Opening Liturgy 2023

​​Friendship, collegiality, pride and diversity were the themes of our Opening Liturgy for 2023.

On Friday 10 February 2023 the St Peter Claver College Community and several invited guests came together to celebrate the start of the new school year at our Opening Liturgy, including a Blessing of the Water.

Parish Priest for Sacred Heart Booval Reverend Father Thomas Varkey performed the Liturgy of the Word, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wowed with a traditional dance performance, and our College Choir and Band shared their musical talents.

Invited guests included:

  • Dr Sally Towns, BCE Executive Director.
  • Mr Diarmuid O'Riordan, BCE Deputy Executive Director and former SPCC Principal.
  • Regional Director Marist Schools Australia Mr Mark Elliot.​
  • Shayne Neumann, Federal Member for Blair.
  • Mr Lance McCallum, State Member for Bundamba.
  • Aunty Ruth Moffatt, Elder of our community.
  • Mr Brad Jarro, Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre Manager.
  • Mr Eric Ellis, Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre.
  • Mr Chris Thomas, Sacred Heart Primary School Principal.
  • Mrs Anne Ryan, Mrs Jane McEniery and Mr Nick Layofo, St Vincent de Paul Booval Riverview Conference President, Secretary and Member.
  • Mr Chirs Hicks, Sacred Heart Parish Council Chair.
  • Mrs Lina Vaoa, Sacred Heart Parish Booval.
  • Mr Neville Stagg, Sacred Heart Parish Riverview.

Principal Bruce McPhee shared the blessing of the day:

Bless the good people of the community; may they become fountains of your living water showing Concern, Love and Justice in the midst of a thirsting world.

“I am really proud of the authenticity of this community before me and this celebration today," Mr McPhee said.

College Captain Nicole Saether spoke on behalf of the four College Captains when she said, “We recognise that our school's commitment to Concern, Love and Justice is clear; our sense of community among teachers to students is strong; our love of sports and arts are embraced; and our celebration of diversity is an important part of our culture. These aspects of our College are not only things we wish to uphold, but things we hope to build on this year."