Community & Business
16 August, 2023
Composer visit, street library up and running
There’s been lots happening at St. Francis de Sales School, with Catholic Education Week highlighted by a visit from composer Michael Mangan and the operation of a community book library that anyone can use.
Michael Mangan Visit
The staff and students at St. Francis de Sales were very excited to be able to welcome singer Michael Mangan into their school last week.
Michael is a composer, teacher, performer and liturgist based in Brisbane.
He has composed over 250 pieces which are widely used in Religious Education programs in schools and churches throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.
Michael was gracious in answering the children’s many questions.
They learnt that the reason he started writing songs was because when he was a music teacher in Catholic schools in Brisbane he found it difficult to find songs with the right message that children enjoyed.
Staff and students loved singing and moving to Michael’s songs such as “Celebrate, Let’s Celebrate”, “Love God; Love Each Other”, “1,2,3, God Loves Me”, “Holy Spirit Rock” and “Hearts on Fire”.
His songs are known for their lively, catchy melodies and are loved by all.
Michael’s visit was a highlight in St. Francis de Sales’ Catholic Education Week celebrations.
Community Street Library
Each year, the St. Francis de Sales Year Six students leave a parting gift for their school.
In 2022, this was the construction of a Community Street Library.
James Bange constructed the library from new and recycled materials, and the Year Six students sanded and painted it.
In this library, the books come and go.
No-one needs to check them in or out.
People take what interests them and return them afterwards or pass them on to friends.
If anyone has a book or two that they think others would enjoy, they can just pop it into the Street Library when they happen to be walking past.
The school is pleased to announce that the new Community library is now operation on Meara Place.
Street libraries are a symbol of trust and hope – a tiny house of literary happiness.
