MAKING HISTORY ...

200th ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP ROSENDO SALVADO

Saturday 1 March marked the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Bishop Rosendo Salvado.  Salvado was born in Tui in Spain on 1 October 1814.  At 15 he entered the Benedictine Monastery of St Martin’s in Santiago de Compostella.  Salvado was ordained a priest in Naples in 1839.  In 1846 Salvado travelled to Western Australia, in the same boat as Ursuala Frayne.  Having landed in the Swan River Colony he made his way out  to Victoria Planes and established New Norcia, where he worked with the Aboriginal people.  Since opening Holy Cross we have had a special connection with the Benedictine community of New Norcia.  On Tuesday evening a group of students and staff attended Ecumenical Vespers, at St Mary’s Cathedral, to celebrate the life of Rosendo Salvado.  It was a very beautiful ceremony, including some of the traditional Benedictine chants and excerpts from Salvado’s memoirs.  During this year we will focus on our Mission Statement linked to Salvado and the Enrichment Pillar - receive the gifts of God with gratitude, cultivate them responsibly and share them lovingly with others.

ASH WEDNESDAY
Today we marked the beginning of Lent by gathering together in Houses for Ash Wednesday liturgies.  The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year.   While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful. Lent is the period leading up to Easter.

OPENING OF THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

Tomorrow we will move into the Early Learning Centre.  While we will have an Official Blessing and Opening at a later date, when this stage of the building programme is completed, we will have a small ceremony to welcome the children tomorrow morning, Thursday 6 March.  Parents who would like to join us are asked to meet in the Cafe at 8.45am.    Thanks to the architect, Mr Peter Lippman from EIW Architects, who has worked closely with us in creating a wonderful contemporary space which will provide so many opportunities for our youngest learners.  Thanks also to staff and students who have assisted with the process of moving into the new buildings.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we welcome the Kindergarten  - Year 2 children into their new learning space.  I am sure there will be a great deal of excitement!


Ms Mandy Connor
Principal