Campus Ministry

Br Robert Callen

Director of Campus Ministry Throughout 2004 Campus Ministry at Trinity continued to flourish. Our primary aim has been to create a faith community within the college. To do this we have continued to provide a wide variety of opportunities and programs through which students can come to better know, love and serve God.

Worship:

Worship is one of the key areas of Campus Ministry. We have encouraged personal prayer, and we have provided students with many resources, not least of which is the special section in each boy’s diary. As well we have tried to get all of our students in Years 8 & 9 to learn “The Treasury of Catholic Prayers” by heart. Teachers have been encouraged to begin every lesson with a prayer, and they have been provided with prayer resources as well.

Our more formal prayer settings have included School Assemblies, and especially our Liturgies and paraliturgies. For the first time this year we commenced the academic year with a whole of school Mass of the Holy Spirit on Centenary Park. Within this Mass we included the Commissioning of our new Principal, Mr Bothe. Earlier we had a Mass of Commissioning for our Special Ministers of the Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Sproxton. To all of the Year 12 students he also distributed a book of special messages to young people from Pope John Paul II. Later in the term we had a special service for Ash Wednesday when the Special Ministers distributed ashes to the whole school community, followed by the launch of Project Compassion. Perhaps one of our most beautiful and moving liturgies is our whole of school Mass in honour of our Founder, Blessed Edmund Rice, held at the Cathedral. As we are a city school, the Cathedral is our Parish Church, and for that reason we like to have the whole school present there at least once a year. Many of our Seniors play a significant role in this Mass in May, from Serving, Commentating, Prayers of the Faithful, Cantors, Choir, and Special Ministers of the Eucharist. Daniel Mullaney (Year 8) sang the beautiful soprano solo for “Pity Then The Child” from Liam Lawton’s “Sacred Story”. Each term every Year Level held their own Mass in the Chapel and both Mr Theseira and I taught new hymns each term. Our Chaplain, Father Michael was our celebrant. And the year finished with two impressive and meaningful Eucharistic liturgies: the Graduation Mass for the Class of 2004 in Gibney Hall, and the Farewell Mass of Commissioning for the boys leaving for India in December.

Deepening Our Faith:

Campus Ministry provided a comprehensive Retreat program throughout the senior school. (More of which will be explained on the following pages.) But hand in hand with prayer and worship, the boys at Trinity were offered Retreat experiences so that they could take a little bit of time off the mad hurdy-gurdy of life to ponder those things that are truly important in their lives and to discover that God was truly close to their hearts. Campus Ministry continues to provide many boys with opportunities for Christian leadership, whether it be in Music Ministry, Altar Serving, Lectors (Readers), Commentators, Retreat Leaders, Cadre, Peer Ministry, Sacristans, Roadies etc. There is a place for everyone.

Brother Rob Callen

Director of Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

SPECIAL MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

Back row: Jeremy Ricciardi, Dominic Rose, Thomas Nelligan, Adam Gibson, Daryl Tan, Gerard Bowen Middle row:Mr Leo Murray, Colin Loh, Melvin Raja, Samuel Witherick, Marc Ferguson, Paul Coates, David Von Felten Front row: Andrew Cotter, Jamie Rodgers, David Rossbach, Daniel Steffanoni, Stephen Bain, Joshua Webster, Jason Baptist, Richard Perera Absent: Br Robert Callen, Michael Page, Andrew Horsfall, Stephen Johnstone

Liturgies

Campus Ministry

Some Reflections The Best Thing

What can I say? Kairos is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. Before I went on Kairos I wasn’t the happiest of people. I didn’t like a lot of people because we didn’t see eye to eye. “Never judge a man, until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.” Even if you aren’t grounded in faith, believe me it is true. This is what I learnt on Kairos, everybody has a sacred story and it makes you feel so much better when you can open up to people and settle old differences. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you believe in, once you experience Kairos, I guarantee you will be feeling the same way as I do.

Steve Andree ‘04

Kairos #8

A Greater Inner Strength

For me, Kairos was like a power-up for my spiritual battery. It equipped me with a new mind-frame – one which I am very thankful for. Furthermore, I've been blessed with a greater inner strength. Since when is a school retreat a life-changing experience? Then, when the guys from Kairos #7 returned to school, I even heard, “It’s probably the best thing I've ever done. The experience which I had of the Lord's time, opened my mind and my heart, and showed me that all the brothers and sisters in our lives whom we call our friends and family, are truly happy to open their hearts back to us, and one another. I felt love and loved all around, something which we have too little of in the “real” world.”

