Last Friday, October 17, we celebrated the academic achievement of 58 students from the degree, diploma and certificate qualifications. The ceremony was held at the CTC Campus, St Columba Centre, Ponsonby with over 20 graduates attending in person with their whanau and friends.
Prayers were led by Professor Rohan Curnow, STD, deputy president and academic dean of the Catholic Institute of Sydney.
The 2025 Valedictorian was announced as Gerson Badayos, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Wellington, who addressed the gathering.
The Graduation Address was delivered by Dean of Degree Level Programmes Fr Mervyn Duffy, SM.
Introducing Fr Duffy, Fr John Owens, SM, said “we learned to our sorrow that he has been elected provincial superior of the New Zealand province of the Society of Mary and will leave the college at the end of this year. We realise it is for the benefit of the mission of the Church, but we greatly regret his going. We are grateful for all he has done.”
Fr Duffy spoke of his long association with Good Shepherd College and the Catholic Theological College. He gave his first lecture at the former in 2002.
He reflected on the foundational motivation for study undertaken by the graduates and on the “why” of Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College.
Just as the wonder and mystery of the night sky brought forth the discipline of astronomy, so people decide to study at Te Kupenga because of their belief in God, “not in some vague or distant deity, but in the God revealed in the Scriptures and in the person of Jesus Christ”.
“A universe with God is very different from a universe without him. It becomes ‘creation’ and it stands in relationship to the Creator. Faith in Jesus as Lord makes us his disciples and calls us to let his teaching shape our lives,” Fr Duffy said.
He told the graduates that they had immersed themselves in God-centred studies, so that they no longer view the world and themselves in the same way. He said students who hope to be “change-agents” need to equip themselves intellectually and spiritually, “to have any hope of making an impact on our age”.
“To be a disciple of Christ is to remain always teachable, always willing to be surprised by grace, always willing to discover more of the truth that sets us free,” Fr Duffy said.
He urged the graduates to “keep reading, keep questioning and keep praying”.
The blessing at the graduation ceremony was given by Hamilton Bishop Richard Laurenson.
