Anniversaries beckon us beyond celebration. They offer a sacred pause – a moment to trace the threads of memory and gratitude that have woven our community from its earliest beginnings to this present tapestry of life.
In this spirit, Good Samaritan Education (GSE) marks its 15th year alongside significant milestones for three of our colleges: Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne celebrating 110 years; Stella Maris College, Manly commemorating 95 years; and Mount St Benedict College, Pennant Hills marking 60 years.
Fifteen years ago, GSE was entrusted with continuing the educational ministry of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Established as a Ministerial Public Juridic Person in July 2011, GSE emerged from a significant time of discernment, research and dialogue undertaken over several years to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of the Sisters would be carried into the future in a way that responded to the signs of the times.
Since then, the mission, charism and Benedictine tradition of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan have continued to unfold through the life of our schools, where learning, faith and community are woven together in ways both visible and unseen.
The milestones of GSE, Lourdes Hill College, Stella Maris College and Mount St Benedict College offer a moment of gratitude and invite us to honour the foundations laid by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. They also provide an opportunity to recognise the dedication of past and present staff, families and communities who have shaped the life of our schools.
Together, we celebrate the many ways our communities continue to nurture hope-filled young people, cultivating a love of learning and beauty so that in all things God may be glorified (RB 57:9).
Below are reflections from each school’s 2026 opening celebrations.
Celebrating 110 years at Lourdes Hill College
For 110 years, the story of Lourdes Hill College has been shaped by generations of strong, spirited young women, a connected community, and a shared vision to be a transforming Benedictine presence in our world.
To mark this milestone, staff, students and VIP guests gathered on 20 February for the Lourdes Day 110 Year Anniversary Mass at Chandler Theatre. Brisbane’s Archbishop Shane Mackinlay was the principal celebrant for the Mass, which was concelebrated by our College Chaplain Father Pan Jordan.
Lourdes Hill College 110 Year Anniversary Mass. Image: Lourdes Hill College.
Mass commenced with the presentation of the College’s 110 Year Anniversary video, reflecting on our rich history and the bright future ahead. The service honoured our past, celebrated our present and looked ahead to the future – united in faith, tradition and the enduring spirit of Lourdes Hill.
Celebrations continued on 21 February with the 110 Year Anniversary Community Event, a joyful afternoon that brought together generations of the Lourdes Hill community. Held at Panthers AFL Club in Morningside, the event welcomed more than 900 attendees across three hours.
Past pupils reconnected and shared memories, while current and future families experienced the strong sense of community that defines Lourdes Hill. The occasion also recognised another important milestone – 100 years of support from the LHC Past Pupils’ Association.
Live music, student performances, jumping castles, games and family entertainment ensured there was something for everyone, creating an afternoon filled with connection, celebration and community.
Stella Maris College’s 95th Anniversary Mass
What a magnificent moment in the Stella Maris College story.
On 12 February, we gathered as a community to celebrate our 95th Anniversary Mass. Broken Bay’s Bishop Anthony Randazzo was the principal celebrant for the Mass, which was concelebrated by Father Chima Ofor, Parish Priest of Manly Freshwater Parish.
Bishop Randazzo delivered a deeply empowering homily, speaking beautifully to the strength, dignity, and leadership of young women – a message that resonated profoundly with our students.
We were honoured by the presence of our Board and Committee members and representatives from Good Samaritan Education, whose support and partnership continue to shape our future.
Alumni representing each decade processed forward with candles, a powerful symbol of the generations of women who have shaped Stella.
From left: Margaret Duffy, Bishop Randazzo and Florence M at Stella Maris College’s 95th Anniversary. Image: Stella Maris College.
The music lifted our hearts, and a beautiful moment unfolded as our oldest alumna, Margaret Duffy (99 years of age), and our youngest student, Florence M (11 years of age), together cut the celebration cake – legacy and promise standing side by side.
Each student received a commemorative 95th Anniversary pin and specialty hair ribbon, small symbols of belonging to something enduring and extraordinary.
It was a celebration executed with reverence, beauty and joy, reflecting the very best of who we are as a College community.
60 Years of Mount St Benedict College
The Mount St Benedict College community celebrated a significant milestone on 13 February: the 60th anniversary of the College’s foundation by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Bishop Anthony Randazzo was the principal celebrant for the College’s Opening Mass, which was concelebrated by Father Raphael Kimaro AJ, Parish Priest of St Agatha’s Parish, Pennant Hills.
The Opening Mass is always a moment of joy and unity for the College, but this year it carried a particular sense of gratitude and reflection. Looking out over the congregation of students, ex-students, staff and invited guests, Bishop Randazzo reminded those present that the true spirit of the College is found in its people, “especially the young women who learn and grow here.”
“Anniversaries are always about gratitude,” he said. “We give thanks for the vision and courage of those who founded this College, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, who shaped its spirit, and for generations of students, families and staff who have kept that spirit alive.”
His words echoed the deep appreciation felt across the community for the Good Samaritan Benedictine foundations that remain central to the life of the College.
This spirit of joyful gratitude was evident throughout the morning as staff, Year 12 students and ex-students happily chatted on the Hildegard Deck looking over the Blue Gum Forest. Students in Years 7 to 11 were also treated to cupcakes, and the precious gift of an extended recess.
Among the many special moments, a highlight was the first and current College Captains cutting the cake together: Cathy Ferndale (nee Woods), Class of 1971, and Imogen Hays, Class of 2026. Though still a relatively young school, Mount St Benedict College treasures the legacy it shares with generations of ‘Bennies girls’: women formed in confidence, competence and compassion, ready to contribute generously to the wider world.
In his homily, Bishop Randazzo offered the students an invitation for the year ahead: to allow their gifts to be revealed “not all at once, not in comparison with others, but patiently, honestly and delightfully.” His message resonated strongly with the College’s 2026 focus on PAX, the Benedictine value of a peace grounded in harmony, and a deep trust that each person’s gifts unfold in God’s time.
The celebration was enriched by the presence of civic and educational leaders, members of the Good Samaritan Education community, ex-students and parent representatives. Their attendance reflected the broad network of relationships that has sustained the College over six decades and continues to strengthen its mission.
As Mount St Benedict College marks 60 years since the Sisters first responded with faith and courage to the needs of young women in this community, the anniversary Mass served not only as a commemoration of the past, but as a renewed commitment to continue to educate young women within the Good Samaritan tradition, and to nurturing communities shaped by Hospitality, Stewardship and Peace.
In the first of a series of videos capturing the history and voices of Mount St Benedict College, Sister Catherine Slattery reflects on her call to vocation, her life as a Sister of the Good Samaritan, her teaching ministry and the significant role she played in the formation of Good Samaritan Education.
