Religious Education
The first term of the 2020 school year has quite literally been rushing by. We are certainly living out our 2020 College theme, “All Things Are Possible”.
We were barely unpacking our bags, establishing new class routines and meeting with others (for the first time for a few of us!) when we gathered together at St Peter’s Church to celebrate the commencement of Lent at the Ash Wednesday Mass. Father Jacob led us in this celebration, and it was wonderful for our young men to be welcomed, as always, into the heart of Trinity Parish. We assembled with students from St Peter’s Primary School and also many local parishioners.
The day before Ash Wednesday, the Youth Minister at St James College, Mr Joel Harriss, once again provided us all with nourishing and healthy pancakes, as part of our Shrove Tuesday tradition. All monies raised on this day will be forwarded to support the work of Project Compassion throughout the world. There are also Project Compassion collection boxes located in the homerooms right through the season of Lent, and all young men are encouraged to support this initiative by dropping in a few loose coins from time to time. Even the smallest donation makes a difference in the lives of others.
Earlier this term, the young men of Miguel Homerooms came together to share in the feast day of this South American Lasallian saint, who became a significant educationalist in his home country of Ecuador. It was St Miguel who was fond of saying, “Always work cheerfully for the Lord!” No doubt his positive attitude towards all things in life was of a great help. It was through St Miguel that we prayed together for God “to inspire us to live joyfully in your presence each day.”
In the classrooms during Term One, the young men have been studying various aspects of Religious Education including School & Church Communities (Year 7), Eucharist (Year 8), Mary: The First Disciple (Year 9) and Morals and Ethics (Year 10). The students are assessed on indicators of learning such as Values, Attitudes, Knowledge and Skills. If you have any questions regarding the school R.E. Program please feel free to get in touch with me.
I wish you well as we commence this season of Lent. Traditionally we think of “going without” during the Lenten Season and whilst there are particular days of fast and abstinence during Lent, when we are asked to be particularly mindful, the season of Lent may be a good time to discuss with your family some ways of “doing something extra” for yourself or someone else. \You may choose to help a neighbour, become involved in a community project or make an effort to receive the Sacraments more regularly during this time. Whatever it is you choose to do, it is good to make the season of Lent a positive time of spiritual and personal renewal.
During the season of Lent, the students of St James College will, through the Religious Education program, be discussing the theological and historical context of this important time in the Church calendar. I encourage you to continue this discussion with your son at home.
Martin Callanan
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Fundraiser
On Shrove Tuesday, the St Yon Crew hosted a pancake fundraiser to raise funds for Bushfire Relief and Project Compassion. Our dedicated cooks spent Periods 3 and 4 preparing hundreds of pancakes to sell to the masses during lunchtime. Overall it was a very successful day. A special thank you to all students involved with preparing and selling the pancakes, and in particular to Riley, Caleb, Jonathan, Bailey and Von who cooked all the pancakes.
Joel Harriss
Youth Minister
