Hundreds of staff joining Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Perth were warmly welcomed to the Catholic education community on Friday 31 January.   

The commissioning Mass for 260 new school staff, celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, took place at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth and was attended by 650 guests including Minister for Education and Training, Hon Sue Ellery, Shadow Minister for Child Protection Nick Goiran, members of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) as well as school staff from across the Archdiocese. 

Archbishop Costelloe, in his homily, shared the significance of Mass being celebrated on the feast day of St John Bosco, citing the Saint’s profound contribution to the education of children and young people.  Archbishop Costelloe encouraged educators to find inspiration for their vocation in St Bosco’s faith journey, in particular the gentleness and kindness that is remember for.   

CEWA Executive Director, Dr Debra Sayce, also addressed CEWA staff, thanking them for their commitment to student learning and wellbeing, and challenging them to keep the dignity of each child at the heart of all their decision making.

CEWA Deputy Executive Director Wayne Bull, CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, Archbishop of Perth the Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe SDB, and Minister for Education and Training the Honourable Sue Ellery MLC at the 2020 commissioning Mass for new CEWA school staff at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Dr Sayce also welcomed staff beginning in Archdiocese of Perth office-based roles, after a celebration of the Eucharist at the Catholic Education Centre in Leederville on Monday 3 February, which was followed by a Welcome to Country by Whadjuk elder Professor Len Collard.  

New staff at both events were presented with a commissioning prayer and a crucifix. 

Commissioning Masses for new staff members in the Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton dioceses will take place on 19 February, 8 March and 7 February respectively.

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