This evening it was our turn to look after the readings, offertory and ushering at mass. We see this as a very important opportunity for the boys to get involved in liturgy and wonderful experience for them. It is our hope that the boys can use their experiences in participating in mass here at the College to build their own confidence and take this back into their parishes at home. Participation is a key element in the practise of our faith and it was wonderful to see the boys getting involved so well tonight.

Dom Munro (Bolwarra Heights) did the welcome, Rory Keedy (Coonamble) read the Penitential Rite, Luke Hanigan (Coonamble) read the First Reading, Jacob Goodwin (Dubbo) did the responsorial psalm while Jack O’Brien (Walgett) and Nick Porter (Hong Kong) read the Prayers of Intersession. Each of these boys read superbly in front of their peers which, at such a young age is never easy.

Joe Sykes (Thredbo), Stuart McLean (Hay) and Joe McCarthy (Fiji) brought forward the gifts in the offertory procession while Joe Flannery (Forbers) and Chase Teague (Scone) handed out the mass booklets as the ushers.

Well done to each of the boys who volunteered to contribute and did so with great respect and reverence.

The boarders who stay in at the College each week attend mass on a Saturday night at 6:30pm and any local boys or families who would like to attend are more than welcome at any time.

Photo: Jacob Goodwin (Dubbo) reads at our Saturday night mass.

On Friday, the boys celebrated their Year 7 Form Mass in the College Chapel. This was a wonderful gathering where the boys were joined by many parents and extended family.

Apart from celebrating the Eucharist together, during this mass, Mr Ross Tarlinton and Fr Andrew presented the boys with their College Bible. Mr Tarlinton spoke to the boys about how special this should be for them and the importance of looking after their own copy of the Good News. He reflected on the fact that as Headmaster, the first thing that he received was his own copy of the Bible and he still has this today. He hoped that the boys would look after their copy so that in 6 years time when they graduate from the College, they still have their copy in good condition.

Fr Andrew was certainly entertaining while at the same time posed many challenges to the boys in the way that they live their lives. It would be a rare thing to see a cricket ball (autographed by Brett Lee) being thrown down the isle of the chapel!

The boys’ involvement in the mass was obvious at every level. Some boys read readings, others were involved in the dramatisation of the gospel, many were involved in the music … and lots more. Of particular note was the impressive way that the boys, as a form, sung at the mass. Sub Tuum, which is sung in Latin, is our traditional College song. Having only learnt this a week ago, the boys sung this with great pride and I have no doubt their rendition brought a few tears to the eyes of the parents who were there.

In the first place, Joeys is a Catholic school and it was wonderful to see the boys celebrate our Catholic traditions in such a wonderful manner.

Photo 1:  Liam Clark (Hunters Hill) receives his College Bible from Mr Tarlinton and will be followed by Ben Spencer (Barraba) and Jordan Lewis (Japan)

Photo 2: The boys get stuck into the sining at the mass with Will Nicholls (West Pymble), Patrick Stevens (Hunters Hill), Josh Ho (Hunters Hill), Tom Carrette (Hunters Hill), Tarkan Gursel (Henley) and Nick Porter (Hong Kong) clearly making their contribution.