IVC New England Madonna Della Strada awardees all have Holy Cross connection

Ignatian Volunteer Corps New England held their annual Madonna Della Strada awards ceremony April 27 at Boston College High School. All awardees have a connection to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

The Madonna Della Strada Award is named after Sancta Maria Della Strada, the first church where St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus, and his early Jesuits, based their ministry to serve the urban poor in Rome in the 16th century.

According to its website, the IVC, founded by two Jesuit priests in 1993, is a national nonprofit service organization that provides men and women with opportunities to serve others, to address social injustice and to transform lives.

The IVC New England region is one of sixteen regional IVC programs nationwide along with a virtual program. Volunteers are currently assigned to agencies serving the economically poor and marginalized in central and eastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
The 2025 Madonna della Strada awardees follow.

Kathy and Brian Maher, College of the Holy Cross alumni, have built a life of service rooted in Ignatian spirituality. Mrs. Maher joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, earned a social work degree, trained as a spiritual director, and now serves as pastoral advocacy coordinator for the Jesuit East Province. Mr. Maher, formerly a Boston College High School educator and vice president of operations, is president of Nativity Preparatory School in Jamaica Plain, providing underserved families a Jesuit education. Parents to Jack, Ben and Bryanna, the Mahers are active St. Ignatius Parish members.

Vincent D. Rougeau is the 33rd president of the College of the Holy Cross, leading efforts to advance its strategic vision by investing in students, faculty, and staff, strengthening shared governance, and deepening partnerships in Worcester. Previously, he served as dean of Boston College Law School and inaugural director of the Boston College Forum on Racial Justice in America. A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, Rougeau is a noted scholar on law, religion, and Catholic social thought.

Kevin Ryan is receiving the Della Strada Award on behalf of ‘all the unsung IVC volunteer heroes.’ A Jamaica Plain native, Kevin attended Boston College High School and the College of the Holy Cross, where he once considered joining the Jesuits. Inspired by two of his children who served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Kevin joined the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) after retiring. For 11 years, he has served as a committed volunteer and member of the IVC New England Regional Council, embodying IVC’s mission of service.

– For more information on the Ignatian Volunteer Corps or to volunteer with program in New England, contact regional director Dave Hinchen via email or at 617-571-3838.