Thomas Carr College paid tribute to the late Pope Francis with a special day of prayer and reflection on Tuesday 22 April.
After beginning the day with a memorial prayer, students gathered in their homerooms where mentor teachers led them in prayer and reflected on key moments of Pope Francis’ papacy.
All screens across the schools showed a memorial image of Pope Francis, who died in The Vatican on Monday, April 21 following 12 years as the pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
Students and staff then had the chance to visit the chapel at lunch to take a moment for reflection and light a candle in the memory of the later leader of about 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
This act was designed to be a meaningful way to honour his life and legacy, serving as a symbol of hope and remembrance, a quiet expression of faith, gratitude, and respect during this time of loss and mourning for the Catholic Church
Students had the opportunity to take a card featuring a quote from Pope Francis, which they could use as a prompt for personal reflection.
Principal Rose Connolly described Francis as “a beacon of light.”
“He was a forward-thinking leader who truly cherished the dignity of each person,” Ms Connolly said.
“May his legacy live on, especially for the poor and marginalised, as we keep him in our prayers.”
Defined by his progressive stances and championing for the rights and dignity of migrants, Pope Francis’s legacy holds a special place in the school’s diverse community.
“In our community, so beautifully rich in cultural diversity, what will always have the biggest impact is his legacy of inclusion, welcome, and mercy,” said deputy principal Phoebe Mondares.
