Mission Report

by Director of Mission, Mr Geoff Brodie

St Patrick’s Day is always an important moment in our school year. However, one may argue that the 2021 moment overflowed with some extra meaning and value.

Firstly, it was the first time the College community gathered for a whole school Mass for over a year. Our current Year 8 students would not have experienced such a moment before. The way in which the students accepted the invitation to reverently cooperate and participate in the liturgical moment was an experience of great unity. Given that the last year had not allowed us to be present to each other in this way, St Patrick’s Day 2021 is significant in our history – a moment where our students took responsibility to remember our heritage and enrich the present with great hope in our future.

Secondly, our new Principal, Mr Steven O’Connor, was commissioned. In a ceremony lead by College Patron, Bishop Paul Bird, and before students, staff, families, the College Advisory Council and members of Edmund Rice Education Australia, Mr O’Connor declared his commitment to his mission as Principal. As Bishop Paul proclaimed in his homily, this is a mission to offer God’s peace to the world, knowing that God has already given us all the strength and gifts to fulfill this mission.

Thirdly, our Mass enriched our understanding of and commitment to our life as a Catholic school in a world that is facing many challenges. This life is founded on our commitment to participate in God’s solution to the challenges of life, revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Again, Bishop Paul offered a clear vision of this when reflecting on our reading from the Acts of the Apostles: “I have set you to be a light for the nations, so that you may bring salvation to the end so the earth.” (Acts 13:47) As we continue to abide in the solemn Season of Lent, we remember that we are moving to the superabundant joy of Easter, the moment that is the proof that love is stronger than all the suffering we may encounter.

A final note of thanks to all the priests who concelebrated Mass with Bishop Paul. These included College Chaplain Fr Eladio Lizada, and ex-students Frs. Dan Arundel, John Monaghan, Eugene McKinnon, and Marcello Colasante. Their presence was another great gift in this important moment.