Churchill Avenue News

The Faith and Mission team has been involved in many events for Term 1. The Social Justice group focused on supporting Caritas through the Project Compassion program, Retreats and Reflections have conducted the Year 7 students’ first Reflection Day, where they visited places of worship as part of their day, and the Year 10 Reflection Day was run by YMT Australia at the College. The Sustainability & Ecological Justice group conducted a biodiversity audit at both campuses, to assist them in their planning of future projects. Student leaders have also organised prayer reflection sessions in our Chapel as well as posting ‘Bible quotes of the week’ for staff and students at all campuses to contemplate, as well as be inspired and motivated by.

As part of Catholic Education Week, our Faith & Mission student leaders represented the College in attending the St Patrick’s Mass for schools at the Cathedral where the new icon of St Patrick was unveiled, ‘written’ by Australian iconographer Sue Orchison. This was followed by the Young Speakers Colloquium held in the Catholic Leadership Centre listening to other students who have recently been on study tour of Rome, sharing their messages and stories in connecting with their faith development.

The Year 10 Religious Education Youth Ministry students have this term been working deeply in putting together a reflective display of the Lord’s Passion, focusing on the Last Supper, which in the Gospels accounts the final meal that Jesus shared with his apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. Their presentation also links with the theme of “what we bring to the table” and will form part of the End of Term/Lenten liturgy assembly.

Here are some student reflections from the Social Justice team.

Social Justice student reflections

Matilda Russell, Year 10 – Pancake Sales and Project Compassion Launch

This term, the Vinnies Social Justice Team has been focusing on Caritas’ Project Compassion. The main goal of Project Compassion is to raise funds and awareness for the improvement of the lives and areas of those around us locally and globally. This project was especially important during this term, as it linked to the season of Lent and the practice of almsgiving.

Earlier this term, the College’s Vinnies Team got the opportunity to attend the Project Compassion Launch, located at Emmaus College. It provided insight about the injustice and poverty that is unfortunately found amongst others. The team came back with a much greater understanding about how and what we can do to help those who are struggling at this time.

The Social Justice Team collaborated to help Caritas by organising fundraising events, such as the pancake sale, which took place a day before Shrove Tuesday, and many more food sales including BBQ's.

Athena Pandong, Year 10 – Open Day and Athletics Day BBQ

A BBQ stall was run on Sunday, 23 March by the Vinnies Social Justice Team, welcoming future Year 7’s on Open Day. The team cooked up and served sausages and drinks to families, staff and fellow peers.

It was also run on Athletics day with staff and students helping throughout the day, where sausages, chips and drinks were served.

With the efforts of everyone involved, including customers and salespeople, over $1500 was raised for Project Compassion! Thank you for your contribution.

Michael Chesser
Director of Faith and Mission