Clothed in Mercy, Shining Lamps for the World

On Thursday evening our College community gathered in prayerful celebration for the Year 12 Valedictory Mass.

The Mass began with a prayerful reflection from our College Captains, Lucie and Astrid, who spoke about where they have witnessed the Mercy Values alive within our community.

As each value was named — compassion, justice, respect, service, hospitality, and courage — a lantern candle was carried forward by one of our Year 12 students, symbolising the light of Mercy that has guided their journey.

The readings offered a powerful call to live as people of faith and light. From St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, we heard the invitation to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” The Gospel proclaimed Jesus’ words: “You are the light of the world… no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel.”

In his homily, Fr John reflected that while our Year 12s will soon take off their school blazers for the final time, they remain clothed in Mercy and the spirit of the Sacred Heart — garments that cannot fade or fray.

He also shared a reading from Maybe by Kobi Yamada, reminding students that “You are the only you there has ever been or ever will be. You have so much to offer and so much still to give. Maybe you are here to shine your light into places it’s needed most.”

As part of the Mass, each Year 12 student received a candle — just as they did at their Year 7 Commissioning Mass — a beautiful symbol of light that bookends their Sacred Heart journey, from first beginnings to final blessings.

We express our heartfelt thanks to Fr Declan for celebrating the Eucharist, and to Fr John and Fr Wahid for concelebrating. We are truly blessed to have such prayerful and generous chaplains accompanying our community with faith, wisdom, and warmth.

The following morning, students gathered once more for their final homeroom prayer in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart — the spiritual heart of our College. There, they were blessed with the words “Go now, through the Red Doors of Mercy, with hearts open, hands ready, and spirits alive with hope… and may the God of Mercy walk beside you always.”

As they stepped into the sunlight, our year 12s were greeted by a guard of honour formed by our Year 7 students — an image of the Mercy journey continuing from one generation to the next.

We wish our Year 12 students every blessing as they complete their final weeks and step into the future, guided always by the light of Mercy and the love of God.