Sydney
23 March 2003
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Helping the world’s kids to a new start
One in five kids living in poverty
ACU model for rest to follow: Beattie
Transsexual ‘marriage’
Refugees ‘destitute’
Curtain falls on Woomera
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Call for inquiry into needs of low-paid staff
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Conference celebrates the faith
Medicare principles ‘must be safeguarded’
Bougainville - after the war is over
Fast and feast in lent
Editorial: The poverty line
Letters: Tabernacle
Conversation: Dr Henry Pang, GP and aid volunteer - Dead people all around ‘changes your life’
Voice of Youth: ‘O’ - what a feeling! We’re Catholics
Plea from the bush: Come and see us
Waverley’s 100 years of ‘bright stars’
Young train as catechists
Lay ministry great, says jubilee priest
Waverley’s 100 years of ‘bright stars’
The altar at the centenary Mass at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney
By Damir Govorcin
“The Christian Brothers have always believed that those who instruct so many to live good lives will shine like stars forever,” says Bishop David Cremin.
“For the past 100 years, the brothers together with so many lay women and men have been bright, shining witnesses to the Good News of Jesus.
“You have, in turn taught whole galaxies of boys to be ‘star performers’ and to let their own lights shine.”
That’s how, in his homily, Bishop Cremin described the contribution the Christian Brothers have made to
Waverley College over the past 100 years.
Bishop Cremin, along with 30 ‘old boy’ bishops and priests, celebrated Mass at the Hordern Pavilion, Fox Studios, to begin the college’s centenary celebrations.
Around 4500 people attended, including present students and staff and old boys and their families, brothers and lay teachers who have served on the staff and many friends and representatives from other schools and areas of education.
Trumpeter Paul Goodchild, who is also an old boy of the school, led the music with his brass ensemble and the college’s orchestra and choirs.
The liturgical choir of the John Paul Singers, led by Br Colin Smith, provided the choral work.
“The very logistics of such an immense undertaking are quite daunting,” says Br Colin. “Fortunately, there were a great number of willing and able people to make it all happen.
“The chief executive officer of the celebration, Br Michael Dredge, deserves very high praise for bringing all the various strands of talent together in such an outstanding fashion.”
[Br Colin conducted the Vatican Choir for the beatification of the founder of the Christian Brothers - Edmund Rice.]
Fifty banners, representing aspects of college life and the work of the Christian Brothers in other schools and social justice ministries, formed a stunning procession.
Prayers of the faithful were offered in eight languages - including Italian, Greek, German, French and Arabic - reflecting the ethnic diversity of college life.
The patroness of Waverley College is Our Blessed Lady, so the sodality of Our Lady featured prominently during the centenary Mass.
Bishop Cremin said: “I constantly remind myself and others that in the complexity of life at this time, we all need a manager. I can think of no better ‘road manager’ than Mary.
“Put all your worries and problems - your whole life - in her hands.
“Pray that or simply say that to her constantly. She will guide you safely to her Son.
“Women and mothers have had a huge influence in the college’s life. That beautiful, feminine influence is paramount in having Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as the Mother Protector.”
When Waverley College began, the Christian Brothers had been operating schools for 101 years, the bishop said.
Bl Edmund Rice had opened the first school in Waterford, Ireland. The Waterford name is honoured in Waverley College’s junior school campus.
“I can only imagine the great generosity of parents, especially in the early years in scraping money together to pay school fees and to help with more and more building programs,” said Bishop Cremin.
“The brothers themselves had few luxuries in those days. They had big hearts and a rocklike faith in providence.
“I love the story of Br Treacy, the founding brother in Sydney at Balmain. He was given a warm welcome by the Church authorities, but no money.
“The resourceful brother took out and dusted his old fiddle and went around the country with an embarrassed companion busking in Irish pubs. They were generous when the hat went around.”
Bishop Cremin says he has a “very personal love for the Christian Brothers”.
His brother Pat, who died in Ireland in 1990, was a Christian Brother.
“Pat had some hopes that I might have followed him,” he said. “You should thank your luck that I didn’t. I would have been a hopeless teacher.”
Bishop Cremin praised the efforts of past and present brothers, teachers and staff for the contribution they had made to the success of Waverley College.
“Generation after generation of men owes you a huge debt for forming them in the Christian, Catholic faith and teaching them how to live as real gentlemen,” he said.
“The Church of Sydney and of Australia will be forever in your debt.”
The next major celebratory event for Waverley College is the centenary open day at the college from 3-7pm on Wednesday, April 9.