In Our Community…

In our Community ……

MARIST CHARISM AND CULTURE IMMERSION

During Week 3, three MSCW teachers; Ms Janene Stitt, Ms Michelle Johns and Ms Samantha Ison attended the Marist Charism and Culture Immersion Program hosted by the Marist Fathers at the Marist Provincial House at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill.  They undertook a 5 day residential Marist Immersion and were joined by representatives from 5 Marist Fathers and Marist Sisters Colleges from across Australia. The course unpacked the meaning of charism as “the gift of the spirit within us” and culture as the ways in which we express this charism in our lived experiences. To do this, the group focused on a range of topics including A Faith lens on the Gospel presented by Sr Vivienne Goldstein sm, a Walking History of Marist communities in Hunters Hill led by Fr Peter McMurrich, and The notion and place of Charism in our school led by Dr Caroline Thomspon. Our staff also led a guided tour of the group around Marist Sisters’ College as exemplar of the Marist Charism embedded into our school culture.

Through the meaningful connections and insightful encounters experienced, Ms Stitt, Ms Johns and Ms Ison are keen to bring a new energy back with them to the college community.     

YOUTH AFTERNOON AT HOLY CROSS COLLEGE

Year 7 and 8 students gathered at the Youth Afternoon with Holy Cross College and Marist College Eastwood on Friday, 16th of August. The afternoon was facilitated by Sydney Catholic Youth and consisted of games, talk, hospitality and prayer. It was an opportunity to connect with the wider community and strengthen students’ Catholic faith.  

The theme was “Answering the call to becoming a saint” which explored the attributes of saints and ways in which students can become more like them. They learnt about the life of an Italian teenager, Carlo Acutis, who became the Church’s first millennial saint. The session finished with Father Dan leading Eucharistic adoration, a spiritual and meditative practice where students pray in the presence of Christ. 

Below is a student reflection which summed up her experiences at the youth gathering:

“The Youth Night was a great place to learn about how to become a saint which is not an unrealistic goal. It was also a great place to catch up with other friends from other schools and to build relationships.”

Grace Boylan, Year 7

Year 9, 10 and 11 students are invited to the next Youth Afternoon on Friday, 1st of November. It will be held at MSCW.  

TUESDAY CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

“Christian meditation is the act of filling one’s mind with Scripture, and dwelling on God and all that He offers to humanity. While the word “meditation” in the Bible has three separate definitions, it can be summarised. It means to “mutter, speak and ponder” to oneself the words of Scripture so that we are constantly meditating on what God has spoken to us. This produces not only knowledge of the Bible, but also, a heart transformation.”

From https://justdisciple.com/christian-meditation/ 

Every Tuesday throughout this year, two of our Year 7 to 10 classes and their teachers engage in the practice of Christian Meditation facilitated by Jennifer Aduckiewicz and Cheryl Gomes. During this time, students and staff are invited to immerse themselves in the depths of contemplation and reflection to embrace the significance of Church celebrations. It provides a unique opportunity for staff and students to prepare for and journey through these sacred times with a contemplative spirit. The beautiful sacred spaces created by Jennifer are thoughtfully arranged to encourage a sense of reverence and openness to the divine in gently guiding our staff and students through moments of silence, prayerful reflection, and scriptural contemplation. This practice allows them to explore the depths of their hearts and minds, fostering a deeper connection with their faith and the teachings of the church.

Tuesday Christian Meditation has been a key element in enhancing the faith formation of all within our community. The impact of Tuesday Christian Meditation on the faith formation of both students and staff has been profound. Many have reported feeling a deeper sense of connection with their faith, a heightened awareness of their spiritual journey, and a greater ability to find solace amidst life’s challenges. The practice has nurtured empathy, compassion, and a sense of community, as staff and students share in the sacred experience together.

As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering an environment where spiritual growth is nurtured. We express our deepest gratitude to Jenny Aduckiewicz, Cheryl Gomes and staff who have made this initiative possible and to the students who have embraced this transformative practice.  

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #1, #2