The Sacred Heart School of Halifax community came together for the Feast of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat to celebrate Mass and the conclusion of its 175th anniversary school year.
The theme for the year was “Celebrating 175 years - Learning from the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future.” Not only did this year commemorate 175 years of Sacred Heart education in Halifax, it also marked 175 years of Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) presence and service to the area.
This gathering was particularly special as RSCJ joined parents, alumnae/i, members of the Board, former Heads of School and retired faculty and staff of the school. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Brian Dunn and livestreamed. His Honour The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, KC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc were in attendance.
Notably, Grade 10 student Molly Aven Gillis played the bagpipes as the school community processed from the school grounds to St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, and then again as guests returned to the school for a reception following Mass.
"To see the Basilica so full of current students, faculty, and staff, as well as alums, Associates, and partners in ministry—all of whom have both been touched by the mission and charism of the Society and who will help carry it forward into the next 175 years—was quite moving," said Kim King, RSCJ. "I was filled with such thanksgiving to be in the midst of all of that—the past, the present, and the future—with other RSCJ living in and visiting Halifax while also remembering all of those who have gone before us. And, the School did a beautiful job preparing the celebratory liturgy!"
The Sacred Heart School of Halifax opened in 1849, just one week after Mother Mary Aloysia Hardey led a group of RSCJ from New York to Halifax. At that time, there were five boarding students and eight day pupils. Now Sacred Heart welcomes close to 500 students each year.
The Society of the Sacred Heart joins in gratitude and prayer for the entire Sacred Heart Halifax community for their 175 years of dedication to our shared mission to reveal God’s love through the service of education.
Special thanks to Moira Schrader for contributing to this article.
