farewell year 12 – 2015 - lismore diocese€¦ · farewell and good luck to year 12, 2015 ph 02...

CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015 19

Another year is drawing quickly to an end for our current Year 12 Students. It is a significant time in their lives and I thought it is time-ly to share an article I wrote this time last year as a reflection on the time these students have spent in our Catholic Schools.

Dear Year 12 studentst goes without saying, and I acknowledge without question, that the first and prime educators of children are their parents. The influence of the family will obviously have a profound and lasting

effect on the upbringing and development of every child.However, in this article, I want to reflect on the Catholic school

experience you have had and the influence of that experience on you into the future.

You are now, as you finish formal secondary schooling almost ready to leave home, to venture out on your own, to commence work, to take a gap year or begin a tertiary course of some sort, believing that anything and everything you do is going to lead you to a wonderfully fulfilling future. And in the vast majority of cases, it will.

So how well equipped are you to go out and attack and conquer this very interesting world in which we live? This is a more complicated, difficult, insular and Godless world than anybody else has ever lived in. However it is exciting, compelling, and vibrant in spite of everything.

What has your Catholic education done for you to prepare you for this journey and how will you carry its messages into the future.

The primary purpose of all Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Lismore is to support the members of each parish community in providing a faith formation for their children. Our schools foster a commitment to the individual person and provide opportunities for the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, social,

personal and cultural development of each person entrusted to their care. Our schools offer students a Catholic education based on the teaching of the Church, within the context of a strong faith community. To this end, the schools endeavour to create a Christ centred learning community whose primary aim is to ignite a passion for faith and learning.

The secondary schools of this diocese understand that students have special and different gifts and aim to develop them in a climate where they can be shared and personal achievement can be maximised, where difference is not just tolerated but celebrated. Our schools endeavour to equip school leaves with the ability to face the adult world with confidence and play a responsible part in a society which is rapidly changing and holds a variety of different standards. This confidence is shaped through a deep understanding of the relationship between faith and culture.

So my message to you, as you begin your life’s journey as an adult is to remember the lessons taught to you in the Catholic school or schools you attended.

Don’t be afraid to witness to your Catholic or Christian faith. Remember those teachers you heard witnessing to their faith when you were in school and emulate this. Remember that you are about to leave a Christ centred learning community that catered for your whole development. But remember also that your school was part of another Christ centred community – the parish and wherever you are you can still be a member of that community.

So as you leave school, remember that you don’t have to, nor should you, leave the Catholic community of which you’ve been a part. The community is still there ready for you as an adult to remain part of.

In addition, please don’t forget the values and Catholic social teachings you have learnt over the years, the practice of which will equip you well, to be productive and valuable adults contributing spiritually, morally and culturally to life in our wonderful country.

I believe that if you continue to practice and grow in your faith as well as working hard to make a difference and be the best young adult you can be, you will lead a rich and fulfilling life.

Good luck and God speed.

Farewell Year 12 – 2015by David Condon,Director of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Lismore

20 CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 201520 CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015

Trinity Catholic College Lismore We farewell our current Year 12 students and wish them

all the very best in their HSC Examinations and in their future endeavours.

Trinity Catholic College Lismore A Co-educational College providing a quality education for

students in Years 7 to 12

1 Dawson St, Lismore NSW 2480T (02) 6627 6600

www.trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au E [email protected]

Excellence in Word and Deed

Farewell and Good Luck to Year 12, 2015

Ph 02 6562 7200 “Pursuing excellence every day” Fax 02 6563 1364Email [email protected] Web www.kmpslism.catholic.edu.au

Our Graduating Jubilee Class 1965-2015

We keep our Year 12 students in our thoughts and prayers as they sit their Higher School Certificate Examinations. We are very proud of all they have achieved in their academic studies, their cultural pursuits, on the sporting field and in their support of our social justice

projects. We wish them every happiness and success in the future and hope they have fond memories of their time at Woodlawn.


20 CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015

Trinity Catholic College Lismore We farewell our current Year 12 students and wish them

all the very best in their HSC Examinations and in their future endeavours.

Trinity Catholic College Lismore A Co-educational College providing a quality education for

students in Years 7 to 12

1 Dawson St, Lismore NSW 2480T (02) 6627 6600

www.trinitylismore.nsw.edu.au E [email protected]

Excellence in Word and Deed

Farewell and Good Luck to Year 12, 2015

Ph 02 6562 7200 “Pursuing excellence every day” Fax 02 6563 1364Email [email protected] Web www.kmpslism.catholic.edu.au

Our Graduating Jubilee Class 1965-2015


SCHOOLSACROSSTHEDIOCESE

Indonesian language students pictured during their recent tour of Bali: Amelia Kearney, Sophie Maxwell, Daniel McLennan, Eli Campbell,

Lachlan Fisher and Marley Bickford.

