by Antonina Zielinska

Brother William Zaydak, C.S.C., officially installed Father Walter E. Jenkins, C.S.C., as the new president of Holy Cross H.S., Flushing, during an installation Mass celerbated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, with faculty and students in attendance.

Brother William serves as chair provincial of the Board of Directors of Holy Cross H.S.

“Being president of Holy Cross H.S. is not a job — it is a ministry,” he said.  “As the faith leader of this institution we are entrusting you with the hearts and minds of our students.”

His position officially recognized, Father Jenkins addressed the congregation gathered in the school gym.  He told them he is thankful for the opportunity to be part of Holy Cross H.S. and assured them that he would not take his responsibility lightly.

“Gentleman, from now on, you’re my boys!” he promised the students.

The students received him well.

“The whole school is very enthusiastic,” said Andrew Santis, senior.  He had an opportunity to spend time with the new president during a retreat in Montreal.  “He seems like a great person with a lot of enthusiasm — something we really need especially as a high school.”

Bishop DiMarzio said he has a similar impression of Father Jenkins.

“He looks very affable and seems very confident,” he said. “I think it’s good to have the presence of the Congregation of the Hoy Cross here.”

Sister Regina Werntz, R.S.M., who taught at Bishop Hoban H.S. in Philadelphia when Father Jenkins was principal, said he brought a deep sense of religion with him, which was evident during the homilies he preached to his students

“When Father Jenkins spoke, you could hear a pin drop because his homilies hit home,” she said

Sister Regina also said Father Jenkins was a good manager and the Queens high school is blessed to have him.

“We as the faculty were so grateful to have him as a principal because he was fair and kept the faculty in the know, which gave us a sense of ownership and community,” she said.

Dennis Lyons, chairperson of the theology department at Holy Cross, said he is optimistic and looks forward to working with Father Jenkins.

“He’s interested in the students and that’s what’s important,” he said. “He will bring us into the future as a community of Holy Cross.”

Father Jenkins said he is enthusiastic about working at Holy Cross  because the faculty truly embodies the mission of the Community of the Holy Cross.

“By the way our faculty and staff interacts with the boys, it reminds them that God loves them,” he said.

Ultimately, however, the new president said it is the students that characterize the school.

“The best part of the past two months has been the last two weeks because the boys are here,” he said. “There is a great energy in the school when they are here.”

He said his ultimate goal is for the students is to share the ministry of his order

“We are trying to produce Holy Cross men,” he said.  “And Holy Cross men will always look for ways to help people less fortunate than they are.”