Friends of Holy Cross Carols by Candlelight

The sun shone a beam of light through the western window panes of the undercover area creating a magical luminescence of marigold and ochre over the stage area, giving an authentic rustic appearance to the Christmas backdrop. A cool south-westerly breeze tickled the senses as the recorded sounds of Christmas melodies were obscured by the throng of families arriving for a spirit filled night of song and theatre. The amazing number of families soon occupied every vantage point around the stage and up into the back stalls of the amphitheatre.

After great anticipation, the carol singing commenced with a number of adorable performances by our Junior School students, filling the doting parents with pride and joy. The traditional dance moves for one particular performance concluded with a more contemporary dab, to the cheers of the younger members of the audience. The full-bodied voices of the Parish Choir made everyone feel like singing along to a very popular carol. A Carols by Candlelight would not be complete without a dramatisation of the Nativity, which the Year Six students performed with aplomb.

As darkness drifted in, the children switched on their kids-safe candles and waved them about, as if to signal the coming of someone special.

Father Christmas made a jubilant entry, riding in on the College’s Utility Vehicle, the Gator, driven by his able hand and our resident elf, Mr Mike Azzopardi. Mr Azzopardi was quick to quip, “Rudolph the red nose reindeer was unable to make it, so he had to get the John Deere”! Santa was a big hit, with students flocking around him to receive a small Christmas token.

The night was hosted by Mr Marko Pasalich and Mr Chris Sorensen, who both did a sterling job. Their talents as MC’s would rival the likes of Abbot and Costello, Bob and Bing, or more contemporary duos of Ben and Owen!

An awesome evening concluded with the College Senior Band and a massed choir of students from across the College.

Many thanks to everyone involved in organising the night, the students, teachers and support staff and the many parents who assisted in some way. Special thank you to the organising committee of Mrs Susan Sorensen, Mrs Deb Bolton, Mr Adam Bolton, Mrs Julie Sokol and Mrs Nicky Halliday.

While the night was filled with joy and merriment we are ever mindful that the celebration of Christmas is really about the story of God becoming a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12)

As we enjoy the gift of giving and receiving this Christmas, we give thanks to God; “for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16)

Best wishes to all members of the Holy Cross College Community for a happy and Holy Christmas and New Year.

Peter Collins
Vice Principal