From the Director of Identity and Mission

New beginnings

It has been wonderful to welcome both old and new students to the College over the past fortnight. St Mary’s has many rich traditions that help to connect our students with all those who have walked through our doors during our 158-year history. 

One such tradition, which we celebrated in the Senior School last Tuesday, was the ‘Blessing of the Bags’. Presided by Deacon Michael Smith, the students were encouraged to open both their school bags and their hearts to the blessings that God wishes to shower on them this year, while they were sprinkled with holy water.

Commissioning of Student Leaders

We have also recently celebrated the commissioning of our student leaders. In both the Junior School and Senior School Commissioning Liturgies, leaders were challenged to set a good example for their peers and be people of integrity as they carry out their roles of leadership this year. 

They all received their leadership badges, presented by our College Principal, Mr Damian Messer, as well as Father Bernard Perera (in the Junior Liturgy) and Archbishop Anthony Ireland (in the Senior Liturgy), which will be proudly worn throughout the year. 

These leaders have been tasked with the duty of sharing this year’s Presentation touchstone with the students they lead. This year’s focus is Simplicity, a value that encourages both staff and students to let go of what isn't important and concentrate on what truly matters. 

For us at St Mary's, our core mission is to share the love of Christ with everyone we meet, just as Nano Nagle did. This mission is particularly important this year as we celebrate 250 years of the Presentation Sisters, whose story began on 24 December 1775. 

As the physical presence of the Presentation Sisters gradually shifts within our College community, it becomes even more important that we carry their legacy forward into the future. Sister Majella Kelly pbvm challenged us late last year to honour the legacy of the Sisters in 2026 by committing to each perform 250 acts of kindness.  We hope that we can live up to her faith in us this year.

Lent: A time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving 

In addition to the many busy events occurring at the start of the year, we have also begun Lent. This time in the Church’s year is focused on getting back to basics. It is a time for having a clean-out and getting rid of attitudes and patterns of behaviour that prevent us from being as free as God made us to be. During Lent, we are also encouraged to ‘take up’ things which bring meaning to our lives, such as quality time with others, prayer and reflection, in addition to giving our time and resources to help those in need. 

During our Ash Wednesday Liturgies this week, students participated in the ancient tradition of receiving the ashes, drawn on their foreheads in the shape of a cross, and were challenged to fully engage in Lent this year through prayer, fasting and giving to others.  

Students were also reminded about the life-changing work of Caritas Australia – a Catholic organisation that works with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Through Caritas’ Lenten Program, Project Compassion, students can both participate in Lent and make a practical difference in the lives of people living in difficult circumstances in the world today.

To find out more about Caritas Australia’s Lenten Project Compassion appeal or to donate to their work, please visit this link: Project Compassion | Donate Now | Caritas Australia

St Mary's Cathedral Sacramental Program 

Each year, St Mary's Cathedral offers a Sacramental Program for students in Years 3 and above. The Junior School program is run in partnership with St Mary's College, with some sessions held during school hours and led by Mrs Margaret Rootes. The Senior School program is run entirely through the Cathedral parish, led by Father Stephen Smith. 

This year's program has recently begun, but if any families would still like to enrol their daughters, please contact Mrs Annie Jordan for Junior School students (ajordan@smc.tas.edu.au) or me for Senior School students (slawler@smc.tas.edu.au). 

We will pray for all the students participating in the Sacramental Program throughout this year.