Catholic Education Office executive director Peter Kerwan said the yearly ritual allowed teachers and principals from the region’s Catholic schools to get together.

“We had teachers and principals from 17 primary schools and three secondary schools in Ballarat region,” Mr Kerwan said. “It lasted about an hour.

“It also gave the opportunity to teachers to meet with colleagues from other schools.”

Celebrated by Father Barry Ryan, Father Justin Driscoll and Father Adrian McInerney, the mass included a welcoming address by the new director of Catholic Education Audrey Brown.

The Ballarat Diocese, he said, extended from the Murray to the sea, with 53 primary schools and 11 secondary schools, providing education for 17,000 students, an increase from previous years.

“This year we welcome new principals at St Michael’s Primary School, Daylesford; St Mary’s Primary School, Donald; St Patrick’s Primary School, Stawell and St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura,” Mr Kerwan said.