More than 550 students and staff from Catholic Education SA joined in a simultaneous celebration with schools throughout Australia to mark 200 years of Catholic education.
In a national first – the event was livestreamed with participants from every corner of the country – coming together for a simultaneous Mass.
The national Mass marked the bicentenary of the first 'official' Catholic school that opened in Parramatta, NSW, in October 1820.
Catholic education began in South Australia in November 1844.
One of the first acts of Francis Murphy, on receiving his appointment as the first Catholic bishop of Adelaide, was to send Mr and Mrs William James from Sydney to establish the first Catholic school in a temporary chapel on Pirie Street, Adelaide.
By 1866, there was a Jesuit School, St Aloysius at Sevenhill, and about 20 parish schools in South Australia, including St Joseph’s School at Penola, established by Father Julian Tenison Woods and Australia’s first canonised saint, Mary MacKillop.
Now known as Mary MacKillop Memorial School, it is one of the oldest continuing Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Adelaide.
Today, more than 46,800 students attend 101 Catholic schools across South Australia.
Catholic students from across the country have joined together in a video performance of the national song ‘Faith in the Future’, to celebrate 200 years of Catholic education! The song is written by Father Rob Galea.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a video message for the bicentary of Catholic Education.
The event held at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on May 24 was livestreamed.
Further information is available at www.200years.catholic.edu.au
As we celebrate National Boarding Week (May 16 – 22 2021), it is an opportunity to reflect on the quality care provided to those who board in our Catholic Schools.
