Homilies and Addresses 2007
Blessing and Opening of the Costa Centre for the Performing Arts

Celebrated By Archbishop Denis Hart
at Sacred Heart College, Melbourne
on Friday, 27th April, 2007 at 7.00am

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

With great esteem I am delighted to join Sister Kath Tierney, the Congregational Leader of the Mercy Sisters, Mr. Jeffrey Burn, your Principal, Mr. Frank Costa, Patron of the Capital Appeal, and the young people, teachers and families of Sacred Heart College on this special occasion.

The Centre, which we bless, is a reminder of the breadth of human activity which is part of our education.

Proudly at Sacred Heart College we remember the love of Christ which urges us on to discover new horizons in our capabilities as we prepare our young people for life.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Many years ago the Maryknoll Missionary, Father James Keller, who founded the Christopher Movement used as his watchword – “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

In this 150th year of the presence of the Sisters of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Melbourne and as part of the long history of Sacred Heart College, we come to a refreshing and exciting new endeavour, the blessing and inauguration of the Costa Centre for the Performing Arts.

Each of us knows that in a Catholic school the fundamental study is a lifelong following of Jesus Christ through prayer and worship, service and charity.  Religious formation of young women as gifted and articulate Catholics is the primary responsibility of Sacred Heart College, together with the vital development of the academic and relational skills which will be provided so that we can make our contribution as followers of Jesus Christ in the community of the new millennium in Geelong and Victoria.

In reference to tonight’s Gospel Cardinal John Henry Newman urged us to ‘let your light shine on others’, reminding us that it will be the light of Christ shining on others through us.  All that we learn – the skills that we develop and the challenges that we meet – are all a participation in this light.  While our faith is paramount, it is significant than in his recent Letter on the Sacrament of Charity, referring to the Eucharist, Pope Benedict emphasised the search for beauty in word, music and prayer in celebrating the Eucharist.  He then saw the Eucharist as the animating force of the charity with which we reach out to others.

I would see this new Centre of art and creativity as being an invitation and a challenge to build beauty in the world of today, to reach beyond our own limitations, and particularly in our religious celebrations to value beauty, silence, wonder, much as in the same way it is difficult for the artist to put into words the search that goes on in a musical composition or a dance or a painting or sculpture or drawing. 

These are all an expression of the God-given beauty which lies in us and which we seek to let come out in this expression so that the world may be a more beautiful place, where respect for God’s gifts – the greatest of all being life, for truth, for justice and integrity – these will be the things which will inspire us and carry us forward in the use of this new Centre.

The Performing Arts Centre must always bring us to seek to join the discoveries of human wisdom through the arts with the truths of the Gospel.

Whether in performing, in study or in personal relationships it is the light of Christ that we bear, the hope that we offer, the love of Christ which urges us on, which is the watchword of the Lord whose Sacred Heart is fountain of love for us; rich in mercy, limitless in forgiveness.

I sincerely congratulate your Principal, Mr. Jeff Burn, Mr. Frank Costa and all those who were involved in the Capital Appeal.  It seems almost no time since I was told of the project and I am delighted in its outcome. 

May it be a place of inspiration and giftedness, hope, truth and light.  May Jesus be in your hearts forever.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.