Simon Titley ‘04

Kairos #8

Making the Most of Opportunities

Ican safely say that Kairos #8 has been one of the best times of my life. It gave me the opportunity to not only express my own feelings in life but listen and take in the feelings and emotions of others. The biggest thing that I probably learnt was how much I actually value not only life itself but family and friends. I can safely say that your faith and relationship with God will be strengthened to levels you would not have reached. The key to Kairos being a success is to put yourself out there and don’t hold back. What you put into Kairos you will definitely get in return.

Valentine (TeeJay) Dennis

Kairos #8

Kairos Is So Powerful

Kairos was a huge wake-up call on how I live my life and how others see me as a human being, another living creature with beauties and talents. Experiencing Kairos has awaken my being and made me aware of myself and my actions. It has brought God closer to me and has made God become a massive part of my life (more so than before). My values on God before Kairos had mainly been out of influence rather than my own experience and conviction, but now, my experience will be with me forever; overcoming the barriers and being at peace.. as one.

The whole Kairos experience has had a positive effect in my life. At school we segregate ourselves in groups and shut ourselves away from our peers. But Kairos has brought us together… as one. It was a privilege for everybody to express themselves verbally and in writing. I believe that freedom of speech and being able to express yourself and your own views is really a powerful privilege that people living in this materialistic country (society) do not capitalise on. My final word to those who have not yet experienced Kairos: don't pass up on this opportunity. So to you the Year 11's… experience it for yourselves.

James Cicanese ‘04

Kairos #8

A Much Needed Retreat

Before I left for KAIROS, I guess you could say I had my doubts about lots of things, about KAIROS, about my faith, myself and about my friends. I had seen the change that overcame my fellow students upon their return from KAIROS. Naturally I was curious as to what could possibly make these people that I thought I knew so well act so differently. The entire experience was fulfilling, being a great opportunity to get to know myself and my friends better. In terms of my faith, KAIROS has had a big influence, as although my doubts haven’t exactly vanished, I do have some of the clarification on certain aspects of my life that I was looking for. While I frequently reflected on things before I went on KAIROS, my reflection now is more intense and in depth, as I view many things in a different light. Personally, I would recommend KAIROS to almost anyone, as I fail to see how an event of this spiritual significance could fail to touch someone in a similar way to which it touched me. During such a taxing period of my schooling life, KAIROS was a much needed and appreciated retreat, and can be enjoyed by anyone who approaches it with an open mind.

Michael Moroz ‘04

Kairos #8

Let it happen . . .

Going on Kairos I was very hesitant as I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if I would enjoy it or if I would just go through the motions and not really take full advantage of the opportunity. However I am extremely glad that I went and put my effort into the retreat because it really helped me as a person. One of the best experiences of Kairos is that it is with people that you don’t usually hang around with, but by the end of it you realize that they have become friends with whom you will have a certain bond; a bond which will never break.

Kairos also helped me with my faith, not to change it, but allowed me to really evaluate how I see my faith and how I can strengthen it. The Kairos experience can’t really be put into words. In saying that, I would encourage all the students interested, and even those not, to go on Kairos and…let it happen…

Anthony Barbaro ‘04

Kairos #8

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

Tabgha is the place of seven springs right next to Lake Galilee. It marks the spot where Christians believe that Jesus performed the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. And we believe that this miracle was all about transformation, not only the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, but the transformation of people. The disciples who wanted to get rid of the crowd and the people who witnessed Jesus’ miracle were transformed by the experience. Their hearts were changed and they followed Jesus. Our Year 12 Tabgha Retreats were held at St. Joseph’s, South Perth and Pt. Walter. These Retreats provided our Year 12s with a bit of time out from their hectic lives to spend some time in quiet reflection. They were also offered the opportunity to think about the place of Jesus in their lives. As they come to the end of their years of formal education, they are gently challenged to ask themselves the question that Jesus put to Peter: “Who do you say I am?” In other words, “What are you going to do with your life now, as far as your friendship with Jesus is concerned?”

Year Eleven Encounter Retreat

In the Finale of the musical “Les Miserables” Jean Valjean sings: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” This is really the key to Mother Teresa’s challenging example: “When I hold that dying man in my arms, I am holding Christ, in his distressing disguise.” And that is what Jesus meant when he told us: “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do unto Me.” The Year 11 Encounter Retreat is an opportunity for the Year 11 boys to take some extra time to think about, discuss and share their experiences from the Christian Service program. This program “Sharing Gifts” encourages each boy to spend four or five days out in the community with people with special needs. Some boys went to nursing homes and others to schools which had children with all sorts of disabilities. During the Encounter Retreat the boys were able to talk freely about their experiences, some good and some not so good. But some boys were able share some very moving and beautiful encounters, and they were able to say how their experiences changed them. Some of the boys’ reflections were indeed quite profound. And for many, the truth expressed by Saint John in his gospel that “God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God” was the real lesson learned. For many of the Adult Leaders on the Retreats, it was a unique privilege to hear the boys’ reflections.

