In Our Community…
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Our Marist Sisters; College community is invited to support the Vinnies Winter Appeal this year. Students, parents and staff are asked to donate items needed for those who are experiencing housing hardship and disadvantage despite being in employment. These donations will be packed by students on the night of the Winter Sleepout and then distributed by Vinnies Van Services in the local Ryde area.
Please refer to the allocated items within your House. They can be delivered to Marian House from Weeks 4 – 5 during tutor time. Thank you for your support.
Social Justice Week
MSCW celebrated Social Justice Week in Week 3. The theme was ‘Bridging the Gap’ which aims to minimise the differences between the privileged and disadvantaged groups in order for everybody to have the same rights and opportunities. Facilitated by the Marists in Action (MIA) team, each day focused on a particular group such as the homeless, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (ATSI) and women.
On Monday, the Vinnies Winter Appeal was launched where the College community are invited to donate items needed for those who are experiencing housing hardship and disadvantaged despite being employed. Tuesday’s focus was on gender parity where students were invited to create their own vision board of strong and inspirational women at lunch. On Wednesday, the College was lucky to have special guests, Lisa and Lukasz, from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. They had volunteered their time to teach our students Aboriginal rock painting and the symbolism used in artworks.
On Thursday, students joined MIA to watch the film ‘Hidden Figures’ at the Theatrette. It is a film raising awareness about racism and discrimination in the workplace during the 1960’s in the United States. The last day ended with a ‘sit down’ volleyball game between teachers and students which aimed to promote empathy and bridge the gap between ‘us’ and people with disabilities. A huge thank you to the Marists in Action (MIA) team and Ms Ison who worked hard to facilitate these range of exciting social justice initiatives throughout the week. It was encouraging to see students engaging with the activities and being more aware of those who are less fortunate.
We also appreciate your donations for the Winter Vinnies Appeal so far. Donations can still be made and placed in Marian House in Week 4 and 5.
Ms Jenny Vu, Youth Ministry Coordinator
Praying the Rosary during the month of May
In our Church calendar, May is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. Pope Paul VI said that “For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God’s merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother’s throne.”
Throughout May, students and staff have been gathering to pray the Rosary led by our Liturgy Captains in our College Rose Garden on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the College Rose Garden. Thank you to our Liturgy Captains for leading us through this opportunity for prayer and reflection.
This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2
