Christian Service

This year we began to develop and expand the Christian Service Programme at trinity College with the ultimate aim that in the near future students at all levels of College life will be involved in service with others in need. This programme seeks to make the gospel demand to care for the poor and oppressed a reality which will change the lives of our students, just as it changed the life of Blessed Edmund Rice.

Year 11 Programme

This year was the eleventh year of the blessed Edmund Rice Christian Service Programme. All Year 11 students spend one week of the school term giving service to the community in various places where they can interact with people in need. The relationships which develop during the week are very special and the reflections that follow are just a small sample of many profound insights that the students shared through the journals that they kept during the week.

“I was privileged to enter this placement. It was not only an eye opener, as through the helping of others we developed a relationship and bonded with them. It tested a lot of our skills in general such as patience, tolerance, communication and challenged us not just socially but also performing the required tasks correctly.

One of the people we met was Brian, a poorly dressed but dignified man. Often I saw him put his boot up on to a bench to do up his laces. He still walks with his head held high. He is often beaten up, and robbed, an innocent and defenceless man. We all spent a few hours during the last day helping him to clean up his place. Although he is naturally an untidy man, his kindness and good heart prevails and even though his small apartment is only fit for one, he invites others to stay. He provides a sheltered home for other unfortunate people. I hope to meet with him later in the year and take him bowling.”

Aaron Zucconi

“The experience for myself took place at the Edmund Rice Refugee Centre. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the week was a visit to Br Olly’s Workshop. There we teamed up with Br Olly and his volunteers to produce wheel chairs that were going to be sent to Vietnam. From the work here I saw how the community can work together for a great cause. At the Centre one of the challenges I was faced with was helping a Spanish speaking man to write a letter in English. Through these tasks I was able to develop gifts such as patience, kindness and willingness to help others. From my week I was able to learn that not everyone is as well off as we are and that maybe one day we will need help too.

Matthew Dunstan

“Attending the Cerebral Palsy Centre, meeting so many people, making so many friends and getting really attached to people has changed my life. In a way I want to stay and carry on working there because I don’t find it hard to care for these wonderful people. I know that I will be going back there in the future to help out. It’s just such a pleasure to help people in need, making them feel happy and also getting a feeling inside that makes you feel good because of what you have done for others. I think I have found out that there is something about myself that attracts people who need care and I know that I can help because this is what I like doing. Without this experience I wouldn’t have discovered this and I wouldn’t have had people who needed the care come close to me. This experience has changed my life for the better.”

“The Christian Service experience was one that has changed and improved my perspective on life and it is an experience that I will forever remember. I established many good relationships with people at the Emmanuel Centre. I have learnt that all people ar valuable, that they are all good and that Jesus is in everyone of them. People who attend this Centre are often neglected in society and this place was a tremendous opportunity to interact with others. It is a place for all, where everyone fits in, regardless of ability or disability. The people have left a positive mark on my life in my development as a true and honest Christian person. I was able to use my gifts during my service. One example was when I played the piano for guests. To see and hear someone making music brought great delight to the people. Something that struck me during this experience was that “able” people think that because a person is severely disabled that they deserve less quality food and so on. I learnt that all people are valuable and should be treated equally.”

Senior Project

At the end of Year 11 in 2002 all students were invited to make real some of the sentiments expressed here. Over the summer holidays and through first semester of Year 12 they will be asked to participate in the Christian Service Senior Project. Every senior student is challenged to commit 40 hours of their own time to serve people in need within their community. Through regular direct contact with others in real need, our students will become truly dedicated young ‘men for others’ in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice.

Year 8:Serving our Neighbour

All Year 8 students were introduced to the concept of Christian Service through their Religious Education classes. They were challenged to reflect on the communities in which they live, their homes, school, parish and local neighbourhood. After four weeks of classroom discussion and activities to raise their awareness, students launched enthusiastically into a project of 15 hours service responding to the needs of people in their family and neighbourhood.

Through involvement in Christian service, students discover gifts in themselves and others. The relationships which grow out of these experiences are life giving and life changing. Over the coming years there will be many more opportunities made available for our students to put their faith into action. Undoubtedly they will rise to the challenge.

Mrs Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service