“act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God”
Michael Cooney, Aquinas College BOT member, and a well-known, local identity paid tribute to both Terry Eggleton and Terry Consedine at their Thanksgiving Mass held at St Mary Immaculate Church on Wednesday 23rd November. At the conclusion of Michael’s tribute, he acknowledged the work and heart of our ‘Two Terrys” through Micah 6:8 “act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God”.
Over 400 people attended the Thanksgiving Mass, where Bishop Steve and Mons Frank Eggleton con-celebrated the Mass. The Two Terry’s were delighted to see a large number of past students at the event, along with parents, friends and colleagues they had worked with over the years.
Bishop Steve spoke genuinely of the talents and service the Two Terrys have given not only to Aquinas College, but to New Zealand Catholic Education. Bishop Steve highlighted the many similarities in these two fine men – “strong Catholic faith background, joyous, prayerful, reflective, service, Special Catholic Character, model Jesus to our youth, live their faith, much loved and well respected teacher, looks out for the quiet ones, the strugglers; never holds a grudge; makes everyone laugh.”
Bishop Steve bestowed a blessing over the Two Terry’s acknowledging their careers and thanking them for their life’s work. Bishop Steve also prayed a blessing over their wives thanking them for their love and support of their husbands and asked for God’s blessing to them all in this next phase of their lives – retirement.
Paul Ferris, CEO of NZ Catholic Education Office, travelled from Wellington to Tauranga for this special event. He acknowledged the 40+ years of service each man had given to education. He thanked them on behalf of NZ Catholic Education for the pivotal positions they had both held in their careers, the changes that they had implemented over this time and the wisdom and care they both brought to students and management.
As CEO of NZ Catholic Education, Paul Ferris presented Terry Consedine and Terry Eggleton with Certificates of Honour. These awards are prestigious, given to only around 3% of staff working in our Catholic schools. They are awarded for outstanding ongoing service to Catholic Education. Our community is delighted that the Two Terry’s were acknowledged with such an accolade.
Ray Scott, Principal of Aquinas College, in his speech of thanks to Terry Consedine and Terry Eggleton, acknowledged the contributions both men had made to Aquinas College. As a member of its foundation staff, Terry Eggleton was thanked for the many ‘hats’ he wore when the college was first established. They were both thanked for their wisdom, their vision and their ability to ‘get the job done’ with grace and understanding. Ray presented a gift to both men from the Aquinas community that depicted a Maori kete basket of knowledge, with the college’s six touchstones – Service, Joy, Family, Prayer, Truth and Scholarship – etched in stones flowing from the kete, with the community symbolized by stones scattered in the forefront. Trish Eggleton and Wendy Consedine, were presented with bouquets of roses in acknowledgement of the support they have given to their husbands over many years.
Our college choir sang during the Mass and the parish music group, Emmaus, beautifully led songs that were meaningful to both Terry Consedine and Terry Eggleton. A supper followed the Mass, where the Two Terry’s were able to share a cup of tea with the many people who had gathered. The laughter and stories continued into the evening, with the love for these two fine men very evident. Our best wishes for a well-earned retirement but we know we’ll still see your smiley faces around the college grounds for many years to come. God bless you and keep you safe always Terry Eggleton and Terry Consedine.
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