Mission & Catholic Identity News
Stepping up and stepping out
On Tuesday (Clyde North Campus) and Wednesday (Cranbourne Campus) we have celebrated our Graduation Masses in St Agatha’s church. The Latin root grad means ‘step’. Our Year 12’s have taken many ‘steps’ during their time at St. Peter’s College. From their first steps onto the site to their final step while being an enrolled student, when they stepped into the ‘belling out’ ritual at their final assembly. Even after the ‘belling out’, each graduating Year Twelve student will always be a St. Peter’s College student, albeit becoming a member of our alumni. Each time they step onto St. Peter’s College land, they will be welcomed. This is a privilege and comfort that many past scholars enjoy, with the College approaching its 25th anniversary in 2019.
What is the hope for a graduating student from St. Peter’s College, after their many years of study at the College? I have hope and a faith that our touchstones of the Petrine charism: have been instilled and are part of their character. That these touchstones are setting the table for our students to accomplish something great, in whatever way that is. That the College has developed young people who are hospitable. That we developed young people who are compassionate and unselfish. That they do not just think only of themselves and at the cost of hurting others or neglecting others. That they have a joy in serving others allowing them to experience gratitude, appreciation and a sense of community. That they ‘be not afraid’.
Therefore, the celebration of a graduation has several dimensions.
For Catholics and other Christians and persons of other faiths, graduation has a religious dimension. This calls for religious celebrations to accompany the academic and social aspects. A Graduation Mass is a time for students to give thanks for the presence of God throughout their years at St. Peter’s College.
It is a time as well to ask for God’s blessing and presence in their lives to come. It is a time to commit themselves to living the Christian life more seriously and intentionally in the days and years that lie ahead.
The graduation of students from a Catholic secondary school such as St. Peter’s College, is also an important event for the local Church community to which they belong. It is an occasion to acknowledge the rich heritage of faith in and by which the graduates have been nourished during their formative years in their Catholic school. And as such we celebrated this Mass in St Agatha’s Church, one of our Parish churches.
It was an occasion to celebrate the variety of gifts that manifest in our young people and to give thanks to God who is the giver of all good things.
We thank all students and staff who played a role in the Graduation Masses and a special thanks to Fr Denis and Fr Joseph who celebrated over our Masses.
Upcoming Events:
Year 12 (2019 cohort) Retreats – November 21-23.
Solomon Island Immersion program – November 21-29.
Matt Williams
Deputy Principal - Mission & Catholic Identity