This morning, Friday 1 June, College staff and students celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Angela Merici. The celebratory activities commenced in Pastoral Care with students gifting a ‘bracelet of joy’ to another student in their PC group, which included a ‘JOY’ charm, embracing our #YearofYouth #SpredingJoy theme for the year. Students remembered St Angela as an educator of women from all classes of society. They participated in a Kahoot competition and reflected on St Angela’s love and sensitivity in serving others and her deep understanding of God’s love for all which continues to influence Merici students as they follow her vision.
A special College community Mass was also held, celebrated by Fr Bernie Patterson. Nine Sisters representing five of the six founding Orders processed in with symbols of their Orders. We also welcomed Sr Imelda Suyai, visiting from Papua New Guinea. Sister Genny Ryan, our Ursuline Sister delivered an inspiring reflection on the Word, demonstrating how the College has lived out the ideals of St Angela Merici through its actions and the impact of the College on the wider community, particularly in this year of being ‘Year of Youth’. Two families, with three sisters at the College, of which the eldest is in Year 12, processed with the Gospel in a moving manner. Nine Sisters, representing five of our six founding Orders of the College brought forward the Gifts of the Church as a symbol of the unified approach the founding Orders had in seeing a need for Catholic girls’ education in Canberra. The students responded enthusiastically and reverently throughout the Mass, commenting afterwards that they were so proud to be part of the Merici tradition.
At the conclusion of Mass, the Christian Service Learning Program awards were presented to more than 70 students for 50 hours, 100 hours and 150 hours of completed Christian Service. Bronte Alexander of Year 12 Penola House was also presented with the St Angela Merici Award; the third recipient of this award since the program’s inception four years ago. To be considered for this award, a student must have achieved a combined total of 150 points across 2 categories – from the following 4 areas of the College; Sport, Co-curricular, Cultural and Academic, in addition to their Gold Angel Award of 150 hours of Christian Service. The recipient must also have attended all major Liturgical events and community days. We congratulate Bronte and all our award recipients on their achievements.
It was also a perfect opportunity for Fr Bernie to bless the St Angela Merici metal artwork which was presented to our community by Year 12 2017 students. The artwork now hangs in the refurbished Auditorium foyer and we wholeheartedly thank the Class of 2017 for this wonderful gift.
May we all continue to be inspired by the words and actions of St Angela Merici, to “challenge people to love life, have hope, be faithful and build futures more wondrous than you dare to dream”.
More photos in the Gallery.
