The evening began with the Commissioning of the new Director of Schools, Dr Michael Slattery, who pledged his commitment to, and recognition of, the "importance of religious and educational leadership in the schools and the school system in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle".
Presider and Vicar General, Reverend Brian Mascord, presented Michael with symbols to mark this momentous occasion.
The presentation of 25 year Awards and the annual Monsignor Coolahan Awards for Excellence in Education followed the Commissioning.
The Monsignor Coolahan Awards recognise, affirm and celebrate the significant contribution made by the recipients to aspects of excellence in Catholic schooling in the diocese. R ecipients are nominated by their peers and the awards highlight the service that is given to their respective communities.
This year's recipients were as follows:
Outstanding Leadership : Simon Devlin
Excellence in Teaching Secondary : David Millen
Excellence in Teaching Primary : Alison Smith
Excellence in School Support: Frances Bowen
Excellence in School Support: Deborah Docherty
Excellence in School Support: Lynnette McMaster
Excellence in School Support: Mark Stephens
Excellence in Community: St Joseph's Primary School, Denman
Excellence in First Five Years of Teaching: Cassandra Piggott
Excellence in Innovation: Diane Kibble
The Mass was a memorable beginning to another Vivid year in our diocese.
Photographs courtesy of Alyssa Faith and Amanda Skehan.
Follow mnnews.today on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 1.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 2.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 3.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 4.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 5.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 6.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 7.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 8.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 9.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 10.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 11.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 12.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 13.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 14.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 15.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 16.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 17.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 18.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 19.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 20.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 21.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 22.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 23.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 24.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 25.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 26.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 27.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 28.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 29.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 30.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 31.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 32.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 33.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 34.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 35.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 36.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 37.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 38.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 39.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 40.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 41.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 42.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 43.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 44.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 45.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 46.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 47.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 48.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 49.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 50.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 51.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 52.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 53.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 54.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 55.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 56.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 57.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 58.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 59.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 60.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 61.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 62.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 63.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 64.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 65.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 66.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 67.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 68.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 69.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 70.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 71.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 72.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 73.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 74.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 75.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 76.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 77.
GALLERY: Hundreds fill Cathedral for Called to Serve Mass 2017 Image 78.