Assistant Principal - Mission

Ascension Sunday

Within our Church, this coming Sunday we experience one of the high points in the life of Jesus and the disciples. Jesus calls his disciples to a literal mountain-top experience where he issues them their great commission before he ascends into heaven. He tells them, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20). This great commission has stood the test of time as even today, this command is being lived out by countless people all over the globe. This is why Catholic Schools exist!
I am reminded of a blessing attributed to Nano Nagle who was an Irish nun who founded the Presentation Sisters (these sisters established some of the schools in the north of our Diocese):

Go out,
You may not rest secure
for need calls loudly
You must seek God there
loving will be your flame
and blessing will be your constant companion

Innes Patron for Justice 

This week at our Assembly, there was a lot presented with regard to our Mission.

Alana Toogood from Innes spoke about their House Patron for Justice - St Vincent de Paul. Here is some of what they said:

Today I would like to talk to you about our Innes Patron Saint this year when our College is focussing on social justice. His name is St Vincent de Paul, and his work has had a profound impact on communities around the world, including Australia.

St Vincent de Paul was a Catholic priest who lived in France in the 17th century. He founded the Congregation, and the Daughters of Charity, religious orders dedicated to serving the needs of the poor and marginalized and today, these organizations continue his work around the world.

In Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in 1854. It is a volunteer-based organization that provides a range of services to those in need, including providing food, clothing, housing assistance, and support for people experiencing a range of social and personal problems including unemployment, family breakdown, dependency issues and homelessness. The society presently has more than 60,000 members and volunteers working across Australia

‘Vinnies’ as it is often known, plays a key role in emergency response and disaster relief which we have seen in action in our own towns and communities in recent years, people, including members of our own college community, who have been affected by natural disasters, including bushfires and floods, have received support and care via the amazing services, and from the wonderful personnel from local branches of St Vincent de Paul.

So the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia in 2023 continues the legacy of a great man and his commitment to social justice and serving the needs of the poor and marginalised. Their work is guided by the belief that every person has inherent dignity and worth and that it is the responsibility of everybody….young and old……to work towards a more just and equitable society.

St Vincent de Paul said, ‘There is no act of charity that is not accompanied by justice’, and in that spirit, his life and work have had an ongoing impact on communities around the world, including here in Australia. Let us, therefore, honour his legacy by continuing to work towards a more just and equitable society where every person is valued and respected.

The Vinnies Winter Appeal

This year, the Vinnies Winter Appeal focuses on the issue of older women experiencing homelessness. Our school’s contributions to the Winter Appeal will allow Vinnies to continue supporting older women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, to have access to the support they need to get back on their feet and to be safe and well.

The latest census figures revealed women over 55 remain one of the most at-risk demographics, increasing by 37% over the past decade to more than 7,300 across Australia.

In this, our Year of Justice, we can draw inspiration from our Justice patrons - St Vincent de Paul but also St Mother Teresa, St Mary MacKillop and Irene McCormack - all of whom lived lives devoted to helping the poor and outcast. Supporting this cause means that we are living out the corporal works of mercy.

• Ways that students can get involved this year include:
  Supporting our Out of Uniform Day in Week 5 on Friday, 26th May: For the out-of-uniform day, you can bring in a donation of $2 or more - or you may want to go through your wardrobe looking for warm clothes and blankets to donate. It is important that these items are clean and in good condition. The people we support may be poor or homeless, but they are absolutely worthy of dignity, respect and our best!
• Joining in our Vinnies Sleepout: This will be held early in Term 3 on Friday, the 28th of July. It will be hosted at Newman Senior Technical College. This is a night of fun and games but provides a meaningful experience of understanding what it could be like to have to sleep rough.

On Ironman Sunday, we had many students and some staff crewing a shift at a Run Station on Park Street. These students exemplified the spirit of our College that we aspire to share in our community. They distributed drinks and sustenance to the athletes but more importantly, they cheered each participant on as they ran the gruelling distance. I am very proud of our students for giving up so many hours on a Sunday and feel deeply blessed to have shared such a positive experience with them.

On Sunday 28th May, Pentecost Sunday, our College will be taking over many parts of the 5:00pm Mass at St Agnes’ Church, and we are looking for your help and your presence at this mass.

If you would like to be involved in music or in providing hospitality (tea and coffee) at the end of mass, please contact me or Mr Shane Hyland. This is a wonderful chance to connect with our Parish community, who support us and provide us with our beautiful College!

Our three parish World Youth Day pilgrims SJRC Alumni students Sarah Jennings and Cloe Nash along with Thomas McGhee, Ministry Assistant at NSTC ask for your prayers, support and travel advice as they prepare to become pilgrims attending World Youth Day in Lisbon from 23 July to 11 August. They are currently organising fundraising in the lead-up to their departure.

WYD is the largest gathering of youth with the Pope. It is all at once a pilgrimage, celebration of youth, expression of the universal Church, and a powerful moment of evangelisation for the world of youth. There will be many moments of prayer, worship, and celebration!