Living with Strength and Kindliness

This past week at St Joseph’s we have been reflecting about the different ways we can continue to animate our value of Hope. The scripture last week was very helpful for me in this way of thinking. By its nature Term 3 greets us very quickly, with our students coming back to school filled with the buzz of recent holidays, extra part-time work shifts completed and the excitement of winter sports seasons well and truly underway. In the excitement and anticipation of what is to come this scripture is a gentle reminder about centering actions.

Feeding the Five Thousand ( Mark 6: 30- 34)

Mark 6: 30-34 starts off with Jesus in his ministry. He has been travelling with his disciples teaching them and the crowds that he attracts. In this scripture we see Jesus inviting his disciples to go with him to a quiet place to rest and reflect. However when they arrive they realise that they are not to find this reflection time and instead there are many thousands waiting for their arrival.

The act of feeding the 5,000 highlights the importance of hospitality. Jesus welcomed the crowd with open arms, teaching and healing them before addressing their physical hunger. His actions teach us that true hospitality involves recognising and responding to the needs of others, no matter how great or small.

This scripture highlights that even in moments of scarcity and hopelessness, there is hope. Jesus demonstrated that faith and a willingness to trust can transform desperate situations into ones of hope.

Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, we are reminded that our small acts of faith and generosity can have a profound impact. Whether it's through offering a kind word, sharing a meal, or simply being present for someone in need, we can bring hope to each other as the community of St Joseph’s.

At St Joseph’s this term we have been thinking about the issue of homelessness. With homeless prevention week coming up, together last week we created awareness with action by folding paper houses. Our students and staff will begin in the coming weeks our collection of goods for the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project. In their own words 'BASP are able to do a lot with a little.'

Lee Pethybridge

College Leader - Faith and Community

BASP Food Drive

Over the next two weeks we will be raising much needed items for the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP). BASP do amazing work in the community providing support to Refugees and Asylum Seekers through goods, services and opportunities. We were fortunate enough at the end of last term to have Sr Brigid Arthur spend time with us and she gave our students a powerful insight into the work of BASP.

As a school community we believe in human dignity and value all in our society. This is an opportunity for us all to contribute towards bringing 'Hope' to the most vulnerable in the community.

Items for donations include:

Cooking items - sugar, flour, oil, salt & pepper
Canned goods - tomatoes, fruit, tuna, red kidney beans, corn & peas
Long life and packaged items - milk, tea and coffee, biscuits, noodles, honey, dates, gladwrap, tinfoil
Personal items - shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream & toothpaste
Cleaning items - washing powder, dishwashing & other cleaning detergents, pegs
Disposable nappies - of all sizes and wipes are also required, as many families have young children

Items will be collected in LMs or can be left in the front office by Wednesday 7 August.

We thank you for your support.

Matt Butler

Houses at Parliament

Everyone deserves an affordable and safe home. It is a fundamental human right.

But sadly, this is not the reality for many people in our communities.

At the last Census, 30,660 Victorians were without a home – that's 27 per cent of Australia's total (112,494). The most recent data on homelessness from the Australian Bureau of Statistics was collected at the 2021 Census and was published in 2023.

25% of Victorians homeless are aged 12-24.

A chronic shortage of social housing, an increasingly unaffordable private rental market, and inadequate income support means that thousands of Australians struggle to find a secure and affordable place to live. In Victoria, the top three reasons for people seeking homelessness and housing assistance are financial difficulties, family and domestic violence, and the housing crisis.

Homelessness is not "rooflessness". Only 6.2 per cent of people without a home are sleeping rough. The majority of homelessness is hidden - people in crisis accommodation, rooming houses, insecure housing, overcrowded dwellings or couch surfing.

Other confronting statistics for Victoria are:

67,000+ people without a home.
37,000 people on Victoria’s critical housing list.

Sources: St Vincent’s de Paul Society, Victoria website. Date Accessed: 16/7/2024.

Homelessness Australia website: Date Accessed: 16/7/2024

Once again this July, dozens of Victoria’s leading community organisations are coming together to raise awareness about the urgent need for more social and public housing in Victoria. On 31 July, 6,000 origami houses will be placed on the steps of Parliament House to represent 10% of the total number of people who are currently homeless in Victoria.

The Catholic Social Teaching Principle of Dignity for all means that at St Joseph’s we believe that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. By raising awareness of this social justice issue, we are working to support those in need. Through our actions we can work towards helping those who are in need and bring hope and justice to all.

Congratulations to all students and staff who took part in the LM Houses at Parliament challenge in our LM lesson last Tuesday. A total of 5076 houses were built by students across both campuses and more importantly, this will add to the 60,000 total number of houses built to put pressure on the Victorian Government to address the ongoing concerning issue of homelessness in Victoria.

For more information visit https://www.vhn.org.au/housesatparliament

Mrs Jess Oliver