Spirit of Companionship: A Memorable Day with Bishop Shane

FCJ College had the privilege of welcoming Bishop Shane Mackinlay, Bishop of Sandhurst, during his five-day immersion in the life of St Joseph’s Parish.
He was warmly greeted by our school captains—Walter, Meg and Brayden—before being taken on a tour of the school grounds, accompanied by Principal Joseph Mount, Deputy Principal Kirsty Renkin, Father Vijay, Sister Liz fcJ and her faithful companion, Charlie.

Throughout the visit, Bishop Shane explored classrooms and engaged with students, taking a sincere and heartfelt interest in their learning and day-to-day experiences. His warmth and authenticity were felt by all.

Following the tour, Bishop Shane joined staff for morning tea, where he spoke with great hope about the appointment of Pope Leo XIV and the enduring legacy of Pope Francis.

A highlight of the visit was a thoughtful Q&A session with our Student Representative Council, prepared with guidance from Ms Steph Symes. Bishop Shane responded to questions on faith, leadership and values with sincerity and honesty. He shared insights into his personal journey to the priesthood, his connection to the Vatican, and his deep passion for education.

To our emerging student leaders, Bishop Shane offered two powerful lessons:

1. Listen to those you encounter – really dedicate time and energy to understanding another person’s point of view.
2. Try to do a little bit at a time to help others.

As Principal Joseph Mount reflected, “In our 125th year and themed year of Companionship, Bishop Shane’s visit was timely. He is always welcome in our community, and it was wonderful to hear him reflect on his experiences within the Diocese of Sandhurst, his connection to FCJ College, and passion for education. A strong advocate for creating spaces of listening and dialogue, Bishop Shane epitomised our Characteristic of Companionship through his inviting nature and willingness to listen.”

We are grateful to Bishop Shane, Father Vijay and Sister Liz fcJ (and Charlie) for spending time with us. Their visit enriched our College and truly reflected the spirit of Companionship.

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