Some guys think that a Retreat is just a good break from the routine of school life! In fact, that’s not too far off the mark.

I’m sure everyone approaches a retreat with a whole lot of mixed expectations. From the old Westerns on T.V. when the cavalry sounded the retreat we saw them pull back from the action and re-group so that they could better face the challenge ahead. Well, that’s a pretty good image of the Year 10 Emmaus Retreat. They provide an opportunity for the boys to hop off the mad hurdy-gurdy of their daily routine, - to take some time-out! - and to think about the important issues in their lives.

We took some time to look back over our lives and to recognise the good times, the tough times, the special people and the many memories. And like those disciples who journeyed to Emmaus and had that surprise encounter with the Risen Christ, we recognised that Jesus has been with us all along the way. Our discovery on the Emmaus Retreat was that we don’t have to go looking for extraordinary spiritual experiences to find God, but in fact, just as Saint John tells us, God is Love, and whenever and wherever we experienced love in our lives, then God was very truly there.

The Emmaus Retreat was a great opportunity to get to know others in our class much better. It was a time to realise that you don’t have to be especially ‘religious’ to be close to God. He is present in our families; He is present in our friends; and He is present in the lonely, the weak and the poor. It’s just that we need to spend some more time with Him and to remind ourselves of His deep and unconditional love for each of us. Some boys decided that they would set aside a little bit of time each day at home to remember that God was always very close.

Brother Rob Callen

Director of Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

On the first day of spring, we commenced the Year 9 Galilee Retreats. The sun was bright and the temperature was a beautiful 23ºC. These one-day Retreats were held at Trigg Beach on the glistening white sand facing the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean.

But this was no beach picnic! We were there to journey with Jesus along the shores of Lake Galilee and to travel from the Galilean towns of Capernaum to Bethsaida to Tiberius to Gennesaret. We would be present when Jesus called his first Disciples to come and follow; and we were there on the lake when the storm arrived. And we felt the embarrassment as our lord and master, Jesus, washed the dust from our feet. The Year 9 boys entered into the spirit of this meditation and they reflected openly and honestly about their own lives. They reflected on what it meant to be a disciple today and they shared deeply about storms that have troubled their own lives. And they eagerly shared ideas on how it might be possible to be “men for others” in their everyday lives. To add to the authenticity of the day, each boy brought with him only food that would have been available in Jesus’ time: fruit, nuts, unleavened bread and water.

We all returned to school secure in the knowledge that no matter what lies ahead of us, Jesus has called us to journey with Him, and that he will always accompany us on that journey, yes, even till the end of time!

Brother Rob Callen

Director of Campus Ministry

Imagine the possibilities. That is the theme of Trinity College’s latest addition to its extensive Campus Ministry program – the Quest Retreat.

Representing the first retreat of its kind to be staged in Australia, the Quest Retreat is based on the ‘Freshman Retreat’ that has been conducted in Jesuit High Schools across the United States for the last fifteen years. Teacher Ken O’Neil undertook a three-week visit of Bellarmine Preparatory School in San Jose, California, to learn about the Freshman Retreat, its various components and how it was operated. He joined with Br Rob Callen cfc and the Director of Christian Service, Marya Stewart to implement this program. A two-day retreat was held during the Labour Day long weekend that involved some three hundred students from Years 8, 10, 11 and 12. Staged between the College and the homes of the Year 11 boys, the retreat took the unique approach of being facilitated by students for students. A core group of thirteen Year 12 students (the ‘Cadre’) volunteered their services as facilitators or trainers of the sixty Year 11 peer ministers who similarly volunteered to become ‘big brothers’ to the almost one hundred and ninety new Year 8 boys. Following a retreat of their own where they were introduced to the many varied aspects of Quest, the Cadre shared their knowledge with the Year 11s who ‘adopt’ three younger boys for the duration of the school year. Testing their commitment to the process, the five training sessions were held at different times during the Christmas holidays and on the first four Sundays of Term One. Adding a new dimension to the experience were the

sixty students from Mercedes College who were invited to participate in the final training session. The complex logistical requirements of Quest were put in the hands of the Year 10 ‘roadies’ who would ensure all of the behind the scenes requirements were put in place for a successful event. IMAGINETHE POSSIBILITIES The retreat experience commenced with an opening rally where the boys participated in a range of ‘get to know you’ activities while parents were provided with an insight to the Quest experience. Having been introduced to their big brothers who outlined what the Quest experience involves, the Year 8 students then heard from a member of the Cadre before viewing a slideshow of photos that were taken during their first day at Trinity. The Quest message was then reaffirmed through a short movie made by the Cadre. Imparting the message of collaboration and co-operation, the movie acted to assure the new students that they are not alone on their new and sometimes daunting journey.

