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Catholic Life Publication of the Diocese of Sale
All Mass Fr Slater is times for appointed Christmas administrator - Page 2 - Page 3
ISSUE 179
December 2013
Archbishop’s Be prepared Major change Canberra for Royal ahead for installation Commission Catholic Life - Page 12 - Page 5 - Page 3
Catholic Life wishes its many readers have a happy and holy Christmas. We ask God to keep all families safe in their homes, on the roads and at the many holiday venues.
New school takes shape THE Sale Diocese’s newest school St Thomas the Apostle will open in Cranbourne East at the start of the next school year. Construction of the $6 million school will continue throughout the holidays to get the buildings ready for the start of term. Steelwork for the two storey administration and classrooms building is already in place. A prefabricated school hall has been built in Bendigo and will be reassembled on site after being transported on six low loaders next week. The full time staff have been appointed and the school currently has an enrolment of over 110 students from Prep to Year 6. The number of enrolments is expected to grow rapidly once the school is established. Inaugural principal is Brendan Marrinon who has been overseeing the school’s progress for several months. He was previously principal at Don Bosco Primary, Narre Warren, and St Agatha’s Primary, Cranbourne. The staff also includes David Williams, Nicola Saunders, Julia Marino, Anthony Preston, Karina Brady, Amy Gullifer, Cecilia Hidalgo, Pauline Whelan and Joy Andrews. Mr Marrinon said establishing the school has been a long-term project initiated by former parish priest Fr Herman Hengel
THIS bare framework of St Thomas the Apostle School in Cranbourne East will quickly be transformed in coming weeks as the school will be ready for new students at the start of next school year. The site is almost opposite the Melbourne Football Club training facilities at Casey Fields. when he arranged for the land in the Cranbourne East area. The school symbol represents creator and foundation of the to be purchased more than 10 The school community was the Trinity and the school’s Cranbourne East community. years ago. inspired by St Thomas the connection to Sale Diocese. The design of this base is The project continued under Apostle’s life as one of the first Above the cross is a stylised similar to part of the Sale his successors Fr Andrew Wise Christian missionaries. dove representing the Holy Diocesan logo to highlight and Fr Denis O’Bryan with It was said that he established Spirit and the prayer that the the school’s connection to the the support of parishioners the church in Chennai, India in school community will be broader church. This logo was of St Agatha’s parish and the first century. blessed with the gifts of the selected by the community at school, Catholic Education “Therefore, just as St Spirit. the Sunday Eucharist in July Office, Sale, and the Australian Thomas began a new Christian The cross represents Christ’s that celebrated the feast of St Government. community, so the Parish of life, death and resurrection. The Thomas. The school adjoined the St Agatha’s Cranbourne is extremities of the cross widen to The uniform has been design Cranbourne East campus of St establishing a new community symbolise the church’s mission by a committee of parents, CEO Peter’s College at the rear and in Cranbourne East, following of reaching and spreading the staff and Mr Marrinon. eventually a new church and the spirit of St Thomas 2000 Gospel, which also reflects St The school held an presbytery would be built on years later.” Thomas’ mission in India. information night last week and other adjoining land. Mr Marrinon said the school At the base of the cross an orientation session is being He said the school was being had adopted St Thomas’ is a stylised version of the held this Thursday December established to provide a quality acclamation of faith, “My Lord foundation stone that the 12. primary school education in the and My God” as the school cross at St Thomas’ is placed. Catholic tradition for families motto. This base represents God the
A million reasons for your support The Bishop’s Family Foundation has given more than $1 million to helping programs for families in the Great Gippsland area from the City of Casey through to the NSW border. Help grow the fund so we can do more good works. Send donations to: Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 1410, Warragul 3820