Echoes from the Archives

Recently two Old Collegians of St Bernard’s celebrated jubilees in the Christian Brothers with Terry Burke celebrating 70 years as a Brother and Laurie Collins 60 years. At a recent jubilee celebration Br Clem Barrett spoke the following words in appreciation of their life and work as Brothers:

Their stories are very similar: suffice to say they both studied at St Bernard’s College in Essendon, learned about their call through our training programmes, took a first step and eventually made a lifelong commitment to being a Christian Brother, undertook significant studies and committed themselves to their ministries - even though, there are similarities: both started their teaching in other states, Tasmania and then Western Australia for Terry and Western Australia for Laurie. They were actually together in community in Trinity in Perth in 1967 – but have spent most of their time in communities and schools in Victoria, spending significant time in leadership (Principal), St Bernard’s and Chanel for Terry and Parade and St Patrick’s Ballarat for Laurie. Both spent time in mission, Terry in Lautoka and Laurie in Nairobi. Eventually, there was a withdrawal from full-time school ministry but not from being actively involved in supportive activity – I am not sure either could define “retirement”. They even support the same football team (go Bombers)!

Cutting of the Jubilee Cake - from L to R: Brothers Peter Ellis, Laurie Collins, Terry Burke, Sean McManus and Tim Moloney