"THE AUGUSTINIAN" August 2002

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4            Return to Current News

A St Augustines College for the Archdiocese of Brisbane

Fr. Michael Endicott osa chats with students modelling the new college's uniform.

In January 2003 a new archdiocesan primary and secondary school will begin in outer metropolitan Brisbane within the parish of Goodna, which the Augustinians administer. Archbishop John Bathersby has named the college in honour of St Augustine, and has requested that the local Augustinians assist it to develop an Augustinian spirituality.

The Goodna priests are Frs Brian Fitzpatrick O.S.A., Peter McHugh O.S.A. and Michael Endicott O.S.A., with Michael leading the ministry in Springfield area of the Goodna Parish, where the school will be located.

Mr Leon Capra, the Principal appointed to the College by the Archbishop, has Augustinian associations, as his sons have graduated from the Orders Villanova College in Brisbane in the recent past. Through Fr Michael Morahan O.S.A. (Rector), Villanova has offered to keep the new college in mind when planning its staff formation in Augustinian spirituality and Augustinian educational ethos.

For the past two years, a local steering committee has assisted in developing an educational brief and a facilities brief for the new college, and as well have learned about Augustine.

When deciding on the colleges motto, this led the committee to derive their final choice, "Be together in heart and mind", from the central tenet of Augustine about a communitys having cor unum et anima una in Deo - one heart and one mind in God.

The College hopes to begin with an enrolment nearing 200 students, and has the capability to expand as necessary to cater for a maximum of 1,400 students on its 12-hectare site. The Principal is working out of an office in the Springfield shopping centre (phone 07 3814 2444.)

Easter Vigil St Thomass Church, Mareeba

The RCIA, or Adult Catechumenate, process was started in the Mareeba Parish seven years ago and in that time thirty-two people have been initiated into the Catholic faith. Many of these men and women take an active part in Parish work as they continue their journey of faith and this is very encouraging to the RCIA team and church community.

At this years Easter Vigil five people were welcomed into the church. Mass began outside with the ceremony of light, when Fr Rob Greenup O.S.A. blessed the large fire and lit this years Easter Candle before processing into the darkened church with the people lighting their candles from the Easter candle.
At this very special ceremony Barry Eaton was baptised and Alice Brown, Lisa Formoso, Robert King and Nyline Tatti were received into the full communion of the church.

Barry Eaton had this to say about the RCIA and his journey to the Easter Vigil.
" In 2001 I made the decision to find out more about the catholic faith, my wife and daughters all being baptised catholic and being curious about the catholic faith from an early age. At the weekly meetings the discussions revolved around the Gospel and what it meant for each of us. As a candidate a feeling of security and a real sense of belonging engulfed me after each meeting. After attending Mass I get the same warm feeling. I was very nervous at the Easter Vigil, especially when I saw how full the church was, but again while being baptised a great feeling of warmth came over me and I knew then I was one of Gods Children and that my journey is about to begin. I recommend to anyone who is considering becoming catholic to participate in this journey. You will not be disappointed."

Fr Rob Greenup stated how pleasing it was to see the church filled to overflowing.

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
Return to Current News