Newman News Term 1 Week 8: From the Director of Mission and Catholic Identity
Key Dates – 2022
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Trinity College Lismore Appeal
Thank you to everyone who generously donated to our Appeal to support Trinity College after the recent devasting floods in Queensland. Although it will be a long road to recovery for the community in Lismore, the College has already adapted to provide online learning and is also using classroom facilities at Southern Cross University to ensure their students’ education can continue.
As fellow Marists we trust our prayers and financial contributions will help support the students and staff at Trinity College as they recover and rebuild their community. As a community we have been able to make a contribution to the rebuilding of the community of $5000. Thank you to everyone who dontated, if you still wish to donate, you can using the details below.
Caritas Fast
Each year during Lent, we commit to supporting Caritas’ Project Compassion which gives our school community the opportunity to raise awareness and funds to support under privileged societies. This is underpinned by our Vision for Mission, calling us to serve humanity and raise up those in poverty.
As part of Project Compassion for 2022 over 50 of our students participated in the Caritas Fast. By only eating a barley sugar at recess and a cup of cold rice at lunch these students began to appreciate how little some people in the world have available to eat. The students also raised valuable funds towards our target of reaching $15,000 to support Project Compassion.
Year 5 Feed the Poor
On Wednesday the 23 March 2022 Year 5 students had to participate in a challenge which was called feed the poor. Everyone had to bring a donation of $2 or more and we donated to project compassion. The total amount of money we raised was $171.90, some students forgot to bring their donation so that’s not the final amount of money we raised. We sat under the tree and enjoyed the rice that was cooked. It was interesting to only have a plain portion of rice for lunch. It helped us to understand and sympathise with what it felt like not to have the luxury of food choices and flavours.
Why Did We Do It?
We did it because it taught us to be grateful for what we have instead of being greedy about what we don’t have. We got to learn how lucky we are and what it feels like for people across the world that don’t have choices for their food and what they have to eat. We will also be using this as a topic in writing and this experience will help us. Also we did this to raise money for Caritas. Overall, the experience was amazing, and we have learnt so much, we hope that other years to come get to share the experience and learn what we learnt.
BY MAELEE, ELLA T AND MAVRICK.
Game Changers Retreat
On March 29, our Year 11 Game Changers will take part in their annual Retreat Day. These days are facilitated by Marist Youth Ministry and offer an opportunity for Game Changers to connect and build community with each other. The program features 3 main sessions, with an opportunity for large and small group discussion. The aim is to energise students in their ongoing journey as well as allow space and time to gather and plan for their leadership and service opportunities within and beyond the school context.
We look forward to sharing this exciting and rewarding experience with our Year 11 Game Changers.
Sacramental Retreat Facilitation Training
In 2022, Newman College is partnering up with 24/7 Youth Mininstry, to train a group of Year 10 students in the art of youth ministry. This intensive program will see students engage in 3 workshops with Mario Borg, the Director of 24/7 Youth Ministry. At the conclusion of this program, students will support 24/7 Youth Mininstry with Sacramental Retreats with students in Year 3 and 4.
This is a great opportunity for students to grow in their own understanding of their faith and seek to foster the faith of others through their retreat facilitation.
Thank you to Mario Borg and the students for their commitment to this program.
Staff Lenten Prayer Meetings
Newman College is actively committed to broadening the opportunities for the faith formation of staff members, which naturally flows through to the formation of our students. Supported by our Vision for Mission: to form “good Christians and good citizens”, staff have access to a variety of formation experiences from prayers to liturgical celebrations.
Each week during Lent, the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat has offered staff the opportunity to meet online, reflecting on scripture, praying and sharing, using a resource from the Diocese of Wollongong. This has been a fantastic opportunity for staff to pause and be still and to put into practise this message we give to our students daily. As a College we are committed to the ongoing formation of our staff and students as we continue to live out the dream of St Marcellin Champagnat, “to make Jesus Christ known and loved.”
Sacrament of Reconciliation
On Tuesday our Year 11 students had the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This Sacrament encourages students to reflect on their lives, their relationships with God, self, others and creation and to seek forgiveness and healing. Students were invited to judge less and build more authentic relationships. Thanks to Fr Mark from the Redemptorist Monastery for guiding our students and leading the celebration of the sacrament.
Thursday Morning Mass
Thursday Morning Mass continues for students across the College. Mass begins at 8.10 am in the Champagnat Chapel and is celebrated by our local priests.
- Week 9, Thursday 31 March; Year 4 Students
- Week 10, Thursday 7 April; Year 7 Students
