Catholic Identity & Mission News
Late last year, the College was represented by 20 students and 3 staff at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne and we can now vouch that the ‘ACYF effect’ is real! Our contingent had an amazing time and remain full of enthusiasm about the whole experience. They reunited a couple of weeks ago for a de-brief about the event and were given opportunities to share the impact of the festival, with some subsequently volunteering to lead ACYF-inspired initiatives here at school, likely starting from Catholic Education Week in May. Such initiatives may include ‘Praise and Worship’ music sessions, Youth Groups (which would then connect in with our local parishes) and some scripture sharing and study. Planning and preparation for these initiatives are underway but do require some lead-in time due to the size of our school and there being two campuses, but we’ll definitely get there! More information will be shared throughout the year, but we certainly hope that many more students will get involved along the way, and for many years to come!
Our ‘Chelsea Project’ efforts have been very productive already this term. This project, named after a former student who initiated the project as part of her VCE Vocational Major studies, involves students cooking meals (usually soup and muffins) that are packaged up and distributed via the Vinnies Soup Vans that serve those in need in our local community. Four different groups including our Campus Social Justice groups and Vocational Major students have cooked for the vans this year. I have the privilege of coordinating the ‘delivery’ of the goods with Mike, one of Vinnies’ amazing volunteers, who comes and collects our offerings. Without fail, Mike expresses his delight and appreciation for the fruits of our students’ labours. However, as we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi this year, Francis’ words ring true that it is in ‘giving that we receive’. It might sound cliché but the pride and pleasure that our students feel in helping others is surely a tonic for the ills that young people can experience in our world today.
Finally, as Lent continues, our fund and awareness raising initiatives for Caritas’ Project Compassion are getting into full swing. The Augustine Car Wash is back, bake sales are keeping us well-nourished and Project Compassion boxes are being rattled all around the campuses! The reality of a mostly cashless society poses some challenges for fundraising (!) but our Social Justice groups are up to the challenge ensuring that there are always machines for staff and students to tap their cards to donate. Project Compassion is not just about money though; it’s also about solidarity with those who are experiencing poverty or hardships. We hear their stories through the Project Compassion campaign in order to reinforce the dignity of all human life and experience. Importantly too, we pray for those in need and that those who exercise political, social and financial power will act with greater justice, generosity and love. Each year, the Project Compassion campaign features a unique prayer and we include it regularly on our SPACE bulletin. I close with it today in the hope that we will all be in solidarity with those who experience poverty, war and hardships in their lives. May we not only help these people financially, but also in spirit – caring for their needs and advocating for change and justice.
God of all love,
We remember that on the night before he died
Your son, Jesus, prayed
that his friends ‘may all be one’.
Yet we see so much division in the world.
War, conflict, violence and hatred
must all distress you.
Millions of people suffer
when they don’t have peace and respect.
They lack the necessities of life: food, water,
health, education and security.
We may that we may all
Unite against Poverty this Lend.
May our support for Project Compassion
be a sign to ourselves and others,
of our hope for a better world.
This Lent, we pray that our dedication
to prayer, fasting and almsgiving
will help restore your vision of justice and peace.
Guided by the Holy Spirit,
we pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Ms Fiona McKenna
Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity & Mission