Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry Equipping School:

On Thursday the 7th of May, the MacKillop Theatre was abuzz as the Year 11 Religion Academy students hosted visiting students from Clonard College Geelong, Loyola College Watsonia, Sacred Heart College Geelong and Saint Joseph's College Geelong for a day of celebration, performance, reflection and prayer.

Academy students have been very busy the past few weeks as they devised, scripted, resourced, rehearsed and ultimately delivered the Equipping School. The day consisted of an opening liturgy, team-craft workshops, and closing plenary. It was an opportunity to showcase practical ministry skills developed throughout the RE Academy and Journey programs - employing skills and talents such as public speaking, prayer writing, testimony, liturgy-design, games, dance, drama, music, art, IT, stagecraft, and sound and lighting.

Attending and hosting the Youth Ministry Equipping School satisfies Module 1 of the Australian Catholic University Youth Ministry Academy, contributing to a bonus +5 ATAR points applied to ACU VTAC preferences for Academy students.

Student perspectives from the day:

“The equipping school provided a great opportunity to meet, grow, and work with like minded people, building lifelong connections” - Jasmine H

“Equipping school was a rewarding experience, one of which I will never take for granted” - Addison L

“The equipping school pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and to be sincere with people I didn't know, despite fearing what they may have thought about me.” - Georgia N

“The equipping school was so fun as it brought together faith, new connections and performance.” - Annie L

Well done to all the students involved, and thank-you to our Companion and Geelong-region Catholic schools for supporting this event!

Year 9 Liturgies:

This week, Year 9 Journey students have also demonstrated their leadership and creativity by planning and leading the “God’s Love” liturgies held on the 19th and 22nd of May. Drawing on their class learning about Agape love (selfless, unconditional love for others), Students worked collaboratively to design meaningful liturgical experiences centred on compassion, kindness and service. Through prayer, reflection, music and student-led presentations, the liturgies encouraged the school community to consider how God’s love can be lived out in everyday actions and relationships.

Ricci and Glowrey House Masses:

The team was delighted to join with the senior students from Glowrey House and Ricci House for their patron day Eucharistic Celebrations. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather as one community, and share in such reflective and nourishing experiences. Our thanks go out to Father Gerry Healy SJ, for celebrating Mass with us, and to all of the wonderful student volunteers who served by offering prayers, reflections, vocals, and processions. We look forward to joining the entire College community for Mass on the Feast of Saint Ignatius, 31st July.

Upcoming year 12 Inspire Retreat:

We also extend our best wishes to the Year 12 Academy students as they gear up for their upcoming 2 day-2 night ‘Inspire’ Retreat. We hope the retreat provides an opportunity for reflection, connection and spiritual growth as they continue their leadership journey and consider the theme of “What breathes life into me?”. Year 12 Religion Academy students have been working in small groups of 4 to devise the retreat sessions, with an aim to peer-facilitate the majority of the retreat. We look forward to the amazing days ahead and eagerly anticipate the delivery of all of their hard work!

Prayer:

May we be inspired by the Most Venerable Mary of the Sacred Heart Glowrey to be servants to others, always reflecting the mercy and love of God for our community.

May we be inspired by the Most Venerable Matteo Ricci to always search for deeper meaning as we continue to learn each day, always striving to share the Good News.

May our patrons breathe life into all we do, and lead us towards the Magis.

Saint Ignatius, Pray for us.

Alexie Murray & Declan Parisi

College Youth Ministry Trainees