On Thursday 12 February, the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo community gathered to celebrate our 2026 Opening Mass. This special occasion not only marked the beginning of a new school year but was also the first event to acknowledge 150 years since the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Bendigo and founded our College.

In recognition of this significant milestone, the Mass was held in the Sacred Heart Cathedral with the whole College, for the first time in several years. With the choir in the gallery, accompanied by the magnificent organ, the pews filled with students, staff, guests and community members, it was certainly a celebration worthy of the occasion.

A highlight was the traditional procession of the Year 12 students, bringing the Year 7s into the Cathedral behind their house banners to welcome them into the CMCB community.

We were fortunate to have Fr Brian Boyle as our celebrant, with concelebrants Fr Jackson Saunders and Fr Andrew Fewings, both past students of our College.

Principal Brian Turner welcomed the congregation to the Mass by reflecting on the legacy of the pioneering Sisters and the example they set for us by having faith in their mission. He highlighted the numerous schools that exist today, thanks to the efforts of those original Sisters and how they responded to the needs of their community.

Mercy Address was given by Sr Annette Schneider RSM, from the Mercy Ministry Companions. She saw mercy in Bendigo shaped by people and events over the past 150 years. She urged us to reflect on the bigger picture or vision to make the world a better place. She said that Living Mercy is how we notice and respond to people in need, and how we treat others with dignity.

Fr Jackson used his memories of his time at school and his experience as a sports commentator to call a fictional run of the Chariots of Junortoun during his Homily. He drew an analogy with the race and our task to make Jesus the goal. He emphasised that there were times when it was important to be silent and thankful, especially during Communion.

During the Mass, Year 12 leaders were commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers and later helped distribute communion to the large congregation. At that time, the students showed their respect for the occasion and for Fr Jackson’s words by remaining silent as the choir’s voices filled the Cathedral.

As we embark on the new school year for the 150^th time, we look forward in hope to our year of Living Mercy, while looking back in gratitude for the contributions of those who have gone before us.