Mission & Social Justice
Mission and Identity
St Teresa of Calcutta
Last week we all witnessed history with the canonisation of St Teresa of Calcutta. Throughout her life, the public caught glimpses of this remarkable woman as she fought for those who were often discarded by other agencies. At the time of her death, Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity had over 4,000 sisters, and an associated brotherhood of 300 members, operating 610 missions in 123 countries. These included hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counselling programmes, personal helpers, orphanages and schools.
Around 1995, a friend of mine was visiting one of the homes run by the Missionaries of Charity in India. At the time Mother Teresa was onsite and heard that my friend and her colleague were visiting. She asked to see the two Australians visitors who were teachers. My friend told me that the first thing they noticed was how tiny Mother Teresa was but then as soon as she opened her mouth they immediately recognised her compassion and her strength. They were privileged in spending the afternoon with her and they were taken back by her interest and passion for education and reminisced about her early career as a teacher.
“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at this disposition, and listening to his voice in the depths of our hearts.”
St Teresa of Calcutta
Review of the Touchstones
EREA is conducting a review of the four Touchstones. These Touchstones (Inclusive community, Liberating Education, Gospel spirituality and Justice and solidarity) are very important for Edmund Rice communities as they guide us as a Catholic community ensuring we stay faithful to the example and values given to us by Jesus.
Please feel free to use the link below to compete a quick survey on the Touchstones. This link will stay live until Friday the 23rd of September. It consists of 3 questions that will assist EREA in the process to review the Touchstones.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016Rewewal
Ms D Dempsey - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity
Callan Services
FAIR TRADE STALL
This Friday at lunchtime the Edmund Rice Society will run their fifth Fair Trade Stall selling 55g blocks of Cadbury Fair Trade Chocolate for Callan Services. Fair Trade Chocolate means that the cocoa farmers who produce the raw ingredient are receiving a fair price for their cocoa and do not use slave labour. The society buys this chocolate for $1.00 and sells it for $2.00 with all profits going to Callan Services in Papua New Guinea. The Edmund Rice Society members from Years 5 to 10 have ran the stall each Friday of Week 1.
COLOUR RUN
I have received a phone call from a parent who was an SPX2016 volunteer at the Color Run in Centennial Park in August. The lady informed me that the almost 40 Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College ladies who also volunteered for the Color Run have decided to join their donation of $1000 with our $3000 donation to The White Knight Foundation. We would like to take the opportunity to thank the ladies of Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College for this act of generosity.
Mr D Blake - Social Justice Coordinator
menALIVE
menALIVE Weekend for Men is SOON. It is happening on the 24th & 25th of September in Chatswood. Like thousands of other Catholic men who have already been on menALIVE weekends, you will be inspired and encouraged to renew your faith and rediscover God’s purpose in your life. Experienced leaders from MAT will be running the weekend. There is still time to register. Forms are available by contacting Jerome Akbarally on 0450037303 or menalive.chatswood@gmail.com
Fr Paul Finucane