Director of Identity 

Fr Suresh

The 40th Day Memorial Mass for Fr Suresh’s father was celebrated in India on Tuesday June 14, followed by graveside prayers and blessings. There were 220 family members and friends who participated in the ceremony. 

Fr Suresh has personally thanked his Claremont Parish community for their prayers, love, kindness, and financial support in helping him to be able to lead this special occasion for his family. In the midst of this important time, he still managed to visit the Sacred Heart Shrine with his mother, where he gave thanks for all the God’s graces and prayed for all of us back home. After arriving safely back in nipaluna/Hobart on Sunday evening, we will have the opportunity to properly welcome him home when he joins us on Friday to celebrate our Mary Rice Mass.

Mary Rice Mass

Tomorrow, we begin our celebrations of Mary Rice Day with a special Mary Rice Mass when we gather together as Gospel People, called to live our lives in the example of Jesus Christ who taught us to Love our God with all our Hearts and to love one another as we ourselves are loved.

Afterwards we will play the final of our Kibera All Stars Soccer Tournament, share a special African lunch and then begin our Tujenge Walkathon, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at the Mary Rice Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The Mary Rice Centre is a central part of St Virgil’s College and continues to provide an authentic expression for our community of our mission as a Catholic School for boys in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice. This special relationship requires us to be who we say we are. When we try new things, like an African style lunch, when we challenge ourselves to do that extra final lap, when we put others’ needs before our own, we are acting in a way that makes our common identity real. It is a day to participate, have a go and to use our Words and Deeds to help make life that little bit better for others in any way we can.

An African Blessing

Walk tall, walk well, walk safe, walk free

And may harm, never come to thee.

Walk wise, walk good, walk proud, walk true

And may the sun smile on you.

Hamba Gahle! Hamba Gahle! Hamba Gahle!

Go well, my friends, and walk in the light of faith!

Walk prayer, walk hope, walk faith, walk light

And may peace always guide you right.

Walk joy, walk brave, walk love, walk strong

And may life always give you song.

Hamba Gahle! Hamba Gahle! Hamba Gahle!

Go well, my friends, and walk in the light of faith!

Walk in God, walk with God, walk for God

And may you dance in the hearts of all you meet.

Hamba Gahle! Hamba Gahle! Hamba Gahle!

Go well, my friends, and walk in the light of faith!