Christian Service Faith Education Hands
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ll students at Trinity College are part of a community that seeks to live according to the Christian ideals that Edmund Rice demonstrated in his life. The Christian Service program provides opportunities for students to put their faith into practice by serving others. Ms Marya Stewart Christian Service is about Director of Christian Service being there for others and responding to their needs. By making ourselves available to serve others, particularly those most in need because they are marginalised in some way, we can participate in creating a more just and compassionate society. Through Christian service students are encouraged to use their gifts to serve others and to appreciate the gifts that others have to offer, to be Christ for others and to see Christ in them.
Year Eight: Serving our Neighbour Year Eight students participate in a series of lessons that raise their awareness of the needs that exist in their homes and local communities and help them reflect on the Christian imperative to serve others. Then they are required to complete fifteen hours of Christian service. Each student records reflections on their experience of giving service. For some students the challenge is just to begin helping out with household chores at home but for others it is to become involved in caring for elderly neighbours or building better relationships with a younger brother or sister by helping with homework or engaging in activities with them that require patience and attentiveness to their needs. Ultimately, the aim of the program is to help students appreciate the special gift that each person they relate with, is in their lives and to recognize that they can make a difference to the communities in which they spend most of their time, by responding to others needs.
Year Eleven: Sharing Gifts Some students really look forward to a week outside the classroom when they can relate with people in the community with whom they may not normally associate. Others find the prospect of spending a week with elderly residents of a Nursing Home or with students in a Special School quite daunting. Most Year Eleven students however, find the experience rewarding and worthwhile because they discover that the people they serve have much in common with themselves and that they can help others to enjoy life more through making a connection with them. The reflections that students share through their journals are often inspirational responses to this experience.
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Christian Service is a component of the faith formation of students at Trinity College that will lead to the development of young men who are truly committed to
serving others. The enthusiasm of students taking part in this programme is a reflection of the generosity that is demonstrated in many ways by the boys at the College.
Project Compassion On Ash Wednesday, the Project Compassion Appeal was launched and each student took home a box to collect money for those people in the world who lack the necessities of life. The theme this year was Freedom from Slavery raising our awareness. People who are poor often have little choice but to sell themselves or their children in order to stay alive. The response this year to the Appeal was very generous. Students returned their Project Compassion boxes during a special liturgy for each year level and they collected $4,688.00.
Winter Appeal for St Vincent de Paul In Term Two students were asked to bring an item of food or blankets to school to support the St Vincent de Paul Society which provides for the needs of the people of Perth who are struggling to make ends meet. The Edmund Rice Outreach Group collected these from each classroom and presented to Ashley Little from the St Vincent de Paul Society at the Service Assembly. A casual dress day was also held to raise much-needed funds that help people who need financial assistance in times of crisis.
Fun Run for India The most recent Pilgrimage to India members told of the wonderful work that the Christian Brothers Missions are doing there. This inspired a continuing commitment to that work by our students at the Fun Run. Most students completed the course in under an hour. Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service
