Mission

A Year of Discernment

The last time the Catholic Church in Australia held a Plenary Council was in 1937. It has been more than 80 years since we gathered all of the Church together and much has changed. In 2020, we will have a Plenary Council about the future of the Catholic Church in Australia. What are we called to do? Who are we called to be? How do we need to change?

 

Pope Francis has spoken of the need to engage in the world and respond in faith. He said:

“The defining aspect of this change of epoch is that things are no longer in their place. Our previous ways of explaining the world and relationships, good and bad, no longer appear to work. Things we thought would never happen, or that we never thought we would see, we are experiencing now, and we dare not even imagine the future. We cannot simply wait for what we are experiencing to pass, under the illusion that things will return to being how they were before.”

As a College community, staff worked collaboratively to discuss what God wants the Church to be now. This process saw teaching staff reflect on the Church of today and voice our individual and collective experiences and encounters of faith. As a staff body, we contributed to the collection of data Australia wide.

 

Six themes for discernment were identified from the voices of Australian Catholics.

Missionary and Evangelising

Inclusive, Participatory and Synodal

Prayerful and Eucharistic

Humble, healing and Merciful

A joyful, hope-filled and servant community

Open to conversion, renewal and reform

We are now called to discern HOW we make it so. 

For members of our community who are interested, an information session in the Wagga Wagga Deanery will be held at the Cathedral Parish Centre on Thursday 8 August at 10:00am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plenary Council Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost

Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land

O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia

And guide us on the pilgrim of the Plenary Council.

Give us the grace to see your face in one another 

and to recognise Jesus, our comparison on the road

Give us the courage to tell our stories

And to speak boldly of your truth.

Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a 

discerning heart  to hear what you are saying.

Lead your Church into a hope-filled future,

That we may live the joy of the Gospel.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Bread for the journey from age to age.

Amen

 

 

Year 11 Street Retreat

In Week 10 of last term, ten Year Eleven students along with Mr Hope and Mrs Streckfuss participated in the Melbourne ‘Street Retreat’ an immersion which allows students the experience of real-life accounts of disturbance and hardship.

"Street Retreat was a raw and emotional experience that changed our perceptions and opened our eyes to the vulnerable people around us who are struggling."  

Isabelle Cunningham

"It was difficult to believe that these areas are just the way people live, and in some cases, there is no way for them to escape it. Looking back, in spite of the looks the rest of the public gave to these people and their stereotypical thoughts, I saw the most compassionate and caring people."

Rheena Silvestre

"Overall, these experiences made me realise just how lucky and fortunate I am and to give more to others where possible." 

Talia McPherson

The trip changed who I am now as an individual opening my eyes to the real world, it has taught me to be grateful for the littlest things in life and to never take anything for granted.

 Ruby Raczkowski

 

Vinnies Winter Appeal

Over the coming weeks, we will begin gathering items as part of our ongoing commitment to the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal.

 

Ms Bianca Fonte | Acting Leader of Mission