Principal Message

Eternal rest grant unto Terry Kennedy, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon him.

May Terry rest in peace.

Amen.

Last week, our Kildare community grappled with the devastating news and sudden loss of our dear friend, colleague, Religious Education Coordinator and teacher, Terry Kennedy. Please keep Terry, his wife Jeanne and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Terry was an experienced and well respected educator, with a long career spent advocating for Catholic education and enriching the lives of the students in his care. His loss has been felt by many school communities who were blessed by knowing and working with Terry across the Canberra and Goulburn and Wagga Dioceses. In the Wagga Diocese alone, Terry worked at Trinity Senior High School, Mater Dei and Kildare.

On Friday Kildare staff and senior students wore their most unique tie to honour Terry, who often surprised us with his selection. You can see this in the photos below. On Friday afternoon, our staff held a service to pay tribute to Terry’s contribution to Catholic education. Terry had developed a strong connection and affiliation with the Presentation Sisters and the local Presentation Sisters joined us to pay their respects. Jane Plum from CEDWW was also in attendance and shared some touching memories and reflections about Terry’s contribution to the systemwide Catholic Life team. 

Colleagues from our Diocesan high schools shared their experiences of Terry. Terry was “a true gentleman and a great witness to God’s gentle love and kindness” (Ed Brown, Xavier High School). Millie Bright (Mater Dei Catholic College) recalled the effort Terry went to in preparing for school liturgies and Masses where the prayer space was always adorned with meaningful symbols. Janice Drew (St Francis de Sales, Leeton) mourned the loss of Terry’s “carefully considered and sincere contributions to prayer intentions... his ideas for enriching our students and staff on their faith journeys’. Sr Susan Miller (Presentation Sisters, Wagga) recalls with gratitude ‘his generosity, hospitality and wisdom’.

Terry Kennedy was a role model for staff and students at Kildare Catholic College. He truly lived the truth of the Gospels. Yesterday, on our first day with all students back onsite, we reflected as a whole school community on the kindness, generosity of spirit and compassion he shared with each of us.