Director of Identity
Mrs Bridget Jenkins
Director of Identity
Mrs Bridget Jenkins
Identity
During this time of Lent, we turn our minds and actions toward those who live in marginalised environments, both here in Australia and around the world. We respond to the Lenten challenge to make personal sacrifices to improve the lives of others and we hear Pope Francis’ words reminding us of our interconnectedness with our planet, its environments, plants, animals and with each other. This will be especially important for our Year 7’s as they return to their classrooms and reflect upon their time spent with themselves, each other and their environments during their transition programme New Beginnings.
“Our body itself establishes us in a direct relationship with the environment and with other living beings. The acceptance of our bodies as God’s gift is vital for welcoming and accepting the entire world as a gift from the Father and our common home, …” (Laudato si’:155)
Labyrinths are ancient pathways that can be used as a walking meditation, a site of rituals and ceremony, or even as a symbol of identity and connection as ours is for us. Our Labyrinth reminds us of the land of our Founder Blessed Edmund Rice and has been created using the same plants that were cultivated and used by the muwinina people, the First Nations people of nipaluna/Hobart. The Year 7 boys spent time during their Spiritual Journey learning about and practicing the ways in which a labyrinth can be used to help us centre our minds and bodies and to connect with and mediate upon some of the big questions of life.
In the contemporary world, where “injustices abound and growing numbers of people are deprived of basic human rights and considered expendable”, working for the common good means to make choices in solidarity based on “a preferential option for the poorest” (Laudato si’: 158)
During their Service Journey the Year 7s were called to follow I the footsteps of Blessed Edmund Rice, learning first about the meaning of service and then putting their learning into action, visiting organisations in the community who serve the marginalised and then back at school they prepared the landscaping for our own replica Mary Rice Centre classroom. This physical introduction to the story of our friends at the Mary Rice Centre in Kenya was a great example of woking in solidarity for the common good.
“Happiness means knowing how to limit some needs which only diminish us and being open to the many different possibilities which life can offer” (Laudato si’: 223)
Their Relational Journey helped the Year 7s to find ways of developing strong relationships and to reflect upon their own personal identity. They explored issues of perceptions, resilience and positive self-talk and spent time together in the Hobart CBD engaging in the Pastoral Care Group challenge The Amazing Race!
“One expression of this attitude is when we stop and give thanks to God before and after meals” (Laudato si’: 227)
Perhaps the most memorable experience for the boys was their overnight camp at Dysart, where amid the soft rolling hills of the lower midlands they were challenged in a variety of activities such as abseiling, paddle boarding, mountain biking and bushwalking. This was balanced with some powerful discussion time about character strengths and some very special evening reflections on the top of an incredibly steep hill with the most stunning views of the surrounding valleys. The landscape surrounding them certainly made the words of Pope Francis have very real meaning and was present in the Grace that was given by Deputy Principal Mrs Heidi Senior before a wonderful dinner shared all together with many of their teachers and student leaders.
None of the programme would have been possible without the amazing leadership, vision, organisation and a lot of very hard work by Head of Student Welfare Mr Daniel Laopolla, a very big congratulations to him and his tireless team for helping our Year 7s have such a meaningful start to their time at the College.
A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation
(Pope Francis, Laudato Sí #246)
Father of all, Creator and ruler of the universe,
You entrusted your world to us as a gift.
Help us to care for it and all people, that we may live in right relationship with You, with ourselves, with one another, and with creation.
Christ our Lord, both divine and human,
You lived among us and died for our sins.
Help us to imitate your love for the human family by recognising that we are all connected
to our brothers and sisters around the world, to those in poverty impacted by environmental devastation, and to future generations.
Holy Spirit, giver of wisdom and love,
You breathe life in us and guide us.
Help us to live according to your vision, stirring to action the hearts of all individuals and families, communities of faith, and civil and political leaders.
Triune God help us to hear the cry of those in poverty, and the cry of the earth, so that we may together care for our common home.
Amen