Director of Mission
I thought I would start this week with a few words from our students. A year seven class was looking at Creeds and asked to create one of their own. They were asked to write what it meant to be a Yr 7 student at MCC. The results are beautiful:
The MCC Yr 7 Creed
I believe in courage, faith and workmanship.
I believe we can do as they may teach,
Learn to pass on the education through friendship and love.
I believe in the teachers.
I believe in the students.
I believe in the school.
And I believe in forgiveness and second chances.
Amen
(Beth Huxley Yr 7)
My Creed
I believe in Marian Catholic College, the friendship and the kindness
I believe in the teachers the students and the schools excellence,
The way the truth and the life the value of faith
And the approach to life,
Amen
(Sophia Belfiore)
These were their own words and I could not have put it better. It demonstrates that the vision and mission here at Marian is very much alive. Now let us have a look at what has been happening and what is to come.
Colour Fun Run- Project Samoa Day
We are two weeks away today, Friday 30th of November. The Community Action Team has been working overtime to create an action packed Fun Run that will be held on Project Samoa Day. Just wanted to remind everyone that the online fundraising is finishing up next week and all those who did not fundraise online will be expected to pay a $5 registration fee when the notes go home hopefully today. All money raised on the day will be going to Catholic Missions and Project Samoa. Clearly, students are responding to needs of others and promoting awareness that inspires commitment and active ministry. Information will continue to be put out on SKOOLBAG. If you do not have the app I highly recommend you download it today.
It is never too late to start donating online so click below if interested:
https://schoolfundraising.com.au/
Christmas Hampers
A big thank you to all of the families that have responded to our call to build the Christmas hampers. It is a big job each year but the effect that it has on our community cannot be measured and makes it all worth it. St Vincents De Paul will be collecting the hampers hopefully in week 9 so please ensure your child has made their donations early next week. The Christmas Hampers Project is a welcomed initiative that educates the students in honouring the dignity and uniqueness of each person. Nurturing the wellbeing through love and mercy. Thank you once again for your generosity and helping us show the students that at ‘Marian We Care’. The list is attached once again for you to check.
Catholic Mission – John Goonan Visit
November is Catholic Mission month. This Catholic Mission Month we were approached by Mr John Goonan to assist with ideas and support on raising awareness and making a difference. It was then that we decided to challenge all the schools in the diocese of Wagga Wagga to raise much-needed funds to purchase a school bus for St John's in Hakha, Myanmar. The goal is $41,506 so let's get on board! This will make it easier for the children in the town to get to the only private school in the whole of Chin State.
In light of this John came and presented at our Assembly in week 3 and pitched the idea. We announced that funds raised at our MCC Fun Run – Project Samoa Day will be going towards this cause also. If you would like to help in any way please feel free to contact Heath Neville at Marian Catholic College Griffith or John Goonan at Catholic Mission - Wagga Wagga for more information.
Marist - Student Leaders Gathering
On Sunday 28th of October, Mrs Segrave and I had the pleasure of escorting our 2019 College Captains to Marian’s first invitation to attend the Marist Student Leaders Gathering in Mittagong at the hermitage.
A recent email from Jennifer Miller (Marist Youth Ministry) and organiser of the event stated it best:
Thank you for your support of our recent Student Leaders’ Gathering. It was wonderful to have Marian College join the ‘Marist family’ at this gathering! The four student leaders who represented the college did the school proud.
Jennifer continued on to give our students special mention around the way in which they conducted themselves she went on to say “This was very heart-warming to hear personally but also to my young assistants who could hear that their work was having a positive impact.”
The students explored the heart of Marist leadership in the context of our 5 Marist characteristics. Jesus, Mary and St Marcellin Champagnat were presented as role models to aid students in developing their own leadership style. As well as well as celebrating the Eucharist, students experienced different types of prayer including Taize, the Ignatian Examen and Dadirri. John Robinson, MSA Regional Director, presented each student with a wooden hand cross before the conclusion of Mass. John shared a personal story of his own hand cross; how he received it, the sacred sites it has literally touched and the fact that it travels with him daily to all the schools he visits! During the Dairri prayer on Tuesday morning, students were encouraged to ‘rub’ their hand crosses into the sacred site of The Hermitage at Mittagong, with the hope of doing the same at other sacred sites around the world. They also encouraged students to use the Marist Association Daily Prayer App for not only their own personal use, but also as a template for prayers they may lead in the future.
It was a great experience and they walked away with a clear leadership goal for 2019 in which they will be presenting to the leadership team later in the term. Thank you to our leaders who are going to do a fantastic job if this experience was any indication.
Other News
Students at Marian will start on week long course of education with our Yr 11’s working on their Plenary Council submissions next week. They will be contemplating the big question “What do you think God is asking of us at this time?” Our job is to listen to what the spirit is saying and understand that there are many voices that speak in many ways. These students will be completing an artwork as their form of submission and the staff will be using this to start the conversation next term in 2019.
Once again if you are interested in keeping up to date with everything around the council then you can always check the website and subscribe.
http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/
Lastly, a big welcome back to Sue Hone who is a great supporter of our Vision here at Marian. We are extremely excited to have her back and the impact she has on our MCC community is infectious with passion and care. Welcome back Sue.
Have a great weekend and feel free to contact me regarding anything on this newsletter or what you feel will help grow the strength of our Marian Community.
Please do not hesitate to contact me through the office or on nevilleh@ww.catholic.edu.au.
Kind Regards
Heath Neville
Director of Mission