About 5,000 Catholic school staff gathered in eight venues throughout the metropolitan area recently to prayerfully begin the new school year by celebrating the Eucharist together.
The Eucharist celebrations were held at St Mary’s Cathedral and at seven other metropolitan churches – St Luke’s in Woodvale, St Andrew’s in Clarkson, St Thomas More in Bateman, Sacred Heart in Thornlie, Our Lady of the Rosary in Woodlands, Good Shepherd Church in Kiara and St Jerome’s Church in Munster.
The gatherings were also an opportunity to welcome and commission about 700 staff newly employed by the Catholic Education Office of WA.
Principal celebrants – Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Bishop Donald Sproxton, Fr Peter Whitely, Fr Joseph Parkinson and Fr Greg Donovan – all in their different ways, thanked and affirmed staff for their dedication to their students and their contribution to the mission of the Church.
Staff were also encouraged by having more than 45 concelebrating priests from their school/parish communities sharing this joyous occasion with them.
The south-west region of schools gathered at St Jerome’s in Munster on February 13, where Seton College staff provided the music. Those present gathered for refreshments after Mass.