The Mexico Program
 General Info & Application
Dates: May 28 - June 11th, 2008 (Tentative)
Applications due: TBD
If you are interested in learning more please contact  Marty Kelly,
or stop by the Chaplains' Office.
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Purpose
The Holy Cross Mexico program is currently in
its 22nd year. The program seeks to provide
students with and experience of the reality
of life in Latin America through the eyes of
the poor and in light of the Gospel and the
opportunity to reflect and pray together about
al that one experiences.
How
Does the Program Work?
The
methodology of the program is distinctive in
that it is not based in service. Rather, students
meet, visit, and dialogue with a variety of
people, all of whom are poor or are committed
to working in solidarity with the poor.
The
purpose of this kind of interaction is to facilitate
a series of "encounters" where those
who welcome us into their homes or who come
to speak with us, are not seen or experienced
as people whom we have come to "help".
Instead,
this kind of encounter allows for the possibility
of a more mutual relationship where those with
whom we visit, give to us through their hospitality,
time, and stories and we, who visit, give to
them through our presence, interest, and stories.
The
second component of the program is the opportunity
to reflect and pray in small groups about how
the experience touches and challenges one. Students
explore sociological, political, and religious
questions through the small groups.
It
is important to note that the program is faith
based. That is, it is not strictly sociological
or cross-cultural. Rather, it presumes a desire
on the part of the student to integrate his
or her faith with the many experiences and viewpoints
shared. This lies at the heart of the program.
Additionally,
it is important to note that the program is
not objective nor does it pretend to
be. Its very purpose is to provide Holy Cross
students with a perspective not shown in the
mass media but which is lived reality of the
majority of the world's people.
See here for a
typical day's schedule and here for a sample schedule of the program.
Travel
and Accommodations
All distance travel is by superior Pullman coach
bus. Participants stay in 2 hotels:
1) Cuernavaca - the Hotel Papagayo
2) Tlapa - Hotel Posada del Sol
Both
hotels are safe and clean. All food served in
both establishments is safe to eat and purified
water is always available.
Cuernavaca,
"City of eternal spring", is an old
city with many classic Spanish features. The
city is home to 17 language schools, a large
community of artisans, and one of Hernan Cortez'
original summer palaces.
Cost: Approximately $1,500
Includes airfare and all ground transportation; all meals
in and out of hotels; all program costs including
speaker fees, donations and gifts to communities
we visit, on-call medical care in case of illness,
festive group dinner out at local restaurant,
fiesta at close of program, etc.; all gratuities.
Possibilities exist for fundraising and the
group works together on these.
Directors of the Trip
Kim McElaney, Director of the Holy Cross Chaplains'
Office and Michael MacDonald, Secretary to the
Bishop, Tlapa, Mexico.
Application > Download (word format)
Application must be made to the program. Download the application in pdf format above, or get one in the Chaplains' Office.
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