Holy Cross Research Articles

Sarea cirrhendocarpa, a fungus species new to science from the southern Rocky Mountains

Sarea cirrhendocarpa, a resinicolous fungus, is here described as new to science from two specimens collected in the Indian Peaks Wilderness (Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado, USA) during the summer of 2023, a third specimen from Holy Cross Wilderness (White River National Forest, Colorado, USA) during the summer of 2024, and a fourth specimen from the Kachina Peaks Wilderness (Coconino National Forest, Arizona, USA) that was collected in 1998. The new species is readily distinguished from its closest relative, Sarea resinae, by its larger apothecia, smaller asci, smaller ascospores, and burnt orange hymenium (bicolored towards uppermost portions) among other traits. A phylogeny derived from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region suggests that S. cirrhendocarpa is sister to and genetically distinct specimens of Sarea resinae sampled from around the world including North America. These molecular results in combination with the clear morphological differences lead us to propose this as a new species so far only known from the southern Rocky Mountains of North America. This new taxon is placed for the time being within the genus Sarea owing to inconclusive phylogenetic and morphological evidence that would support generic separation within the Sareomycetes. The name Sarea resinae is retained and new combinations for S. klamathica and S. lignicola are provided.

News & Resources

U.S. News and World Report rankings are out Holy Cross covers tuition for families making $100K or less California makes legacy admissions at private nonprofit schools illegal Loan repayment programs, Fresh Start, and the on‐ramp end Death toll rises and colleges close temporarily due to Hurricane Helene

News & Resources

U.S. News and World Report rankings are out Holy Cross Covers Tuition for Families Making $100K or Less Holy Cross, a Catholic college in Massachusetts, announced that it will cover the cost of tuition for families making $100,000 or less, with “reasonable assets.” The college had previously committed to covering tuition for families making $75,000 or less. California makes legacy admissions at private non‐profit schools illegal Loan repayment programs Fresh Start and the on‐ramp end Death toll rises and colleges close temporarily due to Hurricane Helene

An overlooked contribution to Devonian studiesin the Holy Cross Mts: rediscovering Alexei Doronin’s 1893 article on the Kadzielnia Limestone

The unused Kadzielnia quarry in Kielce is the most publicly known geological site in the Holy Cross Mts and its geotouristic landmark (now the Kadzielnia Park and Reserve). The ‘rocky’ (coral) Kadzielnia Limestone, corresponding to a stromatoporoid-microbial mud mound, now treated as the Kadzielnia Massive Limestone Member of the Kowala Formation, has been studied for almost 200 years. This large bioherm is famous for its exceptionally diverse fossil inventory. The history of its geological exploration is insufficiently known, as exemplified by the overlooked contribution of Alexei Doronin, a master’s student at the Imperial University of Warsaw (IUW). In 1893, under the guidance of Professor Vladimir Amalitsky, he published a note on the age of the Kadzielnia Limestone. The paleontological basis for this discussion was the IUW student’s fossil collection, in which Doronin identified 28 taxa, mainly brachiopods (19 species). He was the first to recognize the occurrence of gastropods (e.g., Loxonema) and crinoids, and at least four species of brachiopods (e.g., Dielasma sacculus). In a comprehensive brachiopod-based stratigraphic discussion, Doronin emphasized the great similarity of the Kadzielnia assemblage to the Middle Devonian fauna of Western Europe, but also including the typical Upper Devonian species Rhynchonella cuboides. Ultimately, he advocated assigning a terminal Middle Devonian age to the Kadzielnia Limestone. Despite this erroneous dating, Doronin’s noteworthy but unnoticed contribution holds significant implications not only for further study of Kadzielnia but also for understanding the development of geosciences in the late 19th century in the Congress Poland (then part of partitioned Poland within the Russian Empire), including the academic role of the IUW. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the scientific career of Amalitsky’s talented pupil never truly began.

Monumental Women: Commemoration, Vocation, and Irish Migration at Notre Dame

Headlines about memorials tend to skew toward the negative, emphasizing the removal of controversial monuments. Yet there is a substantial generative aspect to conversations about representation in public landscapes. In my case, paying more attention to public landscapes at my home institution led to new insights about the history of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at the University of Notre Dame, founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross near South Bend, Indiana, in 1842. Framed around a discussion of Catholic sisters’ invisibility in Notre Dame’s campus architecture, this article centers on a ‘questing’ trip Holy Cross superior Mother Angela Gillespie took to Ireland in 1873 in search of new members. It examines what precipitated Gillespie’s journey, what the subsequent arrival of some 40 postulants portended for Catholic America, and what themes and approaches it might suggest for the larger historical study of Catholic sisters at a pivotal historiographical moment.

