Opening Mass

Grounded in Faith: Opening Mass 2026

Our College community came together for the Opening Mass, celebrated by Rev Father Andrew McCarter, as we began the year grounded in faith and our 2026 theme, “Hearts that Listen, Hands that Act.” In his homily, Father Andrew reflected on two powerful Scripture moments that may seem very different at first — the young Samuel listening in the quiet of the night, and Jesus kneeling to wash the feet of His disciples. Together, these readings reminded us that “God speaks to listening hearts, and works through willing hands,” calling each of us to be attentive to God’s voice amid the many pressures and distractions of daily life.

Father Andrew encouraged students to take Samuel’s simple prayer as their own: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” reminding us that God often speaks gently — through conscience, peace and quiet nudges toward kindness, courage, and truth. He then connected this listening to action through the example of Jesus’ humble service, quoting Christ’s words: “I have given you an example, so that you may do as I have done for you.” Through a moving story of a student choosing to sit with someone who was often alone, Father Andrew highlighted how small acts of compassion can change lives. The message was clear: our faith is not meant to stay private or passive — it is meant to be lived each day through hearts that notice and hands that respond with love.