School Blessing

We so often take comfort in knowing that there are people in our lives who love and care for us.  It gives us a sense of stability and reassurance knowing that there are others who support us and take interest in our well-being.  This past Saturday, in an effort to show the Holy Cross students that they are loved, cared for, and supported, hundreds of people from the Grahamstown community and from different parts of the world came to be a part of the blessing and celebration of the new Holy Cross School building.

The Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, and the Bishop of Grahamstown, Ebenezer Ntlali, came to offer their blessing over the school and to preside over the blessing service that was held in a huge marquee right outside of the school.  It was a grand event with speeches, beautiful singing, a delicious meal (that was cooked by the students’ mothers starting at the crack of dawn), hugging, laughter, and tears of joy.  The Holy Cross Students were seated in front for the entire service and were the center of the celebration.

My favorite part of the whole event was when the children lead the procession into the service.  Hand in hand, the children marched/danced down the isle singing a song they had practiced for weeks in preparation for the event.  After the procession was done and everyone was seated, Archbishop Makgoba paused before he started into the liturgy of the service and asked the children to stand and re-sing the song.  However, this time he also invited the entire crowd of around 300 people to join in.  Everyone present stood and sang to the tune of the song the children had practiced for weeks prior to the event.  It was a fun and heart-warming way of letting the kids know there are people who love and support them.  

Photos courtesy of Br. Roger Stewart

Getting ready for the procession in.

The students practicing their song.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba blessing part of the new building.

The Peace.

The Mama's cooking in the early hours of the morning.  It's a lot of work to feed 300 people!

Mothers of the Holy Cross Students.

Holy Cross students and staff.

A little tired after the event!