Director of Mission
“At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth.”
Reconciliation week is fast approaching so I felt It was fitting to begin this week in recognition of this significant event on our calendar. We have been working closely with CEDWW to improve resources and strategies as part of our newly formed MCC Aboriginal Education Plan. We will be recognising and celebrating National Sorry Day on the 24th of May, Reconciliation Week 27th May – 3Rd June and NAIDOC Week on the last day of term 2. Watch this space for upcoming details.
A Bright light in the Darkness – The Catherine McAuley Story
On Friday 10th May, Marian Catholic College hosted ‘A Bright Light in the Darkness – The Catherine McAuley Story’. This show has performed sell-out tours in Victoria, Queensland and Sydney in 2016 and 2017. The show has toured here in the past and we were excited to have it back in 2019 performing for the whole of Yr 7.
The play, from award winning Blue Whale Theatre Company, is designed for children and families, telling the story of Catherine McAuley – Founder of the Sisters of Mercy. It captures the heart and spirit of Catherine McAuley, chronicling her journey through her life, from her childhood experiences to her adult life.
Catherine McAuley paved the way for others to follow in her example and set foundations for the Sisters of Mercy, who to this day follow in her footsteps.
We are extremely appreciative to the Sisters of Mercy from Griffith who support and assist students and staff as one of our founding charisms.
This performance is a part of our growing efforts to celebrate and acknowledge the Mercy Sisters here at Marian Catholic College. It was clear today that our students made the link from the buildings of Mercy that Catherine founded to the school of Mercy we are now. Thanks again to the fabulous world famous actors Jade Fuda, Joanne Coleman and Roger Smith. The students thoroughly enjoyed it and this was evident in the robust discussions and questions held throughout.
Project Compassion
Project Compassion is our Annual whole school charity initiative that kicks of our fundraising for 2019. It normally runs for six weeks but in 2019 due to the change of holidays we only had the 5 weeks of lent to raise money in. Nonetheless, the generosity and kindness shown from our community and especially the students of MCC was once again outstanding. In 2018 expectations were exceeded by the true spirit of our Marian family. We raised $2700 which was enough funds to support 25 young people to attain a diploma in Enterprise Development Training to provide them with income-generating skills in Nepal. Furthermore, left over funds were used to supply materials for children to learn carpentry at the Matuba Children’s Centre in Mozambique.
We are all extremely proud to announce that in 2019 with a week less we have eclipsed that effort and raised over $3000. This is once again evidence of our Mission and Vision alive here with the elements of service and care. It demonstrates that at Marian we Care. We will announce the exact figure at our next student briefing and officially hand over our donation to a representative then.
A special mention to the following top three contributing homerooms:
With a monumental effort and Project Compassion heavy weight, in third place:
7.1 Mr Summerville
In second place another consistent achiever and Project Compassion legend
8.3 Ms Polimeni
But new kids on the block and 2019 kings of compassion
8.5 donating over $250 Mr Parmenter
Thank you once again to these homerooms for your outstanding generosity and showing the Marian Way.
The staff and representative student of Homerooms that donated over $100 and made it into the “Project Compassion Homeroom Hall of Fame”.
Thank you everyone and remember at Marian we Care and that is what makes us great. In term two we will be showing this with our iCare kits so look out for announcements in the homerooms soon.
Fr Hugh Thomas Visit
Marian gratefully accepted an invitation from Father Grace to host a guest speaker last Wednesday period 1 in the hall. All of Yr 10 and the two yr 8 classes attended the talk during that time.
Father Hugh Thomas gave an engaging presentation on what Vatican II called "the source and summit of the Christian life": the Eucharist. He also had a powerpoint presentation that illustrated 'this gift' and mention his amazing work in Indonesia as a Redemptorist Missionary Priest. The talk was so well received that teachers brought other classes and asked Fr to stay a little longer the following period. They engaged in a thorough discussion around what it meant to be Catholic today. We would like to thank Fr Grace and Fr Thomas for visiting the College and strongly recommend anyone interested in finding out more to get involved in the Parish Mission at Sacred Heart. Details are in the flyer attached below also.
That concludes this weeks newsletter. With all these amazing things happening and more to come it reminds me of a quote that appeared in the performance and is a mantra for mission at Marian. Always remember “We must strive to do ordinary things extraordinarily well”
Have a great weekend.
Heath Neville
Director of Mission