Celebrating Colin Week

We commemorated Colin Week remotely last week. It’s an important occasion on our community calendar, where we celebrate the life of the patron of Colin House – Jean-Claude Colin.

Born at the close of the 18th century (1790) in revolution-torn France, Jean-Claude was convinced that the Blessed Virgin wanted a group of men and women to do her work in the world at a time of turmoil and challenge. Not much has changed; today, we still face many challenges, and parts of the world are in real turmoil. With this inspiration, Jean-Claude Colin forged the way for a new family of consecrated religious and laity in the Church – the Marist Family. Under his leadership, as Founder and Father, Marist missionaries would proclaim Christ’s message in Mary’s gentle spirit ‘on whatever distant shore’ to which they were sent.  

We started Colin Week as a community in reflection by way of a song, More than Memories, composed by Kevin Bates, SM, about the leadership of Fr. Colin. Together we prayed for Fr Colin and Mother Mary to continue to guide us all gently and with hope.

Throughout the week, the focus on prayer continued. Ava Wockner, Colin Liturgy Captain, shared prayers with the College community. This meant that, for each Tutor Group day, there was a unique prayer to inspire and bring hope.

Alannah Giunta and Madeline Merhi, Colin Co-captains, got the whole College community involved in our celebration with a Colin Week Kahoot! on Wednesday. The Colin Week Kahoot! left us all knowing just that little bit more about Jean-Claude Colin.

All week long, the MSCW community was invited to compete in the Colin House Scavenger Hunt, where we were all challenged to ‘gather’ items closely linked to Colin House and the life of Jean-Claude Colin. The winner of this will be announced next week. 

Friday was the chance for all to wear the Colin colours proudly.

This whole week would not have been possible without the amazing effort of, and collaboration between, the Colin House Student Leaders. I thank Alannah Giunta, Madeline Merhi and Ava Wockner for all their work in bringing the College together to celebrate Jean-Claude Colin.

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #2 & #6