The ammonite faunas of the upper Hypselocyclum to Divisum zones (Lower Kimmeridgian, Upper Jurassic) at Małogoszcz, Holy Cross Mts., central Poland: their stratigraphical interpretation and evolutionary development

AbstractThe transgressive succession of deposits of the upper Lower Kimmeridgian at Małogoszcz in the south-western margin of the Holy Cross Mts. in central Poland yielded diversified faunas of ammonites. The commonly represented Submediterranean ataxioceratid ammonites include the last members of Ataxioceras in the Hypselocyclum Zone and the assemblage of various Crussoliceras, Garnierisphinctes and Progeronia, mostly developed in the Divisum Zone, and associated upwards (Uhlandi Subzone) with aspidoceratids (Pseudhimalayites). A few typical Mediterranean ammonites (Nebrodites, Presimoceras, Idoceras, Taramelliceras) are indicative of the Herbichi Zone. The Subboreal ammonites include mostly Eurasenia and Involuticeras in addition to some Rasenia and Rasenioides of the uppermost Cymodoce Zone, corresponding to the Askepta Subzone. The changes in composition of ammonite faunas and comparison with the coeval faunas of other areas of Europe give indications on the evolutionary development of some Ataxioceratidae and Aulacostephanidae at the end of Early Kimmeridgian. The development of the Crussoliceras, Garnierisphinctes and Progeronia, having possibly their roots in the Mediterranean areas, was strictly correlated with the overall transgression and oscillations of sea-level controlled possibly by climatic eccentricity cycles of the northern Tethyan shelf. This resulted also in the decline of older Ataxioceras and its nearby allies. The indigenous lineage of Aulacostephanidae includes the transition from Eurasenia to “Pararasenia”. The development from Rasenioides to Aulacostephanoides occurred mostly in the Subboreal areas – although some late representatives of Rasenioides like R. moeschi reached the area of study. The existence of an independent lineage leading from Rasenia involuta to heavily-ribbed Aulacostephanoides/Aulacostephanus is also suggested.

Založení oltáře sv. Kříže v katedrálním kostele v Litomyšli ve světle notářského instrumentu z roku 1417. Pramenná edice

The aim of the article is to present deeds relating to the foundation of the Altar of the Holy Cross in the cathedral church in Litomyšl. The main source on the topic is an original deed issued by Šimon of Prague, vicar general and officialis of the Bishopric of Litomyšl, dated 27 November 1417, written by the public notary Havel Duchek of Lysá. The document is deposited in the State District Archives in Svitavy, seated in Litomyšl, under inventory number 34. In 1397, Jan, called Mladeč of Branná, bequeathed the sum of one hundred schock of groschen to the cathedral church in Litomyšl for the foundation of a new altar for the salvation of his soul. He was already ill by this time. On 16 June 1402, Bishop of Litomyšl Jan IV. Železný issued a deed which created a new altar benefice in the cathedral church in Litomyšl. Jan Mladeč had already passed away. The executors of his last will were Bishop of Litomyšl Jan IV. Železný and Petr and Přibík, brothers of Hrochův Týnec, otherwise from Chroustovice. This follows from a joint deed issued by all three on 18 April 1405. The conditions to be met by the holder of the altar benefice were laid down therein. He was to perform his duties personally or through another suitable priest, and a statement is made on precisely how many masses were to be celebrated during the week. The study is accompanied by an edition of four deeds relating to the foundation of the altar: a deed of 16 June 1402, a deed of 18 April 1405, a notarial copy of both deeds drawn up on 16 May [1405, 1406 or 1408], and a notarial copy of the latter deed drawn up on 27 November 1417.

