Our School

This summer, eighteen Holy Cross High School students embarked on a week long service trip through Catholic Heart Work Camp, an organization that coordinates faith-driven service experiences for youth groups across the country. The group, accompanied by four dedicated chaperons—Kyle Piatak, Stephanie Durbin, Jodie LaCava McGarrity ’93, and Terri Ann Parks—spent Sunday through Friday serving communities in Niagara, New York. 

The Service Trip group included: Daniella Alvarez-Rivera '27, Vienna Baker '26, Kyler Booker '27, Cheyenne Burgess '26, Christopher Cugliari '27, Sofia Fidanza '26, Alana Ingram '27, Reese McGarrity '26, DJ Mecca '27, Ray O’Connell '26, John Petrokaitis '26, Gianna Purcaro '26, Alexa Ruggia '26, Luciella Sevelowitz '26, Mia Shaker '26, Savannah Skipwith '26, Lillian Torrance '26 and Evin Williams '26. 

“This was an affirmation for me that this is what we ought to be seeking, day in and day out,” said Mr, Piatak, “Holy Cross is a neighborhood school. We want to be doing these types of activities of service and community building, both locally and within the faraway communities.” 

“This was my fourth service trip,” said Mrs. McGarrity. “(In previous years), we have gone to Philadelphia and Virginia Beach. The students did an amazing job and worked so hard from the very beginning to the very end.” 

Catholic Heart Work Camp took care of the logistics, leaving students free to focus on service. Participants were spread across 55 different worksites in the Niagara area. Holy Cross students were divided into three groups, each assigned to assist local residents and organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, parishes, special needs groups, and community projects.

• Mrs. Parks’ group worked with a widow, cleaning, painting her porch and fence, and tackling repairs.
• Mrs. McGarrity and Mrs. Durbin’s group assisted another widow by repairing and painting her garage, landscaping, cleaning up, and removing trees.
• Mr. Piatak’s group rebuilt and painted the home of a handicapped resident.

Students put in long hours—scraping, mowing, painting, repairing, and weeding—often stepping outside their comfort zones. “We had to scrape a front porch for eight hours, mow the lawn, weed whack, and paint the trim,” said Alexa Ruggia '26. “The woman we helped was so sweet and grateful. This experience taught me leadership, teamwork, and communication. It changed my perspective—I realized how much of an impact we can make on someone’s life.”

At the worksites, there wasn’t a lot of formal instruction—much of it was a matter of diving in and figuring things out. Some students pulled up YouTube tutorials, while others texted their parents for guidance. When challenges arose, the kids leaned on one another, problem-solving together and discovering creative solutions as a team.

“It was interesting to see how the kids helped each other out,” said Mrs. Parks. “It wasn’t a case of we-don’t-know-how-to-do-that or we-don't-want-to-do-that. They were empowering themselves.” 

“There is a great value in coming together as a group,” said Mrs. Durbin, “It’s almost like a retreat where you are taking a step out of your normal life. You’re having an opportunity to engage with a different community than you’re used to. Also, the students were able to focus on service in a way that you can’t when you are only doing it for an hour or as a part of your busy day.”

Each evening, the group gathered for youth group-style programming that mixed lighthearted fun with meaningful reflection. Activities ranged from silly games to deep conversations, Praise & Worship music, and prayer. The camp’s theme, “Surrender,” was woven throughout.

One particularly moving activity involved a small wooden box filled with tissue paper. Students wrote down something they wanted to surrender or let go of, then released it by lighting it on fire and watching it fly away.

They also sat together in circles, using rosary bead bracelets to share “highs and lows” of the week and to talk about who inspired them within the group. These moments helped the students bond, moving from strangers or acquaintances at the beginning of the week to a family by the end.

Christopher Cugliari '27 shared, “I really liked the service we do at Holy Cross with Peer Ministry and the Day of Service, but this trip gave us the chance to go bigger. At first it was hard, but by the end of the week it was fun. I grew closer with everyone—I now consider them really good friends. I also learned to be grateful for what I have, especially after meeting the people we helped.”

The trip wasn’t only about work. Students stayed at Niagara University, where they had the opportunity to tour the campus and hear from the Director of Admissions, who offered insight into the college application process. On the final day, the group visited Niagara Falls and took a ride on the famous Maid of the Mist.

The trip was made possible in part thanks to a $1,000 “Make a Difference” grant from the New England Association of College Admissions Counseling. Mrs. McGarrity successfully appealed to use the funds to help cover transportation costs, ensuring the students could take part in the experience.

The week created bonds and memories that continue long after returning home. The students left with a group chat, plans to reunite, and a shared sense of accomplishment.

“We all had our own groups going down, but by the end, we genuinely became family,” said Alexa. “I love every single person who went on this trip. It gave us the chance to step out of our comfort zones, build relationships, and realize how much good we can do together.”

The Catholic Heart Work Camp experience reminded the Holy Cross community that service, faith, and friendship go hand-in-hand—and that the smallest acts of kindness can make the greatest impact.

“This is the thing we are supposed to be doing,” said Mr. Piatak. “This is the microcosm of what the Holy Cross experience is. We are with those kids, journeying with them and going through that transformation.”