Sitting in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception during the December 5 Rededication, the words of Exodus 25:8 came to mind. The Lord told Moses: “build me a sanctuary so that I may dwell among my people.”
Our Cathedral is truly an oasis in an area of the capital where so many of the “least” of our brothers and sisters dwell – on the streets and in a car park allocated to the homeless! It is in them, also, that our Lord dwells, and we are all called to see Him in their faces and to cry out for justice for them.
That same evening, I was the feature speaker at the Annual Dinner at Holy Faith Convent, Couva (HFC) – my alma mater, on “The value of a Past-Pupils Association (PPA).” Here is an extract from my presentation:
“Congratulations to HFC’s PPA on its 30th Anniversary. I congratulate all those – past and present, who have served on the PPA. Like everyone who has passed through these hallowed halls, I am extremely proud to be a past pupil of this noble institution.
Attendance at the annual Christmas dinner is not all that is required of past pupils.
A PPA provides an opportunity to network with others both here and abroad; to bask in the enduring warmth of friendship; and to plan and/or participate in any events that are planned by the PPA. We should consider the part that we can play in helping to build up our alma mater e.g. by offering ourselves as role models and mentors to students at HFC, as well as to those who have completed their studies here.
Let us volunteer to assist HFC e.g. let’s offer our services to support current students in their personal and career development by giving students insights into what it takes to succeed in the various professions/areas of work in which we are involved. Those past pupils who have businesses can consider providing work experience for some students. The PPA can run mock interview workshops for students. Fundraising events will provide HFC with the resources it needs to support the teaching and learning process.
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My parents and HFC played an enormous role in shaping me. I am who I am today because of the universal values and virtues that were instilled in me at home and at school. We past pupils have all taken various paths in life, but wherever we go, HFC is embedded in our hearts.
I have many treasured memories of my years at HFC; I am truly blessed and privileged to be part of the HFC family. The love that developed among HFC students and staff continues to radiate in our lives today.
Our former Principal, Sr Magdelena Mac Bride, chose the words of our school song well. In its three stanzas can be found Catholic values of, for example, kindness; friendship; respect for ethnic, religious and cultural diversity; love; and unity. These values are essential for character-building and nation-building. They have nurtured our self-esteem and have helped many of us to assume leadership roles effectively. HFC nurtured in many of us a spirituality that enables us to live our Faith in the market place.
The PPA has a duty to promote HFC as a community of love that is committed to excellence; a community that is concerned to deepen its relationship with God, neighbour and creation….
While we celebrate the many scholarships that HFC students have won over the years, HFC is not only concerned about academic achievement but about integral human development, which our Popes continue to encourage us to promote…
I always use HFC as an example of a school that welcomes students from poor economic backgrounds into its fold and offers them high quality education without placing a ceiling on their potential…
HFC students continue to excel in various fields in society – here and abroad…I thank the Holy Faith Sisters for their vision in responding to the call to serve as educators in Couva 65 years ago, as well as in other parts of T&T.
HFC opened its doors in Couva to 50 students in January 1951… I encourage those present to find time to support the PPA – share your time, talent and treasure with our PPA… May kindness and love always abound in our hearts as we continue to ascribe to the highest standards in all our endeavours.”
