Newman Newbies Term 4 2019: From the Ministry, Outreach and Advocacy Team
Advent Season
“Christmas is about the mystery of the divine found within the human ~ GOD entering our everyday life! Because Jesus Christ was born into our world in a normal human way, all our ordinary human activities are made holy.”[1] Our 2019 Marist theme of Holy Today! has been an invitation to tune-in more to the presence of God in everyday life. That is, to recognise the ‘sacred’ or presence of God in the beautiful ordinariness of life.[2]. During Advent and Christmas, we are once again invited to take up this challenge.
On Sunday 1 December, we celebrated the beginning of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming.” Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. It is the season when we intentionally practise hope, when we consciously act for justice, when we joyfully live in expectation of promises fulfilled.
We see this ‘hope’ exemplified in our Mother Mary. Mary is the model of a Church who looks towards Jesus and works to create the kind of world that Jesus proclaimed in the Gospels[1]. This Term has seen the students at Newman College work to create a world proclaimed by Jesus through supporting the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. These simple acts of generosity and kindness demonstrate that we are a people of hope; a people who walk in the light because at Christmas “Jesus Christ has entered our story and saved us from the darkness! [1]Imagine if we were to live always as if walking in the light!” [1]
[1] Brisbane Catholic Education. (n.d.) Advent / Christmas. Retrieved from: https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/formationandleadership/prayer/Pages/Advent-prayer.aspx
[2] Marist Mission and Life Formation. (2019). 2019 Theme Resource. Retrieved from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51240d5fe4b03a5603cfea56/t/5c5255ca4d7a9c391e43d880/1548899817693/2019+Theme+Resources+%28Page%29.pdf
Year 11 Philippines Immersion
The 2019 Philippines Immersion was once again a memorable experience for Year 11 students from Newman College and St Joseph’s School, Northam. It challenged the group to develop a better understanding of our privilege and to be grateful for the things we have. Click here to read more and see more photos from the trip.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
The annual St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Appeal provides hope, comfort and dignity to over 3000 families in Western Australia who will be struggling during the Christmas season. As a Catholic school educating in the Marist Tradition, Newman College sought to reach out and serve those in our community following the example set by Jesus in the Scriptures:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did for me.”
Matthew 25: 35;40
All three campuses were inundated with donations towards the appeal, meaning that many families will be assisted this year. The donations from Marian and Lavalla Campuses have been donated to the Floreat Conference of St Vincent de Paul. Whilst the donations from Marcellin Campus have been donated to the Doubleview conference.
Anti-Poverty Mass
On Thursday 17 October, the 2020 Social Justice Captains, Faith and Liturgy Captains and four Year 6 leaders, joined other students across the Diocese for the annual Anti-Poverty Mass. The Anti-Poverty Mass aims to inspire, encourage and affirm the actions and efforts of young leaders to “Be the Light” in the world as we strive towards ending the suffering caused by poverty at home and abroad. Year 11 students Georgia Whitely and Tegan Connelly lead the procession to the altar carrying the Anti-Poverty cross.
Year 5 Leadership Retreat
The Year 5 Leadership Retreat, run by the 24:7 School Ministry team, was a fun day of games, activities and faith formation.
With the help of some Superheroes, there were examples of good leaders that display important characteristics that we can learn from. Students looked at what qualities they show and also looked at the greatest superhero of all, Jesus, who showed us all the great leadership qualities in his life.
It was a fantastic day overall and the Year 5 cohort gained a lot from their experience, ready to take on leadership opportunities in 2020!
