International Women’s Day

International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March every year to honour women's achievements and advocate for gender equality. It started in 1911 and aims to recognise women's contributions in various fields while raising awareness about gender issues. Each year, various organisations propose a theme that focuses on a specific aspect of women's empowerment.

The United Nations theme this year is “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.

UN Women Australia have adapted this theme slightly: “March Forward

For ALL Women and Girls.” This theme highlights the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the bold global vision for gender equality. Since then, we’ve seen women break barriers, reshape policies, and ignite global movements.

Yet, despite significant progress, the promises made remain largely unfulfilled for millions of women worldwide. We are simply not where we should be.

The International Women’s Day Community based in the United States of America, has chosen as their theme this year, “Accelerate Action.” Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

It is true all women have different experiences internationally, but we all share the experience of being a woman. It is this message that is central to International Women’s Day, reminding us of the continued importance and relevance of celebrating this date.

At our assembly on Thursday, Belle Prairie House representatives Hannah Burroughs and Kalani Davies presented a moving reflection that highlighted the challenges facing global efforts to achieve gender equality.

Right now, leading experts predict that if the current rate of progress is maintained, it will not be until 2158 – or another five generations - before true gender equality is reached. That’s five generations before women and girls across the world experience fairness in safety, opportunities, pay and leadership. That is far too long to wait.

That’s why International Women’s Day matters and why our College community celebrates it. We acknowledge the progress that has been made, celebrate the achievements of women, and keep pushing for change.

Let us pray:

Women of courage.

Women of hope.

Women suffering.

Women mourning.

Women living fully.

Women experiencing joy.

Women delighting in life.

Women knowing the interconnectedness of the human family.

Women honouring the sacredness of the relational, the affective.

Women boldly leading the transformation of unjust global structures. Women seeking Wisdom. Women sharing Wisdom.

Women receiving Love. Women giving Love.

Women: life-giving.

Women: the image of God.

Loving God,

we celebrate your faithfulness and love.

On this day we commit ourselves to the promotion

of the full humanity of all women everywhere.

We know that whatever denies, diminishes,

or distorts the full humanity of women is not of God.

Help us to be faithful to your call to love.

Amen.

Kedron Youth Rally

This year the Parish of St Therese and St Anthony (Little Flower) Kedron will be holding one youth event per term. These events are opportunities for students to connect with other young people from the Franciscan schools of Kedron and beyond. Please find attached information about the first youth event of the year from 5.00 – 8.00pm this Sunday 16 March. The focus of this term's rally will be Love in Action: Service and Selflessness and living Matthew Chapter 25 Verse 40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me.” The presenter is Sione Moehona. All students are welcome to attend.

Parent Workshop: The Brain Calming Method

Last year, Mr Paul Jarvis facilitated a number of workshops with staff and students in Years 7 and 10 about what neuroscientists call “cognitive overload” - a state of feeling stressed and overwhelmed - and the evidence behind how best to address it. Drawing on his extensive career in education, Paul teaches a brain-calming method - without screens - that is effortless and a very effective way to promote mental rest. To build on the workshops held on Tuesday 18 February and Tuesday 4 March, Paul will facilitate an additional workshop on Tuesday 18 March. This final workshop will guide participants in the practice of the brain-calming method. Parents, students and siblings (including those attending other schools) are welcome to attend.

Date: Tuesday 18 March

Time: 6.00 – 7.00pm

Venue: Assisi Room

Please enter via the main entrance on Cremorne Road and follow the signs to the foyer of the Anthony Building. If you arrive before 6.00pm, the lift will be staffed to take you to the third level. If you arrive after 6.00pm, please take the stairs to the third level.

Francis and Clare Schools Assembly

In the absence of our Elizabeth Hayes School students (Years 10-12), next Thursday morning 20 March we will hold a special assembly for students in Francis School (Year 7) and Clare School (Years 8 & 9). As part of the assembly on Thursday, we will recognise the rite of passage our Year 8 students as they ‘graduate’ from Francis School and commence Clare School. Family members of Year 8 students are welcome to attend this assembly. The assembly will commence at 9.00am in the San Damiano Centre. Seating for parents will be provided on the terraces.

Harmony Week

The 21 March each year is Harmony Day. As this day falls during exam block this year, we have used this past week to celebrate Australian multiculturalism and our commitment to respect, inclusivity and belonging.

A big thank you to the students who have participated in the Cultural Quiz, Cultural Bingo, badge making and dancing held at Break 1 each day this week or contributed to our Harmony Week display in the iCentre.

A special thank you to our Cultural Captain, Sofia Pezzetta, for her organisation and planning of this week’s activities and to the La Cucina team for serving up multicultural cuisine this week.

If students would like to be more involved in cultural events throughout the year, they are welcome to attend Cultural Committee meetings at Break 2 on Thursday Day 9 (fortnightly) in A201.

Interfaith Forum

Last Wednesday, Mount Alvernia College, Padua College and the Islamic College of Brisbane (ICB) continued their long-term partnership of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Student representatives from each school attended our Ash Wednesday liturgy then participated in a forum that discussed the question, “How does faith inform the perspectives and actions of young people in the world?”

Thank you to all students who participated in the panel and to Fr Joe McKay for moderating the discussion.

We extend our best wishes especially to the ICB community as they continue their observance of Ramadan. We look forward to attending the Community Iftar being held at the Islamic College of Brisbane next Sunday.

Project Compassion

At our Ash Wednesday liturgy last week, we officially launched Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Appeal. Project Compassion is the major fundraiser of Caritas, the Catholic Church’s agency for global development.

This year, the Project Compassion Appeal highlights the impact of Caritas’ work and invites us to Unite Against Poverty. The money raised through this appeal is used to develop long-term development programs in partnership with some of the world’s most vulnerable communities for whom poverty and injustice is a daily reality.

During Lent, each student is asked to consider what they can give up and to donate the money they save to people in need.

Last year we set the goal of raising $3000, $500 per House. We raised almost $3500. Let’s try to match or exceed this great effort especially when so many people are doing it tough.

Let us come together once again for Project Compassion and Unite Against Poverty.

All donations to your child’s House team can be made by visiting the Mount Alvernia College Project Compassion online portal. Scroll down to Teams, select your child’s House, then donate. Alternatively, use the following links to your daughter’s House Team:

Belle Prairie House: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/belle-prairie-house

Greccio House: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/greccio-house

Perugia House: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/perugia-house

Rieti House: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/rieti-house

Spoleto House: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/spoleto-house

Villa Spada House: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/villa-spada-house

For more information about Project Compassion and the work of Caritas, visit the Caritas website.

Going Meat-Free during Lent

Every Friday during Lent, La Cucina will be meat-free. Abstaining from meat on these days is an old tradition within the Catholic Church. It is like fasting or not eating particular types of meat common to other religious traditions (such as Judaism and Islam). Franciscan people are also aware of the justice dimension of going meat-free for one day per week.

For some years now, we have heard that forgoing meat one day each week minimises our impact on the planet. In addition, abstaining from meat is an act of solidarity with the poor majority world. Firstly, the global poor simply cannot afford to consume a meat-based diet and experience hunger when they cannot afford or access food. Secondly, it is the global poor that is the most affected by the effects of climate change. Reducing food waste is another behaviour that can allow us to walk more gently on the earth.

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