Cultural PilgrimageThe students of Xavier Catholic College have been busy this term with a range of academic, sporting, cultural and spiritual activities.

During the term, six students from Years 8, 10, 11 and 12 spent a week in Ubud in Bali studying the Indonesian language and Balinese culture. In all, they completed 10 hours of language study and 10 hours of cultural activities – playing the gamelan, making batik, painting and learning how to bargain in Bahasa Indonesia!

As well, the students saw the village of Kintamani to view the Batur Lake and volcano, various Hindu temples, beachside Sanur and numerous Indonesian restaurants for their culinary studies!

Mr Bellett and Mrs Anderton from Xavier Catholic College would like to thank and recommend the Cinta Bahasa school and the Arma Museum of Art in Ubud. We would also like to commend the students who were at all times exemplary in their behaviour, their cooperation, their enthusiasm and for being great ambassadors for our diocese.

For many years the Year 10 Retreat Experience has been a highlight in the lives of students at Xavier Catholic College. The 2015 Year 10s recently made their ‘pilgrimage’ to PCYC Bornhoffen for some time away from regular routines and familiar environments. Mr David Eyles Leader of School Evangelisation expressed his heartfelt thanks to the students and staff for what was an inspirational and memorable experience for all those involved. He also thanked Youth Ministry Officers Kalen Grondin and Eileen Digal who shared their personal testimonies and provided students with the unique opportunity to experience charismatic prayer.

Xavier Catholic College Ballina

Woodlawn half page


SchoolSacroSSthedioceSe



Little Learners at St Mary’s enjoying story time.

St Mary’s Little Learners

‘Little Learners’ is a transition to school program held each Friday morning. The program aims to help children feel more comfortable in a school setting before they officially begin. We allow the children to engage in plenty of play-based learning and introduce them to some early literacy and numeracy concepts. We also take them to different areas of the school that they may need to know when starting school. We have opened the transition group up to all students in the Casino community and invited all local preschools to attend.

Parents are encouraged to stay with their children during the Little Learners sessions as this helps to build networks between families in our school.

Innovative Curriculum Begins Term 4

As a first for a Catholic school in NSW, St Mary’s Catholic College is introducing an innovative model of curriculum delivery for their HSC students. Known as ‘compressed curriculum’, students complete three HSC subjects per year across each of the two years of their senior studies. St Mary’s is seeking expressions of interest from existing Year 10 students who are interested in doing their HSC through a compressed curriculum.

St Mary’s Catholic College’s Acting Principal, Mr Scott Thomson, said that the HSC will be starting in Term 4, from 6 October 2015, so students need to contact the College to start the enrolment process.

“The compressed curriculum model suggests that students will have a less pressure on them for their exams. There is evidence from other schools that this style of HSC delivers improved academic results,” said Mr Thomson.

“St Mary’s performance in the 2014 HSC included 10% of students placed on the ‘Distinguished Achievers List’ as they received over 90% in one or more subjects, nine courses achieved over the state average and a College record high for the top ATAR.

“The compressed curriculum will build on these great results and give even more great opportunities for our graduating students,” said Mr Thomson.

St Mary’s Primary School Casino

St Mary’s Catholic College Casino

100 Days!St Ambrose Pottsville recently celebrated its 100th Day of student enrolments. In the short time that St Ambrose has been operating it has truly created a learning environment that is vibrant and contemporary, a school that reflects catholic traditions and school community that is enthusiastic and welcoming. The Kindergarten students celebrated their hundredth day of school by going on a picnic.

St Ambrose Primary School Pottsville





Evie Sharman, Matthew Earl, Maree Flynn and Mitchell Smith joined Senior Constable Brooke Papasidero, Mayor Jenny Dowell, Mr Kevin Hogan MP, Mr. Thomas George MP (absent) and school leaders from

Casino, Lismore and Ballina to discuss topical issues facing young people.

Student Leaders’ Forum On Friday 28 August from 2pm – 3.30pm, we had the great pleasure of hosting the inaugural meeting of the Northern Rivers Student Leaders’ Forum in our Conference Room.

After attending Mr Kevin Hogan’s Community Consultation on the drug ‘ice’ earlier in the year we felt it necessary to call a meeting of school leaders from across the region to promote awareness about the negative effects of the drug.

We also thought it was appropriate to discuss a range of other issues relevant to young people in our region, particularly environmental sustainability. This is the first time a forum of this nature was held and we were very excited to see so many school and community leaders attend.

Senior Constable Brooke Papasidero, the new Richmond LAC School Liaison Officer, presented the latest information on the drug, and its prevalence in the community, using the latest statistics from the NSW crime bureau. This was a very informative presentation that helped to fuel a positive discussion about how we, as student leaders, can promote awareness about the effects of this drug.

