Planting Commemorative Trees

As the Society continues to celebrate 180 years since the foundation of the England and Wales province, our schools have been delighted to celebrate this milestone with the planting of commemorative trees, gifted by the Provincial Team. Three of our schools planted their trees in the last weeks of September, and we are looking forward to three further plantings in the Spring.

On the morning of Friday 22^ndSeptember, the children and staff of Sacred Heart Primary school, Fenham gathered with RSCJs from the local area for the planting of a hawthorn tree. Its location means that it will be seen by every child on their walk into school each morning.

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In the afternoon, just next door, the same Sisters were joined by Goals Ambassadors from each year group at Sacred Heart High School and, together with a gathering of staff, another hawthorn tree was planted:

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The following Monday, in glorious sunshine, a group of local Sisters, students and staff gathered at Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith for the planting of a cherry tree:

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At each planting, Sr Cath Lloyd, Provincial was assisted by a student as a sign of these trees representing the present and the future of Sacred Heart education in our province. In addition to prayers, Scripture and a blessing, the Ella Wheeler Wilcox poem ‘Go plant a tree’ was read, from which this quotation comes:

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God, what a joy it is to plant a tree,
And from the sallow earth to watch it rise,
Lifting its emerald branches to the skies
In silent adoration; and to see
Its strength and glory waxing with each spring.
Yes, ’tis a goodly, and a gladsome thing
To plant a tree.

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