Education in Faith

Goals & Intended Outcomes

In 2021, the Faith Development Team sought to:

• Offer a recontextualised experience of the Catholic tradition for all members of the College community

• Enhance the experience of prayer and liturgy for all members of the College

• Embed the College theme 'Who is my neighbour?' and Benedictine values in formation, reflection and social justice activities.

Achievements

As a Good Samaritan school in the Benedictine tradition, Mater Christi College's commitment to education in faith rests in the wholistic growth of all members of the community, realising their inherent dignity, worth and potential. The 2022 theme 'Who is my neighbour?' asked students and staff to consider how the Parable of the Good Samaritan challenges their interactions with all they meet; on any one day are they the Levite, the Priest, or the Samaritan.

Throughout 2021 students and staff were given the opportunity to engage in rich experiences of prayer and liturgy, including the Opening Liturgy led by members of the Student Representative Council, and the Closing Mass, celebrated by Fr Chris Ford SDB, prior to his departure. The annual Easter Liturgy was designed and facilitated by the Youth Ministry class, using the Stations of the Cross as inspiration for a whole school 'Way of the Cross' celebration. An increased emphasis on recontextualisation and the space of dialogue across liturgy and prayer allowed all members of the College to more deeply consider their place in the world around them, allowing moments to encounter the divine in both formal and informal settings.

Religious Education classes provided students the opportunity to grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Catholic tradition, including points of intersection between the tradition and wider society. Students were regularly challenged to consider the needs of those near and far in both Religious Education classes and Homegroup activities and reflection days. Reflection Days were celebrated for Years 7 and 9, focusing on an immersion in the Parable of the Good Samaritan and Reconciliation with First Nations, respectively.

An area of significant focus for the College in 2021 was a renewed commitment to the celebration and recognition of First Nations Australians at all levels of the College. In dialogue with students who identify as Aboriginal, staff of the College developed new Acknowledgement of Land statements for use at all College gatherings and on College emails. In conjunction with artwork from the College's indigenous students, the College community is invited to reflect on the significant connection of Australia's First Nations people and the land they have long called home.

VALUE ADDED

• Senior and Middle School Faith and Liturgy Captains, Social Justice and Stewardship Captains, and House Captains demonstrated strong leadership in leading prayer and promoting social justice messages at assemblies and year level and house meetings

throughout the year. Students, both with leadership positions and without, assisted in all aspects of masses and liturgies celebrated throughout the College.

• Students' awareness of those 'beyond the margins' was raised through the use of resources provided by Project Compassion, NAIDOC Week activities, Dress for a Cause

Days, and the annual Caritas Trivia Night. Throughout Term 2 and Term 3 students were encouraged to donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal, and in Term 4 to the Christmas Hamper Drive. Each Homegroup presented their donations during the

Offertory Procession of the End of Year Mass.

• Through the Catholic Action Program in years 11 and 12, students grew in their appreciation of community service and outreach, using the principles of Catholic Social

Teaching.

• Following the gaining of the Rerum Novarum Grant in 2020, planning began for the

Indigenous Community Garden in the Community Action Program. Students in the

Community Action Program developed connections with Aboriginal elders to determine the suitability of plants to be grown in this space.

• In the Youth Ministry program students focused on developing and leading prayer and liturgy, as well as ministry in the digital environment. Students in the class facilitated the

Easter Liturgy involving the stations of the cross and led virtual Ash Wednesday Liturgies.

The Youth Ministry class designed engaging Reflection Days for students in years 7 and 9 and took time to consider the importance of spirituality to young people today.

• The introduction of Year 12 Formation Day at the beginning of the senior school Transition

Program, focusing on students taking ownership of their voice as 'prophets to the world,' as they begin their final year of secondary schooling.

• The Personal Project, in the Middle Years Program (MYP) of the International

Baccalaureate, provided students with opportunities to develop projects targeting social justice and stewardship.

• The whole school art project "Hearts of Mater" encouraged students to contribute to a collaborative display housed in the chapel, sharing the relationships that they were most grateful for in their lives.

• Staff were given the opportunity to engage with Dr Rina Madden, speaking on the topic of

Spirituality: Experiencing the Limits of Meaning, for purposes of Accreditation, and the

College held the first of its twilight 'Spirituality in the Lounge' sessions, with staff engaging with Sr Rita Malavisa.