FAITH-CENTRED
We are
Faith-Centred "WE KNOW HOW TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."
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Loreto Normanhurst education is so much more than the things we learn in class each day. Each day has shaped us into who we are now and has helped us to figure out who we are supposed to be – giving us dreams and aspirations for what we are going to do with ourselves in this world. What we have learnt and experienced during our time here at Loreto has created the foundation for who we know we are called to be. This foundation was built for us over 400 years ago by the woman we all know and love, Mary Ward. The legacy of her strength, her love, her values, her deep faith and her rebel heart encapsulate what it means to be a Loreto girl. Through her, we know how to stand up in the silence, to be a voice for the voiceless, to show our love in an active and influential way. We know how to be the light of the world. As we leave the halls and classrooms of our beloved school, we need to submit to this feeling to make change and work for justice. But this comes with a challenge. Navigating our world as an adolescent has never been harder. Technology, social media and rapidly increasing globalisation and secularisation floods us with ideas and concepts that at times are too overwhelming to process and amongst all this, we are here
Cruci Dum Spiro Fido
seeking a purpose for ourselves, trying to find something steadfast to grasp onto. Our generation is going to be the one that will have a lot of cleaning up to do. Our future as a global community depends on the decisions we choose to make now and in the near future. Our Loreto education has prepared us as much as it can, but true passion can only come from first-hand experience. So I urge you, as the leaders of the future, to immerse yourself in the real world. Travel, volunteer, take risks. See how the rest of the world lives, and the daily struggles that people go through each day just to put food on the table. See the impacts of our actions on our climate, talk to someone who has known what true pain feels like.
“It is only then, once we know the world and have really lived in it, that we can, with sincerity, break down barriers to be who we are called to be and do what we are called to do.” Our Catholic faith invites us to be a servant to everyone around us. To empower minorities and be a voice for the voiceless. To challenge societal norms that don’t sit
quite right with us. But it is unfortunate that this Christian message can only go so far. In my role as Liturgy Captain the widespread distrust in our church has never been more apparent to me, and in keeping up-to-date with news and current affairs, it’s obvious why that is the case. Yet it has also become even more clear to me why people are choosing to stay. Instead of turning away from all our church has to offer, recognise the journey of formation that our church is on and trust in it. It is up to us, as women and young people, to help drive this movement towards a truer church, in our actions, our words and the contributions we make to our community and outside our school gates. The way we must do this is real and concrete, making noticeable change and meaningful influence with the teachings and values of Mary Ward at the core of everything that we do. So, listen to the stirrings of your heart. As we leave these school gates for the last time, remember that we go with the strength and confidence to be women of change and doers of justice. Stay true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in and let all that you do be done in love, a love that burns with a flame that can’t be put out. CHARLOTTE DUFF-CLARKE Liturgy Captain 2018-2019
Special Edition 2020
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LORETO LIFE 7
