Our community celebrated Advent on Thursday 6 December with a very special Mass. We were very honoured to welcome our Celebrant, Fr Bernie Patterson from St Brigid and St Patrick parishes in Braddon and Dickson, and Sr Genny Ryan, one of our Ursuline Sisters whose Order is instrumental to the foundation of Merici and who continue to inspire us today.
Our College theme this year was the Year of Youth with the inner theme of JOY. Individually and as a community we are committed to spreading joy to others through action.The rose was our College symbol of joy for the year as it represents the St Angela Merici Rose which was gifted to Merici College at the start of 2018. As these roses grow, we are reminded that we must nurture, care and support each other, so that just like a rose, we too, can flourish and grow. Every student was invited to make a tile which represented joy in their personal life which formed a large mosaic which will remain as an art installation in the Gym. This large artwork is a symbol of our efforts to spread joy to others in our world today.
It is tradition at our St Angela Merici Day Mass each year, the Year 12 Farewell Assembly and Year 7-10 Advent Mass to acknowledge the students who have contributed to our community through the Christian Service Learning Program. The program aims to provide students with an increased awareness of justice in the world and encourage them to actively seek to transform it; an opportunity to put faith into action in the local and global community. Awards were presented to students who have completed 50 hours of service (Blue Angel Award), 100 hours (Red Angel Award) and 150 hours (Gold Angel Award). We congratulate the following students:
Blue Angel Award: Lucy Aboud (Yr 9), Tepi Bell (Yr 10), Haley Bissett (Yr 7), Catherine Cunningham (Yr 10), Taylah Ellems (Yr 10), Elena Kalogianis (Yr 10), Shiara-Rose Langler (Yr 10), Meg Peters (Yr 10), Ava Revet (Yr 8), Isabel Thomas (Yr 10), Jacinta Wright (Yr 10), Emily Andres (Yr 10), Kiera Stanford (Yr 10)
Red Angel Award: Emily Andres (Yr 10), Alyssia Borgia (Yr 8), Kiera Stanford (Yr 10)
Gold Angel Award: Keira Stanford (Yr 10)
At the conclusion of the Mass, Dakota Brown (Yr 8) recited a farewell poem that she wrote for the school communit (below). Dakota and her family have been posted with the Australian Defence Force to Newcastle. Dakota also presented a candle to the College for use at future Masses and liturgies. We wish Dakota and her family all the very best in their future and look forward to staying in touch.
Merici Poem by Dakota Brown
I shed many tears today
As I reflect on what Merici means to me.
Of all the lessons, I’ve learnt
To all of you I see,
I am forever grateful,
For the guidance, wisdom and values
That you have installed in me.
My time at Merici is filled with moments that are now memories.
Special times that I cherish and hold so dear.
My beloved school, a special gift I give to you.
When you light, this candle,
Know that I am here,
Always with you my Merici sisters.
I’ll always be a Merici girl.
As I hold my head up high.
Forever in my heart.
Forever Merici Pride.
Image gallery: http://merici.college/go/advent-mass-2018
