Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Opening Mass and Commissioning of the New College Principal for Stella Maris College, Manly
7 March 2025
It is with great joy and a deep sense of gratitude that we gather today to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for Stella Maris College, and particularly to commission a new leader, who will guide this vibrant community with wisdom, courage, and faith.
Today’s Opening Mass is a moment to thank God for the work that has been done, and to entrust the future of this College once more into God’s hands, as we welcome Mrs Sharyn Quirk to her role as College Principal.
During this Mass, we reflect on two beautiful and profound Scripture readings that invite us to examine the ways in which God is calling us all to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, especially in the ways that you are invited to serve in the world as women of faith.
In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear the words that echo God’s call for a people who do justice, seek mercy, and honour the dignity of others. God speaks through the prophet, “Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over. Your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you. (Isaiah 58:8)
This is a message of hope, a call to be beacons of light in a world that often struggles in darkness. For each of you, young women at Stella Maris College, this message holds particular significance. You are not only called to be recipients of this light, but to reflect it brightly to the world around you.
As daughters of God, you are invited to take your rightful place as leaders and disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit to shape a world that seeks justice, peace, and love.
In today’s Gospel from Matthew, we hear Jesus speak of the joy and transformative power of His presence. When questioned about fasting, Jesus responds, “The time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15)
In this simple yet profound message, Jesus reminds us that His presence in our lives is a source of deep joy and transformation. As His followers, we are called to live in such a way that this joy shines forth from our hearts, transforming not only our own lives but the lives of those we encounter.
What does all of this mean for us today, especially as we commission your new Principal at Stella Maris College, and as we reflect on the role of women in the Church and the world?
Saint Benedict’s Rule speaks powerfully to the dignity and importance of women in the service of God and the community.
My dear sisters in Christ, you are invited today to consider the gifts God has given you, and to approach them with humility and gratitude. As a disciple of Saint Benedict once wrote, “Let each one, however, in accordance with the gift God has given them, be humbly content with the work assigned them.” This is a beautiful invitation to embrace the unique gifts God has entrusted to each one of you. You are each wonderfully and uniquely created, and you have within you gifts that the world needs, gifts of leadership, intellect, compassion, and creativity.
In whatever role you find yourselves, whether in school, in the Church, or in the world, remember that all work, when done with humility and love, is valuable in the eyes of God.
As young women at Stella Maris, you are invited to discover and develop your gifts with the knowledge that God has a unique plan for your life. You are not called simply to fit into the world’s expectations, but to bring your own gifts to fruition, humbly offering them to the service of the community, the Church, and the world.
Saint Benedict also teaches us the importance of balance in life, between work, prayer, and reflection. “Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the ‘sisters’ should have specified periods for prayerful reading, and other duties should be done in such a way as to promote the work of God.” (cf. Ch.48, The Daily Manual of the Monks) This is a powerful reminder that the gifts you have should not only be used in the external world, but must also be nourished and strengthened through prayer, reflection, and study.
Prayer and action are not in competition; they complement one another. For young women like you, balancing prayer with your studies, your work, and your service is a way of ensuring that the light of Christ shines through all that you do. It is in these quiet moments of prayer and reflection that you will discern how best to use your gifts to serve God’s will.
In the life of a disciple, especially in times of leadership, the call is not to burn out in action, but to stay with God in prayer, so that your work and your leadership may be fruitful, and more importantly, in omnibus glorificetur Deus: that God may be glorified in all things.
Finally, the Rule of Saint Benedict teaches us that the greatest commandment of all is love, love expressed in hospitality and compassion. “Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, for Jesus is going to say, ‘I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.’” (Chapter 53, On the Reception of Guests)
This passage speaks directly to the Christian understanding of hospitality, not simply as politeness, but as a deeper form of welcome, one that recognizes Christ in the stranger, in the poor, in those who may be different from us. As young women of faith, you are called to welcome others with open arms and compassionate hearts, just as Jesus welcomes each of us. The gifts of compassion, empathy, and leadership that you nurture and develop in this school community will empower you to serve and lead others with the love of Christ.
You have the power to create communities of welcome, places where people feel safe, valued, and loved. You are leaders in your school, in your families, and in the world when you embrace the role of a servant-leader, humble, strong, intelligent, welcoming, and full of compassion.
As we celebrate the commissioning of your new Principal of Stella Maris College, we also recognize the importance of women as leaders in the Church and in the world. You are not just students; you are future leaders, sisters, daughters, and disciples of Jesus Christ. The world needs your strength, your wisdom, and your gifts. You are called to lead with dignity and joy, to pray with devotion, and to welcome others with compassion.
As you grow in faith, know that God has uniquely equipped you for the work which is set before you. Take pride in your gifts, cultivate them through prayer and service, and remember always to use them for the good of the world and the glory of God.
May the Lord bless each of you as you continue on this journey, and may Mary, Star of the Sea, accompany you to fulfill the great purpose that God has for your lives. Amen.