ST MARY’S COLLEGE CLOSING MASS 2008. 18/11/2008
What an amazing year this has been. It has been a superb year for Saint Mary’s College, congratulations to students, staff, and families of Saint Mary’s for making this such a grace-filled year.
This year has been extra-special because we have remembered the fact that 150 years ago, generous catholics planned and built a church school in these church grounds, thus ensuring countless generations would be given a strong foundation in life and faith, through Christian education in the catholic tradition…..
Our year twelves who are completing their secondary schooling this week, are not only the class of 2008, but you have the honour of being the class of the 150th anniversary. And given that our catholic and Anglican archdioceses are only turning 150 years old next year…. that gives some indication of the foresight, vision and passion that has always marked this community….. and we give thanks to God for these gifts….
Tonight’s mass is about giving thanks to God for so many gifts and graces received….. and asking God’s fullest blessing and guidance on all members of the Saint Mary’s community, as our school year swiftly draws to a close…..
Thank you Lord, for your families and friends… who nurtured, challenged and encouraged you throughout your schooling and who will continue to support and love you as you enter this next exciting phase of your life….
Thank you Lord for your teachers and staff…… whose skill, wisdom and commitment showed itself not only in the content of the classes but in the ways they acted… and related to you…..
Thank you Lord for the wider parish community, and the civic community… that has always taken great pride and interest in you and always kept you in their prayers and thoughts….
As our readings tonight tell us,…… each one of you, has been gifted with special and unique gifts and qualities…. each one of these gifts are for the building up of God’s people and for building up the Kingdom of God in the places you live, work and socialise…….. may
And this beautiful gospel tonight….. Jesus told this parable as a challenge and an invitation… and its perfect for our celebration tonight….
each of you here tonight…. have most certainly been given some very special seeds… Your education… has planted deep within your heart and mind…. foundations of a good solid, holistic education….. // and also the seed of the gospel // the seed of faith//…… the seed of the
But the other really vital message from tonight’s gospel is this…….. its not just the seed that matters…. it’s the environment …. and the nurturing…… your education has already begun to bear wonderful fruit because of the really wonderful environment that we give thanks for in Saint Mary’s college…. not only the physical facilities… but the gift that the staff, students and familes are … and the palpable school spirit and values of care that we find here…….. it is so important, as you move into your next phase of life… that you ensure that you continue to nuture your faith, your education, and your values in surroundings and environments that actually forster, encourage and are compatible with these values…….
and also…… a seed not watered and cared for is a seed that stays dormant…… we pray that you will continue to nurture and nourish the faith, the education and the gospel values you have received… by ongoing study, by constant prayer…. by remaining connected to the faith community….. there is no such thing as a solo Christian….. so that you may produce rich fruits in your life….. a hundred fold., sixtyfold… thirtyfold…….
Finally, I would like to say, a special thankyou to our Principal Mrs Joy Massingham. I have been absolutely delighted and grateful for Joy’s vision, leadership, graciousness and friendship. Thank you Joy for your presence in this school and I know that next year and the coming years will go from strength to strength as you continue to gift us with your leadership and vision….. I am extremely grateful to Mrs Massingham for her constant support and encouragement…….
Also, I would like to say a heartfelt thank-you and every best wish to Mr Adair for his years of dedication and love for this community…. may God continue to bless you and may your memories of St Mary’s fill you with peace and happiness….
God bless you all
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