Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Director of Mission and Catholic Identity

Jo Dunn on 11/02/2022

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me” John 10:14 and He deeply knows, and He truly loves.

As we settle into a new year, albeit with another topsy-turvy start, the Ministry Team would like to remind us all to Breathe, as we all did so beautifully last year but, also in these uncertain times, that the relationships we foster at Newman College must remain true and steadfast.

Our theme this year – Known and Loved: dignity for all – clearly conveys that we can love others because we are first loved by God. “We love because he first loved us,” writes John (1 John 4:19). This is the life we are invited into. This relational love is the deepest reality of the Christian life. Knowing and loving is the call of being a Marist educator. It is also the call of every parent and, in our communities, we all seek to know and to show love to young people. Following the creed of St Marcellin Champagnat, we Marists have always shown love for our students. But the nature of these times, when our interactions are often limited by the cold interface of Teams, blocked by necessary face masks or staged two metres apart, reminds us to let young people know that they are fully known and loved because then they can be themselves and feel deeply loved for being just who they are.

Key Dates – 2022

Click here to view the College Calendar.

Year 12 Retreat 

The Year 12 retreat is a significant part of the school journey and integral to our Vision for Mission: to form “Good Christians and Good Citizens”. The retreat aims to assist students in recognising the importance of holistic development and to give further understanding of living life to the full. Students will be given time to reflect on relationships with family, self, others, and God and will be encouraged to contemplate who they are and who they are called to be.

Communication has been sent to families regarding changes to the Year 12 Retreat for 2022 and can be found here.

Sacramental Information 

Newman College, in partnership with the local parishes, prepares every child for the Sacraments through the Religious Education programs.

  • Year 3 – Reconciliation
  • Year 4 – Eucharist
  • Year 6 – Confirmation

In accordance with the guidelines from the Archdiocese, Sacraments are received in the local parish.  Families wanting their children to receive the Sacraments are required to enrol them in the parish community in which they regularly participate.  Enrolments are usually required early this term. If you have not already done so, please contact your Parish Priest or the Sacrament Coordinator at your local parish.

Please refer to the below links for further information regarding Sacrament dates and registration:

If you have any queries, please contact Jane Short, Religious Education Coordinator Primary, jane.short@newman.wa.edu.au 

Youth Ministry & Advocacy 

St Marcellin Champagnat’s desire for every child was that “We aim at something better… to give them Christian spirit, attitudes and virtues possessed by good Christians and good citizens.” Newman College seeks to provide opportunities to students and families to live out the Christian mission. Here are some of the ways students can get involved in 2022.

  • Game Changers: Game Changers is a Marist Youth Program facilitated in Marist schools  around Australia, that encourages students to focus on the areas of Leadership, Faith Development, Community and Ministry & Service. The program has three tracks from Year 7-12. Groups gather on Tuesday afternoons, 3:30 – 4:30 every second week, with a retreat day each year, as well as camps and excursions in the senior years. If you would like your son or daughter to become involved in Game Changers please contact Aleisha Bryson.
  • Living Marist: Our Christian Service-Learning Program for Years 7, 8 and 9. The program is commences in Term 1 and concludes in Term 3. Students are expected to complete 10 hours of community service during this time. The College will provide opportunities for students, as well as expect students to find their own volunteering experiences.
  • Marist Connect nights: An opportunity for students in Year 11 and 12 to meet with students from St Joseph’s Northam and Bunbury Catholic College to develop relationships and grow a wider network facilitated by Marist Youth Ministry.

In 2022 we are committed once again to supporting the following organisations:

  • Caritas: Project Compassion and Caritas Fast, students will be involved in fundraising activities during Lent in Term 1 with all proceeds going to Caritas.
  • Saint Vincent de Paul: Blanket Appeal and Christmas Appeal, the opportunity to provide support to people in need within our own community, families are requested to bring in a blanket during winter and food and drink for Christmas hampers.
  • Lifelink: As part of our support of Lifelink, the outreach agency of the Archdiocese, in Term 3 we align our celebration of the Feast of the Assumption with our annual Walkathon.
  • Australian Marist Solidarity: Term 2 we celebrate Champagnat Day with our annual Fete Day. All proceeds on this day go to Australian Marist Solidarity with a focus on the Kuya Centre for Street Children and this year including Timor Leste where the Marist’s are building a new school.
  • Catholic Mission: Term 4 we raise awareness for Catholic Mission through Socktober. Events associated with this are Soccer-based and pertain to fostering an understanding of the lives of underprivileged in neighbouring countries.

Information will be shared throughout the year.

Thursday Morning Community Mass 

Mass will continue in Week 4 in the Champagnat Chapel. Unfortunately due to the current Covid advice from WA Health, families and members of the public are unable to attend. Mass will be open to staff and students only. Thank you for your understanding.