The MacKillop community gathered to celebrate the beginning of the academic year at the 2026 Opening Mass on Friday 20 February.

The 2,300 students and staff of MacKillop were joined in Eucharist at the Tuggeranong Basketball Stadium by representatives of Catholic Education, students and teachers from several schools, parents, local politicians, members of the College Community Council, and a number of past students and staff members. Among the many special guests were the College’s foundation principal, Sr Noelene Quinane, and the Executive Director of Catholic Education, Mr David de Carvalho.

The Mass was celebrated by College Chaplain Fr Simon Falk, who was joined by his assistant priest from the Corpus Christi Parish, Fr Mark Ha.

The event also included a special blessing for the new College Principal, Mrs Jacqui Heffernan, as well as the College’s new Year 7 students.

As usual, the choir and musicians helped to create a special atmosphere and helped transform the basketball stadium into a place of reflection and prayer.

In a message to the community, Mrs Heffernan said the gathering was a lived experience of the 2026 Liturgical Theme, ‘Encourage one another’ (2 Corinthians 13:11).

“This morning, we witnessed a beautiful celebration at our Opening Mass,” she said.

“Our 2026 College Theme, ‘Encourage one another’, was a lived experience today as our community came together in prayer and support of one another.

“Congratulations to all!”

The College thanks Mrs Crystal Wilkes, the Liturgy and Mission Coordinator, for her leadership and organisation of the event. Congratulations also to the large team who created such a deeply moving community celebration of Eucharist and congratulations to the students for the reverence and prayerful presence they brought to the occasion.