Commitment to service is an integral aspect of Holy Cross’s core values, an attribute that Hoban’s administration strives to nourish. Numerous opportunities to connect with local communities are made accessible and encouraged by the faculty, granting students the chance to aid others. Of these opportunities, few compare to that of Hoban’s service trip to Monterrey, Mexico.

Contrasting the many immersion experiences offered by Hoban, traveling to Monterrey prioritizes actively serving the community rather than simply observing. Attendees must exhibit a baseline understanding of the Spanish language and be able to communicate freely with local residents without the aid of a translator. Furthermore, participants are expected to assist communities through Christian service in several facets.

“We do get to see and do a lot of amazing things with the idea of service behind it,” said Spanish teacher and four-year chaperone of the Monterrey trip, Amy Zeller.

Additionally, Monterrey currently possesses a Holy Cross community of their own, uniting Hoban students with local residents through familiar aspects of the congregation’s culture. Faced with this relation, participants accompanied Eucharistic Ministers to the homes of vulnerable individuals to deliver the Eucharist, holding a secluded mass while connecting with residents.

Moreover, Hoban students were invited to local Catechism classes to meet and play with Monterrey’s youth. In another display of Christian service, students assisted social workers in the sorting 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.”