This morning 1200 Trinity boys, more than 100 staff, special guests including Brother Kevin Paull, Brother Tony Kelly, (a former Headmaster,) Brother Terry Casey and Brother Bernard White, as well as the Chairperson of the College Board, Mrs Leanne O?Dea, and a number of parents and friends of the College, gathered in St. Mary?s Cathedral for the annual celebration of our patronal Feastday for Blessed Edmund Rice. The official Feastday for Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice if 5th May.

Our Mass was a Solemn High Mass, celebrated by our Chaplain, Father Michael McMahon. Our Guest Homilist was Brother Kevin Paul, a former staff member of Trinity from 1968. His homily grabbed everyone?s attention as he spoke of people having the courage to ?Make a Start?. There was wrapped attention in the congregation as he told stories of people who might be considered ?losers? but who found the courage to begin again. He reminded us that this was the spirit of Edmund Rice who lost his young wife, but who saw the plight of the poor boys in his city and decided to do something about it. Edmund was a business man who knew very little about formal education, but he started a school for these boys. That?s the spirit of Edmund, not to give up when hardship and disappointment comes our way, but rather to pick ourselves up and make a new beginning. Brother used the analogy of a fishing net held up by corks ? that when we pick ourselves up we also pick up others who may be down. Surely Edmund did that!

Our Mass was a celebration for the whole school community. More than 50 of our senior boys - the Class of ?05 - were actively engaged in the liturgy. Eight were Altar Servers, 34 Special Ministers of the Eucharist, eight read prayers of the Faithful, and four proclaimed the Word of God. Mr Gerard Theseira trained these young men and each took his role very seriously and with great reverence. Dr Braham and Ms Bott conducted the chorale. Their exceptional rendition of both solo and choral pieces, made our Mass a very moving experience. Colourful banners, the National and Papal flags carried in procession as well and the Trinity Pipes and Drums and the use of incense, all signified to the congregation that this Mass was truly a special day when our whole college could join together in praising our God.

Images of the Mass »