Faith, Justice and Formation

Alice Springs Immersion

This coming Sunday the SPC Alice Springs Immersion group will depart for the Red Centre. They will continue to grow and cement the relationships we have been forging for more than a decade with the fellas from St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre. As part of their time there the group will learn about stories, stewardship and kinship, while spending time on Country, and understanding the importance of land in First Nations culture. They will be hosted by the staff and students who take pride in sharing their wisdom with us. Last Friday at both assemblies the group were commissioned and sent forth by the College community. They go to Alice Springs as light-bearers, representing all of us, and ready to return with knowledge and wisdom to share. 

Along with Mr Fox and Mr Biviano, the Year 11 students on this important mission are Xavier Antunes, Matthew Badran, Lucas Biscotto, Rowan Bleasel, Patrick Bressa, Isaac Clarke, Julian Galimi, Dominic Short, Jacob Sutunc and Callum Whitehead. We wish them safe travels and ask the Holy Spirit to walk with them as they ‘let their light shine’.

Service Learning at St Patrick’s College

We celebrated Founder’s Day recently and were reminded of the impact of Blessed Edmund Rice, whose life was centered on service and opening his heart to the other. Two quotes from Edmund should help inspire all of us in our pursuit to build a better world for all: 

"Were we to know the merit and value of only going from one street to another to serve a neighbour for the love of God, we should prize it more than silver and gold."

 

"Give to the poor in handfuls."

Edmund used his good fortune to help the poor young boys of Waterford, Ireland in the 18th Century, giving them dignity and the skills to build their way in the world. At our Founder’s Day Mass Fr Tom Stevens challenged us to discover what we would need to do to follow the example of Blessed Edmund today. Everywhere we look there are people in need, and we have much to share. We don’t need money to give our time to others. We simply need to be present, show dignity and give this precious gift.

The Service Learning program at St Patrick’s College helps lead our students to be Edmund Rice people, instilling a sense of service, humility, and compassion into everyday life, and fulfilling the Mission of the College:

"Inspired by the Gospel and Edmund Rice, our purpose is to educate resilient and spirited men who are challenged to serve. We are preparing faithful and inclusive men for a dynamic world."

Shining Our Light Service for Years 5 to 10, is a graduated program serving home, parish, local community, and the College. All documents related to this service can be found on the TASS Parent Portal and on all year group CANVAS pages. Social Justice Service in Year 11 is about working with and for the marginalised in our community. It requires planning, commitment, and an open heart. None of this service is about making life difficult for students. It is aimed at making them think about how to do things differently and compassionately. Our world is crying out for good citizens and volunteers! Aside from being the right thing to do, it has been proven to benefit individuals’ mental health and wellbeing when they authentically participate in service and caring for others.

All Year 11 service is organised through the College and there are many opportunities for the students to engage. Ms Marrapodi continually sends emails to students offering service opportunities. Sadly, many spots remain empty letting down the people we serve, as well as other students, and in the end leaving many students without enough hours. In conjunction with this I am often emailing Year 9 and Year 10 students with opportunities to serve the College and our local community, including helping set up and work at our College barbeques on Supporters’ Days and making sandwiches for Night Patrol. Sadly, not enough students take up this calling. 

The opportunities are provided. The service is recorded and noted on school reports and Statements of Involvement. Employers and universities want to see what extra activities students did and how they get involved. Guidelines need to be adhered to for completion of the programs. Please note that I will not accept excuses at the end of the year that there were no opportunities when I have had so many go unanswered.

This is what our College was built on – justice and service. We physically and metaphorically wouldn’t be here if it were not for the service and labour of the Brothers, parents/carers and students across the decades. This service is how we continue to reflect the Touchstones of Justice and Solidarity, Inclusive Community, Liberating Education and Gospel Spirituality which give the foundations for what we are about. Sometimes, it is about our mindsets and how we approach things – the most successful are the most willing and open to engagement. They appreciate being with and doing things for others, and others will hopefully do so into the future. I hope we can all look to the service in the way it is intended – to learn and grow and give with full hearts – and engage with it fully and authentically, with true integrity.

Thanks and congratulations to all those students who do amazing things in their service – you are shining your light for all to see!

It’s Time Magazine 

It’s Time is a magazine published by the College’s Social Justice Action Group twice a year. It includes articles about what is going on in this space in the College as well as looking at pertinent issues in the world today. 

Older copies of the magazine can be found on the College website under Publications. This semester’s edition will be emailed to all staff, students and families next week so look out for it. 

Gillian Daley 

Director of Identity