Founded on Rock
Blessing of Waterford Centre
St Virgil’s College, Austins Ferry
Today marks a significant moment in the history of St Virgil’s. The Blessing and Opening of the Waterford Centre provides for the extension of St Virgil’s to provide education to the completion of secondary schooling.
A decision was made in the 1990s to amalgamate Catholic secondary schooling in the greater Hobart area in one senior college, Guilford Young College which commenced in 1995. This decision was driven in the main by the need to provide a wide range of courses for senior students. It was considered necessary at the time to consolidate our resources in order to provide for the educational needs of senior students. Thus, St Virgil’s campus on Barrack St Hobart became a secondary college, and St Virgil’s, which moved to this site, provided education for boys up to Year 10.
Times have changed. Our enrolments in our Catholic schools have grown rapidly in recent years and indeed there are waiting lists in many of our senior schools. We are now in a position to offer Year 12 education in three colleges in the greater Hobart area – Mary Mackillop on the Eastern shore, St Aloysius at Huntingfield and St Virgil’s at Austin’s Ferry.
It is with great joy that I bless these new facilities which will provide for the education of Year 11 and 12 students here on this site.
In this Liturgy of Blessing this morning we have listened to two readings from Sacred Scripture, both of which speak of the importance of solid foundations.
St Paul spoke of a building – the Church – which has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, with Jesus Christ being the cornerstone. St Virgil’s is a Catholic school. It stands in the great tradition of Catholic education which draws inspiration from essential Christian beliefs. One expression of these beliefs is the ancient Apostles Creed.
The Creed begins with the words, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth”. It states the fundamental beliefs we have as Catholics. This creed is a distillation of the faith of the apostles.
Today the Church honours two apostles, Simon and Jude. We recognise that our faith has firm foundation. It is not subject to the whims of particular cultures, nor does it float pushed this way and that by the tides of opinion. It is solid and enduring. In the midst of times of uncertainty we can look to our Catholic faith as a sure guide and sound foundation for our faith and our understanding.
Thus, we hear from Christ himself in the Gospel reading today. We need to build our house on the solid foundation of his teaching.
Boys, I encourage you to always look to Christ for guidance in the way you live your life. Read the Gospels. Reflect on the teachings of Christ. Model your life on him.
I commend St Virgil’s College on this significant development. I commend Edmund Rice Education for its wholehearted support for the extension of education here on this campus to Years 11 and 12.
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Friday, 28 October 2022