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On Friday, February 12, the first commissioning ceremony for all the recently appointed principals (17), senior teachers (2) and heads of department (3) was held at the Mt Carmel RC Church, St Mary’s Junction, Freeport.
The official ceremony began at 10 a.m. with Holy Mass. Archbishop Jason Gordon was the chief celebrant and he was assisted by Fr Gerard Bernier, parish priest at Mt Carmel RC.
Archbishop Gordon specially addressed the new administrators during his homily. Based on the gospel Mk:31–37, he explained to those present that they were tasked with the responsibility to instil proper Catholic values both in their teachers and students, as well as be exemplars living those values.
Archbishop Gordon emphasised that the students must be taught honesty, humility, have a good work ethic and practise delayed gratification while working very hard to achieve whatever he/she may desire.
As in the gospel message “the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed and he spoke plainly” (Mk:36–37), His Grace asked the administrators the question: How do you open the children’s ears to hear God’s Word, lips to speak God’s words and the will to do God’s work?
Above everything else it was the task of the administrators, as their charges leave the shelter of the school, to help them become individuals who can make decisions based on a conscience formed by gospel values.
The Archbishop also reminded them to continue the practice of starting the day with meditation and ending it with the Examen. These practices can go a long way in transforming not only the schools, but also eventually, the world.
