Dear family and friends of OLSH College,

The whirlwind that the Catholic Church has travelled in recent weeks has been one filled with a spirit of hope, of excitement, of anticipation — a spirit of joy and a spirit of treasured sacred memories.

Among the most significant of these moments was today’s announcement of our new Pope, Pope Leo XIV. The process of his election — and the sheer global interest in this historic occasion — points without doubt to the tangible presence of God in the hearts of people. It is humanity at its very best, seeking out the ‘good’ in one another. Pope Leo’s first words from the balcony at the Vatican, spoken to thousands in the square and millions around the world, came straight from the heart...

“Peace be with you all. Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd, who has given his life for God’s flock. I too would like that this greeting of peace enters into your heart, reaching your families, and all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to all the earth. Peace be with you.”

Regnet Christus
May Christ Reign
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart pray for us

Anne O'Loughlin
Principal

A prayer for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV

This morning as a College, we rejoiced at the news of the newly elected Pope, Pope Leo XIV, and said a prayer for his ministry.

We pray that Pope Leo XIV be strengthened in his ministry. May he continue building bridges that connect us to one another. May he be an example of faith, hope, and love. We pray that you give him joy in his work and a renewed fervour for your Gospel message. May he never lose sight of Christ who walks before us and among us — particularly in the most vulnerable, the forgotten, and the outcast.

Christ Jesus, bless Pope Leo XIV — and bless us, your holy people, as together we strive to be your Body in our wounded world.

Amen.