On Friday 5th February Marist College Mt Albert, Auckland held its Inaugural Mass for 2010 at St Patrick’s Cathedral. After the Mass Sr. Jane Frances, Superior General, currently on visitation in New Zealand blessed and opened the Chavoin Suite for Religious Education and the Mother Bernard Archives.

Mother Bernard was one of the two pioneer Marist sisters in New Zealand and was the first principal and driving force behind the development of the College. The preparation of the archival space has taken a year. Displays of artifacts and photos were prepared for the occasion.

In her address, Sr. Jane highlighted Mother Bernard’s zealous work for catholic education and highlighted the role of archives in creating “an interest in our past, a past that is both a human and religious place from where we can look towards our future.” She urged staff to make community the heart of catholic education “as a reality to be lived”. Students were reminded that their commitment is to the future, and that they “are bearing Mary’s name and will soon learn how to live her spirit.”