House System
The Sacred Heart House System
Every pupil is allocated to a Saint when they are enrolled at Sacred Heart.
There are four Saint’s: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St John Bosco, St Mary Magdalene and St Thomas Becket. These Saint’s have an associated house colour and pupils from Year 7 to 11 wear a tie and have a PE top and bag in their house colours.
House events take place on a Thursday afternoon, both inside and outside - weather and event depending. Events may be within or across year groups and the focus could be anything from sporting activities to art competitions. To sign up for a house event, it is advisable that every participant sees the house leaders or reps.
House Leaders
House Co-ordinator - Mr R Price
Thomas Becket - Mr J Norena
Francesca Cabrini - Mr E Wonga
John Bosco - Ms E Louka
Mary Magdalene - Ms D Oluyemo
House History and Prayer
Cabrini - Feast Day 13th November
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850. In 1880, near Lodi, Italy, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which did charity work for the poor. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII sent her to the United States, where she offered assistance to Italian-American immigrants. She died on December 22, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, and was declared a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1946.
Almighty and eternal Father,
Giver of all Gifts,
show us Thy mercy,
and grant, we beseech Thee,
through the merits of Thy faithful servant,
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini,
that all who invoke her intercession
may obtain what they desire
according to the good pleasure of Thy Holy Will.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
beloved spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
intercede for us
that the favour we now ask may be granted.
Amen.
Bosco - Feast Day 31st January
John Bosco, popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest of the Latin Church, educator and writer of the 19th century. He dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventive System.
Throughout his life, Bosco established a network of organizations and centres to carry on his work. Following his beatification in 1929, he was canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius XI in 1934.
St. John Bosco
Friend of the young,
Teacher in the ways of God,
Your dedication to empowering the needy inspires us still.
Help me to work for a better world,
where the young are given the chance to flourish,
where the poor’s dream for justice can come true,
and where God’s compassion is shown to be real.
Amen.
Magdalene - Feast Day 13th July
Mary of Magdala is described, in the New Testament, as one of the most important women in the movement of Jesus throughout his ministry.
She has been thought to be misidentified as a repentant prostitute in historical tradition, and depicted in art as a weeping sinner wiping Jesus' feet with her hair. Some New Testament scholarship has shown that this picture of Mary Magdalene is not true.
According to Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9, Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons," a concept usually associated in the New Testament with healing from illness, not forgiveness of sin. Mary Magdalene is the leader of a group of women disciples who are present at the cross, when the male disciples (excepting John the Beloved) have fled, and at his burial. Mary was a devoted follower of Jesus, entering into the close circle of those taught by Jesus during his Galilean ministry. She became prominent during the last days, accompanying Jesus during his travels and following him to the end. She witnessed his Crucifixion and burial.
Saint Mary Magdalene,
woman of many sins, who by conversion
became the beloved of Jesus,
thank you for your witness
that Jesus forgives
through the miracle of love.
You, who already possess eternal happiness
in his glorious presence,
please intercede for us, so that someday
we may share in the same everlasting joy.
St Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
Amen
Becket - Feast Day 29th December
Thomas Becket was born around 1120 and was the son of a London merchant. He was educated to a good standard and after his studies became an agent to Theobald, who was the archbishop of Canterbury. Theobald sent Becket on many missions to Rome. Henry II made Thomas Becket his chancellor and their friendship grew. When archbishop Theobald passed away in 1161, Becket was made the archbishop by Henry.
In later years, Becket began to protect the church in disagreements with Henry, and this put stress upon their friendship. Henry became displeased with Becket, and realising this Becket fled to France and remained in exile for a few years, until he returned in 1170. On the 29th December 1170, Becket was killed by four knights in Canterbury cathedral.
O God, for the sake of whose Church
the glorious Bishop Thomas fell by the sword of ungodly men:
grant, we beseech Thee,
that all who implore his aid,
may obtain the good fruit of his petition.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who livest and reignest with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.
