By Sr Chau Ho OP and John Swindells, Chisholm College
Chisholm Catholic College staff and students have last Friday 6 September gathered to celebrate the feast day of College Patron Caroline Chisholm.
The College was also celebrating 35 years as a Catholic College, highlighting aspects its values and heritage.
The occasion began by welcoming Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, in addition to Dominican Sisters: Sr Margaret Scharf OP, Sr Edith and Sr Myrtle Anstey OP, to the whole-school Chisholm Day Eucharistic Celebration, where Bishop Don was presented with a special gift.
It had been two years since then CEWA Executive Director Debra Sayce approached the College Principal and asked whether the Chisholm community had the capacity and skills to take on the challenge of designing and producing a new Bishop’s Staff – or Crozier – for Bishop Sproxton.
Not only was Bishop Sproxton celebrating his 70th Birthday that year, but his original Bishop’s Crozier, which he received as a gift when he first became a bishop, was in disrepair.
As a former student of the former St Mark’s College, Bishop Sproxton has close ties to Chisholm, and before long, the College had assembled a working party.
The team initially consisted of Mr Jason Auld and Mr John Swindells, who interviewed Bishop Sproxton to gather ideas about what sort of Crozier he would like and what symbolism the College might be able to incorporate.
A Bishop’s Crozier stems from the biblical symbolism of Christ as ‘the Good Shepherd’ and the model of leadership and stewardship with which Christ charged his disciples when he sent them out to share the Gospel.
This Crozier and ornate case consist of timber sourced from Bishop Don’s original Crozier, as well as timber salvaged from the original St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth after recent renovations.
The choice of copper in the Crozier reflects both Bishop Don’s humility and strength of faith.
Blue resin highlights stylised aspects of Bishop Don’s own crest and his family crest, including the five fusils taken from his family crest; a Scots Lymphad, representing his family’s migration by boat to Australia, and the Fleur de Lis, representing both Our Lady’s role as Patroness of the Perth Archdiocese and Bishop Don’s devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which was pivotal in his calling to the priesthood.
The College expressed their pride in the gift, the result of considerable planning, problem-solving, craftsmanship, fine joinery, attention to detail and good old-fashioned elbow grease.
Upon receiving the gift, Bishop Don led the Official Blessing of the Pontifical Insignia and publicly acknowledged and blessed the staff responsible for its production.
The gift was incredibly well received by Bishop Don, who expressed considerable emotion and humble gratitude in accepting his new carry case, stand and Crozier.
During his homily, after reflecting on the readings of the Mass and sharing his insight into the life of Caroline Chisholm, Bishop Don remarked on the gift, saying: “This is a moment of joy and a moment to reflect on what I have received in my own life through this school and then, of course, through this College.”
The College expressed their gratefulness for the presence of Bishop Don and the Dominican Sisters, who also celebrated their 125th anniversary of foundation in Australia this year.
“They have laid a foundation for who we are today – a College that provides quality education for young people so that, when their turn comes, they will contribute to society and be good people,” the College spokesperson said.
After the Mass, the College community went on to celebrate Chisholm Day, filled with colour, feasting and fun.
All funds raised through the various events, stalls, and donations will support the numerous charities our College contributes to each year, including LifeLink, Wheelchairs for Kids and Vinnies.
