Student Mass marks death of school's namesake and inspiration

Students Catherine Wallace (left) and Jessi McGee are to remember the Pope in a Mass at John Paul College. Picture / Alan Gibson

Students of John Paul College in Rotorua are among the millions feeling the loss of the Pope.

"He's the namesake of our school," head boy Sam Escott said.

The school, which received a signed blessing from the Pope when it was established in 1987, is planning to hold a special Mass tomorrow.

Students at the college, which was recently in the news for spending $45,000 on a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will sing the Pope's favourite hymns and recite prayers he used at youth gatherings in Europe.

Prayers for the Pope have also been said before stagings of the production at Rotorua Convention Centre this week, while rosary beads have been distributed to classes to help students in their prayers until a new Pope is named.

The 17-year-old head boy said John Paul II's replacement would have big shoes to fill.

Sam Escott said the Pope had made huge achievements in his life, including helping end communism in his Polish homeland, and possessed a humanity that would be crucial for his successor.

Year 13 prefect Catherine Wallace said the Pope was the only Pontiff she and the other students had ever known. "We look up to him as our leader," she said.

All students spoken to at the school, which is 95 per cent Catholic, said they wanted a replacement who espoused the same beliefs as the Pope.

"If they had an identical twin of John Paul, that would be great," said deputy head boy Taofia Pelesasa.

Taofia said the Pope had strengthened his faith throughout his life.

"He was the Pope when I was born."

Principal Patrick Walsh said John Paul College wanted to mark the death not only because of the name connection.

"Even though he has been sick for quite some time, the actual death of a Pope is quite a moment in history," Mr Walsh said.

Two Catholic high schools - McKillop College (girls) and Edmund Rice College (boys) - were amalgamated to create John Paul College in May 1987.

The school has 890 students in years 7 to 13.