CSO Director of Schools, Dr Michael Slattery, introduced the occasion and its significance to the diocese. “It is through our diversity that we find strength and unity – by accepting one another and the gift we have, we create wholesome community.”

Bishop Bill blessed the congregation, sprinkling holy water, and asked us to “remember that we are all special in God’s sight: all loved equally, all clothed in and enlightened by Christ at our baptism”.

Students from Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach, reflected the life of Mary MacKillop through dance, highlighting her life shaped by the Word.

Students from around the diocese led the Universal Prayer and the procession of gifts.

The strong voices of the choir of St Joseph’s Primary School, Merewether, filled the church, urging the congregation to ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ and ‘Watch the little children, they’ll show you the way.’

A credit to the choir’s amazing talent was Bishop’s Bill’s ‘thumps up’ as the procession departed the church.

The Mass was followed by supper in the school hall, with Year 6 students carrying candles to light the way through the darkness.

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