Registered by Australia Post Publication Number VBH7636 Vol. 2 No. 2 July 1987
FROM THE
BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE OVAL
0
- DEIRDRE ROFE I.B.V.M.
One of Mandeville's greatest strengths lies
in the fact that we are a Prep to Year 12
At a recent May Mothers' Mass, the celebrant Fr. Geoffrey James S.J. spoke of
campus. The implications for curriculum continuity, fostering of a school spirit, staff
the contribution Mary MacKillop has made
support and sharing of resources (both on
to the history of Australia in the fields of education, care of the homeless and support for mothers. Along with many others, we hope that our Bicentennial celebration will be the official recognition of her as
the ideas level and practical level) are very
exciting. However, the oval that separates the Junior and Senior Schools, has become
more than a physical gulf, and concerted efforts are now being made by staff and
Australia's first saint.
One wonders how many other thousands of Australians could qualify for the title of
students this year to bridge the gap.
saint, for sancitity is within the grasp of each
Collaboration between Junior and Senior
of us. The recipe is relatively sirnple. I like
School staff members in 1986 on the Mission
Mary Ward's interpretation: it is to do
WEI< 1 1,1
Statement, at the Loreto Education
ordinary things well".
The life journey of each person has great
Conference last August and the Loreto
stretches of ordinariness in it; times when
sponsored Ignatian R.E. Seminar in Janaury of this year, alerted us to the need for
1V
increased co-operation between Junior and Senior Schools. Dialogue helped us to perceive each other's needs and to understand the different problems faced in
Mandeville Chapel as it was originally.
each section of the school. We were also
challenged to find ways of cultivating this dialogue and interaction. It is important to celebrate the deeper reality of our unity through experiences of prayer and liturgy. At the commencement of each
THE MANDEVILLE CHAPEL - MAUREEN SAUNDERS, I.B.V.M. represented - St. Therese and St. Francis
purpose. Other celebrations have included
By mid-Jiine this year, we should have a newly carpeted and painted chapel. It will have a new wall-heater and an arrangement of screens and furniture that will provide maximum flexibility for school and
the Family Day Masses and a Seder Meal
community liturgies.
was placed. It had been brought from
This is the second period of renovation for
Loreto, Albert Park. The Church floor was
the Chapel. It was precipitated by the discovery that the electric heating system, installed beneath the carpet in the early
parquetry of Tasmanian oak. In the early seventies, in keeping with the Liturgical Renewal, the Church's interior space was re-designed, allowing for an Oratory where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved, and a larger area where interest
new school year, the Eucharist is celebrated with the entire staff of the school. This event
highlights our unity in faith, endeavour and
shared by Junior and Senior School staff members just before Easter. Later in the year we will come together as a school to
celebrate our Feast Day. Junior and Senior
PRINCIPAL
seventies, was unsafe.
Xavier. A mosaic graced the wall close to the sanctuary, and in the apse at the Church entrance, the window of St. Luke's
nothing extraordinary happens at all. Such times are vital for attuning ourselves to the presence of God in the simplest, most ordinary things. The ordinary events and persons are the place of His presence and we will search for Him in vain in the high places.
Developing the ability "to find God in all
things' (St. Ignatius) is both a grace and a skill. If we do develop this insight, we
become much more capable of appreciating the divine in the ordinary. Nothing lies outside God's power to transform. What we need is that vision that enables us to see our
lives as "charged with the grandeur of God". Our lives may be ordinary but our understanding can be extraordinary.
Madonna, traditionally the Loreto Madonna,
UNSUNG HEROES - MARY SHEEHAN All institutions have their 'unsung heroest their backroom workers, whose activities go
largely unnoticed. Mandeville is no exception. There are many 'unsung heroes'
School R.E. staff participated in a joint
The Chapel's life began in the 1920s, a short
Liturgy Seminar in April of this year led by
time after Mandeville Hall was purchased by
Sr. Margaret Smith, O.S.M. Other joint
the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On 25th September 1929, the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Mannix. A year
was centered on the altar-table, making it
participating in Eucharists and Liturgies.
Barbara Chapman, who has generously
later, on 24th October 1928, the Church was
This was achieved mainly by timber screens,
accepted the mantle of Swap Shop
solemnly consecrated under the title 'Christ,
delicately designed along the lines of the rude-screens of the early Renaissance
organizer, along with her assistant Helen
professional development activities have included a combined History Faculty
Workshop, exploring the use of visual evidence in the classroom. Open communication must be maintained among Junior and Senior School staff members in
all subject areas, as we have much to learn from each other!
Certainly our students realise the importance of, and welcome, contact between different sections of the school. In
recent years, our Councillors have made
the King' and the formal opening was held four days later. In the following year, a fine
more proximate to the congregation
period, which divided the space into
at Mandeville and the mothers who run the
Swap Shop are among them.
Leoncelli, typify the 'unsung heroes' of Mandeville. They are quietly involved in tasks at the school, receiving little or no recognition and yet contributing so much.
pipe organ was installed. On 8th April, the
harmoniously related areas, and by curtains
eight pairs of beautiful stained glass
which covered the western wall and some of
windows by John Hardiman of Birmingham,
the windows. The floor was carpeted for
All those who have patronized it will agree
England, arrived on the S.S. Nuddea. They
warmth.
that the Swap Shop provides an important service for the school, and helps to recoup
depicted eight of the great women saints, as well as St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits,
Now, as the second period of renovation
and the two Jesuit patrons of youth. Two of
nears completion, the third life of the
Australia's patron saints were also
Chapel is set to begin.
visits to Junior School classes and assemblies, and our Year 11 students are
losses for 'Susie's' $72 tunic which although purchased only last year, no longer fits. It also provides the opportunity lo purchase clothes in good condition at a reasonable price, as well as making money for the school. Last year's profits were $3,300 and a
developing a wonderful rapport with their
cheque for that amount has been presented
'little sisters' in Years 1 and 2 through
to Sr. Deirdre.
intitatives in the R.E. Programme. They have
presented a most prayerful liturgical dance
The Swap Shop is open from 12-2pm on the first Monday of the month, and will accept all school clothes in good condition. When
on the theme of the Emmaus Story at the
sold, a third of the proceeds is returned to
worked together on the story of Creation,
Senior School Easter Liturgy and are
the original owner. All clothes must be clearly labelled with the name, telephone
looking forward to doing some work on
number and address of the owner. They
'Friendship' toward the end of this term. Sr.
must be mended, and either laundered or
Deirdre has even been interviewed by some
dry cleaned. The Swap Shop is always in
need of more stock, particularly articles size
of these youngest members of our school
12 and over. Although not everyone can pt Swap Shop jobs, it is worthwhile giving some thought and acknowledgement to the many 'unsung heroes' at Mandeville
community - although they seem to have
acce
been more interested in her bag of 'snakes' than the information that was imparted.
like Barbara and Helen.
These small initiatives are simply a beginning; a response to a need and an
STOP PRESS! The Mothers' Association is
invitation to others. Our school can only be
also now in the business of hiring out
strengthened by the unity, understanding
crockery, cutlery and glasses. If you are
considering a large party in the near future, please think about contacting Nicki Lee on
and support that will flow on from these human endeavours.
20 6147 and support this venture. In keeping with Liturgical Renewal, the chapel was re-designed in the early seventies.