From the Leader of Religious Education – Mrs Annette Flanagan

Catholic Life @ MMCC

Lent 2022

During this time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving students will be able to engage in the following opportunities

Prayer

Rosary – Tuesday Morning at 8.30am in the Chapel
Mass – Wednesday Morning at 8.00am in the Chapel
Stations of the Cross – Friday Morning at 8.30am in the Chapel
Faith Formation MMCC Youth Group – Lunchtime with Ms L’Aiguille the MMCC YMC, Deacon Ben and Youth Coordinator from Our Lady of the Rosary, Fairfield

Almsgiving and Fasting

During Lent students are encouraged to make regular donations towards Project Compassion. Every donation, small or large, helps “Future Generations”
During Lent students are challenged to go without ONE consumable item per week, as part of Fasting and donate the cost of this item to Project Compassion. E.g Chocolate bar, Can of Drink, Coffee, Packet of Chips, etc.
By fasting from ONE consumable item per week and donating the money, this will be a major contribution by the whole community to help “Future Generations”

Rosary – Tuesday Morning

Thank you to Ms L’Aiguille (YMC), all staff and students who take part in Rosary every Tuesday Morning in the Chapel.

We encourage students to take part, especially during this time of Lent

Mass – Wednesday Morning

We are blessed to have the support of the Priests from our local parishes to say Mass every Wednesday Morning in our Chapel. It has been wonderful to see both students and staff attending each Wednesday morning, gathering to celebrate the eucharist.

Students are encouraged to attend Mass, Wednesday mornings 8am (for 8:10am) in the Chapel

Stations of the Cross – Friday Morning

Thank you again to Ms L’Aiguille (YMC) for leading the Stations of the Cross every Friday morning in the Chapel, during Lent.

The Stations of the Cross commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day and journey to his death on the cross.

Thank you to all students and staff who attend on a regular basis and take part in this Catholic devotion.

MMCC Uniform Donations

To all past and present students and their families who have donated uniform items they no longer require, I wish to thank you for your support. Your donations every day make a difference in our school, allowing us to provide for students and their families in need. We are very grateful.

Families who wish to donate uniform items can leave these at the MMCC Office.

Project Compassion 2022

The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.

This year’s theme comes from the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. More specifically, when the flood waters subsided, a rainbow appeared in the sky and the dove returned with an olive branch indicating a new beginning. God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations’ (Genesis 9:12).

Project Compassion 2022 shares the stories of resilient and inspiring individuals whose lives and futures have been impacted by the ongoing support of our partners and by your generosity. This includes the story of young Anatercia from Mozambique who, despite facing poverty and food insecurity, can now access school supplies and attend her classes. And Shaniella from Solomon Islands who, thanks to the work and support of Caritas Australia Solomon Islands, has received support in her hospitality studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During Homeroom each morning students will have the opportunity to make donations. These generous donations are a pebble that allows Caritas Australia to create the ripples that will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, supporting them to flourish and create opportunities for future generations to live to their full potential and thrive.

Project Compassion Stories

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT – Rosalie, Democratic Republic of Congo

Rosalie is an ex-combatant who lives with her husband and seven children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Forced to join the army when she was just 15-years-old, Rosalie experienced significant trauma and hardship during her years in the military. After she was demobilised from the army, Rosalie, like other ex-combatants, was left to fend for herself in the community.

With your generous support and through our local partners, Rosalie was able to connect with other members of her community and participate in business skills training to help her to reintegrate into society.

She joined a Saving and Internal Lending Community group (SILC), which helped her with a loan to start her own small business selling second-hand shoes and natural remedies. She has now become the SILC group’s president, helping other women to start their own businesses.

“The program allowed me to learn to work hand-in-hand with other members of the community… I learnt that there is more joy in sharing with others,” Rosalie says.

Rosalie has become a role model for other ex-combatants who are seeking to readjust to civilian life. Her leadership is inspiring others to overcome the trauma and violence of the past and to work towards a more peaceful and harmonious world for all future generations.

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT – Shaniella, Solomon Island

Shaniella, 23, grew up in a village in the Solomon Islands with her parents and three brothers.

In 2020, Shaniella moved away to study hospitality and tourism at a vocational school supported by Caritas Australia Solomon Islands (CASI), through the Happy, Healthy, Holistic Community Development program.

The school is in a particularly disaster-prone area and not long after Shaniella started, the school was hit by a landslide, flooding, and a cyclone, all in quick succession. The school’s main source of water was destroyed, buildings were damaged and the garden, which the school relied on for food, was devastated.

With your kind support, CASI helped install water tanks, restoring clean water access to nearby schools, health centres and the wider community. Training was held in agricultural skills to help boost the school community’s food security, as well as in environmental risk management and emergency responses.

Now, Shaniella can complete her skills training, with enough water and food to eat, and improved sanitation. She is improving her ability to earn an income, learning skills which will expand her job opportunities. Students are also better prepared to respond when disaster strikes.