Reports

January 2008

The Phenomenal 150^th Anniversary Mass & Brunch

With the theme, "Phenomenal Women of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", the Immaculate Conception High and Preparatory School opened its year-long 150^th Anniversary celebrations with a triumphant Liturgy of the Eucharist on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

With a packed-to-capacity Cathedral, students, parents, past and present teachers, alumnae, administrators and well-wishers of both schools all participated in a grand Mass of Thanksgiving for 150 years of Franciscan Education in Jamaica. The Governor General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Kenneth Hall and Mrs. Holding-Hall and Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Mrs. Golding were among the many special guests in attendance.

The Wallace/Narcisse Mass begun with a liturgical dance of ICHS students preceding the procession of the clergy, which included Chief Celebrant, Archbishop Lawrence Burke and con-celebrants, Co-Adjutant Archbishop Donald Reese, Bishop Charles Dufour, Rev. Kenneth Richards, Rev. Kingsley Asphall, Rev. Louis Grenier, Rev. Peter McIssacs and Rev. Alfred Lee. Altar servers included ICHS students. The combined schools choir with their melodious voices, was under the direction of Ms Gordon and the ICHS concert

band was directed by Ms. Allison Wallace, herself an alumna and faculty member.

Patron of the 150^th Anniversary, Sr. Avril Chin Fatt, O.S.F. (Congregational Minister of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany) welcomed all. The first and second readings were read by Pia Phillips (current student) and Janet Sharp (Alumna) respectively and after a very stirring homily by Archbishop Reese, the Prayers of the Faithful were read by Sr. Maureen Clare Hall, O.S.F. (former ICHS Principal).

The Presentation of Gifts followed with its symbolic format of the past to the present. The procession of this very moving ceremony included Sr. Margaret McGrath, O.S.F. of the Franciscan Sisters of Glasgow, Scotland, the founding order of the Immaculate Conception Academy, who carried a seedling of the Blue Mahoe, representing the establishment of the school in 1858. Sr. Eleanor Breen, O.S.F. also of the Franciscan Sisters of Glasgow carried the Scottish Order’s emblem. Sr. Angella Harris, O.S.F., Principal of the High School carried the logo of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the Order which assumed administration of the school upon the departure of the Scottish nuns and current students of the High and Preparatory Schools carried banners bearing the logos of each school.

The offertory procession followed with representatives from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception in Boston, Massachusetts, a sister congregation to the Allegany Franciscans.

The meditation hymn, Panis Angelicus was sung by noted opera-singer, Ms Candice Hoyes (right) accompanied by Musical Director, Allison Wallace on the organ and the flute played by student Anna-Kay Dixon.

Before the recessional, Sr. Eleanor Breen, O.S.F. brought greetings from the founding Congregation in Scotland and Chairperson of the 150^th Anniversary Celebrations, Yasmin Chong, followed with the "Thank You". Archbishop Burke then gave his charge to the congregation, a charge which was well-received by all.

Brunch followed at the Abe Issa Auditorium on the St. George’s College campus, which was beautifully decorated (compliments of Courts Jamaica Limited, Shields & Shields, Ralaica Ltd. and the 150^th Planning Committee) and a delectable meal was served by Patsy Lyn Caterers. Food and drinks (courtesy of Pepsi and Tru Juice) flowed and the entire auditorium was kept in stitches by the very entertaining emcee, alumna Mrs. Brenda Cuthbert (right).

The morning’s programme begun with a Blessing from Sr. Suzanne Fondini, f.m.i.c. of Boston after which the welcome was delivered by the 150^th Anniversary Patron, Sr. Avril Chin Fatt, O.S.F. Greetings were offered by Ms Theresa Mendes, Principal of IC Preparatory School and Sr. Angella Harris, O.S.F., High School Principal, after which items of song were performed by two alumnae – Noella Nelson (nee Eldridge) - left - and Renee Rattray. Prizes courtesy of Courts Jamaica Limited were awarded throughout the event which resembled that of a well-attended and enjoyable reunion. The vote of thanks was delivered by event-planner, Oraine Russell (Alumna).