Compassion at Marian College Sunshine West
Marian College provides numerous opportunities for students, staff and families to be involved in social justice issues and activities. The Educating for Justice Team has a mandate to ensure that the vision and values of Kildare Ministries are enacted throughout our community. Over the years the College has looked to a number of social justice groups to ensure we support this ideal.
One such group is the Marian College LEO’s Club which is a not-for-profit organisation, formed in 2007, and working under Lions Club International. One overall goal of the club is to seek to bring about social change in a way that promotes Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity (LEO). With the combined efforts of 30 Year 10 to Year 12 students, the LEO’s are able to hold weekly and annual events for the school community in order to raise awareness, money and resources for a range of charities and organisations.
In 2022 the goals of the Marian LEO’s Club are:
- To promote the LEO Club in a positive manner
- To increase student engagement in donating and participating in activities
- To increase awareness and advertising of issues pertaining to the organisations LEO’s support
- To survey students about issues they are passionate about and require attention
- To build unity within the club
This year, they are working alongside the Justice Democracy Forum (JDF) Leaders to raise awareness of Living Justice Living Peace and our College theme: Compassion - Walking with and having empathy for all. They aim to tackle justice issues prevalent within our College, local and global communities.
In reflecting on Living Justice Living Peace the Marian LEO’s respond to the need to Walk in Solidarity. The Marian LEO’s are called to walk in solidarity and support organisations who are able to give urgent, on-site assistance where required. They believe that it is important to make sure that all are thoroughly educated of responses and actions that support justice for all and stand in solidarity against the injustices occurring against innocent people. As has been evident recently there is much strength in communities praying together and committing themselves to stand as one, in solidarity, to ease any concerns and support those in need.
The Marian LEO’s parallel the Living Justice Living Peace charter with the mission to live with compassion. This year’s College theme, Compassion - Walking with and having empathy for all, challenges us all to find ways to put this into action. They take the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33-34) into consideration when planning events and activities. For example, the theme of Compassion has inspired them to work for those charities who are on the ground assisting the people of Ukraine during these difficult times, namely Caritas and Care Australia. Over the years the LEO’s have also provided much needed support to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project, Wellsprings for Women and Saltbush, Balnarring Beach.
What is particularly noteworthy of the Marian LEO’s is that they are a student led social justice group with a vision, mission and charter that inspires all students and staff to commit to action in some way. Furthermore, members of the Club reflect on their social responsibility often and look to continue with this action after graduation from the College. One result has been the formation of the Brimbank Lions Club.
