Bishop formally takes over St Thomas of Canterbury College

The ceremony on Wednesday, October 21, which followed the Minister of Education’s recent approval of the transfer of ownership, coincided with the college’s graduation Mass for year 13 students.

Bishop Michael Gielen, at the start of an address to students, families, staff, old boys and Church leaders, cited the Māori proverb He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai, meaning “where love is sown, there love will be received”.

“For generations, love, sacrifice, faith and hard work have been sown in St Thomas’, and today we are privileged to receive it,” he said.

“To all the friends of St Thomas’, thank you. We’re here today at the beginning of a new chapter, because so many of you cared enough to stand beside this college.

“Now that responsibility is entrusted to us. On behalf of the diocese and all who worked so hard to make this day possible, we receive this school into our family in the same way it began – with humility and gratitude. We treasure what has been handed on to us.”

St Thomas’ principal Steve Hart said the college acknowledges the Christian Brothers “with enormous gratitude”.

“Their contribution to St Thomas’ cannot simply be measured in years, buildings or programmes,” he said.

“It is found in the generations of young men who have passed through this college and in the values that continue to shape who we are: faith, service, justice, courage, compassion, and a particular commitment to those who need us most.”

Mr Hart said St Thomas’ “remains proudly Catholic, proudly shaped by the character of Blessed Edmund Rice and deeply committed to forming good young men who will make a difference in their families, their communities, and their world”.

“As Bishop Michael assumes proprietorship, our responsibility is to carry forward the very best of what has been entrusted to us,” he said.

Br Gerard Brady, the provincial leader for the Christian Brothers, recounted that the order was first invited to come to Christchurch in the 1880s, eventually saying “yes” to a later invitation in the 1960s to run St Thomas’.

Br Gerard said St Thomas’ is part of a global network of schools and ministries founded on the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, but each has its own identity.

“From its earliest years, this college developed a splendid spirit of cooperation from boys and parents, and it continues today,” he said.

Br Gerard also noted the “steadfastness” of the community as it faced uncertainty over its future in recent months. He acknowledged the brothers’ role in that.

In offering a gift to Bishop Gielen, Br Gerard noted that the “most sacred” gift is the students.

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Bishop formally takes over St Thomas of Canterbury College (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch)