games that will be held there, the center will also host pep rallies.
Reflecting on her school, Reese said, “I love the sisterhood. When I came to Holy Cross, it felt like home.” Praising the school community, she said, “You can feel comfortable to be who you are.”
Lina Garcia, a Holy Cross junior who competes in track and field there, said, “For me, it (the center) means a new opportunity to grow in our athletics and pursue our interests at a higher level.” She also praised the community there, noting that “teachers are very understanding. They ask you if you’re okay, and they make sure you are.”
Those points were echoed by senior London Wallace, who said the new Athletic and Wellness Center at Holy Cross will be a place “for our student athletes to develop their athletic skills, and give them a place to train and push themselves.”
She too praised the sisterhood at the school, saying, “I came here feeling like I found my people.”
