Christian Service

Christian Service at Trinity College is probably best summed up by these words from a poster welcoming volunteers to the Mother Teresa house in Calcutta.

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

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 confidence to speak up and share their views despite their obvious competence.”

Liam McCloskey, Year 11.3

(Edmund Rice Centre for Refugees, Mirabooka)

“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.”

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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can’t be cared for. These people who can’t speak properly and have memory problems because of dementia are placed inside a home, not to be seen for years in the public eye, shunned away.”

Ken Duggan, Year 11.4

(Brightwater)

“I believe that I did see God at my placement through the patients I came in contact with. Many of them had to endure such difficulties in the hope that they would heal and recover for the future. I also see God in the workers and helpers who came to the hospital giving up their time and everyday activities to help those who are in need.” Dear God

Please give me the ability to see past my own viewpoint and the needs of myself. Help me to be open to selflessness. Lord, all I ask of you is to let me see, to open my ears and to respond to the cries of others. Let me feel the pain they are suffering and be sensitive to their needs. Help me open my heart so I can care for people that are not like me. Help me to love like you God. Amen

Matthew Watson, Year 11.4

(Encounter Retreat)

Mrs Marya Stewart

Director of Christian Service

Michael Tobin, Year 11.1

(Princess Margaret Hospital)

“In these children I see wonderful imagination and creativity. It is easy to become captivated while experiencing this imagination at work. The way that they are dedicated to their imagination can bring them closer to God.”

Kristian Ostle, Year 12.1

(Aranmore Catholic Primary)

Trinity Fun Run 2007

SPECIAL MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

Back row: Thomas Rose, Jarrod Hofmann, Sean Kava, Nicholas Barbas, Aaron Jenkins Third row: Bradley Shaw, Jerram Gibson, Lee Hutchings, Liam Dee, Dean Savage-Morton Second row: Henry Nguyen, Kristian Ostle, Christopher Watson, Brendan Morphett, Myles Pover, Jacob Sinagra, Mr Leo Murray Front row: Adam Tassone, John Marshall, Vincenzo Nici, Reuben Joseph, Adriano Russo, Daniel Randazzo, Joe Samineeni Absent: Blair Bayens, Benjamin Pisano

KIMBERLEY IMMERSION 2007

Aboriginal people have had much publicity in the media over the past year which has presented many negative stereotypes of their life experiences. It is a cause for great concern that after over 200 years of contact with European people many of them still live in situations of extreme poverty and social disadvantage. Aboriginal people have much to be proud of in their history, culture and present day achievements.

We have in our College over 30 Aboriginal students some of whom come from isolated aboriginal communities and Trinity has a long tradition of encouraging them to take up the opportunities our school has to offer them. Hopefully other students also come to appreciate and recognise what they have to offer our school. To further develop this mutually beneficial relationship Trinity College has launched in 2007, a bi-annual immersion experience in the Kimberley.

In July this year three students and two staff travelled to the Kimberley region to immerse themselves in the culture of Aboriginal people. It was an enlightening experience for Ben Tomasi (11.5), Christian Ruggiero (11.7) and Ian Chia (11.3) who, with the assistance of Mrs Marya Stewart and Mr John Jacky, learnt about the achievements and skills that Aboriginal people have to share with us, as well as the struggles and difficulties they have had to face.

We stayed at Jarrarr Buru (Our Place in Yawuru) sleeping on the floor of a converted classroom at St Mary’s Primary School. This meant our days started early when the children arrived at 7.30am for the Breakfast Club which was run by several parents. The boys helped out at St Mary’s Primary for three days working in the classrooms assisting teachers with student centred activities.

Most of our time in Broome involved working with Goolarri Media who coordinated all the activities for NAIDOC which runs for a two week period. The Trinity group was involved in setting up for the Opening Ceremony and the Awards Night where we also served food and acted as ushers for the presenters and awardees. Both these events were fantastic and we had opportunities to hear presentations from Aboriginal leaders such as Pat Dodson and Peter Yu. Sr Pat Rhatigan, leader of the St John of God Sisters who are celebrating 100 years of working in the Kimberley, also shared some reflections on their relationship with Aboriginal people. Helping out at traditional food tasting events, film nights, photo displays and many educational and entertainment events gave us the opportunity to work with Aboriginal people and to learn from them about their culture. On many occasions we made contact with Trinity old boys such as the Pigram brothers who were very hospitable and willing to share their stories of growing up in Broome. The group also spent time with Mr Tony Treacy, Principal of St Mary’s College, Mr Wayne Bergmann, Executive Director of Kimberley Land Council and Bishop Christopher Saunders. We attended Mass each Sunday at Broome Cathedral and participated in the celebration of Aboriginal Sunday.

We visited Beagle Bay and One Arm Point communities and camped out one night on the Dampier Peninsular where the boys caught fish and oysters which we cooked over the fire for dinner that night. Each day ended with journal writing, reflection on the day’s experiences and prayer. Mr John Jacky provided wonderful inspiration for the immersion experience and the hospitality of his daughter and her family was greatly appreciated by us all.

What we discovered is that Aboriginal people are resourceful, resilient and capable. Many of the people we met are leaders in their own communities or responsible for running Aboriginal organisations. NAIDOC is a celebration of aboriginal culture, lifestyle and achievement. We were able to experience that first hand at the many events we helped out with at the Kullarri NAIDOC Festival. It was an experience of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people coming together to enjoy each others company and to celebrate everything that is great about living together in Australia.

Mrs Marya Stewart

Director, Christian Services

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Liturgies

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KAIROS #17 25-28 November, 2007

Reflections on an Experience

Serendipity is the word that comes to mind as I look back on my Kairos days. For me, the pleasant and surprising experience began one recent winter in Kolkata, India. Brother Rob Callen and his boys were visiting. During a quiet moment, when the boys had drifted off to bed, Rob and I were talking about retreats in general – a hobby-horse of mine. The whole concept of the Kairos retreat, though hinted at often by our mutual friend Jim, was new to me and I simply wanted to know more. Rob set out to tell me, but almost mid-sentence, he stopped, took a deep breath and proclaimed: ‘There is only one way to know Kairos – experience it.’ One thing led to another and by the time I headed for bed, my food for thought and dreams was the possibility that Trinity, Perth, would sponsor two Brothers to go and attend a Kairos retreat there, and I would be one of them. Now the whole dream has become a splendid reality. As it turned out, the second Brother, Addie Pinto, could not come along because his mum was seriously ill. I ended up in Perth alone and the great mystery of Kairos began to unfold, even as I left the airport. The Director of Kairos, Mr Leo Murray, picked me up and on our way to town Kairos was our only topic of conversation. Next morning, I joined Leo in Campus Ministry at Trinity, and the discussions and preparation – five days of them, plus long hours at night studying the manual. By Sunday 25th Nov 2007, as we headed south to Rockingham, I was comfortably familiar with the process, at least in theory.

The boys arrived and like latter-day Caesars, ‘they came [bubbling with enthusiasm and expectancy] they saw [life’s truths in a new way] they conquered [their fears and the skills of sharing in deep and trusting

ways].’ Fine fellows they are too, and it was an honour to be allowed into their circle, a first-timer like them, on the Kairos adventure… They have gone their way now, the better for having been on Kairos. Things will never be the same again for them, and for me.

Back now in ‘chronos’ [as distinct from kairos] I am swallowed up once more in the daily routine. But bubbling away on the back burner are the precipitating memories of those Kairos days. For me it was something of a new lens experience. Life and ministry carry on, but somehow I see things differently. This newness will colour my future relationships with youth, particularly in the area of retreats. Already a dream is forming in my heart – the hope that one day Kairos will take root in India and offer new hope to thousands of young people there.

My friends have been asking me since my return: ‘Well what was it like? Tell us about Kairos.’ At one level I can say what happened there. At another, I have to say to them what Rob said to me in Kolkata: ‘Kairos is an experience – you’ve got to have it.’

That said, I will try to think out loud in an effort to capture the mystery of it all. Perhaps it’s best to focus first on more immediate observations.

Kairos doesn’t just happen. It requires a phenomenal amount of preparation and planning and above all, networking. Only as the Kairos days unfolded did it become apparent to me to what extent Leo and his team had orchestrated all the details and contacts, meetings, printing and logistics. Indeed, what stands out immediately is this whole concept of Team. Kairos is a team effort and very far removed from the one-manshow retreats that most of us were familiar with. It’s not only a team of adults, mind you, there are youth leaders playing a very significant role. Indeed, peer ministry is woven into the fabric of Kairos from start to finish. Adults simply accompany these young leaders on their Kairos journey and affirm them in their leadership. Adult and student leaders alternate in handling the sessions in a delightfully balanced allocation of topics. nine times in the course of the retreat – not to mention many times before it. I understand there will be further meetings after the retreat to reflect on the whole enterprise.

Another impressive dimension was the involvement of parents. They wrote those significant letters and organised others to do the same. And they appeared secretly at the end to receive their sons in that very moving closing ceremony. I got the sense that this parental involvement meant a lot to the boys. They said as much during the forum meetings and also at the closing ceremony. Personally, I find it very satisfying psychologically. Past Kairosians and the present Principal threw their weight behind the retreat. Even the friends of the students did their bit by writing letters. From beginning to end the message to the retreatants is clear: ‘You are not alone; you are important and precious; your mistakes are forgiven.’

Among the outstanding impressions is the tightness of the daily routine. The students are swept along from session to session, with no chance – and hopefully no inclination – to be distracted. Since sessions ran late into the night, there was very little energy left over for non-retreat considerations. There was of course a period of extended recreation each afternoon. A measure of the success of the routine was the fact that during the Group Interview the students could sit for six hours of deep sharing and soul-baring, even to the point of tears. I was hugely impressed.

Fr Michael, who generously travelled each day from Perth to Shoalwater for the liturgy, played a very significant part in the Kairos story. His Eucharists went straight to the heart, couched as they were in the idiom of the boys. For a man of advanced years, he is very much ‘with it’, and wonderfully close to the Trinity family.

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One thing that struck me was the healthy balance between solo activity, small group activity and full house activity. There was an equally healthy balance between writing and listening, between deep sessions and light-hearted ones, between adult and peer leadership.

From my experience in leading retreats I am of the opinion that the venue plays a very important part. I cannot speak for Moore River or other venues in the Perth area, but Shoalwater is a winner in my book. Accommodation, infrastructure, location, catering were all of the highest class. Teenage boys are hard to please foodwise, but I did not hear a single complaint or murmur. We could not have asked for more. Congrats to Leo and those who negotiated such a conducive venue.

What shall I say of the manual? First, it is a wonderfully supportive structure that ensures the right things are said. It inspires confidence in the speakers, particularly the youth leaders. It is an accurate map of mysterious Kairos territory and it helps all involved to navigate a path around the possible pitfalls. Having said that, I must add that because it is so well written it is accompanied by the paradoxical danger that in becoming an end rather than a means, it might push the speakers into the very pitfalls it hopes to prevent. It is brilliant in that it offers speakers the appropriate content and makes very helpful suggestions. But in the absence of instructions to the contrary, most speakers read blindly what was printed before them, with the inevitable result that they sounded unconvinced and unconvincing. A slavish focus on the words hindered eye-contact.

Perhaps after a few more Kairos experiences I may change my view, but as of now I feel that the sessions would be greatly enhanced if the speaker mastered the content as outlined in the manual, but delivered it in his own words, without either lectern or manual in front of him. The same applies to an even greater degree to the adult speakers. While being fully true to its content, Leo and Kerrene were delightfully adept at putting the manual aside and speaking from the heart. Which explains the rapt attention whenever they spoke.

Rob and I have often joked about the Kairos Manual and its meticulous attention to detail, leaving not an iota to chance. And yet, if the Kairos retreat were to come to India, the first thing I would do would be to write a manual! The only liberty I would be inclined to take would be to encourage the speakers, after they had mastered the content, to deliver their speech without the manual. Those who read words from a page, touch the head. Those who speak words from the heart, touch the heart. material. There is no way that India could afford that and still retain credibility in the Christian community. A lot of thought will need to go into reasonable adaptation.

Did I enjoy my Kairos experience? Yes, hugely. Did I learn from it? Yes, very much. Do I feel it can be adapted for India? Yes, absolutely. My heart overflows with gratitude to Leo for all the painstaking efforts to keep me informed and properly guided. He is quite brilliant at his work and a great source of inspiration for the students and indeed for the team. His openness, integrity and genuine love of the boys give him the most extraordinary credibility. Marya is another in the same mould, complementing Leo with her motherly, feminine gifts. I come away hugely impressed.

One further point. I suspect that a lot of the success of Kairos is a direct overflow from a very vibrant, Christian spirit which seems to animate the whole Trinity campus. I find the whole ethos of the College rooted in sound Christian and Edmundian principles. ‘When Christ comes back to earth do you think he will find any faith?’ I say, if he comes to Trinity, the answer is a resounding Yes.

And so I return to my India, a new person, with an enhanced vision of possibilities. I leave Australia on a wave of gratitude to Trinity, to Leo and the Campus Ministry Team, to the 32 lads who swept me along on the Kairos pilgrimage, to Rob Callen who sowed the seed and to my own Superiors who freed me to nurture it. May all be rewarded abundantly with the blessings they so richly deserve.

