Christian Service Campus Ministry
hristian Service at Trinity College is probably best summed up by these words from a poster welcoming volunteers to the Mother Teresa house in Calcutta.
confidence to speak up and share their views despite their obvious competence.”
We are happy and thankful Lord that you have given us this opportunity Mrs Marya Stewart To be a witness of God’s Director of Christian Service love in action. Help us remember that it is in Christ who works through us We are mere instruments for service Let us always remember it is not how much we are doing But how much love we put into the doing
“Troy looked so happy at his achievements and his facial expression after the work was completed indicated to me that he was so thankful that I gave him a hand with his Easter project.”
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Christian Service seeks to provide students at every secondary Year level with opportunities to serve others. Whether helping out more around the home, helping the elderly in residential care, or serving soup to the homeless, Trinity students are encouraged through these opportunities to grow as people of faith. How wonderful it is to see the boys helping a challenged primary school child or their delight in environmental projects as they learn to care for planet Earth. How heart-warming it is to hear them discuss how helping out at home has made Mum so happy. How rewarding it is to see our senior students afford homeless and destitute people such dignity and respect. Above all, how gratifying it is to read their journal reflections that so clearly demonstrate their understanding of how through their actions they are the witnesses of God’s love. The core value of Christian service is building relationships with others, particularly those who are in need of help and support. It is not so much about what or how much we do; rather, it is about how and why we do it. Knowledge and awareness of God’s love for us leads us to believe in our own capacity to love and inspires us to do good. It is also true that through relationships with others, especially those in need, we meet Jesus who challenges us to grow to be more compassionate human beings. The following, taken from the journals kept for the Year 11 Sharing Gifts and Year 12 Senior Project, express this appreciation of relationships being at the heart of the Christian Service experience: “Two Middle Eastern women today saddened me immensely. One woman was very quiet and despite her obvious skill with the language rarely spoke. Another had multiple scars leading down her chest as if from a knife wound or whip. This saddened me because they were both attractive young women, who apparently in their own country had suffered… and they now had little
Liam McCloskey, Year 11.3 (Edmund Rice Centre for Refugees, Mirabooka)
Jim Colreavy (Queen of Apostle’s Primary School)
“I learnt that the elderly and sick are not just vacant and lost causes but have much to offer to society and the younger generation. I also learnt how rewarding the lighting up of an old person’s face and the smile with which they greet you can be.” Nicholas Buckley, Year 11.6 (Royal Perth Hospital)
“Just by talking to the clients, asking them how they are and what they are going to be doing during that day can really make a difference to their day, as they think you are their new best friend; which is true. No matter what is wrong with them they are still people with a heart. We are not all born perfect but we should all be accepted in society. I tried to show them that they were special and didn’t need to feel alone.” Tom Lovegrove, Year 11.2 (KIRA centre for adults with disabilities)
“I saw God at the placement when the staff were helping the elderly. There was one incident where an old lady had fallen off her chair. Staff rushed to her aid and helped her back up. This immediately reminded me of the way Jesus helped the poor and sick of his community.” Israel Ostle, Year 11.4 (Villa Pelletier)
“I think that with my faith, what the world needs to do is to take that extra time to help your fellow human beings, because everybody needs help some time and afterwards you feel better for it.” Matthew Cowie (Carramar Retirement Village)
“The injustice that I have encountered at my placement is that people can’t go out and do what they want as they have disabilities which restrict their ability to function; that they can’t go home because at home they
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