On Friday, September 14, its patronal feast, Holy Cross College, Arima celebrated its golden jubilee with a solemn concelebrated Mass at the college’s beautifully decorated chapel.

Chief celebrant and homilist was past student Coadjutor Archbishop of Castries, Most Rev Robert Rivas OP. The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Thomas Gullickson and the Archbishop Edward Gilbert CSsR were present in the sanctuary.

The specially honoured guest and concelebrant was Fr Jim Candon OP the college’s first principal in 1957. He now lives in St Vincent. Other concelebrants were Vicar General, Msgr Christian Pereira, Dominican priests Fr Ferdinand Warner, Regional Prior, Fr Patrick Brennan, Chairman, Board of Management, Frs Matthew Ahye, Dwight Black and Allan Mohammed (past pupil).

Fr Gabriel Julien, recently appointed principal welcomed the congregation of past and present students, teachers, parents and benefactors. In the congregation were past students residing in the USA who had come for the celebration.

Students participated fully in a spirit-filled liturgy enhanced by the singing of a choir and steel orchestra led by Dale White.

Fr Candon

Fr Gabriel Julien welcoming everyone at the celebration

Neil Walcott (right) and Bro Narvis. Photos: House Digital Studio, Arima

In his homily, Archbishop Rivas explained the significance of the school’s motto In hoc signo vinces! In this sign you will conquer! He advised the students, “in the badge you wear you are placed under the banner of love. The cross is love in its most radical form.

Therefore you ought to be young men of courage and valour. In this sign you will conquer mediocrity, superficiality, selfishness, the lust for power and pleasure, timidity and indeed the reluctance to stand up for your faith in defence of human life and Christian moral values.

Today Jesus says to you: ‘Be brave, I have conquered the world’ (Jn 16:33).

Understand, therefore, who you are, what it means to be a student of this school and live up to its ideals. Wear your badge with pride.” He also paid glowing tribute to the work done by his Dominican confrères over the years.

A highlight of the Mass, attended by Hon Jarrettte Narine, Minister of Agriculture (one of the school’s first students), Babsie Bleasdell (foundation committee member of the school), Dr Bernard Tappin (former principal) and Trevor Garcia (former manager) and Board Members was the address by Fr Candon.

He directed his words to the present students, urging them to be faithful to the spirit of the College’s motto In hoc signo vinces. Fr Edward Foley – the “Father of Holy Cross” (second principal) sent his best wishes from Ireland.

The anniversary celebrations began on Tuesday, September 11 with an open day for parents and the public. The students mounted exhibits in the library, classrooms and laboratories, highlighting the wide range of learning activities in which 450 male students and 22 teachers are involved.

The cadets gave a display and the students took part in football matches and board games. There was a Spanish display room, a viewing of the students contribution to the school's contribution to the school film festival and the contestants of this year's Calypso competition performed their calypsoes.

The celebrations came to a fitting climax with a gala dinner organised by staff, the PTA and past students on Saturday, September 15 at the college. The dinner was graced with the presence of Senator Hon Christine Sahadeo, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Archbishop Rivas and Lily Ramlogan, widow of Suresh Ramlogan (first lay person and longest serving principal of 21 years).

The highlight of the evening’s celebrations was the presentation of awards to the college’s four principals and two vice principals, John Young and Gordon Walker. A special award was given to Bro Narvis for 46 years of service to the school in a multiplicity of ways.

A notable feature of the evening’s activities was the opportunity to tour the library exhibition, which included the names of all the students who attended the school.
Holy Cross has been truly blessed with a staff that served for upwards of twenty-five years.

These stalwarts include Bro Narvis, Ann-Marie Forgenie, John Young, Fr Ahye, Lutch and Marina Baboolal, Roland Ramsumair, Patricia Marcellin, Cheryl Pierre, Alison Wong, Alvin La Croix, Henry Soya, Ruth Lawrence, Bernard Tappin and Pearly Kissoon (clerk- typist)

Holy Cross has truly been blessed with a staff who has given their lives to the education of their “sons”.