Mission
Founders’ Day Mass - 26 July 2022
On Tuesday, 26 July, we gathered to share in our Founders Day, Eucharistic Liturgy. We shared a special welcome with our Webber House Patron Sr Barbara Webber, joined by Sr Colleen Moloney, Sr Rosemary Terry, Sr Fran Walsh and Sr Audrey Pigram, representing the Presentation Sisters. We welcomed Fr Paddy to lead our liturgical celebration along with Fiona Piltz, representing the leaders of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga and thanked them for sharing in our special Mass.
After 2 long years of COVID-19 Interruptions, social distancing and restrictions, we were overjoyed to be gathered as a whole school community once again. We thanked our wider community for the ways in which they have supported us from a distance, holding us in their thoughts and prayers, term by term.
We acknowledged the work of parents, carers and grandparents who have supported our young people throughout these years marked by challenges we could not have anticipated. One thing we know for certain is that we have a newfound appreciation for connectedness and socialisation and simply being together is something we value highly value in 2022. Certainly something worth celebrating on Mater Dei Day!
The rich heritage and charisms of Edmund Rice and Nano Nagle continue to permeate our hearts and help sustain our College's mission and vision, as we strive for equality and social justice in our world, through education.
On Mater Dei Day, we remember the founders of these two spiritual families and unite together to celebrate their legacy and gifts through our Eucharistic theme, ‘lanterns of life’. Nano and Edmund’s light and hope continue to inspire and guide us on our life and faith journey. The symbol of the lantern, reflected in our theme is synonymous with both the Presentation Sisters and Christian Brother’s spirituality, and this theme was brought to life during our Eucharistic liturgy.
Venerable Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Sisters became an inspiration for Blessed Edmund Rice, the founder of the Christian Brothers. Sisters and Brothers of these two Religious Orders bravely journeyed to Wagga Wagga from their home in Ireland in the late 1800’s to continue their mission of bringing Catholic education to those who were underprivileged and isolated in all corners of the earth.
Because of their commitment to see the light and goodness in each child, we are the on-going recipients of the gifts of their charism. It is important for us to reflect on the values and attributes of these significant Christians, Edmund and Nano, as we consider our role to light the path with compassion, dignity and love as we animate their character in our own lives.
We continue to give thanks for the lives and examples of Edmund and Nano, and all those men and women who subsequently joined religious orders, ready to follow in their charism. We thank them today for their selfless example of dedication to vocation, which encourages us all. They are our lanterns of life and continue to inspire us to set our sights on guiding the path for the next generation, so they may bear light for each other.
Edmund and Nano’s spiritual mission is ours – ours to shape and turn into a dynamic, contemporary force. Such a force is very much needed in our complex and fragile world where both its people and its environment need the protection of a courageous, loving hand.
We pray, that like our Founders, we may become people with the strength of character to be a lantern of life for others. And so, we are called to action; to risk ourselves, and to be ready to care for the lost, the least and the last, in service and abiding love.
World day for Grandparents and the Elderly - in the spirit of St Joachim and St Anne.
Last year, Pope Francis decided to institute the Church-wide celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It is held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the Feast Days of Saints Joachim and Anne, Mary’s parents and the grandparents of Jesus. The theme for this year’s celebration is “In old age they will still bear fruit” taken from Psalm 92.
God of Family,
We thank You Lord, for the comfort of Your presence.
May God bless the mentors, parents and grandparents within our society with the wisdom, love and care we see reflected in the lives of Anne and Joachim.
May Christ bless our children with opportunities for meaningful relationships with significant elders as they navigate their future.
May the Holy Spirit bless our community with an awareness of the needs of elderly Australians so that they will experience comfort and fulfilment in their senior years.
May almighty God bless us all, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Vinnies Winter Warmth Appeal 2022
Please view this Video from Vinnies Youth Workers across Australia, introducing the 2022 Appeal!
Each Homegroup member is invited to make a donation to support the Winter Appeal. We will run the appeal over 3 weeks, culminating with a novelty House challenge next Friday 5 August (Week 3) where House representatives will dress up in a creative outfit made entirely from the donations given!
What sorts of things could you donate?
- Blankets
- Warm jumpers and coats
- Beanies and gloves
- Sleeping bags
- Tents / Swags
- Tracksuits / Winter clothing
- Socks
Students and families are encouraged to donate good quality items (without any rips/stains). Please bring them into the College Office, or pass them on to your Homegroup Teacher.
Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission