BRISBANE Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan drew on the day’s scripture readings as a source of wisdom and guidance at the induction of this year’s Australian Catholic University student leaders on Banyo campus.
“Jesus says those who want to be His special friends must be ready to drink from a chalice which will entail a good deal of difficulty and suffering,” he said in his homily at the commissioning of the campus’ McAuley Student Association leaders on the morning of Wednesday, March 4.
“And if you are to carry out your responsibilities thoroughly there will be difficulties and suffering.”
Bishop Finnigan said “such thoughts not meant to frighten you, but today is certainly meant to be serious as you take on leadership responsibility in the university’s student association”.
“The chalice is also very rich,” he said.
“This year the ACU celebrates its 25th anniversary.
“In addition, you have some 2000 years of intellectual stimulation and education as part of the Church.
“A great intellectual tradition is here to be absorbed, to be respected and to be lived out.”
New student association president Ashleigh Morgan and vice-president Macauley Parker-Burton were inducted along with 11 other representatives after the Commencement Mass.
Bishop Finnigan was principal celebrant at the Mass held in the university’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
Concelebrants were Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo and Fr Bavin Clarke.
Australian Catholic University Brisbane associate vice-chancellor Professor Jim Nyland, prior to inducting the new student body, spoke of an exciting year ahead for the ACU as it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
“Twenty-five years might not seem that big a deal in terms of Australian history but in ACU terms it is really significant,” he said.
“I would suggest none of the student leaders were born when the Australian bishops came up with the idea of a Catholic university.
“There is a rich mix of the old and the new at this university, the traditional with the modern.
“Cast your eyes around the room you will see many faces from our council of elders who have directed the enterprise over these years.
“Now they come face to face with our council of youth, the young men and women who have come forward to take on leadership roles on this university campus.”
