At Marymount College's 60th Anniversary celebrations Archbishop Philip Wilson blessed and unveiled a contemporary ‘young Mary’ sculpture in the College grounds.
Three to four years ago the community could see that the original statue of Mary that had come from the Seacombe Gardens site was deteriorating and needed to be replaced. So discussions began between leadership, staff, Good Samaritan sisters, Catholic Identity Ambassadors (CIA) and parents.
The concept drawing started from maquettes (or models) made by parents, who creatively shared their thinking, ideas, faith and vision through art to capture the context and Catholic identity of the Marymount College community. Those involved wanted to develop the visibility of the College's Catholic identity. ‘Mary’ is now the third installation at the college, a ‘trinity of art’.
This year staff and CIA students worked with Gerry McMahon (sculptor) to continue to share ideas about who Mary is for the Marymount community. It is hoped that this lovely installation will engage the community in conversations about relationships with God, each other and Mary the mother of Jesus. There are plans to further develop the Mary Garden as a focal point of learning, prayer and contemplation.
In his presentation at the ceremony Gerry explained the strong themes that had emerged in his consultation with the community:
• Mary’s connection with the environment and as a steward, the importance of her placement on God created holy ground and her location by beautiful gardens.
• The basket metaphor - that each thread is like an individual, with a story of their own; alone they are weak but interwoven they become strong in community.
• Embracing hope, growth, compassion and love, emphasised by the use of flowers, love hearts and heart beads.
• The open hand and seat which is inviting a connection between people and Mary.
• Mary having a daisy chain on her head, which the students insisted on!
Interestingly on the day of the unveiling the Good Samaritan sisters told of the beautiful link that the daisy chain has with the Kiribati community where the sisters work to support the people. Here the daisy chain is a customary symbol of welcome and hospitality as guests arrive in Kiribati.
May we think about the example of Mary, her faith, her strength as the first disciple of Jesus and as Marymount College’s role model. Omnia per Mariam - all things through Mary.
“When you sit with Mary it seems very sacred and you feel like you are in the presence of God,” said Sara, a Year 6 student.
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