The last month has been extremely eventful within the Penola community, especially since we celebrated Feast Day in early August. The College celebrated its 30th anniversary as a school in a very memorable way this year. Rather than celebrating at Broadmeadows, as is tradition, we celebrated the Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne. The main celebrant was His Grace, Archbishop Peter Comensoli, who was assisted by Fr Mahir Murad, from Our Lady Guardian of the Plants Chaldean Community. For many of the 1500 students, this was their first time at the Cathedral. A beautiful liturgy was held, music was sung by the choir, a combination of staff and students and College principal, Ms Tracey Kift was the cantor. It was appropriate to celebrate our Australian Saint and her legacy through the lens of the Josephite school. Penola takes its name from the first stable house set up in Penola South Australia, where Mary and Fr Julian Tenison Woods set up the very first Josephite school. Penola Broadmeadows takes its name from the Josephites given the College is on the very grounds that the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart set up a Foundling Home back in 1901 under the direction of Archbishop Carr and Mother Mary MacKillop. Our day at the cathedral was an unforgettable experience, filled with praise and worship and followed up by festivities at Luna Park. The efforts taken by many people to allow this to happen are numerous and one that will remain embedded in the history of Penola Catholic College in the years to come. 251 words
Year 11 Christian Services Program
Our Year 11 students have been volunteering at a variety of agencies this term, enriching the lives of people within the community. The agencies that we are connected to have been extremely joyful for the contribution of the students. Some of the places include, RDA riding for the disabled, Broadmeadows Special School, Jacana School of Autism, St Vinnie’s Broadmeadows and Campbellfield, the Hope Café in Fawkner. The students have been amazing ambassadors of the College and a great representation of their families.
Rosary Visits Junior Campus
This term Marc Salazar and I have visited a number if classes at the junior campus to provide some history and teach the students how to pray the Rosary. The Wednesday lunchtime sessions have been constantly supported by key Religious Education teachers, in particular Miss Yako and Mrs Kos. The Rosary sessions at the senior campus continue to be attended by small numbers of students and staff as well as Fr Samuel Pearson. We continue to promote this very old prayer to Jesus’ mother Mary, as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop prayed and that is very much a part of the Catholic tradition.
Conclusion
We look forward to the new season of Spring as we prepare for the Season of Creation.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us
St Joseph, pray for us
And may we always remember, to pray for one another.
Mr Vince Iannuzzi
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission