Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
13 February 2026
It is a joy to be with you today as we celebrate 60 years since the opening of Mount St Benedict College.
In November last year, I had the pleasure of blessing the new and refurbished buildings, and I remember very clearly the sense of hope, pride and anticipation that filled this place. Those buildings are a visible sign of renewal and growth, however, today reminds us that the true strength of this College is not bricks and mortar, it is people, especially you, the young women who learn, grow and discover who you are here.
An anniversary is always about gratitude.
We give thanks for the vision and courage of those who founded this College, for the Sisters of the Good Samaritan who shaped its spirit, and for generations of students, families and staff who have kept that spirit alive. At the same time, an anniversary is also a challenge. It asks us not only to honour the past, but to be faithful in the present and hope filled for the future.
To the students especially, this celebration is for you. This year ahead is an invitation to allow your gifts to be revealed. Not all at once, not in comparison with others, but patiently and honestly. Each of you has been created by God with care and intention. Your gifts are unique, and they are needed.
The world does not need you to be a copy of someone else. It needs you to be the best person that God has created you to be, and to offer what only you can offer for the building up of others and for the greater good.
In preparing for today, I took great interest in your crest here at Mount St Benedict College. At its centre is the cross of Christ, reminding us that Jesus and the teachings of the Catholic Church are the foundation of your College.
The death and resurrection of Jesus are not distant events from the past; they are the heart of our faith and the promise of salvation that gives meaning and hope to our lives today. From that centre flows everything else. The torch of faith shines as a sign of light. Jesus himself is the light who guides learning here.
Education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about learning how to see clearly, to think deeply, and to walk confidently along the road of life. That road is represented by the grey section of the crest. It reminds us that life is a journey, sometimes smooth, sometimes uncertain. Along that road, the cross and the torch, Jesus Christ himself, guide and accompany us.
The word PAX, peace, is central to the Benedictine tradition and to the Good Samaritan charism that shapes this College. It is not a shallow or fragile peace. It is the deep peace that comes from unity with God, from listening carefully, from living with integrity, and from treating others with dignity and compassion. In a world that can be noisy, hurried and divided, this peace is both a gift and a responsibility.
The Alleluia verse today, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, offers a powerful image for young women today. In just a single line, we are told that the Lord opened the heart of Lydia to listen to what the Apostle Paul was saying. God worked through Paul who spoke and taught, and through Lydia who listened with an open heart. That listening led to faith, and not only for Lydia herself, but for her whole household. She became the first person to be converted to Christ in Europe. What a remarkable witness of how God works through dialogue, openness, and courage.
My dear people, this is an important lesson. Genuine discipleship begins with listening. Listening to God, listening to one another, listening to the movements of the Holy Spirit within our own hearts.
Faith grows when we are willing to ask questions, to seek understanding, and to discern meaning in the search for truth and wisdom, in the best of the Catholic tradition. This is at the heart of the mission of Mount St Benedict College. Sometimes, however, we struggle to listen or to speak. We may feel unsure, unheard or held back by fear.
In the Gospel, the people say of Jesus, He has done all things well, he makes the deaf hear and the mute speak. Jesus removes obstacles and animates us for participation. He enables us to listen more deeply and to speak with clarity and courage. He invites us not to withdraw, but to step forward and to use our gifts.
As this sixtieth anniversary year unfolds, may it be a time of regeneration for this whole community. May the power of the Gospel renew hearts and minds. May the charism of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan continue to inspire service, compassion and courage. May the peace of Saint Benedict dwell richly here.
Celebrate the past with gratitude, live the present with faithfulness, and face the future with hope.
And to each young woman here today, know this, God is at work in you. Allow your gifts to be revealed, nurture them with care, and offer them generously. In doing so, you will not only honour the legacy of Mount St Benedict College, you will help shape a future filled with faith, wisdom and peace.