Br Kevin Ward, cfc

New Delhi, INDIA

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PEER MINISTERS

Back row: Jack Bryant, Liam McCloskey, Samuel Burke, Thomas Lovegrove, Andrew Lillywhite, Matthew Cowie, Matthew Crackel, Joshua Hicks, Nicholas Buckley, Craig D’Mello, Samuel George, Joseph Coombes, Alexander Malkovic, Joel Blandin de Chalain, Daniel Mullaney, Stefan Pugliese Fourth row: Jim Colreavy, Andrew Winton, Michael Tobin, Seve Pratico, Marc Catania, Andrew Gotti, Thomas Robertson, Joel Janissen, Damon Joyce, Sebastian Calabro, Dannel Yeo Third row: Mr Nik Martinskis (Quest Retreat Coordinator), Luke Mancini, Anthony Gileno, Christian Ruggiero, Alexander Ekin, Ruvan Muthu-Krishna, Thomas Drage, Peter Gaitskell, Mitchell Taylor, James O’Hara, Alex Antoniazzi, Mr Leo Murray Second row: Mr Brendan Chapman (Quest Retreat Assistant Coordinator), Harvey Fernandes, Braden Smith, Mitchell Mollison, Thomas Leenders, Emmett Bray, Aaron Shepherdson, Hubert Nguyen, Stuart Love, Benjamin Andrews, Travis Colyer, Ryan Platts Front row: Ian Chia, Andrew Stroud, Gerard Rosario, John Robert Gallagher, Adam Doyle, Mathew Day, Israel Ostle, Martin Sneeuwjagt, Keaton Wheeler, Benjamin Tomasi, Julian Sieber, Jacob Lynch Absent: Matthew Watson, Samuel Collins, Callum Morich, Thomas Humphreys, Robert Zhuang-Bentinck

QUEST CADRE Back row: Mr Nik Martinskis (Quest Retreat Coordinator),

Kristian Ostle, Alexander Cocking, Jarrod Hofmann, Thomas Zekulich, Bradley Shaw, Mr Leo Murray,

Mr Brendan Chapman (Quest Retreat Assistant Coordinator)

Front row: James McKenna, Kaleb McKenna, Brendan Morphett, Elliot Steffanoni, Samuel Metcalf, Vincenzo Nici, Daniel Randazzo

QUEST ROADIES Back row: Mr Nik Martinskis (Quest Retreat Coordinator),

Jack Dart, Anthony Erskine, Simon Douglas, Nathan Scott, Michael Lee, Parker Matthews,

Mr Leo Murray, Mr Brendan Chapman (Quest Retreat Assistant Coordinator)

Front row: Michael Kirk, Jeremy Hunt, Daniel Watson, Tom Lillywhite, Jake Withers, Jakeb Norman, Nicholas Monisse, Thomas Crowther

EDMUND RICE OUTREACH GROUP

Back row: Henry Nguyen, Kristian Ostle, Daniel Jenkins, Joshua Hicks, James Grierson, Samuel Metcalf, Samuel Slaven, James Stevens Third row: Ruvan Muthu-Krishna, Christian Ruggiero, Luke Mancini, Emmett Bray, William Scheggia, Francis Baptist, Brendan Morphett, Aaron Shepherdson, Stuart Love Second row: Mrs Marya Stewart, John Marshall, Joe Samineeni, Vincenzo Nici, Andrew Lillywhite, Jacob Sinagra, Parker Matthews, Jake Withers, Daniel Randazzo (President), Dylan Dewsbury Front row: Jordan Weller, Jeremy Hunt, Ashley Mackin, Samuel O’Connell, Gerard Rosario, Benjamin Tomasi, Nicholas Monisse, Ian Chia, Michael Kirk Absent: John Samineeni Jesudoss, Alexander Caldera

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Back row: Kristian Ostle, Nicholas Barbas, James Grierson, Joshua Hicks, Brendan Morphett Second row: Harvey Fernandes, Samuel Metcalf, Dean Savage-Morton, Jacob Sinagra, Reuben Joseph,

Mr Leo Murray

Front row: Jordan Weller, Adrian Maydwell, John Marshall, Benjamin Tomasi, Tom Lillywhite, Dannel Yeo, Gerard Rosario Absent: Daniel Matthys, Callum Morich, Aaron Shepherdson, John Samineeni Jesudoss, Alexander Caldera, Emmett Bray, Ian Chia, Ian Raymond, Shaun Coyne, Daniel Jenkins Christian Services

Christian Service

Fun Run

Un-Fair Day