St Bede’s Opening Mass

As the newest secondary school in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, the St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm Opening Mass was a great chance to celebrate the success of the College’s first year as well as laying out the direction for the College’s future.

The Mass was presided by Fr Paul O'Neill and Deacon John Lovell at The Immaculate Conception in Morpeth.  Students filled the church to capacity with their two cohorts of Year 7 and 8 which will most likely be the last year the College will be able to use the church as they continue to grow each year.

Celebrating Mass in the church building connects the College with the wider parish community. It is also a lovely opportunity for students who had never been to a church before to experience something new. The Year 8 students – the ‘leaders’ of the College – have built such a respectful culture of how they carry themselves at Masses and liturgies which allowed the new Year 7 students to look them as role models. 

One of the key messages of the Mass was having a strong sense of faith in journeys, living a life filled with Christ and thinking about the small things we can all do. This was reflected in the readings Gal 2:19-20 and the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20.

This key message is also reflected in the soon-to-be launched Learning and Wellbeing Framework. This framework brings together five essential elements for quality learning and wellbeing under the one umbrella, which is underpinned by the Australian Professional Standards for Teaching. Supportive learning and wellbeing at St Bede’s requires creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive and positive environment where all students feel part of the community.

The school culture is embedded with the Gospel values of love, truth, compassion and justice. This is made visible through mutually respectful relationships across the school community as seen by positive and respectful dialogue with staff, students, parents and other stakeholders.

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Fiona Duque Image
Fiona Duque

Fiona is the Pastoral Ministries Officer - Worship and Prayer.

Formerly, she was the Ministry Coordinator and Religious Studies Coordinator at St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm.