Parent Camino

Today was a very special day as we embarked on our first parent Camino Salvado pilgrimage. We started our pilgrimage at the site of the  Subiaco Benedictine monastery.  On this site, which is now MercyCare, the Benedictines established a farm.  Olive trees were planted on the site in the 1850s and heritage listed olive trees remain on the site today.  Our next stop was St Joseph’s Church on Salvado Rd .  Subiaco has a strong connection with Benedictine history and this is acknowledged in the naming of the suburb - Subiaco was the place in Italy where St Benedict lived - and Salvado Rd was named after Dom Rosendo Salvado.  At St Joseph’s Church we prayed the Pilgrim’s Prayer and Fr Stephen gave us a blessing for our journey.   From Subiaco we walked to St Mary’s Cathedral, seeing the foundation stone laid by Bishop Salvado and the bell which was brought from Santiago de Compostela.  The first stage of the Cathedral was built by Benedictine monks who walked each day from Subiaco.  Our final stop was Claisebrook Cove.  Here we prayed the Pilgrim’s Prayer of Gratitude for the end of our journey.  We finished our day with lunch at one of the local cafes.  Here each of the pilgrims had their Pilgrim’s passport stamped to record the first stage of their journey.  Thanks to Mrs Susan Sorenson, President of Friends of Holy Cross, for organising the Parent Camino. Thanks also to Mr Harry Muller, Ministry Coordinator, for driving the bus. This event was a wonderful opportunity for parents to experience the first stage of the Camino Salvado and to gain an understanding of Pilgrimage and why it is an important faith practice for our College.  Parents and staff also enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time together on a beautiful spring day. We look forward to another HCC Parent Camino in 2016.

MAKING LIFE-GIVING CHOICES

On 4 September staff gathered for a Retreat Day, reflecting on the Gospel Values of life of Justice and Service and how Sr Irene McCormack gave witness to these values in her life and death.  We explored Catholic Social Teachings and Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. (Praise Be To You). One of the questions Pope Francis poses in Laudato Si’ is What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?   This is a very pertinent question for us all to reflect on in the context of making life-giving choices and in thinking about how choices we make as individuals and communities will impact on generations to come.  During the staff Retreat we were privileged to meet Bernadette McCormack, Sr Irene’s sister.  It was a very humbling experience to hear Bernadette speak of her sister, a woman full of life who made a decision to leave the comfort of life in Western Australia to travel to Peru to work with the poor and marginalised.  Sr Irene spoke of choosing life in going to Peru.  It was powerful for staff to hear how Sr Irene made a decision to return to Huasahuasi, despite the danger, because she felt that she shouldn't abandon the people who lived there. Sr Irene was killed in Huasahuasi in May 1991.  Her crime, handing out Caritas food parcels. I don't think any of the staff will ever forget Bernadette telling us of the night her family learned of her sister, Irene’s, death.  It was a deeply moving moment for all of us and hopefully we can take the power of this emotion to inspire the choices we make in our own lives.

Some of the money raised during last week’s Feast Day Fair will support a project in Peru, assisting young people with special needs.  On Feast Day we give thanks for all the gifts that we have been given as a College and we look at how we can reach out to others.  Our Feast Day Fair raises money for projects linked to our Houses which promote the principle of Common Good, the idea of working together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world.   Thanks to staff, students and parents who worked together to contribute the Feast Day as a day of celebration and giving.

ARTS SHOWCASE

Arts have been in the spotlight this week, starting with the Opening Night of our Arts Showcase on Monday.  The exhibition of Art Work is outstanding, with every student involved in Art programmes across the College exhibiting at least one piece of work.  It was truly a K - 12 community event.  Those who attended the Opening Night had the opportunity to view exhibits of Art, Media, Textiles, Woodwork and Jewellery.  They were also treated to a showcase of Music, Dance, Drama, Film and a Fashion Parade.  Catering was provided by our Hospitality students.  Thanks to Miss Sara O’Neil, Art Teacher and Showcase Coordinator.  Her huge commitment and creative talent resulted in a wonderful show.  Thanks to Mr Chris, McCrae, Mr Chris Gooch, Mrs Fiona DeCourcier, Mrs Sarah Brown, Mr Paul Murphy and all other staff who assisted.

YEAR 12 - THE JOURNEY FROM SCHOOL

Year 12 students have their last day of formal classes next Monday, before commencing their final school exams on Wednesday.  Please keep the Year 12 students in your prayers as they focus on achieving their best results and look toward life after school.  The Year 12 Graduation Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 22 October.  Students will receive their Graduation Certificates at the Annual Celebration Night on 29 October.

LIFE WEEK

It was  a pleasure to spend last week with several of the year groups and to be involved in their LIFE Week activities.  On Monday I participated in the Year 11 and 12 pilgrimage along the Camino Salvado.  We walked east of the Juilmar Forest through beautiful bushland with Spring wildflowers and fields golden with canola. We now have a HCC pilgrimage passport and as students complete a section of the Camino they receive a stamp in their passport, as a record of their walk.  In time, many of the students will complete all sections from Subiaco to New Norcia.

On Wednesday I joined the Year 9 students in Canberra.  The first Canberra-Sydney trip was a great experience for those involved.  They visited many places including St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney, the Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Portrait Gallery  and the Australian Institute of Sport.  The students focused  on the same Big Question as the Year 9 students who spent the week in Perth - looking for the brain, imagination, courage and heart of a city. On Thursday and Friday the group had the opportunity to travel to the snow for some skiing and snowboarding.  There was a great deal of excitement as many of the students had never seen snow before.  

LIFE Week is a significant week at HCC with each year group having a rich programme to enable them to have some LIFE experiences in an authentic context.  Thanks to staff who organised LIFE week activities, a special mention to Ms Taylor for her work in organising the inaugural Canberra-Sydney tour.  

THANKS

I returned last week from a couple of weeks’Long Service Leave. I had a good break and appreciate the work done by Mr Peter Collins, who took on the role of Acting Principal in my absence. 

FATHERS’ DAY MASS AND BREKFAST

We had a great turnout for the Fathers’ Day Liturgy and Breakfast this morning.  We gathered to give thanks in prayer for fathers, grandfathers and other father figures in our lives. The liturgy was followed by a breakfast feast, during which it was great to see the young people interacting with their Dads.  Thanks to Mr Harry Muller, Mrs Cathie Lewis and all staff who assisted in the organisation of the liturgy and the preparation of breakfast. 

BUILDING PROGRAMME

As you can see, the building programme is progressing with considerable site work being undertaken and services being installed.  A reminder, students and parents should not access the College site from Westgrove Drive.

STAFF RETREAT

There will be no classes this Friday, 4 September.  Staff will participating in their Annual Retreat.  The focus for this year’s Retreat iis Making Life Giving Choices, reflecting on the life of Sr Irene McCormack.