HCC participates in famine

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Adelle Ellis
Times Reporter

The seventh annual Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) 25-hour famine saw around 90 students willingly fasting for 25 hours on March 31 and April 1.
The famine raised money for Chalice, a Canadian Catholic charity that sponsors children and does community projects in other countries.
The event ties into the school and the Christian tradition of Lent.
“Part of the Christian tradition (during Lent) is you try to pray more, fast and give whatever money you save by fasting to those in need,” said HCC teacher Tomas Rochford, who has overseen the event since its origin. “So, we try to fit all three things into this one event to very concretely do prayer, fasting and giving to charity.”
The 25 hours of fasting started on Friday morning, March 31, at 9 a.m. After several hours of attending regular classes, by 2 p.m. students were participating in numerous activities, reflection periods and prayer. They participated in sports activities in the gymnasium, watched videos, played cards and board games, and created art.
During the 25 hours, students did consume water and clear juices to keep their energy up.
“There were a lot of different things that the students could do. Then Saturday morning they had to clean the school and at the same time they were smelling the wonderful feast being cooked by the parents,” said Rochford. “They learn sacrifice and waiting for good things.”
Over the past three years, the school has pledged $15,000 to Chalice to help build a school in Cameroon. The goal this year was to raise the remaining $1,800 needed to build the school – but over $2,000 was raised from donations this year.
Another $2,000 was raised by students through their Loonies for Lent campaign, in which students were asked to donate whatever change they can give during the season of Lent.
“They’ve always been very generous,” said Rochford. “With these two events put together, we have been able to collect at least $4,000 to donate. We’ve already made our mark.”
The money will be used to supply the remaining funds needed for the school in Cameroon, and to give at least $1,000 to the local shelter.