Catholic Identity & Mission
The Season of Creation – combating our issue with litter
September is the Season of Creation – an ecumenical celebration of creation which aligns beautifully with Pope Francis’ Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’.
So how can families support the Season of Creation?
At our College, we have a genuine issue with litter. As many bins as we put around our school, there are students who cannot seem to make their way to them and leave their rubbish to blow around our school grounds and leave rubbish on their classroom floor. It is disheartening and it demonstrates a lack of respect for our school and the environment.
Families can support the care of our common home, by providing food in reusable containers and also having the conversation with their child – please. I cannot imagine that this behaviour would be acceptable at home, so please ask your child to be as mindful of our beautiful school environment as they are of their home.
Interfaith Day of Dialogue
On Tuesday 9 September fourteen Year 10 students attended the annual Interfaith Day of Dialogue at Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill with Catholic College Sale, Ilim College and Mount Scopus Memorial College. Students gather as young people of different faith backgrounds to discuss how they navigate their religious lives in a secular world.
As a Sion School we engage in interfaith dialogue to:
- Provide opportunities for students of different faiths to enter into interfaith dialogue.
- To provide an opportunity for students to meet and talk informally in small groups with young people of different faith backgrounds.
- To deepen the understanding of participants of Judaism, Christianity and Islam by engaging and learning from Jews, Christians and Muslims.
To strengthen commitment to the significance of community participation, freedom of religion, diversity and respect for others.
In the modern world it is vitally important that we are open to learning about all the different cultures and communities that we live in.
Pope Francis understood and encouraged people of all faiths to gather and discuss how we collectively promote peace, diversity and care for creation. The Interfaith Day of Dialogue is a rich response to our Catholic faith to give dignity to all people, recognising that we are all made in the image and likeness of God.
I was incredibly proud of our students, and they spirit that they brought to the day. I would also like to thank Mr Harrison McConnell for attending with us and helping our students produce our presentation for the day.
Year 9 Reflection Days
The Year 9 Reflection Days were facilitated by Gen Bryant, a well-known Australian Christian singer-composer, performer and music minister and her crew from the GB Team.
Students experienced a day with a message of hope through the testimony and music ministry of the GB Team. The day required the students to contribute their understanding of hope and compose their own musical item to present to their peers. It was a really positive day for our students and an opportunity for a Retreat styled experience, which complements their learning in Religious Education.
Gen talked about her experiences performing at World Youth Day and the Australian Catholic Youth Festivals which has inspired some of our Year 9 students to attend the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne this November.
I would like to thank Mr James Mazzolini for all the work he has put into coordinating our Retreats and Reflection Days in Term 3. Marist-Sion College is the only College I know that provides students a Retreat or Reflection Day at every year level; we do this because we understand the importance of learning outside of the everyday classroom environment, to connect, to pray and to spend time with peers. This program is constantly evolving as we continue to find new ways to animate our Catholic identity and engage our students in Religious Education.
Friday Morning Mass
Most Friday’s during the school term we have the privilege of celebrating Mass in our beautiful Chapel. Mass is held from 8.10-8.35am and everyone is welcome. If you would like to join us, please arrive a couple of minutes early to sign-in on the iPad at the back of the Chapel. Staff, students, families and community members are all welcome.
For those who are unable to join us but would like our community to pray for you, please email me at jjohnston@mscw.vic.edu.au
Wishing you all a restful term break and may your team win in the grand final!
Mrs Jacinta Johnston
Deputy Principal: Catholic Identity and Mission