Edmund Rice Feastday Celebrations

On Friday 9 May the College honoured the founder of the Christian Brothers Edmund Rice by celebrating his Feast Day with the inceptional first Friday whole school Mass. Mr Olsen welcomed our special guests from the Oamaru Edmund Rice Reflection group and introduced the theme of the Mass.

Deputy Head Girl Merekite Wahitapu explained some of the aspects of Edmund Rice’s life as seen in the Ed Rice Icon. Head Boy Chris Kearney introduced a video address from Bro. Philip Pinto, Leader of the World Christian Brothers movement.  Our Chaplin Ft. Wayne celebrated the Feast Day Mass for us and contributed his personal reflection on the qualities of Blessed Edmund Rice.  The readings were delivered by Prefects Georgia Holland, Nicole Dowling and Brodie Flannery read the intercessory Prayers of the Faithful.

At the Offertory students presentated the CARITAS Solomon Island Appeal box collection taken up during the Lenten Program in Term 1.  A combination of student and staff Eucharistic Ministers assisted Ft. Wayne with communion. The Edmund Rice Singers under the direction of Ms Helen Mulheron solemnly sung the “Edmund Ignatius Rice” hymn. The Mass concluded with a Blessing from Ft. Wayne and the dismissal by Mr. Ryan. The members of the Edmund Rice Reflection group then joined the Staff and Boarders at lunch in the Colleges Dining Hall.