The Catholic Arts program of events for 2020 turned to digital technology to celebrate the Arts in Catholic schools while prioritising social-distancing and safety precautions in light of COVID-19. 

The virtual Angelico Exhibition was only accessible online this year, with the People’s Choice voting indicating the format was a success (more than 1200 votes were received), while the Performing Arts Festival entries were submitted online for adjudication, with more than 1300 recording received. 

Despite the success of these new approaches, some significant live events were missed, like the Catholic Education Carnevale, Opening Mass, and Performing Arts Festival Concert, making the inclusion of last week’s Catholic Arts Liturgy of the Word at St Mary’s Cathedral a welcome addition to the calendar. 

Celebrated by the Most Reverend Gerard Holohan, Bishop of Bunbury and Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia, along with the Archdiocese of Perth’s Reverend Father Vincent Glynn, Vicar Education and Faith Formation, the Liturgy brought together students, school staff and guests for a time of praise and worship acknowledging the Arts.

Mr Darryl Winsor, Catholic Arts Chair and Principal of Notre Dame Catholic Primary School, welcomed attendees to the Liturgy, and after opening reflections and prayer from Bishop Holohan, students from St Paul’s Primary School, La Salle College, Holy Cross College and Mercy College played a key role in proceedings with choral pieces, liturgical movements, readings and prayers. 

CEWA Executive Director, Dr Debra Sayce, spoke at the Liturgy, reflecting on the theme ‘A Year of Celebration and Participation’ and the resilience and adaptability of students and staff pursuing artistic projects in a year disrupted by the pandemic. She also thanked sponsors Zenith Music, St John of God Healthcare and Australian Catholic Superannuation Retirement Fund for their ongoing support in difficult times.

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