On Tuesday 16 July 2024, St James' Catholic High School, joined by Bishop John Sherrington, celebrated a whole school Mass to mark both the Feast of St James and this special 90th anniversary of the school.
Special guests also included past headteachers and teachers, school governors, representatives from the local authority, Dominican sisters, priests from the area, and vocations of the school. Local dignitaries were also invited.
The school was founded by the Dominican sisters and their motto Veritas (meaning truth) still inspires the school's values today. Despite the many changes and challenges over the years, the school's foundation of faith has remained steadfast. This Mass gave staff and pupils the opportunity to give thanks to God for the blessings of the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future with hope and joy.
Bishop John Sherrington commented:
'I was delighted that many sisters from Bushey, Edgware and Cricklewood were able to join the school for the celebration of the 90th anniversary of St James Catholic High School. The passion of the Dominican Sisters for education has left an important legacy in the diocese. The celebration was way of honouring their commitment to religious life and their search for 'Veritas' the school motto. One sister spoke movingly of the long coach journey to Rome for the 50th anniversary in 1984.'
Bishop John developed the theme of St. James the pilgrim and servant in his homily. He spoke of heading out on the 'Camino' to Santiago Compostela, being lost in the mist on the first day and how hearing the voices of other pilgrims gave him hope. He spoke to the students about their search for the truth 'Veritas' and how Christ comes to meet them.
St. James searched for the Messiah and became one of the closest friends of Jesus. He then described the passion of young people to assist the sick pilgrims in Lourdes and how they become servants of others, just like in the gospel of the day. For St James, it was not to be the top seat desired by his mother but the life of a servant who gave his life for Christ and was martyred under the reign of King Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem (44 AD).
Photo credit: St James' Catholic High School
