Today’s Eucharist celebrates the start of 2025 for Merici College. It has also offered an opportunity for each of us to connect with our God in the Mass, to celebrate our tradition and our community.This morning, in our year of Joy, we have been privileged to glimpse the great values of humanity, the transcendentals: truth, goodness and beauty, and so experience that elusive birthright we all have as beloved children of God, lasting joy.
This year, our focus revolves around the 2025 College theme: “JOY,” a powerful word that encapsulates the essence of strength. As we embark on this journey through 2025, we draw inspiration from the biblical quote, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), grounding ourselves in the enduring joy that empowers us to persevere and thrive in all that we do. As a Merici Community, we celebrate the transformative power of joy, recognizing it as a guiding light that uplifts our spirits and unites us in our shared vision.
As we gather here to celebrate our Merici College Opening School Mass, we draw inspiration from this year’s theme, “JOY,” symbolised by the beautiful image of the rose. St. Angela Merici, a dreamer and Pilgrim Traveller, planted a garden of joy through her life’s work, nurturing hope, love, and faith in the hearts of those she served. Her legacy invites us to embrace joy as a source of strength and unity in our community.
Today’s Gospel reading from Mark (9:38-40) reminds us of the inclusive and boundless nature of Jesus’ mission. When the disciples question someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, His response is clear: “Whoever is not against us is for us.” This teaching challenges us to approach life with joy and openness, recognising the goodness in others and celebrating the diversity of ways through which God’s love and work are revealed.
This year, we focus on cultivating joy as a source of transformation and renewal. Just as Angela Merici planted a garden of joy through her faith and service, we are called to nurture joy in our own lives and the lives of others. Let us embrace joy as a strength that unites and empowers us to spread kindness, build relationships, and create a better world.
Our community were privileged to welcome Fr. Rob Galea to the Mass. Fr Rob is a well-known musician, speaker, and evangelist who has shared his faith and music worldwide, using his gifts to connect with young people and inspire them in their faith journey. He has performed at World Youth Day events and worked extensively in youth ministry.He continued his visit to the College in the afternoon, working with our Year 9 and 10 students, as well as several senior classes, offering them a unique opportunity to engage with his message and experiences.
A very special and heartfelt thank you to Fr Rob Galea, together with Fr Renoir Oliver and Fr Emil Milat, for concelebrating our Opening School Mass. We extend our thanks to Pam Betts, Acting Director of Catholic Education and Mary-Jane Carroll-Fajarda Performance Improvement Leader from Catholic Education for joining us. Always present and supportive, we thank Sr Karen, Sr Genny, Sr Frances, Sr Angela and Sr Rita, representatives of our founding Religious Order for their attendance. Special thanks to staff and students from St John Paul, Daramalan, St Clare’s, St Edmund’s, St Mary MacKillop, St Francis Xavier and Marist Colleges.
