Bishop Bill, Director of Schools, Dr Michael Slattery, members of the Wonnarua community, the Sisters of St Joseph and members of parliament joined students and staff of the college community to celebrate the special occasion.
After a cleansing smoking ceremony was performed by a member of the Wonnarua community, accompanied by music and students playing clapping sticks, the student leaders welcomed all guests to the new school hall.
“This new hall called ‘MacKillop Place’ is dedicated to the greatest pioneer woman of the Church and educator, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop,” said Dr Michael Slattery.
Following the official opening of MacKillop Place by Sr Megan Brock, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar, Bishop Bill blessed the hall by sprinkling the community and the walls with water.
“These new facilities offer our community so many new possibilities in what we can do and be involved in. We are already enjoying assemblies without having to check what the weather is doing. We are also enjoying the hospitality and food creativity and the incredible new range of options for sport and performance.
“Through the support of the Federal Government and the Diocesan Building fund we are very grateful for this wonderful new multi-purpose facility,” said principal, Paul Greaves.
“These buildings are an invitation to us to be creative as we engage in community, as we do our best to accept the challenge of our founders to live out the Gospel. It is our task now to ‘keep alive’ our gratitude, given where we have come from and for the work of so many to make MacKillop Place possible,” said Mr Greaves.
“I hope the Catholic community at St Joseph’s uses its new facility wisely, treasures it, maintains it and benefits from it. Jesus loved to gather people in the name of the Father, so may this place be the same as we each strive to reach the Kingdom and to live out the Gospel,” said Dr Slattery.
To find out more about St Joseph's, visit their website.
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