Year 12 Graduation Mass

25 Sep 2024

Catherine McAuley Graduates on the steps of St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta
The Year 12 students and Year 12 Wellbeing Team gathered on the steps of St Patrick's Cathedral after their Graduation Mass on Tuesday, 24th September 2024.

Year 12 students were reminded of the Mercy value of hospitality as they were presented with their graduation gift of a cup and saucer at the Graduation Mass on Tuesday night.

The Year 12 students, their families and friends, school staff and representatives from the Sisters of Mercy and the Catherine McAuley Parents and Carers Group, all gathered for the special Mass which was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Thank you to Very Rev. Father Robert Riedling, Dean and Administrator of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Episopal Vicar for celebrating the Graduation Mass and Mr Edward Safadi, Acolyte.

Music was beautifully performed by the school choir under the direction of Ms Kate Picone, Leader of Learning Performing Arts and Mr Bernard Kirkpatrick, Cathedral Director of Music.

At the conclusion of the Mass Mrs Tracy Cowling, Year 12 Leader of Learning Wellbeing, presented the Year 12 students to Ms Mary Refalo, School Principal. “I present the Year 12 class of 2024”, Mrs Cowling said.

These students are the senior class of Catherine McAuley truly living our motto ‘To strive for higher things’. They have also committed themselves to the vision of Catherine McAuley of ‘performing the ordinary, extraordinarily well’.

Ms Refalo invited the graduating students to make their prayer of graduation before the students were called forwarded by their Homeroom Teachers to receive their graduation symbol of a cup and saucer. The House Patrons took a light from their House candle and together with the Year 12 Wellbeing Team passed the light onto the graduands. As the lights of the Cathedral dimmed the Year 12 students formed a ‘Circle of Mercy’ for the last time before proceeding out of the Cathedral to the recessional hymn Circle of Mercy.

Following the Mass the Year 12 students and their families gathered in The Cloister of the Cathedral for ‘a comfortable cup of tea’.