Helping Out Those Who Help Others

The Holy Cross Regional High School in Surrey is a Catholic school run by the Vancouver Archdiocese. With its thrust in religious and academic excellence, it is ranked as one of the top secondary schools in British Columbia. To ensure that its students receive a well-rounded education, it has included Service as one of its key learning areas. "Students are encouraged to participate in our many service projects not only to help others, but to make a positive change in the world and realize that they are capable of great things even at an early age (www.holycross.bc.ca)."

One such project that many Holy Cross senior students take part of is the Mission Trip to the Philippines where they work in ANCOP communities to help build homes for underprivileged families. "The amount needed to fund each student's plane fare, food, accommodations, house building, and orientation tours is quite substantial (www.holycross.bc.ca)." That is why the Holy Cross Mission Team came up with a Masquerade Gala Dinner Dance Fundraiser last Saturday, February 8 at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Delta.

A contingent of 33 students and 6 teachers will form part of the Mission Team that will help build houses in ANCOP communities in the Philippines. Father Patrick Tepoorten (IC Delta Pastor and the Archbishop's Representative at Holy Cross) will also join the Mission Team.

The event featured a buffet dinner, a silent auction, door prizes, live entertainment, and a cash bar.

The fundraiser was hosted by Laura Lynn Tyler Thompson, comedic speaker and co-host of a national daily show, The 700 Club Canada. It was graced by the presence of Peter Fassbender, Surrey-Fleetwood MLA and Minister of Education, who shows Thompson he still got "the moves."

A tap dance routine, one of several performances presented by students and alumni. 

The Mission Team in a photo op accompanied by Peter Fassbender.

"Mission trips have been a part of our school culture since 1990. It is a wonderful chance for the students to deepen their faith and put it into action. Our students come back truly transformed, due to their first-hand experience in reaching out to the unfortunate, regardless of culture and distance (www.holycross.bc.ca)."


Good luck to the Holy Cross Mission Team!



See more photos from the event:

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