CATHOLIC schools throughout Queensland celebrated their heritage with everything from morning teas to musicals during CEW 2009 but central to all was the expression of their faith.
Brisbane Catholic Education hosted the central celebration at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 30 for more than 3000 staff, students and religious representatives from all Queensland dioceses.
The central theme of the event “Proud Tradition, Spirited Future” was mirrored at the hundreds of smaller activities throughout the state.
Catholic Education Week (CEW) was celebrated from July 26-August 1.
In Toowoomba diocese, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Toowoomba West, began their week with a Mass for the whole school held in the parish church.
Assistant principal for religious education Kylie McKenzie said each class created peoplescapes which were carried up during the Offertory Procession.
“Each peoplescape represented the tradition of either the local, state or national Church community, including school founders, local indigenous leaders, principals, staff and students,” she said.
Ms McKenzie said the Act of Kindness theme was also supported with the school’s Mini Vinnies delighting staff and students with a morning tea stall on the Tuesday of Catholic Education Week.
She said other students donated blankets for a Winter Blanket Appeal on Wednesday and they finished the week on Thursday with a free-dress day and fun run.
“Students donated a gold coin for this privelege and all funds raised during the week were donated to the school’s three favourite charities – St Vincent de Paul Society, Caritas and Catholic Mission.”
St Patrick’s School, Allora, celebrated Mass with the parish community where the youngest students, the students from Talgai (Prep/Year 1) led proceedings.
In Townsville diocese, Catholic Education Week was officially launched on Monday, July 27, with a Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, attended by more than 200 principals, teachers, students and special guests. Schools from Ingham, Abergowrie and Palm Island joined in the celebration.
The diocesan Parents’ and Friends’ associations held a family fun day the previous day for local Townsville Catholic school families, and schools celebrated with local events and activities throughout the week.
Townsville Catholic Education Office also held the annual Director’s Morning Tea for the region’s nominees in the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards on July 28.
In Rockhampton diocese, the inaugural Catholic Education Festival of Music was held at The Cathedral College on July 26 following the Mass to launch Catholic Education Week.
The Cathedral College music director Michael Jones said about 800 students from 17 schools took part in the festival that involved everything from choirs to big bands and guitar ensembles.
He said there was already a strong move to have the festival become an annual event.
Meanwhile, St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, the newest school on the Capricorn Coast, was officially blessed and opened during Catholic Education Week on July 27.
The school at Yeppoon opened in January with just over 100 students from Prep to Year 7.
In Cairns, major Mass celebrations were held in three centres.
On July 27, more than 1000 students from schools in the Innisfail area gathered at Good Counsel College, Innisfail, where local priests concelebrated Mass.
Bishop James Foley of Cairns celebrated the Catholic Education Week Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral on July 28 when more than 450 students and staff were present.
Also on July 28, Augustinian Father Robert Greenup presided at the tablelands Mass for 1000 students and staff at St Thomas of Villanova Church in Mareeba.
Many Cairns schools also used “peoplescapes” as part of their activities.
