St Dom’s celebrate 100th birthday with Mass
The mass, held in celebration of the school's 100th birthday, was well attended.
St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls celebrated its centenary with a special mass on August 4.
The mass was led by Archbishop Emeritus William Slattery. He was assisted by Father Graham, Father Sandile, Father Thomas, Father Michael and Deacon Greg.
Sr Stephany Thiel read from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2: 1-10).
Neville Smith, a music teacher at St Dominic’s, led the congregation in singing Psalm 96. Deacon Greg read from Luke’s Gospel (Luke 9: 57-62). Thereafter His Grace, Archbishop Slattery, delivered a homily that reflected on the history and achievements of the school over the last one hundred years.
Starting with Mother Rose Niland’s vision and determination to build a Catholic school in Boksburg, Slattery highlighted how the school was built for the education of girls but also to develop them fully as sportswomen and culturally as well.
Many guests attended the mass. These included several Dominican Sisters.
Other guests included Christian Brothers, representatives from the Catholic School’s office, Catholic Institute of Education, heads and staff members of other Catholic schools, past and present members of the board of governors, retired teachers, parents of pupils, and a good number of past pupils. One of the past pupils, Rosa Calaca (head girl 1969), welcomed all.
In addition to being a past pupil, Calaca was a teacher and head of the school.
The current pupils were also present. All of them contributed to the décor put up in the Jubilee Centre. During the organising, it was decided to incorporate as many current pupils as possible to participate in the mass. They sang beautifully, led by both school choirs.
Some teachers and past pupils also joined the choir. Pauline Penny prepared the music items and invited guest musicians to join in the celebration. During the Mass, the marimbas were played to enhance the musical element.
Grade Six and Seven pupils led the procession of the decades. They carried the banners made by Grade 10s, one for each decade that the school has existed.
Included in the procession were the names of only a few of the people who attended the school. Behind the 1950s banner, Maurice Daneman joined the procession. He attended St Dominic’s from Grade One to Standard One, after which he attended school at CBC. This was the case for many years until CBC started to admit boys in Grade One during the 1970s.
Efricine Veliotes joined the procession behind the 1960s banner. More past pupils joined the procession in the later decades, some being current teachers at St Dominic’s.
Members of the choir, in a procession, sang the gospel up to the altar. Prayers of intercession, prepared by the current pupils, were offered up by candidates for confirmation. The pupils preparing to receive their first holy communion delivered the gifts for the offertory to the altar. Even the youngest of the pupils contributed.
The pre-school, up to Grade Two, sang beautifully. After singing, Slattery gave them a special blessing.
After Mass, people gathered for refreshments and many happy reunions and much reminiscing took place. The VIPs, invited guests and current staff enjoyed lunch together.
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