In true Benedictine fashion, Hospitality was woven throughout the celebration. Students acted as guides, warmly welcoming visitors and proudly showcasing the new facilities within the MSB Centre and refurbished A Block classrooms and Wellbeing spaces. It was an honour to have former College Principals, Sr Agnes Farrugia and Sr Elizabeth Delaney, in attendance and they expressed how delighted they were to meet current students who are young women of confidence, courtesy and genuine enthusiasm for the College’s mission.

The College was also honoured to host several distinguished guests, including Congregational Leader Sr Catherine McCahill sgs, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Education Dr Joanne Hack, Julian Leeser MP, Monica Tudehope MP, GSE Assembly Member Moira Nadjecki, Chair of the College Board Dr Marea Nicholson, and many Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

Mass was celebrated by Bishop Anthony Randazzo and concelebrated by Fr Robert Borg and Fr Raphael Kimaro. During his homily, Bishop Randazzo reflected on the deeper meaning of the day’s celebrations. “Today we gather not only to open the new and refurbished buildings but also to celebrate a living vision of education, of faith and of the formation of young women who will shine their light for the world to see,” he said. He reminded the community that MSB has long been a place where young women are nurtured in the light of Christ, empowered to grow in knowledge, character and faith. “This College is a place where the light of Christ is nurtured, cultivated and allowed to shine brightly. Today, we proclaim our confidence that the light which begins here will reach far beyond the school gates. Since 1966, MSB has been a place where young women are empowered to grow in knowledge, skills and faith.”

In his address, Principal Michael Hanratty expressed his gratitude to the Sisters of the Good Samaritan for their enduring legacy. “Generations of Good Samaritan Sisters walked these corridors, prayed and extended Hospitality to countless others,” he said. “It has been both a challenge and a privilege to preserve that spirit while creating facilities fit for the educational needs of the 21st century.’

Mr Hanratty explained that the refurbishment was guided by a commitment to honour the past while creating vibrant, functional spaces for contemporary learning. “We’ve honoured the spirit of the old convent building while opening it to light, learning and possibility, and redesigned the tired administration spaces in Block A to enable contemporary, functional STEM learning spaces for our girls and more welcoming spaces for student services and the wellbeing team.”

He emphasised that the project is not defined solely by bricks and mortar but by the opportunities these renewed spaces now offer. “This project has been about what these spaces now make possible – learning that is creative, wellbeing that is nurtured and faith that continues to find a home in this beautiful setting.”

Reflecting on the Benedictine ethos of the College, Mr Hanratty noted, “I am reminded constantly that we have created not only a place of learning but a place of peace. In the Benedictine way, we seek to find God in the ordinary; in work well done, in community built and Hospitality extended.” He described the building as a living expression of that tradition: “A place where ora et labora, prayer and work, come together in service of others. It is our hope that all who enter these spaces continue to find wisdom, hospitality and the quiet assurance that God is uniquely present in this place.”

The opening and blessing of the MSB Centre and A Block stands as a testament to the College’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence, spiritual formation and community engagement, values which are deeply embedded in its Good Samaritan heritage.