Mr Hogan and Mayor Dowell also spoke eloquently on the topic and encouraged us to consider the broader context in which this drug exits. They also encouraged us to reach out, to the extent we can, to those we know who may be struggling with any type of addiction and also to not accept the misinformed view that this drug is only restricted to one strata of our society.

Our conversation then moved to environmental sustainability, with every leader updating the forum on the environmental work that has happened, and is currently happening, at their school. It was wonderful to hear of the many and varied initiatives being undertaken across the Northern Rivers: from solar panels to rain water tanks to energy efficiency audits.

Evie Sharman & Matt Earl (College Captains)

A Small School with a Big HeartWe aim to nurture students who not only know their Faith but also live their Faith, becoming informed, active, responsible citizens of the world. Just what our future needs!

This month the school was thrilled to receive the results of the state wide Year Six Religious Education Test administered by Macquarie University. Of our seventeen Year Six students, two, Gabrielle Waterworth and Michael Casey, received High Distinctions, placing them in the

top 5% of the State. Another five students received Distinctions and eight received credits – An outstanding effort by all.

As our faith is a lived faith the school builds upon this solid understanding of our faith by providing opportunities for students to put their Faith into action by embedding the Social Justice teaching of the Church across all we do.

Jesus said “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

Pope Francis reiterates this in his focus on action and social justice. Pope Francis’ recent teachings, actions and public statements provide a lot of food for thought. Pope Francis has spoken extensively on social justice issues, particular regarding the “poor.” “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty!” Pope Francis, Text from 7/25/2013 in Rio, Brazil

At St Mary’s we also believe in empowering our students in the knowledge that they can make a difference. Pope Francis says “An authentic faith always implies a deep desire to change the world.” This is what St Ignatious meant when he said “ Go forth and set the world on fire!”

With students who value empathy, compassion and the dignity of all through acts of kindness and compassion on a local and a global level, St Mary’s feels our future is in safe hands.

Trinity Catholic College

St Mary’s Primary School

Lismore

Bellingen


Jubilee YearSt Paul’s College, Kempsey celebrates 50 years of bringing Catholic education to the Macleay Valley in 2015 with a range of events arranged throughout the year.

A special Mass was held on Thursday 25 June, 2015 with Parish and community representatives, past and present members of the College community, as well as student representatives from St Joseph’s Primary School. St Paul’s College Principal, Mr Kevin Lewis said that the Mass celebration demonstrated the wonderful heritage and traditions of St Paul’s over the last 50 years.

Bishop Jarrett arrived in traditional dress in a vintage car to give authenticity to the celebrations. He spoke of his great enthusiasm in being able to celebrate with the College and acknowledged the vital role St Paul’s College has played not only in the Macleay Valley but also as a key education facility in the Diocese of Lismore.

According to Mr Lewis, it was a very special night as the College welcomed many former staff, students and parents back to the College as well as current staff, students and members of the community.

College leaders Josie Clarke, Evan Clarke, Sally Eller and James Barron took the gathering on a walk down memory lane with tales of special events, world history and the events and people of significance at the College during those crucial years. This was interspersed with stories of fond remembrance from former students, staff and community members.

“Many current students volunteered their time to help the function run including photography, bar service, serving, selling tickets and of course MC the night. It is typical of the giving and caring attitude of our students that they would be so generous with their time,” said Mr Lewis.

The Gala Dinner evening was also attended by former Brothers and Nuns from the founding orders. The Christian Bros were instrumental in establishing the College and they were succeeded by the Mercy nuns in the following years. “We were blessed to have our Parish Priest Fr Paul Gooley in attendance with other clergy. Brother Alan Bradstreet, Sr Marg Hogan and Sr Cabrini joined the celebrations to honour the wonderful traditions and history of this fine College,” said Mr Lewis. The local State Member of Parliament, Mrs Melinda Pavey (Member for Oxley) also attended the celebrations.

Mt St Patrick Primary School Murwillumbah

Tjupurru and his didjeribone

Celebrating NAIDOC DayAs part of NAIDOC Week our students were treated to a fantastic concert by Tjupurru. Tjupurru is a very skilled and gifted musician who plays the didjeribone which is an Australian made and designed instrument fusing the elements of the didgeridoo and trombone. Tjupurru captivated students and teachers alike with his extraordinary live interactive performance of the ‘Didjeribone Show’. He interacted with students using his “Face Bass”, a unique seismic microphone headpiece, to create traditional with contemporary, using a combination of masterful sequencing and sampling technology along with traditional instruments and live organic sounds. He finished with a competition of the limbo between teachers and students. All the children wore mufti clothes in Indigenous colours to help celebrate this special day.


St Paul’s College Kempsey

St Joseph’s Primary Tweed Heads Pyjama and Can Day 2015.

