Mission Cooperative Appeal 2026

This weekend, we welcomed Fr. Tom Eckert, C.S.C., Director of the Holy Cross Mission Center, to celebrate Mass and share an update from our brothers and sisters in Dandora, Kenya.

Speaking at all weekend Masses as part of our Mission Cooperative Appeal, Fr. Tom reflected on the deep relationship connecting St. Monica with Holy Cross Parish, St. James Primary School, Brother André Hospital, Veronika’s Place, and the wider Dandora community.

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Fr. Tom had returned from Kenya only days before his visit to St. Monica, bringing with him news from parish, school, hospital, and community leaders.

“I have good news to share,” he told the community. “There is good news from our brothers and sisters in Kenya today.”

A Family of Faith

During his visit, Fr. Tom met with Fr. Larry, pastor of Holy Cross Parish, who had a special message for St. Monica: “Be sure to share with the community at St. Monica that we are praying for them as we celebrate as family today.”

Fr. Tom assured him that those prayers would be returned.

“We will most definitely be praying for our parish and school and hospital there in Dandora as well,” he said.

That exchange captures the heart of our relationship with Dandora. It’s more than financial assistance. It is a spiritual companionship that has grown through years of prayer, visits, generosity, and friendship.

“We know that it is also a relationship of prayer, of spiritual companionship, as a family of faith,” Fr. Tom said.

Growth Across Dandora

Fr. Tom’s recent visit gave him an opportunity to see the impact of that partnership across the Holy Cross ministries in Dandora.

At Veronika’s Place, he met with Ms. Faith and Sr. Juliana and learned more about their continued ministry to people living with HIV and AIDS, including providing nutritious food that allows clients to safely take their medication. eck3

At Brother André Hospital, he heard about new medical equipment, a second surgical theater, and the expanding healthcare being provided to the community.

There was also encouraging news about the campus water project. Following the development of a borehole, work continues on a filtration system designed to provide clean, drinkable water throughout the parish, school, and hospital.

“They will have clean and filtered water—drinkable water—and special tanks: one at the parish, one at the school, one at the hospital,” Fr. Tom shared.

But one of the most remarkable areas of growth can be found at St. James Primary School.

More Than 1,000 Students

Under the leadership of Brother Patrick and Brother Marvin, St. James has now surpassed 1,000 students. Scholarships and continued support from partners such as St. Monica have helped make education possible for children throughout the community.

That growth, however, has created an urgent need for additional space.

Nearly 300 children are enrolled in the school’s nursery program. Their classrooms are currently located in the back of the parish church, separated by curtains. Masses, funerals, and other parish activities can create distractions during the school day, while teachers must regularly dismantle and rebuild their classrooms to accommodate weekend liturgies.

“The classrooms have been at the back of that church since the church was built about 30 years ago,” Fr. Tom explained. “They are wondering and hoping: is this a moment when we might be able to create dedicated classroom space for these youngest of learners?”

He invited parishioners to imagine the challenge faced by St. James teachers each week.

“Everything on the walls, all of the chairs, all of the desks have to be put away, locked up and stored so that that space can be used for the Sunday Masses,” he said. “Would you like to take your classroom completely apart every Friday and then put it completely back together every Monday morning?”

Building for the Next Generation

The Mission Cooperative Appeal hopes to help change the classroom structure.

The current vision is to expand three existing school buildings as part of a master plan developed approximately 15 years ago. The proposed project would create eight dedicated classrooms for nursery students, along with additional space for teachers, offices, and parish meetings.

The buildings were originally constructed with foundations capable of supporting additional floors, opening the possibility for future expansion and even solar energy for the campus.

“I dream big,” Fr. Tom joked. “I dream really, really big.”

The estimated cost of the project is approximately $600,000. While significant, Fr. Tom emphasized that construction can move forward in phases as resources become available.

“This is a big lift,” he said. “But we know that projects can be phased. We can do pieces at a time as resources are available. If we’re successful in getting near that goal, great. But whatever we do, we will be able to move forward.”

Every Gift Helps

Fr. Tom invited St. Monica parishioners to prayerfully consider what they might contribute toward the project.

“Is it a few blocks or bricks that will help with this project? Thanks be to God,” he said. “If it is perhaps enough that might be able to outfit a classroom, praise the Lord.”

Above all, he emphasized that the appeal is not about the size of an individual gift.

“Everything helps—everything that is possible,” he said. “We understand full well that any and every gift is a sacrifice.”

Instead, Fr. Tom hopes parishioners will see the appeal as an opportunity to participate joyfully in something that will continue bearing fruit long into the future.

“My hope is that we are not moved by guilt or duty,” he said, “but moved perhaps by joyful invitation—by what these ministries in Dandora, and in particular the school, will bear as fruit in the years and generations to come.”

For the nearly 300 three-, four-, and five-year-olds who could someday learn in these new classrooms, that future is already beginning.

“In the Holy Cross tradition,” Fr. Tom said, “we are educating the minds and the hearts of this next generation.”

Through this year’s Mission Cooperative Appeal, St. Monica once again has an opportunity to stand alongside the people of Dandora as that next generation grows.

Continue to pray for the children, families, teachers, healthcare workers, clergy, religious, and lay leaders of Dandora…and for the friendship between our two communities.

To support the Mission Cooperative Appeal and help make dedicated nursery classrooms at St. James Primary School possible, give below!

CLICK HERE TO GIVE!

Asante sana: thank you very much!