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| Article for the Catholic Newspaper:
ST. JOSEPH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL JUBILEE CELEBRATION Jubilee, Sing Jubilee, Come on everybody let’s celebrate and in true family style, the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny and St Joseph’s Secondary School Alumnae, current students, teachers – past and present, parents and friends of the School, gathered from Thursday evening on the 21st September through to Sunday 24th to give praise and thanks for the School and to celebrate it’s first 50 years. Over the four days of talking, singing, eating and laughing, reconciling and sharing that was interspersed with tears of joy, 1200 St Joseph’s Alumnae attended the celebrations at the School. They came from London, Switzerland, Lautoka, Ba, Sydney, Italy, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands, Suva and Labasa to meet and to reminisce and to pay tribute to the School and each other. The Thanksgiving Mass on Friday morning in the million dollar School Hall signaled the opening of the celebrations. Amidst the sweet voices of the current students, alumnae from 1956 to 2005 in traditional attire, reflecting the multi-cultural nature of the school, presented the offertory gifts to His Grace, Archbishop Mataca, the Chief Celebrant and Guest for the celebrations. Following the Thanksgiving Mass, Sr. Elizabeth Browne Russell, Regional Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny addressed the gathering and also read a congratulatory address from the Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, Mother Morag. Addresses were also presented by the President of the Alumnae, and the President of the Home and School Association, Mrs. Taraivini Niumataiwalu Qicatabua. In their various speeches all acknowledged both the Sisters and the lay community who had taught and supported St Joseph’s through its first 50 years. The Sisters who had taught at the school included: Sr. Louis Woodnutt, Sr. Jude Shiels, Sr. Rosalie Grant (RIP), Sr. Damien
D'Arcy, Sr. Dismas Wilson (RIP), Sr. Joseph Davies, Sr. Irene Bouchier
Hayes, Sr. Eileen McGrath, Sr. Francis Kelly, Sr. Angela Cavey, Sr. Francis
Kelly, Sr. Elizabeth Browne Russell, Sr. Genevieve Loo, Sr. Stephen Leavy,
Sr. Theresa Momoyalewa, Sr. Anna Rarasea, Sr. Agnes Kenny, Sr. Allison
Macalister, Sr. Katarina Naivecu, Sr. Therese Elanjimattam, Sr. Fathima
Vandikaran and Sr. Luciana Dimate Matai.
As part of its contribution to the celebrations, the Alumnae presented a plaque listing the Headgirls and the Principals from 1956-2005 to Sr. Genevieve. Principals
Headgirls
Presented to the Sisters and the Lay Community by the Alumnae in recognition of their services, was a Jubilee Praise and Thanksgiving plaque, with personalized miniatures for each of the Sisters, of a verse composed by Emelita Wendt Wilson that reflected the feelings of the alumnae. It read: JUBILEE PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING On this 22nd day of September, 2006, the 50th anniversary of St Joseph’s
Secondary School, Suva, Fiji Islands,
The Jubilee cake, donated by the Class of 1976, was then cut by the first headgirl of 1956 - Ann Boulton Sellars, Sr Elizabeth Browne Russell and the 2006 Headgirl, Narisha Karan In the beautiful sunshine, the Friday afternoon programme included presentations by Alumnae to the current students. Shiromani Singh (Diplomats wife), Theresa Rehman (Librarian), Lisa Apted (Accountant) and Nunia Thomas (Master’s student) shared their stories on how the school had impacted on their personal and professional lives. The current students were certainly impressed with the confidence of the speakers and what they heard that was truly inspiring for them. That afternoon at 4pm, the Fiji Police Band led the Alumnae, behind banners marking their years, out the back gate on Toganivalu Road, down Waimanu Road, along Saweni Street, back into Toganivalu Road and into the School rara. The excitement and joy of Alumnae echoed around the School as we held up the traffic on Waimanu Road. One of the Alumnae of 1973 bravely turned up in her rompers and sports blouse which certainly attracted the attention of all present with many thinking that they were glad those days were over! The march culminated in the Alumnae soli for the Hall which collected a total of $65,000, fifteen thousand dollars over the target, that has been been presented to Sr. Genevieve. The efforts of the Alumnae in collecting this sum was acknowledged with gratitude. Friday night was a truly memorable one. The Alumnae went down memory lane with song, dance and mime reminiscent of their time at school. With wine flowing and everyone in island dress, enjoying superb Indian cuisine, the evening reflected the multi cultural nature of the school. As one Alumnae member put it `St. Joseph’s taught me to understand, accept and to respect people of different backgrounds and cultures and that it is these differences that make the world such a wonderful place.’ The Hall was a hive of activity on Saturday, as Alumnae involved in home-business demonstrated their talents and made their products available for sale. At the same time the School was hosting its soli and fun day which brought in a grand total of $38,000 for the Hall. Adi Samanunu Talakuli was the chief guest and a proud member of the Alumnae. In the evening, the national gymnasium came alive as Alumnae turned up in ball gowns of blue and gold to a Hall decorated in the School’s colours of white and blue with gold. From the first piece of dance music to the extended time of 2 a.m., the floor was jam packed, with the last of the revelers leaving at 3.30am! Not to be outdone by the activities of Saturday night, the Alumnae and the Sisters were back at the Hall in full force for chinese and lovo Sunday lunch, more reminiscing, rosary at the Grotto and stimulating discussions on the future of the Alumnae. Then came the Farewell Mass offered by Father Joan Bonato, with the choir of Alumnae under the direction of the Mere Duilomaloma Fong, Headgirl of 1976. The atmosphere was electric and emotional with the voices of Alumnae resounding through the Hall and down Waimanu Road expressing the joy and happiness of school day friendships, brought together in the name of St Joseph and the vision of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey. A truly memorable occasion for all who were part of the Jubilee celebrations. Vinaka vakalevu.
