‘Go with all your heart’ theme captures last school Mass and graduation at Holy Cross

After their graduation ceremony at Holy Cross Central School in Indianapolis on May 24, Ashley Aguilar Perez, left, Ashaundi Copeland and Elkin “Santiago” Vera Lamprea share a moment of togetherness. (Photo by John Shaughnessy)

By John Shaughnessy

For 126 years, the students, families and staff of Holy Cross Central School in Indianapolis have embraced its impact on their lives and their faith with a combination of pride and love.

And as the last week of the school’s existence started on the morning of May 22, this year’s students and staff showed their love and pride in the messages that were emblazoned on the fluorescent lime T-shirts that they all wore into the school Mass on that day.

The words on the front of the shirt proclaimed, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart,” while the back of the shirt simply stated, “Holy Cross Central, 1897-2023.”

(Related story: Holy Cross families find new homes for their children in nearby Catholic schools)

Most endings in life are emotional, deeply touching the heart, and so it is with the impact of the difficult decision to close Holy Cross. Archbishop Charles C. Thompson acknowledged that reality when he came to celebrate that Mass with the school community in the gym where countless children have played sports through the years, where countless families in need have come to get baskets of food for the holidays, and where countless alumni have returned through the years to celebrate their bonds and their memories of a school and a parish that have forever touched their lives.

“As we come together today, there’s a lot of different emotions, a lot of different feelings, and they range from sadness to hurt to anger—all sorts of understandable emotions,” the archbishop said to the students and staff at the beginning of the Mass.

At the same time, Archbishop Thompson noted that the Apostles had experienced similar emotions right before Jesus ascended into heaven, and Jesus had assured them that everything will work out, that he and the Holy Spirit will be with them always—a theme the archbishop continued in his homily.

“The Spirit will be with us in all the different changes in our lives,” the archbishop assured the students as he walked among them during his homily. “I know you’re each going through changes. Some of you are getting ready to go to high school and other different schools. Wherever you may go, remember what Jesus promised to the Apostles. He promised that he will be with us always. Allow the Spirit to guide us wherever we go.”

Archbishop Thompson also encouraged the students to remember the most important lesson they’ve learned during their time at Holy Cross, beyond the lessons of math, science, language arts and history.

“The most important thing given to you is the forming of your soul, your conscience, to learn about God’s love,” the archbishop said. “He gives us especially the person of Jesus Christ as our brother, as our friend, and more importantly, as our Savior. Carry that with you throughout your lives. Let your relationship with Jesus continue to grow in your lives.

“And those gifts of the Holy Spirit, may they continue to bear more fruit as you go forth, carrying the spirit of all you have gained here at Holy Cross. Like the Apostles, continue to go out and do great things, not in our name but in his name. Wherever you go, keep Christ at the center. I wish you all the best, and be assured of my prayers.”

In the moments immediately following the archbishop’s homily, a burst of heartfelt emotion echoed through the gym as the Holy Cross students loudly and beautifully sang the hymn, “Thy Word”.

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way, still you’re right beside me. And nothing will I fear as long as you are near. Please be near me to the end.

I will not forget your love for me, and yet my heart forever is wandering. Jesus, be my guide, hold me to your side. And I will love you to the end.

In these lyrics, there are measures of hope, love, trust and faith amid an uncertain world, measures that have always been part of the legacy of

Holy Cross Central School in its 126 years, first for wave after wave of Irish immigrant families and more recently for Hispanic immigrant families.

These measures of hope, love, trust and faith amid an uncertain world carried over into the last eighth-grade graduation at Holy Cross that occurred on the evening of May 24—two days after the Mass with the archbishop.

The graduation ceremony began with the 13 eighth-grade students—in their green caps and gowns and their gold tassels—quietly processing into the gym to the song, “Christ, Be Our Light.”

Soon, co-valedictorians Delilah Rivera and Elkin “Santiago” Vera Lamprea gave speeches in both English and Spanish, reflecting the dual cultures and languages that mark the lives of so many Holy Cross students.

And after receiving their diplomas on the gym’s stage that has a huge Celtic cross painted on the main wall, the graduates carried a rose with them as they walked into the rows of seats where their loved ones beamed at them. In 13 touching moments, each graduate gave their rose to someone special in their lives—and soon were enveloped in a bear hug filled with tears, with both youths and adults not wanting to let go of each other.

Moments later, Father Jeffrey Dufresne, pastor of nearby St. Philip Neri Parish, gave the graduates a blessing, telling them that God will be with them always and encouraging them to always seek their true home—heaven.

And before the ceremony ended, principal Cara Swinefurth hit the perfect note for an evening touched with nostalgia, endings, beginnings, joy, tears, uncertainty and lasting love.

“Here is what I know for sure,” she said directly to the graduates. “Home is not a place. It’s a feeling. Home is the feeling of love and friendship and acceptance. It’s continuing to create your art and music and writing. It’s taking care of yourself and those you love. It’s having a practice of prayer and serving others.

“This legacy that has been Holy Cross Central for 126 years goes with you and continues through you. And you are just the young people to do it. We are proud of you. We miss you already. Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

When the ceremony ended, the hugs, tears and smiles flowed between the graduates and their parents, the graduates and their teachers, and the graduates themselves—an outpouring of love for Ashley Aguilar Perez, Marcos Arias, Baylie Bertram, Jaiden Brock, Ashaundi Copeland, Dulce DeLeon, Leonel Molina Gomez, Da’iona Nunley-Vasquez, Delilah Rivera, Jocelyn Tapia, Elkin “Santiago” Vera Lamprea, Preston Williams and Micheal Wyatt.

With tears in his eyes, Santiago talked about the impact of his years at Holy Cross—a school that was started 126 years ago by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on the foundations of prayer, education and service.

“It’s special here,” said Santiago, one of 11 graduates who will continue their education at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis. “I’ve spent a lot of time here with my friends, my teachers and families. It’s helped me be the best person I can be.”

Standing nearby, Da’iona added, “I’ll miss my friends and my teachers. They made a big difference in my life. They helped me accomplish a lot of things, and they supported me. Being here has meant a lot to me.”

As the 13 graduates of the Holy Cross Class of 2023 left the gym that evening, they did so as part of a remarkable, extended family of people who had found a home in Holy Cross Parish and its school for 126 years—people who embraced that connection of faith and family with deep love and pride.

As the graduates and their families headed home, that love and pride were captured in the huge signs on the windows near the entrance to the school:

“Una Vez Santa Cruz
“Siempre Santa Cruz
“Once Holy Cross
“Always Holy Cross.” †