Christian Service Pope Francis, in the Encyclical Letter on Ecology and Climate Laudato Si, makes this statement about Christian spirituality: “We are speaking of an attitude of the heart, one which approaches life with serene attentiveness, which is capable of being fully present to someone without thinking what comes next, which accepts each moment as a gift from God to be lived to the full”. Laudato Si: Paragraph 226 The lives of our students are becoming busier by the day, filled with activity that is sometimes demanding and sometimes mundane. The intensity of communication via social media is all-consuming and often it seems that our boys are growing into young men without any space for reflection and contemplation on who they are, what kind of people they want to become and how they will get there. Although Christian Service may seem like another demand on their life, it is designed in fact to slow down the pace, to focus their attention for short periods of time on being fully present to another person. The primary purpose of all experiences offered through our programs is to provide opportunities for students to be attentive to the moment they are in and to give themselves fully to the people they are serving.
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To see a group of Year 9 students so absorbed in the activity of helping younger children at one of the primary schools we visit, so that they don’t notice me come into the room; to observe the attentiveness a Year 10 student pays to assisting an elderly person perform simple tasks; to listen to the conversation of Year 11 students reflecting on their weeklong experience of Christian Service is a joy and a blessing. YEAR 9 PROGRAM: RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS “It has opened me up to new people, getting to know kids and what they like. Knowing that they enjoyed reading with me is great.” Max Watervoort (9.6) “It made me think about myself when I was at primary school and I sat and wondered if I was like this.” Matthew French (9.8) “It humbled me to be able to see the kids who had less than me and the experiences they have every day.” Nicholas Campagna (9.1) “I think my interaction with the children helped me grow as a person because my sincerity increased and that made me feel a better person knowing my help made a difference.” Perth Libao (9.6) “Interacting with the kids made me understand and appreciate that it seemed like nothing to me to help them, but it had a great effect on them.” Jean-Paul Starkie (9.8) YEAR 11 PROGRAM: SHARING GIFTS “From the elderly people I have been working with I have learnt the importance of family relationships, attitudes,
Mrs Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service
career and education on your wellbeing. It has also helped me recognise the importance of reflection on past fond memories because people really appreciate them and it is healthy to reminisce on happy times so as not to get caught up with what is happening now.” Aaron Antonas (11.6) “I worked closely with a young boy who had autism. I spent time with him every day, helping him with his balancing exercises and assisting him with class activities and we became close over the week. His openness about his condition and his ‘can do’ attitude really made me realise how fortunate I am.” Harry Boyle (11.1) “The hardest part of my job was having a whole class of Year 2 students wanting to play with me. Having a whole group of kids chasing me was a bit challenging but also very enjoyable. It made me realise that the lack of male teachers in primary schools is a problem.” Luke Scarfone (11.8) “I met a little African girl who had ‘global delay’, meaning she was at a lower level than everyone else in her class. She was in Year 3, but at a pre-primary level. She was shy at first but by the end of the day she was comfortable with me. I worked one-on-one with her doing some reading and I could see the impact it had on her even in a short time. The experience helped me to understand how disadvantaged some children are.” Brandon Starcevich (11.1) “Mike is a quadriplegic who went to Wesley College. I was able to relate with him as he was interested in similar subjects and sports. We developed a sort of friendship that I have with my mates at school, as we joke, make fun of each other and talk about subjects we both like. This had an impact on me as it allowed me to see more deeply into the life of a disabled person. It made an impact on Mike because he doesn’t often have young people to hang out with.” Nicholas Ellison (11.5) YEAR 12 SENIOR PROJECT “The Christian Service Program at Trinity College has allowed me to become involved in the community and begin to take on new levels of responsibility. Starting in Year 9 when we visited a school to help in the reading program, visits to aged care residents in Year 10, continuing through with this in Year 11 and finally in my senior project, have all been extremely eye-opening and beneficial experiences. It has made me a more patient and compassionate person. During my time at the aged care centre I learnt what it