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St Joseph’s Secondary School Golden Jubilee
Your Grace Archbishop Mataca, Reverend
Fathers
I proudly stand here today on behalf of the five thousand girls who have journeyed through this institution of educational excellence to pay tribute to the Sisters, lay teachers and members of our local community who played an important part in our formation during the years we were in their care at the School. Today we have amongst us Sr. Francis Kelly,
and we are so very pleased to have you with us on this special occasion. We also remember those who have been called by Almighty God - Sr. Louis Woodnutt,
and those could not be here due to other commitments Sr. Jude Shiels
We acknowledge the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny for their foresight and commitment to the education of girls through this school and others. Whilst many of us might not have thought it when we were at school, though our mother’s knew this, the Sisters were to have had a profound effect on our lives. They instilled in us a belief in ourselves and that with honest hard work, the Lord’s guidance, the example of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, the humbleness of St Joseph and the commitment of Our Lady, we could achieve what we set out to do and make a positive impact on our families, communities, nation and world. To them we say vinaka vakalevu, dhanyvaad, foi’eksia It is only fitting at this time to also acknowledge the many lay teachers who worked hand-in hand with the Sisters to ensure that we received an all round education that brought out the best in each one of us.. Together, they taught us and encouraged us to respect each other as individuals and to understand that the diversity that exists in our cultures is an acknowledgement of a God of love.. To the Principals of the School, Sr Louis, Sr Teresia, Sr Frances, Sr Eileen and Sr Genevieve, your leadership was and is an inspiration to us all. The Jubilee is a celebration of the achievements of all who have been associated with the school and would not have been possible without the contribution of so many individuals and organisations. As President of the Alumnae, I wish to thank all our members who have contributed to the organization of activities in the Jubilee programme. who are too numerous to name individually. It would be remiss of me if I did not mention the following local business community that assisted the Alumnae directly. Special thanks go to Pure Fiji, Colonial, Ranjit Garments, the USP Book Centre, Wine Connoiseurs, Quality Print, Tadra Flowers, Boomerang, Goodman Fielder, Rewa Dairy, Beauty Mantra, JJs on the Park, Holiday Inn, La Opera, Edge Hair Design, Headworks, Shipping Services and the Boom Box I wish to pay special tribute to the members of my Executive team who have worked extremely hard over the last two years. To Sister Genevieve , your untiring efforts in assisting the Alumnae through your liaison with the local business community is most appreciated.. To Valerie Thomas who utilized the e-mail technology to bring many overseas Alumnae of her era together, vinaka vakalevu. I also applaud the efforts of the Alumnae communities in Sydney and Brisbane, Auckland and Wellington, Canada and the US and UK who are well represented at the Jubilee. To the local Alumnae, your presence completes the picture. Later on today, a soli will be held that that will be the Alumnae’s commitment to this Hall that you are sitting in that was opened on the 19th March, 2004 (St Joseph’s Feast Day) I know that many of you have been working very hard to make your contribution to this effort. We are all very proud of this Hall which includes an Alumnae and a prayer room and I thank you for your efforts towards this. In acknowledgement of the contribution of the Sisters and the Lay community, the Alumnae will be presenting momentos of our appreciation to each of the sisters, We will also be presenting to Sister Genevieve two plaques listing the headgirls and principals from 1956-2006 I wish to conclude with the appreciation that was written by Emelita Wendt Wislon which reads: ON THIS 22ND DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2006, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST JOSEPH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL , the student assembly of 1956 to 2006 give joyful praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny , faithful daughters of Blessed Anne Marie Javouey and those lay members of the community who have worked with the Sisters . In seeking to do the Holy Will of God, they have assisted in developing a centre of excellence in education that has helped shape the lives of thousands of young women. Together, they have embraced the many races, nationalities, and religious beliefs of our islands, teaching them to discover , understand, and respect the good within themselves , and in one another, and to achieve their dreams of a happy, and successful life. We love, honour and thank you all for your teaching, inspiration and your example of dedicated service and commitment. I now call upon Sr. Elizabeth Browne Russell to please receive the Jubilee Appreciation for the Sisters. [Present appreciation] I invite Mrs Kaminio, Vice Principal of the School to receive the appreciation for the lay community. Would the Alumnae members please come forward to present the individual appreciations to the Sisters present. I now invite Alumnae representatives to present the plaque listing the headgirls and principals to Sr Genevieve. With those few words, we the Alumnae wish everyone God’s Blessings in the spirit of St Joseph and Blessed Anne Marie. |