Our focus Touchstone this year, ‘Gospel Spirituality,’ shaped a Mass that celebrated the faith and trust Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers placed in God. It honoured our Irish Catholic heritage and highlighted elements of the Edmund Rice Icon, especially the spiral, symbolising the Divine at our centre. We move outward to serve, but must return to that centre for grounding, reflection and meditation. It is the Divine that nourishes us, just as it inspired Edmund’s mission.

Fr Geoff Plant celebrated the Mass and, in his Homily, spoke about protecting human dignity as outlined in Pope Leo’s ‘Magnifica Humanitis.’ He linked this to ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ reminding us that while we cannot change the whole world, we can transform our own sphere. We can act justly, love God and live His teachings, just as Edmund did for the poor of Waterford, the uneducated, the imprisoned and the marginalised. We were invited to consider how we, too, might help create a better world for all.

We acknowledged the Christian Brothers for who the Houses are named and claimed our commitment to them, and we sang hymns to reflect our need for God’s love and how we stand humbly before Him seeking guidance and support. After communion, we blessed the Christian Brothers who were with us, Br Brian Berg and Br Paul Oakley, which included singing The St Patrick’s Breastplate for them.

Then the annual Founder’s Day Touchstone Awards were presented, this year with a focus on Gospel Spirituality, looking at how these people are a living spring in the community, how they experience God in their lives and how they stand firm for what they believe in. The awards were presented to the following people for how they make others’ lives better and how they shine a light for their community: Theodore K (Stage 3), Benjamin G (Stage 4), Xavier T (Stage 5), Sebastian A (Stage 6) and staff member Mrs Fochesato (Archivist & Community Liaison).

After Mass, our special guests enjoyed morning tea while the whole community gathered around Breen Oval and shared a meal. The annual Waterford Mile was run and won by Archie A of Year 9, with Aidan O (Year 11) and Aston B (Year 6) placing second and third. We congratulate all who took part in the event which has become a long-standing tradition of the day.

Next came the Staff v Student Football Match, now in its second year. After several weeks of Year 12 House competitions, Berg House earned the right to take on the teachers. Fittingly, Br Berg led the team out through the tunnel and supported them from the sideline, celebrating with them as Berg (the students) secured a 3–2 win. Half time in the match saw the SPC Drumline showcase their skills, adding to the carnival atmosphere.

Overall, the day was about community. It is a celebration of our past, while living the charism and tradition in the present, and showcasing who we want to be into the future.