Newman News Term 3 Week 10: From the Deputy Principal Mission and Catholic Identity
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry – Archdiocese of Perth
In collaboration with the parish volunteers of the Parish of Floreat/Wembley and former Newman parent Peta Cooper, students in Religious Education classes have been preparing ‘get well’ cards for Aboriginal Catholic Ministry to distribute to Aboriginal patients who travel from across Western Australia to access health care services at St John of God Hospital, Midland. On discharge from hospital, patients travelling home to remote parts of Western Australia are provided with a care package of toiletries and essential items to assist them with their transition from hospital to home. Accompanying these items are handmade ‘get well cards’ from Newman College students. We are immensely proud of the contribution our students have made through these tangible acts of kindness, supporting those who they will never meet. Thank you to our RE teachers and students for leading this process. We look forward to continuing to support this wonderful initiative into the future as part of our 2020 launch of the Newman College Reconciliation Action Plan.
Year 11 Marist Association Philippines Immersion – Cross Cultural Competencies Workshop
As part of their formation program prior to undertaking the Philippines Immersion, our Year 11 Marist Association Philippines Immersion students recently undertook a cross-cultural competencies workshop led by friends of Newman College, Fr Israel Quirit and Fr Garner Vergara. Both Fr Israel and Fr Garner were born and raised in the Philippines prior to coming to live in Perth. Our students were given a first-hand guide to Filipino cultural practices and norms which equip them to confidently engage in a cross-cultural context as part of visiting the communities they will spend time with on their immersion.
Remar Gold Graduation
The Remar Gold Graduation will occur on Tuesday 22 October to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible achievement of rowers who have completed the three years with Remar. The Year 12 Gold Rowers will be joined by their parents and staff for a meal to celebrate their journey and wish them well for their future endeavours.
Weekly Thursday Morning Community Mass (Champagnat Chapel – 8.10am – 8.35am)
All parents, guardians and families across our PK-12 College are invited to attend the weekly Thursday morning Mass. Our weekly Newman College Community Mass is an important way that we as a Catholic community seek to nourish and live-out our faith in community with one another.
Perth Launch of the Social Justice Statement 2019-2020
We celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 29 September. This year, the Australian Bishops’ Social Justice Statement is titled: ‘Making it Real: Genuine human encounter in our digital world’. Four Year 10 students from Newman College attended the Perth Launch of the statement hosted by the Justice, Ecology and Development Office of the Archdiocese of Perth. The statements shares Pope Francis’ challenge to us to ‘boldly become citizens of the digital world’. It points out that we are called not just to be inhabitants of this world, but active citizens shaping it. The statement was launched in Perth by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. Click here for further details about the Social Justice Statement.
Student Reflection
“I appreciated how it was relevant to young people in particular. I certainly learned a lot and it really made me think. It is so easy to get caught up in this ‘artificial’ world of fake news and social media. It is so ironic how technology has the ability to connect people while disconnecting people at the same time. One of the biggest challenges for my generation I think is understanding what is and isn’t real because we think that seeing is believing. We often lose sight of what is really important in life – and that is the people around us from which we can learn so much from. I know I personally often forget to appreciate the people around me, but at the end of the day, the people in our lives are a gift from God. Technology makes it easy for us to access and share information, to socialise, to entertain ourselves etc. However, it is so important to disconnect, to ground yourself, be in the moment and be grateful.” Year 10 Student
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC YOUTH FESTIVAL
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). It exists to provide young Australians with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. This year the ACYF will be held in Perth between 8 – 10 December. Young people between the ages of 14 and 35 from around Australia will be invited to:
- Participate in high-quality formative and experiential opportunity for young Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ, in the context of the Catholic Church in Australia;
- Listen to and discuss the issues and challenges in the lives of young Catholics in Australia;
- Engage with local examples and connections of vocations, social action, liturgy and prayer, Catholic music and faith formation.
Students in Year 9 from the College will be invited to apply to attend ACYF. This event will take the place of the Remar Embarkation Camp this year.
Save the Children – Op Shop Toy Donations Appeal
Save the Children is looking for donations of quality toys that they can sell in their Op Shops.
Dr Michele Connolly RSJ – Free Seminars
The Council for Australian Catholic Women (Perth) invite you to hear New Testament lecturer, Dr Michele Connolly RSJ at two free events in Perth.
Michele is a Sister of St Joseph of Lochinvar NSW and has studied in Melbourne, Chicago and Berkeley. She has taught at the Catholic Institute of Sydney since 2001.
- Friday 25 October: WOMEN in the CHURCH: REFLECTIONS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT. Men and women are invited to attend. 6.00pm – 9.00 pm (light refreshments served from 5.30pm).
- Saturday 26 October: WOMEN and the GOSPEL OF MARK: INSIGHTS FOR TODAY. A day for women only. 9.30am – 4.00pm (light refreshments served from 9.00am. Light lunch included).
Both events will be held at James Nestor Hall, Catholic Education Office 50 Ruislip St Leederville. Please RSVP by Monday 21 October to kerrymacfarlane2@gmail.com or 9397 5988
St Vincent de Paul Blanket Appeal
A huge thank you to everyone who donated blankets to the St Vincent de Paul Blanket Appeal this term. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of the donations. Your support will enable the St Vincent de Paul Society to continue to help thousands of Western Australians this year.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
The St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal will begin in Term 4. There are struggling parents who are going without food so their children can eat. Many disadvantaged families cannot afford to buy healthy food and often have to choose between paying a bill and putting a meal on the table. Your support makes it possible for Vinnies to assist over 50,000 people each year. More information will be communicated to families in Week 1, Term 4.