Fun Run

from Annual: Trinity 2013

by Trinity College, Perth

Roll Call

Christian Service

Mrs Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service

Pope Francis recently made this comment on the presence of God in every person’s life.

“I have a dogmatic certainty: God is in every person’s life. God is in everyone’s life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else – God is in this person’s life. You can, you must try to seek God in every human life. Although the life of a person is a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.”

This is at the heart of Christian service. It is what motivates us to believe in ourselves and our ability to make acts of selfless love. It is what makes us believe that it is worthwhile to spend time and energy with another person who has greater needs than ourselves.

Every time a new group of students go out on soup patrol, they remark on how surprised they are at how nice and friendly the people are that we serve. They may be smelly and rough looking but they are genuinely good people. It is this ability to see the goodness in everyone that builds relationships with the people that we serve, that breaks down the barriers which separate us, built on fear and ignorance.

Each of the Christian Service programs at Trinity College is an opportunity for students to become more compassionate people – open to seeing the needs of others, willing to use time and energy to help them and, most important of all, to build relationships with others who challenge us to examine our attitudes and values. This is the model of how to live, that Jesus Christ taught and practised.

Year 7 Serving to Belong program involves all students in the SOS program. This raises awareness of the environment we inhabit and our responsibility to take care of it. Students are also introduced to the tradition of service which has contributed to the life of our College.

Year 8 Our Neighbour program encourages students to see the needs in their homes and neighbourhoods, to respond in practical ways and build relationships with those closest to them.

Students attend the ANZAC Day Parade as part of Edmund Rice Outreach program

Students at the Fast for Faith Program as part of Edmund Rice Outreach program

Jack Henderson carrying out his Christian Service

Year 9 Restoring Relationships program gives students the chance to experience the world of primary school children who need support to enhance their learning, either in the form of Breakfast Club or reading programs.

Year 10 Experience Counts program takes students into aged care centres where they have the opportunity to engage with people who have rich and diverse life experiences.

Year 11 Sharing Gifts program gives students the chance to choose a placement where they can best contribute their gifts in the service of others and be challenged to grow through the gifts of others.

Year 12 Senior Project is taken up by those students who, having experienced many facets of Christian Service, commit to using their own time over a period of nine months to serve the needs of others. This year, 65 students completed the Senior Project with 62 of these completing more than 100 hours in the service of others. Thomas Coltrona (12.6), Liam Flynn (12.7), Jacob Higgins (12.5) and Peter Matthys (12.4) all made an outstanding effort of over 300 hours. It is indeed a blessing to work with such fine young men. Mrs Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service

Reflections from the journals of students who have completed their Senior Project reveal so much about the insights that have been gained from their commitment to Christian Service. Here are a few of the students reflections:

As we are created in God’s image and filled with the Holy Spirit, part of God’s Kingdom lies within us, in our hearts. Because of this, we are motivated to help others or walk in a direction that calls us to help. This call, brought me to Millen Primary School and after reflecting on my experiences, I realised that I have been near the Kingdom of God through my work. My service work included all sorts of things that assisted teachers and students. Some children I worked with came from disadvantaged backgrounds and therefore lacked some important skills and role models. I was glad that I was able to provide them with hope and to teach them new things that will help them throughout life. Andrew Galante (12.5)

In the last summer holidays I completed my Senior Project at St Joseph’s Centre of the Mary MacKillop Primary School in Ballajura. My feelings when I first walked in the door were anxiety and true fear. I had never attempted to help teach students with disabilities. My nerves soon settled when I was introduced to an inspiring young man who obviously had some learning difficulties. His massive smile when he extended his hand to shake mine was unforgettable. He told me straight off that he loved school and that coming here was the best part of his day. At lunch, I saw him sitting alone and felt sad for him, that he was not included in other children’s fun and games, so I took a footy over to him and we enjoyed a good kick and a laugh together. My time at St Joseph’s Centre brought me closer to some inspirational young kids, who I will never forget. Matthew Loucas (12.3)

Through my Senior Project I learnt many important lessons, the most important one being not to judge a person based on first impressions. The fantastic traits of the elderly people I met at the Hellenic Community Aged Care facility weren’t easily seen from the surface. During the time I was serving these people, I began to see these hidden characteristics and past experiences that the people possessed. It was hard to work with people, especially those suffering from dementia, so often music would be played during the activities. The music reignited the fond memories these people had of their youth and as such, it opened up a small window into their fun recreational side that they had within them, but now found hard to show due to physical hindrances. By spending time with a very quiet and withdrawn man at the centre I also eventually learnt about his prestigious war service. I was often astounded by the things that residents had done in their past, which I would never have known, had I not spent time with them. Sheldon Russell (12.6)

I took part in two Edmund Rice Camps for Kids: one in July 2012 and another in January 2013.

Each time I came home I learnt a little bit more about myself. Through doing such a little thing as teaching someone to surf, letting someone paint my face or just playing a game of soccer, I can brighten someone’s world a little more. I appreciate that doing small things can make a big difference. William Colreavy (12.3)

During the Winter Sleepout we learnt what it is like to be homeless in the purest definition of the word – without shelter. However, what we can easily overlook, even when we are interested in the plight of homeless people in our community, is the stereotypes that are imposed on them. In Australian society, the homeless can even become somewhat of a joke – the hobo to be laughed at and uncomfortably dealt with if they approach us. The way the homeless are presented, it is almost as if we can be forgiven for treating them with less respect and care than we would for anyone else in need. My experiences on soup patrol gave me an empathy for them that overturned these stereotypes and prejudices. The friendliness of those we serve and their acceptance of us, really encouraged me to converse with the people I served and learn quite a bit about their situation. Some were backpackers, unable to afford a meal for a few days, others victims of misfortune and a few had been living on the streets for a large portion of their lives. All had a human story to tell that I would never have known had I only viewed them from afar. Jacob Higgins (12.5)