‘I came that they may have life and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
In the few years since the College opened, a rich and vibrant charism and faith story has emerged that is centred on the Cross and Christ’s death and resurrection – His transformation and redemption.
The spirituality of the College is further embellished by the courage and faith of Archbishop Blessed Oscar Romero. Someone once remarked to the Archbishop that his homilies were like receiving a university course, to which Romero responded, with the humility that so clearly characterised his preaching ministry, ‘I have never intended anything like that, but only to be an ordinary catechist, an evangeliser of the people, nothing else’ (15 October 1978).
The developing story, rituals and traditions of the College are drawn inspired by our Vision, Mission and College Patrons.
Living our Faith Story
There are many instruments of evangelisation used at Holy Cross College, but some significant ones have become part of the fabric of the College and are embedded in its story and charism to endure and grow over time. Some of these are:
Eucharist
Gospel Reflection
Prayer
Pilgrimage
Retreats
Names of the Buildings
Giving LIFE Programme
Patrons
Liturgical Dance
Pilgrimage
The word ‘pilgrim’ is derived from the Latin word peregrinum and conveys the idea of wandering over a distance, but is not just aimless wandering, it is a journey with a purpose, and that purpose is to honour God. On pilgrimage, we encounter God, ourselves, a sense of community and nature.
Camino Salvado
The tradition of pilgrimage at Holy Cross College arose out of the College’s special links with the Benedictine Community of New Norcia, with particular reverence to the life and heritage of Dom Rosendo Salvado. The Camino Salvado is a pilgrimage in the spirit of the Spanish Camino de Santiago and trails from Saint Joseph’s Church in Subiaco to New Norcia, a distance of around 200km. Salvado entered religious life at Santiago de Compostela in Spain before moving to Subiaco in Italy and then to Western Australia. Dom Salvado would walk from New Norcia to Perth through the Swan Valley, not far from Holy Cross College, to help support and sustain his community.
Throughout their time at Holy Cross College, students will experience various pilgrim journeys and, hopefully, complete the entire Camino Salvado by walking a number of stages each year of Middle and Senior School.
We have created opportunities for pilgrimage on our campus by naming each of our buildings after places associated with our College patrons – San Salvador, Santiago de Maria, Dublin, Fitzroy, Victoria Square, Paris, Milan, Lyon, Huasahuasi, Trayning, Subiaco, Tui and Santiago de Compostela. Students in Kindergarten – Year Three journey on a pilgrimage around the campus, visiting places linked to the College patron associated with their year level and finishing in the Olive Grove, our beautiful reflection garden.
Year Four students complete a section of the Camino Salvado in Walyunga National Park. The Year Five pilgrimage encompasses Fremantle and Perth, following in the footsteps of Ursula Frayne. Year Six students embark on a journey visiting places linked to Saint Irene McCormack.
Staff also participate in a pilgrimage each year as part of the Staff Formation Day.
Camino de Santiago
The pilgrimage experience is enriched through the opportunity for some students to travel to Spain to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago. More Information…
Giving LIFE
‘I came that they may have life and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
Christian Service Learning is a response to the
Gospel message to love our neighbour.
At Holy Cross, our Christian Service Learning
takes the form of the Giving Life programme, which provides students with
opportunities to serve the local community in the spirit of Catholic social teaching.
Students are encouraged to use their gifts and
talents to participate in active, meaningful citizenship at the home, school,
parish and local community level.
Through participation in the programme, students
develop a sense of compassion and empathy for those in need and learn, through
modelling the actions of Jesus and our College patrons, how to respond
effectively to the needs of others.
It is a requirement that all students of Holy
Cross College engage in Christian Service, with formalised programmes in place
from Years Three to Twelve.
Social Justice
As we strive to
be a place of transformation in the risen Christ, we have a genuine concern for
justice. In addition to the Giving Life programme, the College fosters
connections with a variety of Catholic organisations that work towards
achieving justice in our local community and the world. Through organisations
such as Saint Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies), Caritas Australia and Catholic
Mission, students are provided with opportunities to grow in their
understanding of social issues, and challenged to respond and act in light of
the Gospel message.
The College SleepOut is an important event at Holy Cross College. Each year on a winter’s night, students from Years Five – Twelve have the opportunity to stay at school, having their dinner at a soup kitchen, participating in activities to help them understand more about homelessness and ‘sleeping out’. In the earlier part of the evening, students in other Junior School year levels also have the opportunity to participate in activities. Money raised from the SleepOut is donated to LifeLink.
Sacramental Programme
In 2016, our parish, Saint Helena of the Holy Cross, in conjunction with Holy Cross College and Saint Helena’s Catholic Primary School, adopted the Archdiocesan Sacramental Policy for School-aged Children.
Key to the Archdiocesan policy is the co-operation that it invites between the parish, schools and families. In our parish, we operate under a parish-based, school-supported, family-focused model.
Sacramental preparation is undertaken as part of the Religious Education programme in the Junior School.
Year 3 – Sacrament of Reconciliation
Year 4 – Sacrament of First Eucharist
Year 6 – Sacrament of Confirmation
Students who wish to undertake a sacrament outside of these year levels are invited to participate in the after-school Parish Religious Education Programme, held at Holy Cross College each Wednesday from 3:30pm – 4:30pm.
In addition to this preparation, all students wishing to undertake a sacrament must attend a Commitment Mass, Retreat Day and a Parent-Child Interaction Workshop.
In Taking The Long View, our Strategic Compass, one of our strategic intents is to enrich and enliven the faith story of the College within a Christ-centred environment. The Evangelisation Compass will guide us in striving to do this.
Holy Cross College is part of Saint Helena of the Holy Cross Parish and shares the site with the parish church. The College community celebrates the Eucharist in the church with the parish community, and works closely with the parish in preparing students for sacraments, developing liturgies and other activities of faith formation.
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