Assistant Principal – Religious Identity & Mission

Graduation Mass – Wednesday 23 October 

Wednesday’s Mass was a beautiful evening, marking a significant milestone – our first Graduation Mass in 30 Years for our Year 12 students. The Mass marks not only our students’ final academic weeks at the College but also the completion of their spiritual journey at St Virgil’s College. Our young men played a meaningful role in the Mass, participating in readings and processing with symbols that represent our values here at the College. Just as Jesus sent his disciples out to make a difference, so too, St Virgil’s College looks toward to our graduating class to go out into the world, making a positive difference with these values that have been instilled in them during their time at the College.  

Jon Franzin spoke about the important role of their formation whilst at St Virgil’s and the pivotal role that Gospel’s and the Edmund Rice Charism have helped shape them into the young man they are today.

Each student received a candle and a set of wooden rosary beads, blessed by Fr Suresh and we thank him for officiating at this special service. 

At the end of the Mass, our students gathered in the Cathedral foyer to conclude the service with a rousing rendition of the College war cry, before everyone moved up to the Junior School Hall for supper and photos.  

Valedictory Dinner Dance Practice 

On Tuesday night several of our Year 12 students and their mothers gathered in the Joyce Performance Centre to learn how to waltz, in preparation for the Valedictory Dinner in December. It was a beautiful evening, with lots of laughter (and maybe a few sore toes!) as the instructors from Long Steps Ballroom Dancing took us through the basic steps of the waltz. By the end of the evening, most were attempting some more advanced moves, with even a few spins thrown in! We hope our Year 12 families are looking forward to sharing this special moment at the Valedictory Dinner in December. 

All Hallows’ Eve – 31 October 

What does hallow mean? It simply means holy, as the Lord’s Prayer suggests (“hallowed by thy name”), so a “hallow” is a holy person – a saint. All Hallows’ Eve is the eve of All Saints Day – the day the church remembers all the men and women who have modelled holiness for us throughout the history of the church. All Saints’ Day is followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November, which is the day the church recognises all the departed faithful, saints or not. On All Souls’ Day, many churches hold services that specifically remember loved ones who have died in the previous year. On All Hallows’ Eve, we hold evening vigils in our churches to wait and watch for these two holy days.