NAIDOC Week 9 - 13 November

Last week our College Community celebrated NAIDOC 2020. The theme for this year is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, recognising that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are spiritually and culturally connected to this country. They were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ acknowledges the hundreds of Nations and cultures which covered this continent and the very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to our First Nations peoples.

It was indeed a special opportunity for our Community to engage in Culture, Artefact and Weaving Workshops last week as part of our NAIDOC Celebrations. We welcomed Aunty Evelyn, Aunty Julie and Aunty Mary, beloved Wiradjuri Elders; to lead our weaving workshop, yarn with our students and staff and share their cultural wisdom. It was such a privilege to have their presence here. Thank you to everyone who led and participated in these, especially Mr Jolley, Ms Rooke and Ms Puntoriero.

Let us pray…

Loving Creator God,

We rejoice in the beauty of this ancient land and her waters.

We marvel at the awesome way they have been formed.

We give thanks for her First Nations Peoples,

their stories of creation sung by countless Ancestors.

We pray for your healing of this land and her Peoples.

We pray that love will make a new way, a harmony in the way of Jesus.

We are grateful, and we celebrate this nation’s history, beginning long before time.

The First People of this ancient land who gave them birth,

who gives them life – Mother Earth.

We honour them and share their joy.

You, creator and sustainer of life, call us as one,

To walk together, people from many lands,

under this same golden sun.

First Nations Peoples and all of us who have since come.

Together there is a new song to be sung.

Holy Spirit of wisdom, help us to listen, to learn and to grow.

In the name of Christ, we pray.

Amen.

Service to the Community - Food Technology Charity Cooking

Ms Lane’s Year 9 Food Technology class have been busy cooking shortbread to share with local families who are in need this Christmas. These will be distributed via the Vinnies Micah Hubb. Our charitable focus will continue in classes throughout the rest of the term. Thank you to Mrs McCoullough and Ms Lane, for your support of our students in this community service project initiative!

Vinnies Christmas Appeal 2020 - The joy of Christmas is in giving!

As we inch forward into the final weeks of this school year, we look forward to the commencement of Advent, marking a time of spiritual and physical preparations for Christmas. It is only fitting as a Catholic Community that we pause to contemplate the impact this year has had on many of our local families and reflect on what we can do to help.

Christmas for many, will be like no other. With lock downs, business losses and border closures experienced due to COVID-19, many families are under pressure and increased financial stress; many have lost employment and for the first time in their lives, they have to rely on Government payments to survive.

This level of uncertainty means the usual family feasts, presents and festive gatherings with loved ones may look incredibly different for many people this year.

This unique situation across the nation calls us to service, as Christians, like never before. Our call to mission is highlighted by Christ who said “go to the poor”, “sit with the outcast” and “eat with sinners”.

His message of solidarity with the poor is simple, yet profound and it empowers each of us who have the capacity to dig deep, to support those who are doing it particularly tough this year.

Each of us are called to service, by engaging in small acts of compassion and love, so modelled by Jesus Christ. When our small gifts are multiplied, by the efforts of our whole community, the impact can be amazing.

Vinnies is committed to making Christmas a time of renewed hope in the Riverina after the effects of destructive bushfires and COVID-19. But they need our help with donations of non perishable food, soft drinks, toys and gift vouchers to make a difference.

Once again we are proud to support the work of the Kooringal Conference of St Vincent de Paul, by donating food and gifts to be made up into hampers. Hundreds of these hampers will then be delivered to needy families, the elderly, and disabled members of our community, to ensure these people, who are facing challenging times can still enjoy a wonderful Christmas.

Please continue to bring your donations to Homegroup each morning and they will be collected and stored at the College ready for the hand over on Thursday of Week 9. We are continually reminded of the generous spirit of our Mater Dei families and call upon your giving nature to ‘give the gift of hope to many this Christmas’.

While all donations are gratefully accepted, please think about the types of foods and drinks your family particularly enjoys during the Christmas season and consider donating these to this important cause.

Thank you in anticipation of your generosity to this most important cause!

Student Representative Council Applications are Open for 2021

There are many ways to serve the Mater Dei Community as a student, one way, which is being promoted at the moment is the opportunity to apply for a position on the Student Representative Council in 2021.

We are seeking nominations from all Houses, across Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 (in 2021).

To make an application, students need to complete and submit the electronic form linked to our Homegroup Notices, prior to the end of Week 7. Successful applicants will be notified prior to the end of Term 4, 2020.

Mrs Amelia Bright | Acting Leader of Mission

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 18 · 18 Nov 2020

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