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry

The next stage of the Quest experience takes the boys (one Year 11 and three Year 8 little brothers) out into the community where, under the supervision of parents, they head to the suburbs to collect canned food for the needy. “We pre-warned the residents with a notice drop that covered some six thousand homes and, in so doing, enjoyed a response well beyond our expectations,” Rob explained. “Building on the theme of Trinity students being ‘men for others’ the experience was a real eye opener for the boys and a good life lesson that highlighted the generosity of different people.” With the food collected, two groups of boys (i.e. eight students) returned to the home of one of the Year 11 students where they participated in some recreational/physical activity before coming together to discuss the sometimes awkward subject of how to treat girls. Helping with this part of the program were the sixty Mercedes students who happily answered the questions put to them. Reinforcing the spirit of inclusion, the ten students then joined their parents for a community meal before embarking on the next group session that focussed on the topics of prayer, their family’s hopes and dreams for their time at Trinity and any issues of concern that they may have had. It was then back to school where the gym had been transformed into a sacred space and where some of the Year 11s shared ‘witness talks’ outlining the presence of God in their lives. Year 8 boys openly shared stories about where God is in their lives. There is a realisation that the ‘whole religion thing’ may actually be OK and that it’s alright to share one’s faith experiences. Marking the end of day one, the boys headed home again before returning in the morning to create a page for their ‘sacred book’ – a collection of reflections, hopes and dreams that will become a feature at all major gatherings over the next five years, including their Year 12 graduation ceremony. They were presented with a lanyard and special prayer card. Later the boys all came together to celebrate a community Mass in the College Chapel. The younger boys discovered that the senior boys are enthusiastic about leading in various ministries: Altar servers, Special Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors & Music Ministry. The Quest experience concluded with a Closing rally in the gym. This included the Quest prayer, blessing, the special thankyous, singing of the college hymn and the farewell guard of honour. Having received very positive feedback from both the students and their parents, Rob said the introduction of the Quest Retreat was contributing to a culture shift that was becoming very evident at the College. Religion and faith are starting to play a more prominent role in the boy’s lives. Boys are very open to the retreat experience and want to be a part of it. The volunteer requirement for Quest was easily filled. The active involvement of parents, combined with the youth working with youth approach, contributed to the success and put a positive focus on the older boys as role models to the young.

Phil Bayne

Editor Catholic Education Circular

PEER MINISTERS

Back row: Stuart Dyer, Lee Ferguson, Stephen Morphett, Thomas Gee, Matthew Cain, Shaun Dee, Janek O’Toole, Timothy Pass, Brian Nimbalker, Michael Innes, Brendan Foley, Christopher Sabatini Third row: Daniel Pignatiello, Matthew Fitzgibbon, David Napier, Gerald Lillywhite, Matthew Slack-Smith, Gerard Caporn, Gianni Di Giovanni, Brendan Longman, Luke Baker, Alexander Rees, Daniel O’Connell Second row: Matthew Chidlow, Jonathon Fry, Samuel Reid, Benjamin Golightly, Nathan Colli, Andrew Hislop, Douglas Bowen, Longli Loei, Matthew McVeigh, Anthony Chiu, Long Pham, Casimiro Matarazzo Front row: Cahal Di Gregorio, David Bostelman, Benjamin Wisbey, Joseph Ryan, David Gardiner, Matthew Fitzsimons, Melvin Mohar, Joshua D’Souza, Christopher Fabbro, Shaun Wyn-Jones Absent: Joel Bisschops, Matthew Bouwman, Christian Catalano, Christopher Chiari, Jason Geldenhuys, Giles Graham, William Hawtin, Benjamin Hayes, Dane Lazarus, Jack Miller, Joshua Morey, Justin Naidu, Daniel Ricciardello, Adam Russo, Andrea Terni, Peter Villaneuva

QUEST CADRE

Back row: Paul Coates, Marc Ferguson, Dominic Rose, Samuel Witherick, Michael Page, Daniel Steffanoni Front row: Andrew Cotter, David Rossbach, Stephen Bain, Colin Loh, Joshua Webster, Jamie Rodgers, Richard Perera

QUEST ROADIES

Back row: Joshua Hill, David Ker, Matthew Stockton, Wayd Blakiston Third row: Tom Antoniazzi, Jarrhan Jacky, Timothy Hunt, Desmond Yeo, Justin Russell Front row: Scott Ward, Jamie Gotti, Perry Colyer, Justin Soon, Leonard Ong Absent: Luke Armitage, Danny Coyne, Christopher Dawson

Campus Ministry