Mission

College Opening Mass

On Tuesday, 4 February, our College Community celebrated our Opening Mass. This gathering celebrated the beginning of the academic school year at Mater Dei. The theme of our Mass was ‘Be the change’ , it was particularly significant as we acknowledged our new House, Boarding School and College Captains. 

We came together to ask God’s blessing on our school and our schoolwork, our students and teachers, our parents and friends, our sport, cultural and social activities, and everything we so richly value as part of our School community. 

 

Each new year is a cause for celebration. What lies before us is a wealth of opportunities, experiences and challenges. We look forward to creating new memories, welcoming new friends, and leaving our mark upon history here.

 

 

We begun our liturgy by hearing Jesus’ invitation into a living, loving family. These themes emerge in  the Gospel of John where Jesus is preparing to leave his disciples. Not only is he giving them instructions for how they are to conduct themselves when he is gone, he is giving them comfort and courage for living their lives, embracing his spirit. And so it is for us, Jesus gives us the encouragement we need to be his agents in the world, inspired to ‘be the change’ as Christians in this time.  

 

During our liturgy today, students were encouraged to take the opportunity to be in the presence of God, to be attuned to the challenge to ‘be the change’. Contemplating what this means for them; seeking the opportunity for new beginnings and considering their own faith life, friendships and relationships with family members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the entrance procession our new Year 7 students joined us, with the letters they had written to their Year 12, future self. These letters outline their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future here at Mater Dei. We know they will be a treasured keepsake in years to come. 

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Our celebration drew to a close with the blessing and commitment of our Student Leadership Team. Parents were called to the stage and asked to pin a badge on their son or daughter; signifying their commitment to leading our College, throughout 2020.

Webber House Captains
Kennedy House Captains
Rosarie House Captains
Sherrin House Captains
Carroll House Captains
Webber House Captains
Kennedy House Captains
Rosarie House Captains
Sherrin House Captains
Carroll House Captains

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Our Captains then presented Candles to each of the Homegroup representatives, who joined the closing procession.

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It was a beautiful celebration to mark the beginning of this School year and we were most grateful for the presence of Fr John, Fr Plunkett, our invited guests, along with the Parents of our new Student Leadership Team.       

 

Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission