News From the Academy 

At 5:00 am on Thursday, April 17, 150 AHC students and many members of the faculty and staff gathered at The Academy of the Holy Cross to board buses to the Papal Mass. The students, who were chosen by lottery, were eager to participate in this historical event held at the new Nationals Stadium. Prior to the Holy Father’s 9:30 am arrival, many of those gathered participated in confession and listened to the eclectic blend of music in various languages from around the world. Entering in the Popemobile, the Pontiff was greeted by the sound of trumpets and thunderous applause. Over 48,000 people from around the country were present for the two hour, multilingual Mass as Pope Benedict XVI shared his message of hope with the United States.

On Wednesday, April 16 a group of Holy Cross students visited the White House to witness the first Papal visit in nearly three decades. The 25 Tartans and their chaperones stood among thousands on the South Lawn as President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI addressed the nation. A 21-gun salute, performances of both the United States and the Vatican national anthems and two renditions of “Happy Birthday” in honor of the Pontiff’s 81^st made this memorable event even more enjoyable for all.   

Over the past several weeks, teachers and students have studied the life of Pope Benedict XVI in preparation of his visit to Washington, D.C. Each academic department related their teaching in some way to either the current Pontiff or historical moments of the Papacy. The Tartans also participated in service projects in honor of this momentous occasion such as collecting cans for the “Hunger to Hope” food drive and participating in the National Catholic Education Association call for “Papal Blessings for the Pope” in which students pledged service hours to Pope Benedict XVI.

Four actors from the Folger Theater’s “Bill’s Buddies” troupe visited AHC for a unique and entertaining performance of Shakespearean scenes featuring the themes of trickery and disguise. The animated and enthusiastic entertainers kept the performance alive by leaping on and off the stage, hiding behind audience members, and racing up and down the theater steps. Their unique methods of performance included such ideas as reciting a soliloquy from Hamlet in both old and modern English and inviting four AHC students onstage to become Titania’s fairy servants in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Scenes from Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night were also included in the performance. 

On Sunday, April 13, AHC alumnae, faculty, staff, family and friends gathered for the annual Alumnae Memorial Mass. Twenty alumnae and six former faculty and staff members who have passed away in the last year were remembered at this annual event. Those honored included two members of the Class of 1926 as well as alumnae from subsequent years through 1993. In remembrance of those memorialized, roses were brought forward by family members and alumnae classmates as the names of the deceased were read aloud. Following the Mass, guests enjoyed a brunch as Sister Katherine Kase, C.S.C., updated those present on the future plans for the Academy.  

During Spring Break, 30 members of AHC’s Performing Arts Department traveled to Los Angeles for four days on the west coast. Their packed schedule of sightseeing included such famous destinations as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Bowl. The students also spent time participating in an Acting for the Camera master class and a Makeup master class, both taught by UCLA professors. Despite their busy schedule, the Tartans were able to spend some time relaxing as they shopped on Rodeo Drive and watched a performance of the Broadway smash hit Wicked