News

On Monday 24 May, School Captains Sarah McKinnon and Austin Rossi joined our Religious Education Coordinator, Chloe Shanahan, Father Dean and I at the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan DD for the Bicentenary of Catholic Education in Australia. The Mass was held at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Wakefield Street, Adelaide.

Father Dean also concelebrated this significant Mass of thanksgiving on the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians with Archbishop O’Regan. The feast day of Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844, when the infant Church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. In those early and mostly priestless days, it was largely the Rosary that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary, and was the first nation to choose her, under the title of Help of Christians, as Principal Patron.

Two hundred years ago, Father John Therry answered the call to educate the youth of Parramatta, and from that small beginning of 31 students began the ministry of Catholic education which spans 1,755 schools, 100,000 staff and 777,000 students. Over 200, years Catholic preschools, schools and universities have transformed Australia through the millions of lives influenced.

On this anniversary, which was poignantly celebrated on the solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians, we remember all who have been part of this heritage, including Father Therry and Australia’s first saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We recall on this anniversary, all that has been the story of Catholic education in Australia; the successes and disappointments; joys and sufferings; as well as the faith and community that has enabled Catholic Education to make such a significant contribution to the fabric of life in Australia.

In doing so, we also recognise the clergy, religious leaders, lay men and women, parents and parishes who have contributed so much to nurturing young lives. Particularly at Tenison Woods College we give thanks for the Sisters of Mercy, the Marist Brothers, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Father Julian Tenison Woods, all who provide the pillars of our College community which are known to us today through our College Houses: McAuley; Champagnat; MacKillop; and Woods.

On Monday, Sarah and Austin represented the College student community with distinction and were delighted to share some time with the Director of Catholic Education, Dr Neil McGoran, and Archbishop of the Diocese of Adelaide, Doctor of Divinity Patrick O’Regan.

David Mezinec | Principal