Identity and Mission

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is an Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday. NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  As this fell in the first week of the holidays we were unable to commemorate  this important week so, on Monday,  Year 4 led us in prayer where we acknowledged Aboriginal people throughout Australia and the spiritual and cultural contributions they make to the life of the church. 

This year’s theme is Voice, Treaty, Truth. This theme invites us to walk for a better future. The indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old. They are the first words spoken on this continent.  Languages that passed down lore, culture, and knowledge for over millennia. They are precious to our nation. It’s that Indigenous voice that include know-how, practices, skills and innovations - found in a wide variety of contexts, such as agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal fields, as well as biodiversity-related knowledge. They are words connecting us to country, an understanding of country and of a people who are the oldest continuing culture on the planet.

Prayer for Reconciliation

In the midst of conflict and division,

We know it is you who turns our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your spirit changes hearts:

Enemies begin to speak to one another,

Those who were estranged join hands in friendship,

And nations seek the way of peace together.

Let your spirit be at work in us.

Give us understanding and put an end to strife,

Fill us with your mercy and overcome our denial.

Grant us wisdom and teach us to learn from the people of the land.

Call us to justice.

We make these and all our prayers through Christ our Lord....

AMEN

Community Service for Staff

Last Monday all the Mount Carmel College staff participated in a half day community service and what a wonderful experience it was. The Sisters of Charity, the founders of our College worked tirelessly to help those in need with a spirit of love and compassion and so the staff felt that in spending time assisting with organisations that help the marginalised was an attempt to reconnect with the heritage of our College. Our students throughout the year in their work as Mission Sisters assist in helping those who are on the margins so as a Catholic community who aims to be of service to others, the community service day for staff aimed to unite staff and students in carrying on the mission of the Sisters of Charity and living out Gospel values.

 May the Sisters of Charity motto The Love of Christ Urges Us On resonate and inspire us to reach out to others in our everyday life. 

Miss Ida Saracino

Director of Mission (Primary)