Director of Mission
As communities of faith, living in an increasingly individualised society, we are called to reflect on our young people’s understanding of themselves, their world and their future. If we are to remain true to our Christian mandate we need to continue to form our youth to be people of faith and hope.
- An Audacious Hope (Marist Australia)
These words were a part of a larger goal that the staff were challenged with on their recent Spirituality Day on Friday the 8th of June. The day was based around how we will respond as a community of faith to the challenges of the future. Two of our founding orders presented on the day. The Mercy sisters spoke around Creation Theology and the need for us all to be aware of how we interconnect with everything else on the planet creating a 'global community'. How spirituality in different forms preserves life and opportunity for a hopeful future. A future of ecological consiousness and commitment to a better world.
This was followed by Paul Harris from the Marist Brothers who ran the program of Audacious Hope. It was about nurturing a hope for the future and in one of the sessions the staff were asked to write messages of hope for the students and post them around the room. These messages were left there for this week to allow the students to see what hope their teachers hold for them.
Some of the messages read:
You have an amazing future ahead of you! Enjoy, learn, explore; the possibilities are endless! Your teachers are here to help you.
Be excited, be your future, live!!
It’s your story, make it a good ending.
No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you are, how you treat people tells all. Integrity is everything.
These were some of the hand written messages posted around the hall. It created a room of positivity that only adds to a thriving culture we are creating here at Marian.
Yr 12 Sharing Our Story Students appreciating the messages of hope posted by the teachers to students to see. They were asked to ponder on what they would write in response.
MCC Return and Earn: Water bottle initiative
Following on from this notion of ecological commitment last Monday saw the launch of the long anticipated water bottle recycling program. It falls under the vision and mission of the College through the promotion of stewardship. Bins have been kindly donated to the College and signs and symbols were created by the Community Action Team and the Year 12 Workstudies class. It was also announced at the latest assembly and the bins have been set out across the school. We are encouraging the students to support the initiative and we are keen to see it grow in the future. All funds created out of the program will be donated to Griffith Care Van and St Vincents De Paul. So far it is slowly growing and students are getting use to separating their rubbish. We would like you all to consider how you are contributing and what footstep are you leaving behind with your own actions. We are hoping these actions become a normal habit in the future.
iCARE Kits
The Community Action Team is an amazing group of students who have formed to make a difference in the MCC Community through generosity and kindness. Their project this term is the ICARE Kits. These kits are created by the students and donated to St Vincent De Paul to aid those who need it most. Students are asked to donate one item each from a list (See image below). It may be as simple as soap or a toothbrush. They are showing each student that this simple act has enormous potential to change a person’s life. Please support this team and have a discussion with your child on how they can help. Most importantly, you may like to discuss the benefits of joining such a team. They meet every second Wednesday in the Marra marra and are always welcoming new members to join in providing hope against future challenges.
That is all from me this week. Have a great weekend and remember I am open to any ideas on how you feel our faith formation and missionary discipleship can be strengthened here at the College. Please do not hesitate to contact me through the office or on nevilleh@ww.catholic.edu.au.
Kind Regards and have a great weekend.
Heath Neville
Director of Mission