Deputy Principal - Identity and Religious Life of the College

At our Academic Assembly today, we marked Catholic Education Week by reflecting on the 90 years of ministry in Kedron of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.  

The story of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters in Australia began with the arrival of three Sisters on board the SS Sonoma on 2 January 1930.  They had left their teaching ministries in the United States at the invitation of Franciscan Father Fidelis Griffin, Parish Priest of Kedron.  The Sisters arrived in Brisbane on 16 January 1930.  Within ten days of their arrival, the Sisters opened St Anthony’s School with an enrolment of 100 children. 

In 1935, the Sisters purchased the Delamore homestead.  This became the 'motherhouse' of the Institute in Australia, serving as headquarters and Novitiate for many decades.  It was in a room of Delamore that Mount Alvernia College began on 1 February 1956, with an enrolment of ten students and three teaching Sisters.  Twelve months later, the first brick building in Cremorne Road was opened, with 29 students.  

Over their 90 years of pastoral and educational service in Australia and Papua New Guinea, the Sisters have worked in parishes, education offices, seminaries, and in a variety of Diocesan roles.  We give thanks for the legacy of the Sisters who, through their dedication and sacrifice, have granted each of us A Spirited Tomorrow. 

Spirit of Assisi Awards

A special part of our Catholic Education Week celebrations is the presentation of the Spirit of Assisi Awards.  These awards are presented to staff members or students of Mount Alvernia College who strive to lift up those in our community through their grace and action.  By their example they:

•           lift the spirits of those in our community;

•           follow in the footprints of Jesus, Francis, and Clare;

•           have the openness of heart to include others;

•           spread joy by manner, behaviour, and character;

•           care for the ‘little ones’ in our community;  and

•           are individuals who go above and beyond in an extraordinary and significant way.

Our award winners this year are:

Staff: Linda Asceric, Callum Burbery, Natalie Finney. and Donna Shepherd.

Students: Bridget Andrews, Annabelle Connellan and Jenna Leicht.

Congratulations to all our awardees.

Catholic Education Week Mass

A big shout out to Molly O'Brien, Angelina Guscott, Samantha Maguire, Katie Perkins, Louisa Shields, and Maggie Roche, for representing the College so admirably at the 5.00pm Mass at Little Flower Church Kedron on Saturday 24 July to mark the beginning of Catholic Education Week.  Due to the current restrictions, our numbers for the Mass this year was limited and we were not able to extend the invitation more widely.  We look forward to the opportunity to do so next year.

Variety Hair with Heart

The Mount Alvernia Big Chop in support of Variety’s Hair with Heart will take place during assembly on Thursday 13 August.  Four students have signed up to donate a length of their hair that will be used to make specialised wigs for those who have lost their hair due to a medical condition.  Our fundraising goal this year is $1000.  If you or your extended family and friends would like to support the students donating their hair for this worthy cause, please follow the link to our Hair with Heart fundraising page: Hair with Heart Fundraising.  Every little bit helps. 

Kedron Parish Youth Group

This is a reminder that Little Flower Church Kedron is restarting its Parish Youth Group for students in Years 5 to 8.  The first meeting will take place from 3.30 to 5.00pm this Sunday, 2 August.  You will need to register your child through the Parish Office to help them manage their COVID attendance limits.

Richard Rogusz