Mission News

College Opening Mass
As a College we celebrated the commencement of our school year at our Opening Mass which was held on Tuesday 7 February. The theme was ‘New Beginnings’ and the readings were taken from the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul which was celebrated on January 25. During Saul of Tarsus’ early life, he himself confessed to being a great persecutor of the Church before his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul’s ‘conversion’ may be better understood as a transformation; a new beginning.
Our community was asked to reflect on the conversions that need to take place in their own lives, so that we, like Paul, can have a new beginning for the 2017 school year. Our Year 7 students proceeded in with letters to their Year 12 self, that held their hopes and goals for their time at Mater Dei. They were joined with our College and House Captains, Fr John, Archbishop Carroll and Fr Plunkett.
Commitment Ceremony
The presentation of badges and the commitment ceremony for our 2017 College Captains and House Captains followed. Fr John blessed the badges, which will remind those who wear them of their leadership and commitment to the College ideals and to the College motto of ‘Live God’s Message’. The badges were then presented to the students by Fr John and Mrs Thomas.
Mt Erin Boarding House Captain:
Grace Harpley
Carroll House Captains:
Rebecca Salmon & Mitchell Foster
Kennedy House Captains:
Vienna Randall & Euan Chandler
Rosarie House Captains:
Hannah Hurst & Billy Nicholson
Sherrin House Captains:
Josie Daniher & Daniel O’Reilly
Webber House Captains:
Jessica Vesperman & Mitchell Wadley
College Captains:
Olivia Shaw & Tom Hallam
The Student Leaders then committed themselves to service of our College community:
God, we stand before you filled with optimism and hope for the year that lies ahead. We ask for humility and generosity, guidance and wisdom in undertaking our role as Student Leaders, as we seek to build and maintain understanding and harmony in our College.
Candle Ceremony
Homegroup candles were presented to Homegroup representatives as a symbol of Christ’s presence in our College community. As Paul experienced the brightness of Christ’s light changing his life, our candles will be the sign of the difference, the light of Christ can make in our lives. These candles will be used in Homegroup during prayer, to remind us of the light of Christ.
Year 12 Retreat
Our students and staff are currently at Warrambui for their Year 12 Retreat. We keep them in our thoughts and prayer.
Dear Lord,
Please bless the journey of Year 12 students and staff
on retreat at Warrambui,
May retreat profit the health of their head, heart and hands;
Guard, guide and preserve them;
Returning them all safe and sound.
Amen
Mrs Rebecca Gill
Assistant to the Principal - Mission