Faith and Mission
From the Mission Team
Service learning in the Senior School
Mary Ward’s teachings continue to inspire our students today, encouraging them to give back to their communities in meaningful ways. Students have been engaging in service learning where we they can see both community and personal benefits.
By applying Mary Ward Spirituality, our students learn to engage in service learning as an extension of their values and beliefs. This approach goes beyond obligation and transforms acts of service into opportunities for personal transformation. The core values of justice and felicity are evident in their actions, fostering new understandings with diverse groups of people.
Mary Ward's teachings also encourage students to lead by example and inspire their peers. When students participate in community service and uphold values such as compassion and justice, they inspire others to follow in their shoes. This ripple effect amplifies the impact of their actions and creates a culture of service within the educational community.
This term our students have been engaging in a number of activities, including knitting squares for blankets as part of the Peace and Justice Group, and engaging in Year 12 service Learning with St Ignatius Parish Norwood.
Next week our Year 12 students will be Sleeping Out to raise awareness for people who find themselves unhoused. If you would like to donate to support our Year 12 students in their sleep out – please see this link Hutt St Centre - Loreto College Year 12 Sleep Out.
Loreto Peace and Justice Group In Action
Seven thousand people are currently experiencing homelessness in South Australia. Can you imagine having to sleep in the bitter cold and pouring rain?
People sleeping rough often are more likely to develop chronic health issues or death due to sleeping in adverse conditions.
Here at Loreto, we have supported this year’s Homelessness Winter Appeal in numerous ways.
The Environment Committee collected and donated hundreds of beanies, blankets, and winter clothes to St Vincent de Paul, girls signed up for Hutt Street Centre’s Walk a Mile in My Boots Challenge, and to support this important cause, the Peace and Justice Group have worked together to crochet and knit squares which we will be used to create blankets for people experiencing homeless this winter. The blanket signifies the Peace and Justice Group coming together to create something; it displays teamwork and uniqueness, as no two squares are the same. The blankets the girls create will help touch the lives of those experiencing homelessness this winter – as they are handmade, it adds to this connection and teaches us that the problem is closer to home than we think. When we work together, we believe that we can truly make a difference.
Alexis, Alexandra and Selena (Year 11 Peace and Justice Group Members)
Year 9 & 10 Reflection Day
This term Year 9 & 10 Reflection Days centred around the teachings of Mary Ward and this year’s value of justice, providing our students with a transformative experience. This reflection day aimed to delve deep into her wisdom and apply it to contemporary issues of social justice.
Throughout the reflection day participants engaged in a variety of activities designed to foster connection, and growth. Guided reflective sessions allowed attendees to connect with Mary Ward's spiritual journey and the essence of justice. Group discussions encouraged participants to share their insights, drawing connections between Mary Ward's teachings and current community challenges.
The reflection day not only facilitated a deep understanding of Mary Ward's teachings but also offered an opportunity for participants to forge meaningful connections with peers. This day was successful in bridging the wisdom of Mary Ward with the issues of the present, leaving our students empowered to continue Mary Ward's mission of justice long after the reflection day has ended.
Our Liturgical Life
In a spirit of reverence and shared devotion, our Junior school community came together in a series of heartfelt ceremonies to honour the legacy and teachings of Saint Mary MacKillop, the first Australian Saint.
Kicking off the week, the Year 2 students took the lead in a beautiful liturgy for the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop. They shared Mary’s story and her motto of “never see a need without doing something about it.” A short film clip highlighting Saint Mary’s life was included in the liturgy.
Continuing the meaningful journey, Year 7 students celebrated a touching Mass dedicated to Mary MacKillop. Her timeless message of service, resilience, and dedication to education was highlighted in the commentary and Prayers throughout the Mass. The girls reverently led the readings and processions and was well attended by the year 7 cohort despite the early morning start. We thank Fr Chris Jenkins for celebrating this Mass with us and sharing Mary’s connection with our own Loreto heritage.
On Monday, 14th August, the Junior School prayer leaders led a liturgy for the Feast of the Assumption, one of the few remaining Holy days of Obligation observed by the Catholic Church. Focusing on the inspiration Mary, the mother of Jesus, has had on artists, musicians and writers over the years, the liturgy began with a procession using symbols of Rosary beads, blue cloth, candles, and the Book of the Gospels accompanied by a solemn Gregorian Chant of the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise. A slideshow of many works of art dedicated to Mary followed the Gospel reading accompanied by a contemporary composition of the Magnificat.
This significant feast was acknowledged in a very reverent and peaceful liturgy and culminated in all staff and students signing the Hail Mary, a powerful prayer made even more moving using Auslan.
Concluding this week of prayer, Year 1 and 3 students celebrated a Mass to honour the Feast of the Assumption led by Fr Chris. The year 3 students led our prayers to Mary whilst the year 1’s took part in the opening and offertory procession. The opportunity for our younger students to be present in the Chapel for Mass is vitally important and the girls responded with reverence and stillness and a keen observation. We thank parents for attending with their daughters.