Historical earthquakes in the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland, true or false? Unveiling insights through archaeoseismology

The Holy Cross Mountains are an intraplate range with a limited historical seismicity record. The only documented earthquakes include the February 6, 1837 M 4.3 event, which caused ground cracks, and swarm events from February 1932 (M ∼ 3.5), likely triggered by the Holy Cross Fault (HCF) or sub-perpendicular faults. The apparent lack of older destructive earthquakes in historical catalogs motivated us to conduct archaeoseismological research to improve seismic hazard assessment, risk mitigation, and urban planning strategies, ultimately benefiting local communities. We focused on the 12th-century Collegiate church of Saint Martin in Opatów, located near the Holly Cross Fault (HCF). We report numerous damage features, such as leaning, bulging, and twisted walls, dropped keystones in Romanesque and Gothic portals, strike-slip displacements of these portals, surplus, oversized buttresses, and walled-up portals. While some deformations may result from humid loess instability and war destructions, our data, combined with historical records, suggest two to three seismic events in the past 800 years as a cause. We argue these deformations were co-seismically triggered by either large far-field events, like the 1259 AD earthquake, or local, shallow small-magnitude events significantly amplified by site effects. This indicates potential seismic activity in the Holy Cross Mountains during Medieval times. The absence of historical records does not imply the absence of earthquakes.

Facies architecture, pedogenesis and palynology of the Olenekian dryland setting – A sedimentary record of Early Triassic climate oscillations in the SE Germanic Basin

The Early Triassic period was characterised by significant climatic perturbations driven by generally high global temperatures. Several significant shifts in the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes were recognised in the marine settings in the Olenekian age deposits that were linked to short-lasting but relatively high-amplitude climatic events. The record of these events in the continental strata is far less understood due to the stratigraphic incompleteness of such deposits. However, in the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland), the Olenekian continental deposits are well preserved, and sedimentation was relatively continuous, making them an ideal candidate for studying the effects of climate changes and their preservation in continental settings. As such, sedimentological analysis of five wells and one outcrop (over 530 m logged in total), integrated with new and legacy palynological data, allowed the reconstruction and dating of major steps in the palaeoenvironmental evolution of the SE part of the Central European (Germanic Basin), and its comparison with the marine-based climatic models for the Early Triassic. The lower and middle Olenekian stage is represented by fine-grained deposits of dry floodplain interbedded with sandstones deposited within fluvial distributary channels and terminal splays. The palaeosols are mainly represented by aridisols (calcisols), indicating a relatively dry, though not extreme, climate as some water was necessary to support relict plant cover. Towards the mid-Spathian times, the climate became more humid - lacustrine deposits appeared, and palaeosols displayed features of an elevated water table (gleyed vertisols and inceptisols). Frequent storms and floods also affected the lacustrine sedimentation, reflecting volatile climatic conditions. In the late Spathian time, continental sedimentation continued, and the dominance of vertisols and more stacked fluvial channels in the sequence is linked with an increased seasonality, with more pronounced humid seasons. The continental setting lasted until the latest Spathian time, when a marine transgression occurred, marking a new phase in the basin development.

Earth surface exchanges (ESEX) discussion of ‘Swelling and flow of expanding clays as a cause for nontectonic deformations in a glacial–interglacial environment: Holy Cross Mountains, Poland’ by E.Jurewicz, P.Karnkowski, A.Czarnecka‐Skwarek, E.Wójcik, I.Gawriuczenkow. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms2023: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5609

AbstractIn a recently published report focused on the role of swelling of Triassic clays as the dominant process that led to the local steepening of competent Jurassic strata, its authors presented an opinion on the lack of evidence for the existence of the Gnieździska–Brzeziny strike‐slip fault along the contact between the Triassic and Jurassic rocks. This discussion presents the structural, geophysical, cartographic and geomechanical data indicating that the contact of Triassic and Jurassic rocks is defined by the vertical dextral strike‐slip Gnieździska–Brzeziny fault, which was formed after tilting of the beds in the Late Cretaceous. The presented evidence validates the tectonic deformation of Mesozoic rocks related to strike‐slip faulting. The dominant horizontal contraction across the fault planes within the restraining stepovers resulted in tilting of the beds, which is a well‐recognized phenomenon within the strike‐slip fault networks worldwide.

