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Speech about Thomas Carr for Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre Thanksgiving Service 7th September by Rhys Are

Thomas Carr was a visionary with a passion for learning. He was the 2nd Archbishop of Melbourne and was instrumental in the building of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Newman College at the University of Melbourne and he built a legacy of learning for future generations. My name is Rhys and I am proud to represent Thomas Carr College to briefly speak to you about the patron of our school, Archbishop Thomas Joseph Carr.
Born in Moylough in 1839, Thomas Carr lived his early life learning about and preaching the word of God, he was appointed Bishop of Galway in 1883 and, three years later, he was made Archbishop of Melbourne. After he arrived, he accomplished many feats during his three decades as Archbishop, this included the creation of the parish of Werribee, a teacher training college in Melbourne and the foundation for St Vincent’s Hospital. He also had a passion for education.

It is this passion for the education of the future generations, especially those of who lived in poverty, that he shared with Mary Mackillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Both of these renowned figures in the Church were known for their commitment to the education of others, and it is their dedication to this and their collaboration, that we have come here today to celebrate and recognise.

From his time in Moylough and Galway, to the devotion of his life’s work here in Melbourne, more than 100 years after his death, Thomas Carr’s legacy is something I am proud to know about and the community he’s created is something I’m proud to be a part of. Thomas Carr’s achieved much in his 30 years as Archbishop of Melbourne. The spirit, philosophy and vision for excellence in education and the dedication to social justice as modelled by Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop and Archbishop Thomas Carr, live on in our College, Thomas Carr College.

– Rhys Are : student from Year 8