Our Saints are St Bernadette, St Francis, St Joan of Arc and St Christopher. At Holy Cross, we try to live our lives thinking about the example they have left for us. Each Saint showed a particular devotion to God and showed us how we can behave and love God more. Last week we celebrated All Saints day and our school Saints were the main focus of our Liturgy.
All children and staff at Holy Cross are in a House team with the Saint at the Head. Throughout the year the house team decide on works of charity that they would like to carry out. In the past we have supported the Red Cross, Rainbows, the RSPCA and Make a Wish. We also have a family of badgers that are living in an area of our forest school that we help to feed. St Francis has been our example as we strive to look after our environment.
If you would like to find out more about each of our Saints, keep reading below.
Saint Francis
Saint Francis of Assisi was a Catholic friar who gave up a life of wealth to live a life of poverty. He established the Franciscan Order of friars and the women’s Order of the Poor Ladies. Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1182. He grew up leading a privileged life as the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. He is the patron saint of nature and animals.
Recently, we have been litter picking round our school .Last year, we gave money to red gate farm and we helped their charity to become bigger. We also made bird boxes and placed them in our school forest. Last year, we realised that our badgers have dug holes in our school field. Now, we have fed them dog food to stop them coming onto our field and digging it.
St Francis quote
Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher is the patron Saint of travellers. According to legend, he carried the baby Jesus(Christ)! He was also known as a giant. People sometimes carry small images of him on travels to help keep them safe. He was a martyr who was killed by emperor Decius. When we thought about Saint Christopher we thought about refugees all over the world who have had to leave their home country to make dangerous journeys. We asked the Red Cross to come and speak at our assembly then had a toy collection which we took to a refugee center in Leicester. We pray for all of those who have had to leave their homes and ask St Christopher to stay with them.
Saint Joan of Arc
Joan of arc is a saint. God chose her to lead the french army to victory. She dressed as a boy. Joan of arc was captured a year later and burnt at the stake.
Last year Joan of arc was raising money for dog’s trust. Dogs trust helps dogs if they have been treated badly at their old home. After they have helped the dog they will give it to good loving owner that will take good care of the dog.
‘’I am not afraid…I was born to do this’’
I was in my 13th year when I heard a voice from God to help me govern my conduct. And the first time I was very much afraid.’’
Saint Bernadette
Saint Bernadette as a young 14 year old girl had 18 visions of the Blessed Mary in a grotto on the outskirts of Lourdes in France. A few after her visions she became a nun and took the name Sister Marie Bernarde. Her feast day is April 16th.
As a house we have supported both the RSPCA and Rainbows. The reason for this is that Saint Bernadette is the patron Saint of illnesses and we wanted to help those who are sick, including animals. Saint Bernadette loved Mary and we remember that we pray to Mary during the month of November by saying the rosary.
My job is to inform, not to convince.
