Blessing Ceremony of the New and Refurbished Buildings in St Ursula's Toowoomba

12th November 2015 St-Ursulas-Building-Blessing1

The School community and invited guests joined Bishop Robert McGuckin DD MCL JCL, Sister Ruth Durick Provincial of the Australian Ursulines and Mrs Anne Marie Pawsey, Principal, for the Blessing ceremony of the New and Refurbished Buildings in the Salo Centre on November 12th 2015.

Mrs Debbie Ryan Assistant Principal (Identity and Culture) welcomed the gathered assembly and introduced Sr Ruth who gave a potted history of the Australian Ursulines' involvement over the years in Toowoomba. Mrs Anne Marie Pawsey thanked all who had been instrumental in bringing the new building and refurbishments to fruition over a period of years.

The spirit of the blessing incorporated important symbols which are integral to the school community's story. Interspersed with quotations from St. Angela Merici the symbols of light, crucifix, Scriptures, image of St Angela, books of Ursuline Australian foundations, jug and water and handmade quilt were brought forward and venerated.

The words of Blessing captured the essence of the significance of learning spaces for today's young people.

"God of all wisdom and knowledge
in your kindness hear our prayers
as we dedicate this school building to the education of your children,
and to the progress of the sciences, and to learning.
Make it become a centre where students and teachers,
enkindled with the words of truth
will search for the wisdom that guides the Christian life
and strive wholeheartedly to follow Christ as their teacher"

As we walked through the new and refurbished buildings there was a sense of being caught up in the story of those who have gone before, those who were present and those who will approach the centre of learning in the future.

As the quilt was processed through the Assembly it was accompanied by these words...

'This quilt is a symbol of our interconnectedness through story. In weaving the rich tapestry of life we draw on our stories. The twenty-first century world is one of emerging possibility and opportunity. Nothing exists in isolation in the world. Relationship is at the essence of everything that is. It is an interdependent and interconnected universe.'

This ceremony and day expressed the rich tapestry of life woven throughout the years of St. Ursula's College Toowoomba.

Image above: from left Past Principals of St Ursula's - Srs Maree Byron, Ruth Durick (Provincial), Leone Pallisier & Sue Flood with Mrs Ann Marie Pawsey (Present Principal)

 St-Ursulas-Building-Blessing4

 Image above: Students from St Ursula's Toowoomba placing symbols at Blessing