"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Address

The Feast of the Sacred Heart, celebrated tomorrow, 19 June this year, is a very significant day in the life of our College and in Sacred Heart Parish Kooringal where Mater Dei Catholic College is located.

 

The Sacred Heart is a reminder of God’s unconditional love for us all and the importance of sharing that love, care and hope with those we meet in our everyday encounters. It is about giving our time to the anxious and the lonely, about putting people before things and using our gifts and resources for the common good. 

 

The Sacred Heart is also a reminder of the importance and value of faithful service to God. It held a special place in the faith life of Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters, which is an important link with the College’s foundation. The Sacred Heart is a call to put aside our own prejudices and preference and to work with all people selflessly to make a real difference in our own and the global community.

 

It is very fitting that this special day has been chosen for the funeral of our beloved Fr Wilf Plunkett, whose life and service epitomises all that the Sacred Heart represents. Fr Plunkett will live on in our hearts and memories as we recall the many events and occasions that he shared at Mater Dei. 

 

 

Our beautiful Plunkett’s Cross, which is a focal point in the gathering space adjacent to the Marian Centre, provides a perfect backdrop for us all as we go about our daily lives, to give thanks for Fr Plunkett and the extraordinary gift that he has been to our College community and our Parish. We have lost a great treasure and friend and our hearts are broken. God bless you Fr Plunkett, rest well good and faithful servant of the Lord.

 

In these COVID-19 times when attendance at funerals is limited, the College will be represented by students and staff who will form a guard of honour with the Parish Primary Schools tomorrow. 

 

At this special anniversary of the Sacred Heart, we take time to acknowledge and give thanks for Fr John, the Clergy, Religious and Laity who have devotedly served the Church over many years and those who continue in this important work today. This spirit is captured in the Sacred Heart Parish Prayer:

 

We come together as Kooringal Parish under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

We pray together with love and trust in the Sacred Heart.

May we listen to and understand Jesus voice.

May the Holy Spirit give us strength and courage so that we can be as loving and outgoing as His heart.

We pray this and all our prayers through Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

VISIT BY THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CEDWW

The Interim Director will visit Mater Dei on Tuesday morning and we are looking forward to welcoming Ms Liz O’Carrigan to the College. Ms O’Carrigan will have the opportunity to tour the College and see learning in action before meeting the staff at recess.

 

2021 SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

  1. Parents/carers of students in Year 7 and Year 11 in 2021 are reminded that applications for the following scholarships and bursaries are now open and close on Wednesday 12 August:
  2. Academic Scholarship for two Year 7 students in 2021 at 50% reduction in fees. This will apply for 4 years.
  3. Music Scholarship for two students from Year 7 at 50% reduction in fees. This will apply for 4 years.
  4. Academic Scholarship for two Year 11 students in 2021 at 50% reduction in fees. This will apply for 2 years.
  5. Kerrie Matthews Scholarship for one Year 11 student at 50% reduction in fees. This will apply for the final two years of schooling.
  6. Pauline O’Brien Bursary for one student in Year 7 2021 based on the Bursary criteria.
  7. Mater Dei Catholic College Bursary for one current student in 2021 based on the Bursary criteria.
  8. Details of all scholarships and bursaries are available on the College website in the Scholarships and Bursaries sections of the Enrolment page.

THANK YOU

I would like to pay tribute to Taleah Pippin, who painstakingly created a beautiful mosaic below gifted it to the Pear Tree Café. 

 

Thank you Taleah for sharing your talent, which has really brightened the wall of the Café. I know that it will be appreciated by visitors to the Café for many years to come.

 

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Plunkett, for his family and the Priests of the Diocese at this sad time and in the spirit of the Sacred Heart may we go forth as people who actively work for justice and equality in our world.

 

As we acknowledge Refugee Week we call our leaders to justice, generosity and compassion. Help them create and implement strategies that are fair and just and treat refugees and asylum-seekers with dignity and care. May we all have hearts that are open to them and all who need our love and support. O God, our comforter, we ask you to comfort the broken-hearted and protect the vulnerable.

 

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal