Principal's Report
Dear Parents, Guardians, and friends of Nazareth
This week is a significant week within Catholic schools as we celebrate Catholic Education Week from 14 – 21 March 2021.
Usually, the traditional pilgrimage to St Patrick’s Cathedral takes place on St Patrick’s Day, and the Cathedral is filled with representatives from all schools throughout the Archdiocese. This year due to COVID, schools will celebrate the significance of the day within their own school.
On Wednesday 17 March 2021, we celebrated Mass, where our Mannix house leaders, together with all of Mannix house, led the celebration. It was a significant event for the Mannix house as Daniel Mannix was Archbishop of Melbourne for 50 years, from 1912 – 1962. He was an outstanding church leader who was able to connect with the people. He firmly believed in being prudent among the people of Melbourne. He would always walk from his residence to the Cathedral, conversing with all and being connected. He became a popular and dynamic leader and was a tireless fighter for the rights and funding of Catholic schools.
When Archbishop Mannix added the spires of St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Irish Government presented him with a Celtic Cross, which can be seen at the top of the spire.
This entire year is also devoted to celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education, Faith in the future.
This is a fantastic achievement. Over the past 200 years, many educators, leaders, students and their families have contributed to making Catholic Education as vibrant and outstanding as it stands today.
As one can imagine, millions of Australian students have been educated in Catholic schools since the early 1800s.
In 1820 the first Catholic school opened, and today we have 1,751 schools across Australia meeting the individual needs of their students, with the shared mission of an excellent faith-filled education.
There is a fantastic, comprehensive webpage devoted to the Bicentenary Celebration and history from the past 200 years. I encourage you to visit via the following link.
https://200years.catholic.edu.au/
Below you will find the National Prayer that has been devoted to 200 years of Catholic Education:
200 YEARS – FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA
Almighty and all-loving God, with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past, with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today, and with faith in their continuing contribution in the future, we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land.
As our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your providential care for your children in this land
in inspiring priests, religious and lay people to found and staff our schools in ages past. Through them the Good News of your Son was brought to the young even in colonial times – and ever since.
As Christ the Teacher, you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today. As they build on the achievements of their predecessors direct them in their present efforts to ensure that every young Australian has the opportunity for an excellent education and formation in faith.
As our Inspiring Spirit, you lead us into the future.
In the century ahead grant those teaching and learning in our schools, those planning and leading, and the families and community that entrust their young people to us, a love of learning and a willingness to be the face of Christ in the world of tomorrow.
Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in the ministry of Catholic education. Amen
Our Lady of the Southern Cross – pray for us.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Patron of Catholic Education in Australia – pray for us.
In the next edition, I will refer to the significance of the opening of Nazareth College 35 years ago in the South East of Melbourne and the part it has had in educating young people and families in the Catholic traditions.
God Bless
Mr Sam Cosentino
Principal