Edmund Rice Bicentenary Mass
Mr Mark Hackett (as Edmund Rice) with the “Irish street kids”.
D
uring 2002, the College recognized the establishment of Edmund Rice’s first school in New Street, Waterford in a number of ways. However, the most memorable and spectacular of these was the joint Bicentenary Mass celebrated at the Perth Entertainment Centre on Friday 11 May. Students, staff and parents from all the schools owned and operated by the Christian Brothers participated in this wonderful event. The Planning Committee, chaired by Trinity’s Deputy Principal Rob Marshall, planned for a Mass that would remain in the minds of all present. Accordingly, much time and effort went into making sure that there was strong participation from all the schools involved – whether as altar servers, special ministers, readers, choir and band members, members of the “Ireland 1802” drama group, school banner bearers, ushers and other helpers. Two giant screens ensured that all students could follow in detail the progress of the Mass. Trinity and Aquinas students dramatized a tableaux of impoverished Irish street kids who were the beneficiaries of Edmund Rice’s educational and charitable work. Well known Jesuit priest, Fr Paddy Meagher, led the celebration of the Mass and delivered a though-provoking and powerful homily that caught the imagination of all who participated. Following the Mass, all Trinity students were presented with a medal to commemorate the Bicentenary Year.
Fr Paddy Meagher: “Give to the poor in handfuls.”
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