Our Relationship with God

Another of our whole College masses is the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop on the 8 August. As our patroness, Mary MacKillop, is an important link to the Josephite Charism that we are developing across the College. It is through the Josephite Charism that we also develop our spirituality and deepen our faith. Please read more about our Feast day celebrations over the page.

Our motto "Celebrate God in all things", asks us to look to acknowledge God in everything we do. We can do this in a physical way, academic way and spiritual way. Our spirituality is always a challenging one to develop but opportunities are given across the year for students and staff to engage with their spirituality.

Our spirituality is a journey that we take and have to engage in to develop it further. This year we have been able to give our community time to reflect and participate in many different activities to develop their spirituality. It is through these activities that we develop our relationship with God and can truly celebrate God in all things.

Masses

Celebrating mass together is an important part of developing our spirituality but also our relationship with God. 2022 has allowed us to again gather as a group without as many Covid 19 restrictions as the year has gone on. Our ritual of welcoming everyone back but also welcoming our new students was delayed for a couple of weeks but the excitement of ringing the bell for the very first time as new students both Prep and new students to our College soon gave everyone a sense of the importance we place on these rituals and experiences.

As part of end of year celebrations and rituals for Year 12's and all other students, the Year 12 Graduation Mass, gives us an opportunity to celebrate the journey that these Year 12 students have been on for thirteen years. We thank them for who they have become but also bless them as they journey into the future.

As part of the ritual for Year 12's they then ring the bell in the Chapel for the last time as they make their way through the guard of honour formed by staff and students. Again we are celebrating God through these students.

End of year Mass and Year 6 Rite of Passage as gives our students time to reflect about the journey they are on and that another year as ended. Year 6 students move from Mass through a guard of honour to the chapel before another guard of honour into the Cafe as part of their transition to Senior school. Year 6 students have many things to be thankful about and to celebrate especially in honouring God.

This year we were also able to host two youth gatherings with the Parish - St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish. These two masses saw many families attend and be involved in celebrating their faith with our community. Families then enjoyed each other's company while devouring pizzas gratefully supplied by the Parent Engagement Network (PEN).

We also acknowledged R U Ok? Day with our Parish in celebrating mass with them during their Mental Health month of September.

Liturgies

Across the year, we also celebrate and pray in other formats. Liturgies is one way that this happens. This year we have had the opportunity to pray with our College house members and families especially for Mother's Day and Father's Day. On these occasions, parents and grandparents were treated to a wonderful breakfast prepared and cooked by our wonderful staff in the Cafe before our College leaders then lead the liturgy where everyone prayed together.

Ether in class or PC group liturgies also enabled students and staff to pray together for Remembrance Day, Daniel Morcombe Day, Ash Wednesday, Easter, Catholic Education Week and birthdays.

Whenever we can pray together it means we are developing our relationship with God. At our assemblies, students lead prayer for everyone. This prayer will be a reflection of what is happening at the time or our College prayer.

This year our Praxis students have again lead liturgies as part of their journey as well. With a smaller group this year, they focused on two liturgies - ANZAC Day and Mother's Day. These students have planned and lead these prayer occasions with our whole College. It is through this process that these students have also developed their relationship with God.

Sacraments

Developing their relationship with God, for some students in our College, has meant they have participated in the parish's sacramental program as a way of connecting with God on a faith journey. Students have participated in Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist to complete their sacraments of initiation as part of the Catholic faith journey. Congratulations to all students as they develop their spirituality and relationship with God.

Formation Days

To develop our relationship with God, we need to engage in growth as a person - academically, physically and spiritually. The College plans for such occasions with the support of formation days. Every year level has had some formation whether it be a day, two days and part days. During this time, students are given the time to reflect about themselves and their journey. Spiritually growth has been provided for some year levels where they spend time away from the College ie Josephite Pilgrimage for Year 12's while other year levels are given time during their session to pray and reflect.

Staff Development

As adults, our staff are also on a spiritual journey. This year we have continued to develop the Josephite Charism through the 6 P'sPassion, Partnership, Perseverance, Practical Action, Possibilities and Prayer while using the pedagogical approach of recontextualisation of the scripture. This has been the foci across the formation staff meetings for the year.

Four staff members also participated in the Josephite Colloquium in North Sydney to continue their own spiritual journey and faith development. This experience really enables staff to stop and take the time to refresh, renew and reinvigorate their journey.

As we continue to grow our College in the Josephite Charism, students and staff are given opportunities to develop their spiritual journey. We look forward to next year where we will be really homing in on the 6P's of Mary MacKillop as we continue the journey with our relationship with God.