Earth Surface Exchanges (ESEX) Response to the discussion ‘Swelling and flow of expanding clays as a cause for non‐tectonic deformations in a glacial–interglacial environment: Holy Cross Mountains, Poland’ Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2023: 1–16. DOI: 10.1002/esp.5609—reply

AbstractIn response to the revision of our article on the nontectonic origins of unusually steep and overturned strata in the Mesozoic of the Holy Cross Mountains (HCM), we refute arguments that the authors of discussion make our theory implausible. The authors focused on proving the presence of strike‐slip faults in the HCM, but at the same time, they believe that fold deformations precede the faults that cut them. The explanations provided by the critics still do not explain the extraordinary convergence of the morphology, surface of the fault and deformations occurring in its vicinity over a distance of 27 km. This problem was solved in our previous study, in which we have suggested that the steep and overturned orientation of the Oxfordian strata may be the result of non‐tectonic processes. We consider the arguments used by the critics to be incorrect.

Anatomy of the late Famennian Dasberg event in a deep shelf of southern Euramerica: Oxygenation and productivity in a restricted basin during a progressive long-term cooling

The late Famennian Dasberg event is described as a series of global hypoxic and transgressive events associated with global faunal turnover. The event, recorded on a deep shelf of the Rhenohercynian basin from southern Euramerica, was investigated in the Holy Cross Mountains of Poland using integrated high-resolution geochemical, mineralogical, and palynological studies. The data revealed the progressive restriction of the intrashelf basin resulting from intense regional block tectonics likely connected with the Late Devonian Variscan tectonic activity. This led to weak chemocline ventilation, the development of anoxic conditions, and the deposition of two organic-rich Dasberg black shale (DBS) horizons. The DBS was deposited in an environment characterized by the constant contribution of detrital components from a common source area. A slight change in terrestrial input may have been driven by modest bathymetric changes associated with the tectonics and stronger winds delivering charcoal and terrestrial components (i.e., miospores and phytoclasts). A supply of nutrients from land and delivery of crucial biolimiting elements (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) from deeper waters stimulated primary productivity, as recorded in phytoplankton blooms. The δ13Corganic values in the DBS reflect the incorporation of primary biomass from mainly marine photoautotrophs into sedimentary organic matter. Episodic delivery of toxic sulphides to the photic zone was detected by small-sized framboids and biomarkers, which record the appearance of green sulphur bacteria that photosynthesized in euxinic water column. The activity of phototrophic sulphide-oxidizing bacteria could have led to hyper-enrichment of Zn (715–1002 ppm) in the Lower DBS. The diachronous appearance of the DBS horizons in Euramerica and Gondwana, and regionally marked extinction of benthic fauna, suggest that anoxia developed in restricted Black Sea–like basins formed by intensive tectonic activity and continental plate convergence.

Bloomery iron production in the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland) area during the Roman period: conditions during the metallurgical process and their uniformity between locations

The study assessed the uniformity of the metallurgical process carried out during the period of Roman influence in Poland. The age of the investigated material was confirmed based on an analysis of the 12C/14C isotope ratio in the charcoal found in slag. The comparison was based on four Holy Cross Mountains (Poland) locations. The evaluation included smelting temperature, viscosity of the metallurgical melt, oxidation–reduction conditions, and slag cooling rate determined based on geochemical (XRF) and mineralogical (XRD, SEM, EPMA) analyses. Despite the distance between individual sampling sites, the conditions in which smelting was carried out were similar for all samples. The liquidus temperature of the analyzed slags was in the range of 1150–1200 °C. Oxidation–reduction conditions were determined through thermodynamic calculations using SLAG software. In the temperature range of 1150–1200 °C, the oxygen fugacity had to be below logP O2 = − 13.20 to − 12.53 atm to reduce iron oxides to metallic iron. The viscosity of the metallurgical melt was calculated and ranged from 0.15 to 1.02 Pa s, indicating a low viscosity. The slag cooling rate determined based on olivine morphology was in the range of > 5 to 300 °C/h. Smelting parameters were compared with other locations in Poland, and similar results were obtained for slags from Masovia and Tarchlice. In the case of one site (Opole), despite the higher maximum value of liquidus temperature, it was indicated that the process could have taken place in similar conditions, and the differences resulted from contamination of the slag with material from the furnace/pit walls.

Kościoły i parafie diecezji ełckiej (cz. 15)

The article presents the church centers in Monkinie (Our Lady of the Angels), Nowa Wieś Ełcka (St. Joseph the Craftsman), Okartowo (Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and two in Olecko (Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Poland and Exaltation of the Holy Cross).

