Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Mass of Thanksgiving for the Opening and Blessing of
Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary School, Epping
29 May 2025
My dear friends in Christ,
What a joyful day this is! Today we gather as a people of faith, giving thanks to God for the blessing and opening of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary School here in Epping.
We give thanks for the vision, the planning, the building, and most importantly, for the people, students, families, teachers, parishioners, leaders, and workers, who together form this vibrant community of learning and of faith.
In our first reading today from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we are reminded that we are no longer strangers or foreign visitors, but fellow citizens, members of the household of God. And he tells us that this household is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. That image of Jesus as the cornerstone is central to our celebration today.
In the Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” And Peter is moved to say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus calls Peter “the rock” and declares that upon this rock He will build His Church.
This is not simply the story of Peter, it is our story too. Each of us is called, like Peter, to recognize who Jesus is and to allow Him to be the very foundation of our lives. And just like Peter, we are invited to grow, sometimes stumbling, sometimes uncertain, but always journeying deeper into the mystery of God’s love.
That is why Catholic schools exist.
We build Catholic schools not just with bricks and mortar, but with faith, hope, and love. We open their doors to every student and every family, so that each one might experience the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, and of placing Him as the cornerstone of all we think, and do, and say.
Here at Our Lady Help of Christians, we have laid down more than physical foundations. We have built a space where learning is about more than grades or achievements, it is about truth, goodness, and beauty. It is about forming young minds and hearts to love what is right, to seek justice, to live in peace, and to become the kind of people who build up not only the Church, but society itself.
In a world that often prizes success over service, and noise over wisdom, we choose instead to plant seeds of faith and values that will grow deep and secure. Our children will not only be taught mathematics, science, literacy, sports, and the arts, they will be taught kindness, integrity, and the truth that each of them is made in the image of God, deeply loved and called by name.
We welcome every person of good will into this community. Here, faith and learning are not in competition, they are companions on the road to truth. We believe that when Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives, everything else finds its place. And when Jesus is at the heart of our school, the whole community is strengthened, parents, teachers, students, and parishioners alike.
As we celebrate today, we acknowledge the hands and hearts that have built this school, from the architects and designers to the educators and leaders. But we also look forward, to the children who will walk through the corridors, to the prayers whispered in classrooms, to the friendships formed, and the faith nurtured.
We entrust this school to the loving care of Our Lady Help of Christians, patroness of this parish and this school. She is our mother, our guide, and our intercessor. May Mary accompany every teacher, every family, every child along the journey of faith and learning.
And most of all, may she lead us always to her Son, Jesus Christ, who is our brother, our friend, our Saviour, and our Lord. May this school be a place where hearts are lifted, minds are opened, and Jesus Christ remains the cornerstone of all we build. Amen.