The Catherine McAuley community gathered together in the Morley Centre for the Opening School Mass on Friday, 3rd February 2023.
The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr Walter Fogarty, Coordinating Pastor, Westmead Catholic Community and concelebrated by Fr Christopher Del Rosario, Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
At the conclusion of the Mass the Year 7 students received their school bibles and, along with other new members of the school community, were welcomed into the ‘Circle of Mercy’ - where the whole school community prays for God’s blessing on their studies ahead and welcomes them to the school.
Years 7-12 SRC representatives, Year 10 Peer Support Mentors and Years 8-10 House, Mercy in Action (MAG) and Liturgy leaders also received their badges of office.
The Opening School Mass was attended by all students and staff, many parents, Chair and Vice Chair of the Parents & Carers Group; Past Principal Sr Barbara McDonough rsm, Sr Maria Lawton rsm, Sr Margaret Jones rsm, St Margaret Sheppard rsm; Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Donna Davis; and leadership staff from the Westmead Catholic Community schools - Ms Elizabeth Devlin, Principal and Mrs Katherine Stennett, Assistant Principal, Mother Teresa; Mrs Natalie Mitsud, Principal and Mrs Jodie Smith, Assistant Principal, Sacred Heart; Mr Mark Pauschmann, Principal, Mr Peter Stephens, Assistant Principal and Ms Nicole Denniss, Religious Leader of Learning, Parramatta Marist High School.