Page 35 - 2016 Yearbook

COLLEGE LIFE

Opening School Mass and Assembly

S tudents and staff officially welcomed the 2016 school year Fr Grant also spoke of the significance of ashes for the early
Jews as a sign of repentance, and as a sign of mourning for the
with Mass in a packed Gonzales Centre on Wednesday,
February 10. Staff and students from St Patrick’s Primary School Taungurung people, traditional owners of the land Assumption
joined the gathering too. is built upon.
The choir, conducted by Performing Arts Coordinator Celia Gall, He blessed student leaders’ badges which were presented to
was made up of students and staff and opened the liturgy with them by Br Doug Walsh, and Mr Paul Herrick from Marist Schools
a lively rendition of Gather Us In. Australia during the assembly that followed.
The Gospel reading was the parable of the Good Samaritan, There, Principal Kate Fogarty welcomed new members of the
appropriate for the college which adopted the theme for the Assumption community, introduced the staff senior leadership
year of “Mercy – This is the name of our God”, in keeping with team and prayed that the new student leaders “be lights
the Holy Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis. of Christ who lead with compassion.” She then invited their
Kilmore’s parish priest Father Grant O’Neill led the liturgy. St Patrick’s counterparts to join them in front of the altar.
Being Ash Wednesday he said that “we are broken people in Miss Fogarty challenged everyone to become more merciful and
need of forgiveness” and suggested that during Lent, Christians asked: “How does mercy play out in our lives?”
“stop and reflect and put values before the law”. She also spoke about the Pope, describing him as “an authentic
It was a reference to the High Court ruling on asylum man” who “walks the talk” and is “the heart of who we are as
seekers’ children which he criticised, saying it was “not very Christians”.
compassionate”, and “made the law an ass”. Terry Cooney – Director of Catholic Identity

The choir under the baton of Celia Gall. Student leaders of 2016.
31 Assumption College Kilmore 2016 Yearbook