Mass for Our Lady of Mercy College

Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Friday, 2nd September, 2005, at 10.00am

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am delighted to be with your Principal, Ms Julie Ryan, and with all of you to remember the gracious gift of Mary, the Mother of God, who has given us so much.

Her gift of mercy and compassion is a reminder of the essential ingredient of all that we do, as we celebrate this Mass.

Thanking God, let us call to mind our sins as we ask the Lord for pardon, light and strength.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

Just last month I had the privilege of accompanying over two hundred young people to the World Youth Day in Cologne, where the Pope reminded them of the special role of each young person. It is most important that we remember that we can make a difference.

The dedicated work of our teachers is a commitment to truth. As you go through school, my dear young friends, you will discern teachers who love young people and have much to share with them as they open the truth of life, of right and wrong and of the many sciences and subjects which enrich our world. Good teachers have a genuine respect for their students, a love of learning, and participate in the creative opening out of young people to the world which God has made and in which he shows his love.

I do urge the teachers at Our Lady of Mercy College not to be afraid of that huge task. Remember in a Catholic school it is the teaching of the Church and not private opinions which are promoted. Especially with regard to life, the dignity of each unique young person, right and wrong, and our relationship with God and others. These things must shine through.

Yet education is a partnership. I do encourage you, my dear young friends, to continue the search for truth, not to be satisfied with going along with the crowd and with what others are saying, but looking for that which is authentic. One of the things I admire in young people today is their authentic search for God, their commitment to truth and their honesty. In your special search do not be afraid to explore the teaching of the Church, the full depth of the subjects which you are studying and allow these to be enriched by prayer to God with whom you develop a friendship so that his vision and that of his Church will give you authentic service. No other things will substitute for the truth. No other thing is worthy of you as young people.

As Pope John Paul said in 1996, “Each one of us belongs to a great family in which he has his own place and his own role to play. Selfishness makes people deaf and dumb; love opens eyes and hearts, enabling people to make an irreplaceable contribution which, together with so many brothers and sisters, forms a mosaic of charity to change the course of history.” And again at the last WYD in Toronto, “With your gaze set firmly on Jesus you will discover the path of forgiveness and reconciliation in a world laid waste by violence and terror.”

I urge you to look for Jesus. Meet him in the Eucharist and in the Sacraments. Pray to him in this Year of the Eucharist. Ask him to show you the way and the contribution which only each of you can make to the world. It is so important.

As your archbishop, I urge you to look for Christ as Mary MacKillop did, to follow him unflinchingly and then you will receive a peace and joy which will sustain you through the struggles, challenges and frustrations of this year to the goal that he has picked out personally and distinctively for each of you.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.