Class of 2025 Graduation Mass

Class of 2025 St Patrick's Cathedral steps Tue Grad Mass 23 Sept 2025
Year 12 students gathered with Ms L. Morrison, Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 12, on the steps of St Patrick's Cathedral after the Graduation Mass.

The Year 12 Graduation Mass was held on Tuesday, 23rd September.

On Tuesday evening, 23rd September, the Year 12 Class of 2025 gathered with their families, friends and staff at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, to celebrate their Graduation Mass.

The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Walter Fogarty, Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Westmead and Coordinating Pastor of the Westmead Catholic Community and Very Rev. Robert Riedling, Dean and Administrator of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Episcopal Vicar, in what was a very special occasion for the students and their families. Music was beautifully led by the school choir under the direction of Ms K. Picone, Leader of Learning Creative Arts, Mrs R. Romanous, Music Teacher and Mr B. Kirkpatrick, Cathedral Director of Music.

Leah Morrison Leader of Learning Wellbeing Yr 12 with students
Ms L. Morrison, Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 12, with students.

At the conclusion of the Mass, each student was presented with a symbolic graduation gift – a cup and saucer, representing the Mercy value of hospitality. This meaningful tradition draws on Catherine McAuley’s well-known phrase, “a comfortable cup of tea,” her words of comfort to the Sisters before her passing. The gift also carries Catherine’s reminder to “strive to do ordinary things extraordinarily well” alongside the Mercy Cross, both enduring symbols for the Catherine McAuley community.

Before leaving the Cathedral, the Year 12 students joined together to form their final ‘Circle of Mercy’ before processing out to the recessional hymn.

The evening concluded with students, staff, families and friends gathering in the Cathedral Cloisters for supper.