Dedicating the School Year to God

Below is an article showcasing the dedication ceremony at Francis Douglas Memorial College, where the school community gathered to bless the Year 13 students and the Student Leadership Team, setting the tone for a year of growth and leadership under the theme "Christo Duce - With Christ as Leader."

Dedicating the School Year to God

Friday 9th February was the day we dedicated this coming school year to God. As a school community we gathered in St Joseph’s Church to thank God for this new year and bless our Year 13 students as leaders of our school.

We also acknowledged the eighteen young men who have taken on the mantle of the Student Leadership Team. Together they will work for the benefit of their peers, being excellent role models and showing innovation in their respective leadership roles.

Our Head Boy, Clarence Chan, Special Character Leader, Zach Bernardo, and Deputy Head Boy, Daniel Lewis, began their responsibilities by addressing their peers during the Mass.

We were delighted that our newly ordained bishop, Bishop John Adams, was in New Plymouth and was able to celebrate the Mass for us.

Principal, Mr Tim Stuck, welcomed us all and introduced the school theme for 2024, Christo Duce, With Christ as Leader, and this was reinforced through the speeches of our student leaders. Zach and Daniel spoke as part of the Homily and cleverly entwined our Lasallian Charism and Catholic Values with our school theme and scripture.

An excerpt of their Homily:

Zach

The Lasallian Charism guides us through our journey as a school, and as an individual. I think you’ve all heard this many times before, and if not, then you’ll become very familiar with it in the years to come. Touching Hearts, Teaching Minds, Transforming Lives. This slogan is one of the most important when it comes to being a Lasallian. Touching hearts may seem vague and a little confusing, but you can see this happen all around you, through teachers and your friends. The Lord has given us a gift, my brothers and sisters, to be able to bring joy into each other's lives. You can bring joy into someone’s life. The phrase “touching hearts” is far more than just a phrase, it urges us to touch the hearts of our friends, our neighbours, and our community.

Daniel

In terms of teaching minds, Proverbs 16 tells us “Wisdom and education are worth more than silver and gold” It is a privilege for us to be here today, to attend this school and receive the gift of  education. Here at Francis Douglas Memorial College education is not limited to the school curriculum, and extends way past what we do in the classroom. it provides a foundation for life and an environment encouraging us to grow into good college men

Each of us have gifts from God, whether it be in academics, sports, arts and culture or service it is our duty to follow and pursue them. “Do not put your light under a pot, rather put your light on the stand in the middle of your room to bring glory to God.” Do not be ashamed of making the most of your gifts, especially here at the college where we are offered endless opportunities to become the best version of ourselves. Ultimately it is all up to us and whether we choose to live like Father Francis Vernon Douglas, to live life with no regrets.

Our Head Boy Clarence Chan caused quite a stir when he began his speech as he informed us we are all awful! His words to his younger brothers and peers were for them to understand that today is the beginning of who they are to become through following Christ, Christo Duce. An excerpt of his speech:

But, as it turns out. A fool is the very best thing you can be right now. Our school motto last year, “live life with no regrets”, was one which strangely enough, embodied this mantra. In living life with no regrets, we’re encouraged to put ourselves out there, take risks, make mistakes, and make fools of ourselves. With our motto for this year, “Christo Duce - With Christ as our Leader”, we are challenged once again, to do the same. To keep improving. To walk in Christ’s footsteps, trust in his strength, and to continually grow. So please, even if you’re awful at it, sing loud in house singing, speak confidently in your speeches, and hit the griddy in the dance circle at the socials.

Because you, right now, are awful. But awful, compared to who you will be. Compared to the person waiting at the end of this year. The person you are set to become. You owe it to yourself to be awful at it now, so you can be better later. Future you will cringe at your mistakes, will condemn some of the things you’re doing, and will be kept up late at night thinking about that one time you said “hit the griddy” in a church. But without you now, making a fool of yourself, you won’t look back and think you used to be awful, but you’ll look ahead, and know you could have been greater. And so I invite you all, as we embark on this year together: to make those mistakes, try new things, be awful at them now, and do it all, for you.

Because you, my friend, are incredible.   

There is no better way to begin the school year than in praise to God and listening to the wisdom of our Student Leaders. Francis Douglas Memorial College is in good hands with leaders who understand the importance of always knowing that we are in the Holy Presence of God

Live Jesus in our Hearts Forever.

Source: Anna Zsigovits-Mace