HC Students and Staff Take Part in March For Life

Holy Cross students joined over 20,000 Pro-Life protestors on Parliment Hill for the March For Life.

Students and staff from Holy Cross and Regiopolis-Notre Dame joined 20,000 other Pro-Life protesters on Parliament Hill on Thursday, May 10^th for the annual March for Life. In one of the largest gatherings ever on Parliament Hill, speaker after speaker chastised our politicians for not taking any action to protect the life of the unborn even though surveys show that most Canadians support such action. In spite of the cold, wet weather, the Holy Cross contingent were in high spirits throughout the rally and march. They faced some loud and rather harsh opposition from a small group of Pro-Abortion people on the walk, but in spite of them remained convinced of the rightness of their cause. As Olivia Pincivero stated, "It was an eye-opening experience with regards to what really happens in abortion." For most of us, the most touching part of the day was when women who had abortions spoke about the terrible guilt and pain they felt afterwards. As one student described it, "... their testimony was so inspiring and showed how they were able to forgive themselves and also how they experienced the forgiveness of their aborted child." Congratulations to all who took the time this year to "Speak Up for Life."

Spirit Week 2012

The Holy Cross Students' Council presents Spirit Week 2012! Prizes will be awarded to the grade with the most participation. Events for the week include:

• Tuesday - Grade Colour Day with Uniform
• Wednesday - Wacky Tacky Uniform Day
• Thursday - Country/Western Day (a non-uniform day)
• Friday - Green and Silver Day (a non-uniform day)

2012 Catholic Education Week Mass:
"Walking in the Light of Christ"

The Holy Cross Choir, joined by the Mother Teresa Elementary School choir, provided music for the 2012 Catholic Education Week Mass.

Students and staff from across our Board gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral on Monday, May 7^th for the Catholic Education Mass. Archbishop Brendan O'Brien presided at the Mass which focussed on this year's theme of "Walking in the Light of Christ." Congratulations to our Holy Cross Choir who led the singing at Mass under the direction of Ms. Check Drumm and accompanied by Mr. Sicoli on piano. They were joined by the Mother Teresa Elementary School Choir. Together their voices filled the Cathedral with beautiful music and song. Our school was represented by students from Ms. Dixon's, Mr. Michalski's and Ms. Andrea Johnson's class along with members of Student Council and CICS who served as ushers and greeters. Many staff and students from across the Board were honoured at the Mass including Mr. Ciro Calcafuoco, a former vice-principal of Holy Cross, currently principal of Mount Carmel Elementary school in Amherstview.

Fr. Stan Kurusumuthu Memorial Soccer Games

Father Stanislaus Kurusumuthu, former teacher and soccer coach at both Holy Cross and Regiopolis-Notre Dame.

Father Stanislaus Kurusumuthu was born in Vakari, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka on December 6, 1939. Father Stan pursued his love of education and demonstrated his love of youth through his 15 year teaching career at Holy Cross and Regiopolis-Notre Dame from 1986 to the time of his death on April 5, 2001. He loved soccer and coached a number of soccer teams at both schools.

Fr. Stan always had a story to tell: God blessed him with humour and vitality. He had a gift for reaching out to those sometimes on the fringes, and he won everyone over with his endless teasing and generosity. As one student commented, "Father Stan was never too busy to chat it up or even hook it up with anyone." Another student fondly remarked: "The little man with the twinkle in his eyes is definitely going 'upstairs'".

Each year, in memory of Father Stan, there is a soccer challenge involving the girls and boys soccer teams of Regiopolis-Notre Dame and Holy Cross. This year, Holy Cross hosted the Fr. Stan Memorial Games on Tuesday, May 8^th, 2012 on a very muddy field. For the first time in many years, the Holy Cross soccer teams won the challenge by posting a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The Junior Girls' started the day off in fine style with a 2 - 0 win. The Senior Girls unfortunately dropped a 3 - 0 result to the powerful Senior Panthers while the Junior Boys played to a hard-fought 0 - 0 tie. The Senior Boys finished the day with a convincing 3 - 0 win.

HC Students Participate in Pitch-In Day

HC students show off some of the garbage collected in a local stream. Over 80 students cleaned up the area as part of Pitch-In Day.

Over 80 Holy Cross students participated in Pitch-In Day on Friday April 27^th. This national event event promotes volunteers to clean up garbage on public properties. The students which came from four classes braved the cold winds to collect over 20 full bags of garbage. Areas that were cleaned up included the entire school property as well as a nearby pond and stream.

This event is part of Holy Cross' efforts to become a more environmentally responsible school.