Development and chronology of the Late Jurassic shallow-water carbonate deposits of the Holy Cross Mountains area, central Poland

The Late Jurassic shallow-water carbonates with intervening clayey-marly deeper-water deposits in the Holy Cross Mts. area formed over large bank of the elevated part of the Northern Tethyan Shelf during about 12 myr. They comprise three main successions (I, II and III) deposited partly in different environmental conditions, controlled by tectonic and climatic factors, and still preserved in the north-eastern margin, the north-western margin and the south-western margin of the Holy Cross Mountains. The history of sedimentation is presented according to the concept of the large tectono-stratigraphic units COK, LUK and KVB, which owe their origin to variable rates of tectonic subsidence, as introduced by Kutek (1994) for the area of central Poland. The studied deposits of the COK megasequence corresponding to the Upper Oxfordian and the Lower Kimmeridgian up to the Hypselocyclum Zone consist of coral limestones, various grained (including oolitic) limestones, and micritic limestones formed over the gradually enlarging shallow-water carbonate platform of the Holy Cross Mts. This platform was subsequently subdivided into two elevated areas, separated by a depressed zone in the middle, bounded by the Nowe Miasto–Iłża–Bałtów Fault Zone in the north-east and the Holy Cross Fault System in the south. The younger megasequence LUK with it strongly transgressive character marks the successive stages of the marine transgression which entered the central, lowered part of the area of the Holy Cross Mts. from the west, where it appeared already in the early Hypselocyclum Chron. It successively spread across the Holy Cross Mts. area towards the north-east and south bringing everywhere the deposition of various oyster lumachelles and marls with ammonites at the end of the Hypselocyclum Chron and during the Divisum Chron of the Early Kimmeridgian to the Acanthicum/Mutabilis Chron of the earliest Late Kimmeridgian. The following megasequence KVB is represented by the detrital lumachelles and chalky limestones with nereineids of the Eudoxus Chron of the Late Kimmeridgian marking the development of still younger shallow-water carbonate platform in the uplifted areas in the north-eastern and possibly the south-western margins of the mountains, allegedly subdivided by a deeper area of sedimentation of marly deposits. The youngest Late Jurassic deposits of the Holy Cross Mts., are very fragmentarily preserved, mostly because of Early Cretaceous uplift and erosion. They suggest an initial episode of complete drowning of the carbonate platform which became covered by marly deposits during the Early Tithonian, and the subsequent restoration of shallow-water carbonate sedimentation at the end of the Early Tithonian.

Solid waste characteristics and management strategies at ST Theresa (STT) and Holy Cross (HC) hospitals in Chirumanzu rural District, Zimbabwe

AbstractManagement of solid waste from rural hospitals is among major problems affecting developing countries. This is mostly attributed to inadequate data related to quantity and quality of hospital solid waste. Similarly, information related to rural hospital solid waste characteristics and management is limited in Zimbabwe. However, SDGs complemented by Zimbabwe Vision 2030, NDS 1 advocates for sustainable solid waste management. Hence, enough data related to characteristics of solid waste from rural hospitals are required to attain sustainability. This research focuses on hospital solid waste characteristics and management strategies at STT and HC rural hospitals. Descriptive cross sectional research design which triangulates qualitative and quantitative paradigms was utilized. Interviews, observations, questionnaires were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereas qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. Solid waste generated at STT encompasses non-hazardous (77.35%), hazardous waste (22.65%). At HC solid waste consists of non-hazardous (79%) and hazardous waste (21%). Respondents at STT (70.4%) and HC (72.7%) noted that solid waste was increasing. Solid waste was increasing due to various factors namely high use of disposable materials at HC (35.1%), STT (42.5%) and increase of patients at HC (30%) and STT (29.7%). Solid waste was indiscriminately stored in various types of containers although pedal operated bins and sharp containers were highly used at STT (72.4%) and HC (69.1%). Waste receptacles were transported to disposal sites using wheelbarrows and manual handling. Open pits and burning were among disposal strategies but incineration was regarded as the golden approach at STT (44.8%) and HC (41.8%). Inappropriate hospital solid waste management was due to shortage of finance at STT (38.1%) and HC (30.9%) and unawareness among health workers. Although it was worsened by lack of all stakeholder participation at STT (79.0%) and HC (76.4%). Consequently, the study recommended application of strategies which support circular economy, integrated approach, raising awareness of health workers and provision of enough resources to rural hospitals.

