The Opening Mass for the 29th Performing Arts Festival took place on Friday 20 July 2018 at Infant Jesus Parish, Morley.
The mass was celebrated by Most Reverend Timothy Costelloe, Archbishop of Perth and the concelebrating priests were Fr Greg Burke and Fr John Pallippadan. Mark Powell performed the duties of Deacon with Peter Higgins as Acolyte. John Aldous, Chair Catholic Arts, welcomed all the Opening Mass representatives who attended on the day. The theme for this year’s Opening Mass was ‘Year of Youth”’. The Mass commenced with a proud display of a Student Flag Procession from all schools, with the Fanfare music performed by Mazenod College/St Brigid’s College, conducted by Sam Graham and Jonathan Brain. Following this, the Liturgical movement was performed by students from St Simon Peter Catholic Primary School and choreographed by Natalie Templeton. The Choir this year was from St Benedict’s School under the direction of Deborah Searson. The choir sang superbly throughout the Mass.
There was a moving performance of the dramatisation of the Gospel by students from Holy Cross College, under the guidance of Chris McRae. Readers this year were from Francis Jordan Catholic Primary School, Our Lady’s Assumption School, Notre Dame Catholic Primary School and St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School. Students from Matthew Gibney Catholic Primary School took up the Offertory gifts. Dr Debra Sayce, Acting Executive Director, Catholic Education Western Australia, then officially opened the 29th Performing Arts Festival. A wonderful morning was had by all with refreshments served in the Parish Centre at the conclusion of the Mass. Photos of the Mass were taken by Students from Chisholm Catholic College.
These photos can be viewed on the Gallery.