ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane attended the 2008 senior investiture at his former high school St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Boondall, on February 15.
The archbishop gave a special message to Nudgee students in his homily and was principal celebrant at Mass, with chaplain Fr John Kilinko concelebrating.
Archbishop Bathersby spoke on the lack of transcendence in modern society, which he said people could overcome if they opened their eyes through faith.
“Like so many other realities in life, transcendence and God unfortunately can’t be placed under a microscope, nevertheless transcendence is the very stuff of religion and faith, and the very stuff of the reality that Christ identified when he came among us,” he said.
“In today’s secular world it is by no means easy to see the world of Jesus, yet it is there and open to us all if only we have eyes to see.”
He advised students to appreciate Nudgee College and to cherish the people close to them.
“Be grateful for the staff, who assist you here, and for your peers who will play a significant role in your lives … Be grateful to your parents for giving you this opportunity to make progress at many different levels … Don’t ever take them for granted,” he said.
During the investiture, Nudgee leadership team members, house deans and Christian Brothers distributed senior badges to the college’s 269 new Year 12 students.
College captain Roderick Hetherington addressed his fellow seniors about the importance of inspirational leadership and challenged the entire Nudgee community to make a difference.
“It may not be possible to inspire everyone, but reaching just that one person, making a difference in one person’s life is just as important, you may not be remembered by society, but you will be remembered by them,” he said.