Tradisi Adat Pernikahan Mulia Pada Masyarakat Desa Rubit Ditinjau Dari Prespektif Agama Katolik

This study aims to find out how the implementation of the traditional traditions of noble marriages in Rubit Village and the perspective of the Catholic religion on noble marriages. This research method was carried out with a qualitative descriptive approach. The data sources used are primary data sources and secondary data sources. The informants involved in this research were the traditional leaders of Rubit Village, community leaders and the parish priest of the Holy Cross of Koangrotat. Data collection techniques used are observation techniques, interviews and documentation. Data analysis techniques include data collection, data reduction, drawing conclusions and verification. The research results obtained are that noble marriage is the most respected marriage because it contains the most noble and sacred values ​​to maintain human dignity. So that noble marriage is processed in an open, orderly and respectable manner and is planned based on the perspective of custom and religion. The perspective of the Catholic religion on noble marriages is that marriages are considered sacred because in noble marriages the rite of opening the veil is performed which is a symbol that the couple has not lived together.

Multi-stage fault formation and REE distribution in the surrounding Devonian dolomites in the south-eastern part of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland)

Metallogenic studies carried out in the Holy Cross Mountains indicate a relationship between mineralization and fault tectonics in Devonian formations. The impact of fault formation on the geochemistry of host rocks has not yet been studied. Mineralogical and geochemical studies of fault core gouges and damage zones in the fault walls of Devonian dolomites in the Budy and Jurkowice quarries were carried out. In the clay-carbonate filling of the fault fissure, the presence of two generations of Fe sulfides, the increased content of Zr, Nb, U and Th in relation to the surrounding rocks was noted. In the fault walls of the dolomites, iron sulfide and hematite mineralization were found. Research on the REE content indicates that it is lower in the fault walls than in those located far from it, while it is clearly higher in the fault gouge, especially in terms of the content of “heavy” elements (HREE). This indicates both the supply of some components to the fault zone from external sources and their displacement from the surrounding rocks. It was also found that the fault was renewed before and after the Neogene at least twice (Badenian)

The Use of Geosites in Education—A Case Study in Central Poland

One of the important ways to promote geoheritage values is to use geosites in school education. Particularly useful for this are nature reserves that include interesting geological and geomorphological sites. The area of Świętokrzyskie Province is one of the most interesting geological regions of Poland. In 2021, the Holy Cross Mountains UNESCO Global Geopark was established. The main objective of this study was to determine the school students’ knowledge of geoheritage sites and their use in geotourism and education. The province’s nature reserves are well accessible by transportation from school. Diverse geoheritage sites were selected for the assessment of their geotourism values. An assessment of their geotourism values was made. The problem of knowledge and perception of geoheritage was studied using a questionnaire survey among students of high schools located in the city of Starachowice. The results showed that despite the presence of sites of high value, unique in the country and Europe, they are rarely visited by students and even less frequently used in formal education (field classes). On the other hand, students declare that geoheritage assets can be treated as important tourism attractions. Researchers in the field of geoeducation and geotourism should place greater emphasis on disseminating this knowledge among teachers and the public. An opportunity for the development of geoeducation will certainly be the establishment of a geopark.

Navigating change and shaping missions: a study of Notre Dame College's educational aims within the Holy Cross congregation in Bangladesh

The Congregation of Holy Cross has been working on evangelisation and education in Bangladesh for more than 170 years. This paper examines and discusses the educational aims of highly reputed institution of Holy Cross Congregation, Notre Dame College (NDC). It also examines how NDC negotiated historical changes – internal and external – and how those changes shaped its educational missions. This study is based on the examination of written documents – primary and secondary – and fieldwork involving oral history interviews of Holy Cross personnel, both local and foreign, who are/were involved either in the teaching or administration with NDC. Eighteen participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data analysis involves a holistic examination of transcriptions, documents, and field notes. Key points from interviews, along with other data, are categorised thematically and chronologically. The paper argues that NDC had a distinctive aim as part of its elite education. It primarily aimed at developing and empowering the minority Catholic community in Bangladesh and developing and preparing clergies to establish a self-supporting and self-governing church in Bangladesh. Secondly, it aimed at the diffusion of the Christian spirit and morals to the elite youth of the country. The paper argues that as NDC went through significant changes to the political and educational shifts over the period, so did its educational aims. In addition, the paper argues that with regard to education policies and strategies, HC education at NDC had a different approach from that of education provided by the government. The paper illustrates how NDC has been seen as quite successful in its missions of raising native clergy and establishing a local church.