Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School has for 100 years been an iconic fixture in this city’s historic Cathedral district. Thursday, May 21, that century of existence and service to the children of the area was celebrated in a day-long festival that began with mass at 10:00 in Holy Rosary Cathedral, followed by a big tent performance by Elevation Axis from O’Neil Catholic High School; fun, games and food throughout the afternoon and a live performance in the evening by three different bands rounded out the day. It all tied in nicely with the annual Cathedral Village Arts Festival held that week.
Reverend Lorne Crozon, Holy Rosary Cathedral Pastor and Vicar General, celebrated the mass in place of Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan who was ill. “Today we are celebrating 100 wonderful years of education,” said Crozon in his homily, “Let us give thanks to God for His presence in our schools and in our lives.”
Holy Rosary School was constructed about the same time as the Cathedral after which it is named and sits just behind the Cathedral. It boasts a diverse student population of 157 from 23 different countries. Principal Cindy Nelson said it’s the students that make the school special and students seem to agree. Grade Six student Shayla Nguyen was born in Canada but she is proud of her Viet Nam heritage. She very much likes the variety of cultures that exist at Holy Rosary. “I like all the different people and cultures.” Nelson said the diverse population gives the children opportunities to get to know the different cultures and they do take advantage of it. “One of the students mentioned to me yesterday (the day before the centennial celebration) that they found it really interesting because they used to hang around with just the Philippino children but now they’ve connected and made relationships with a girl from Ukraine and another child from Russia. So those connections are being formed and coming in, absolutely.” A world map on a hallway wall has lines leading from countries of origin to photos and names of students from those countries.
The mass was celebrated by Reverend Crozon with con-celebrants Monsignor Ken Miller and Cathedral Associate Priest Reverend Paul Mau Nguyen but children from the school did some of the readings and read the prayers of petition in their first language. Principal Nelson conducted the children’s choir accompanied by guitarists Deacon Joe Lang, his son Paul and Grade Six teacher and pianist Danielle Degelman.
