Ministry Department Update

The Ministry department has had a fantastic start to the school year with many events highlighted on our calendar.

We have had many liturgies and masses this year, including the start-of-the-year mass, the Ash Wednesday liturgy, and the Easter liturgy. These events have involved a significant number of student involvement, such as musical performances and student readings. The Easter Liturgy that took place on the 31st of March was entirely run by a Year 10 Journey Class. It was an excellent display of the talent we have at this school and the eagerness the students have to participate in school events, especially in the ministry department.

Saint Ignatius College was also invited to the St Joseph’s Ash Wednesday Mass and Caritas Launch on the 18th of February. A few student representatives were fortunate enough to attend this event. The Caritas launch focused on uniting against poverty, with offerings such as a fruit bowl for the hungry, a medical kit for those enduring war or illness, and clean water for those with nothing to drink. Events and fundraisers such as the “Big Water Walk” and Project Compassion boxes were also introduced to reach the goal of uniting against poverty.

The Year 12 Renewal is always a significant part of students' final year at the College, and this year was no exception. It offered students a chance to step away from the pressures of school to reflect on their journey and to connect with others. This was achieved through meaningful conversations, group activities, and moments of reflection. Many students were able to strengthen friendships, build new ones, and feel a deeper sense of belonging amongst the cohort.

The retreat also encouraged students to reflect on their values, goals, and the burdens they may want to leave behind as they move into their final year and beyond. It was inspiring to see students open up, support one another, and engage so genuinely in the experience.

The Year 11 Religion Academy Retreat also took place over the last two weeks of Term 1 in Anglesea. The main theme the students dwelled on was time. The Retreat was about carving out time to reflect and to focus on themselves and their spiritual experiences.

As a group, they listened to songs and inferred their meaning in relation to the Retreat, answered hard-hitting questions that encouraged them to listen to other people's points of view, and reevaluated their assumptions and understandings about the topics presented. In individual groups, the students participated in Ignatian conversations and talked about their beliefs, fears, stresses, and goals.

Next Term, we have our Equipping Schools Program, which is a day where youths come together in a Youth Ministry space and teach each other different ways to present these experiences to equip their schools with this same knowledge. The day is entirely student-run by the Year 11 Religion Academy classes and the Youth Ministry Department, especially by our two youth ministers, Alexi and Declan. The schools that will be in attendance are all the Geelong catholic schools, as well as Loyola and Domascas. This year's theme is " Rise Up, " and we will be running workshops, performances, and plenaries in accordance with that theme.