On Friday 9th, Year 5 of St Joseph’s and St Teresa’s Primary Schools and Year 7 from Salvatorian and Sacred Heart Language Colleges came together to celebrate the Eucharist to mark the occasion of the International Year of the Consecrated Life. These places of learning were founded by the two main religious communities here in St Joseph’s parish, Wealdstone, the Salvatorian Fathers and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. Since before and after the summer holidays each school/college have been preparing and each presented their own unique identity by displaying their Mission Statement in the opening procession. Sacred Heart led the procession with the choir singing as they entered the church. This was followed by Salvatorian boys carrying their banner and symbols of the college and then St Joseph’s pupils carried their banner and the procession was completed by St Teresa’s performing a fantastic dance-movement with colourful fans.
With the Opening Hymn and priest’s procession, Fr Paul was joined by Fr Noel and Fr Peter and two priests of the deanery, Fr Shaun Middleton (North Harrow) and Canon Michael Munnelly (Stanmore). The liturgical music was prepared and conducted by Sacred Heart Music Department and Choir, and the various ministries during the Liturgy were carried out by various pupils from the four schools.
There was a joyful spirit throughout the liturgy and we in St Joseph’s Parish ought to be proud to have such great schools and we experienced such a wonderful cooperation from the head teachers and staff of all the schools to make this occasion such a success and a “first” in the parish – one family of schools and one spirit of learning and education – coming together in prayer and celebration of our history and their origins.
Opening Procession: Sacred Heart Girls’ Choir, lead the procession followed by representatives from Salvatorian College and St Joseph’s with symbols of their school
St Teresa’ss Primary School opened the Liturgy with a magnificently choreographed Fan Dance, showing their skill, including in their display their Mission Statement.
During the months of preparation Sr Rose Mary taught the two Primary Schools “Over My Head” and they sang and performed it before the final Blessing of the Liturgy
Final Procession: Salvatorian College who are recognised by their green blazers had a non-uniform day Oct 9th to raise funds for a school, St Joseph’s, which burnt down earlier in the year in the London Borough of Brent
Over 400 pupils squeezed into St Joseph’s Church to celebrate this occasion along their Head Teachers, Deputy Heads and members of staff plus Sacred Heart Choir including Year 11, noticeable by their red jumpers. Uniforms: St Josephs – yellow and brown, St Teresa’s- blue and white, Sacred Heart – blue blazers and Salvatorian in mufti.