Pyjama and Can DayStudents at St Joseph’s Primary wore their PJ’s to school to raise money for the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. On the same day we held our annual Can Day where a whopping 2,171 cans of food were donated to those in need in our local community.

St Joseph’s Primary School Tweed Heads


CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015 25 CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015 25


Celebrating NAIDOC DayWe have been very fortunate in recent months to celebrate our strong partnerships and fellowship with our community.

Our Indigenous brothers and sisters joined us alongside the ‘Dolphin Dreaming’ team and formal NRL legends Nathan Merritt and Dean Widders for a full day of amazing learning and cultural celebration around the theme: “Standing on Sacred Ground”. Making Johnny cakes, boomerang and bead making, dancing and mural making were just some of the highlights of the day. Thank you to all who contributed to our day.

Reconciliation & Parish Family MassRecently, our Year 3 students joined our parish families for their First Reconciliation before our Parish Family Mass. We are so proud of them and thank all our families who joined us for such a fantastic community event.

Connecting CulturesWe recently participated in an international Skype session between the two Sister City Councils of Lismore and Yamato Takada in Japan. Children from our Kinder and Year 5 classes performed to members of the Yamato Takada City Council, including Mayor, Mr Masakatsu Yoshida as well as to their Japanese counterparts from Dongo Elementary School. The Kindergarten children sang a number of nursery rhymes and our Year 5 children sang Riptide which they had been practising for the Lismore Eisteddfod. Their efforts were greatly appreciated by Lismore Mayor, Mrs Jenny Dowell, Catholic Schools Office Assistant Director, Mr Paul Thornton and visiting guests from Yamato Takada. Throughout the Skype session our children had a chance to demonstrate some of the language skills that have been learnt during their weekly Japanese lessons. Such opportunities as the sister city Skype sessions and events like our annual Japanese cultural evenings have raised the profile of language learning in our parish school community.

St Brigid’s Primary School Our Lady Help of ChristiansKyogle South Lismore

MacKillop College students and staff together with students and staff from Visale Community High School in the Solomon Islands.

Christian Outreach ProgramThe Christian Outreach program aims to provide opportunities for the marginalised, less fortunate and the underprivileged, foster a relationship between our College community and our sister school in Visale, Solomon Islands

and empower our students to be involved in an initiative underpinned by Gospel values. In essence, the program aims to “make a difference” and put a face to Christianity through a Cultural Immersion Program.

Students embarked on the inaugural trip during the July winter holidays this year. Students and staff immersed themselves in the culture of the community at Visale for a total of 7 days.

During this time the “make a difference” team assisted the local community to build better facilities at the school and continued to build on our friendship with staff and students. The Visale school community was extremely grateful to receive the many teaching resources and hygiene products that were donated by families from the Port Macquarie community.

Students also participated in a tour of Honiara where they learnt about the extensive history behind the Guadalcanal campaign during WWII.

The next focus for the group will be on fundraising towards a possible visit by Visale students in Term 1 2016. In the long term, organizing for a new group of students and staff to go on the cultural immersion program to Visale in 2016.

MacKillop College Port Macquarie




St Patrick’s Macksville students and staff at our NAIDOC Liturgy.

Celebrating NAIDOC WeekWe celebrated our Indigenous Culture with NAIDOC

Week activities during 17th to 21st August. The week

included activities such as sport, language, story-telling,

art, singing and cooking, which was enjoyed by all students from Kinder to Year 6.

The week concluded on Friday with the children and staff dressing in the colours red, black and yellow. The laying of a semi-circle of Aboriginal-art decorated feet created by each student on the school’s oval made a place for a special outdoor Liturgy.

St Patrick’s Primary School Macksville

Murwillumbah building on Monday 7th February, 1966.

50th Anniversary PreparationsNext year we will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the inception of Mt St Patrick Regional High School. The school was founded as Mt St Patrick High School in 1926 and became known as Mt St Patrick Regional High School in 1966 after the introduction of the Wyndham Scheme. Many changes accompanied the start of Mt St Patrick Regional High School and so the event is a major milestone in the 89 year history of the College.

A Jubilee Book will be printed to mark the occasion. The book will focus on photos and memories of school life from ex-students, parents, teachers or others from the 1960’s to the present. Written and photographic contributions would be much appreciated.

For planning purposes, written contributions and/or photos may be left or posted to Mt St Patrick College (PO Box 105, Murwillumbah) or emailed to [email protected] as soon as possible or no later than the

end of September. A response to this special request will ensure that our 50th Anniversary celebrations will be a significant event for past, present and future members of the Mt St Patrick College community.

Mt St Patrick Regional High School Murwillumbah

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CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015 27 CATHOLIC LIFE SEPTEMBER 2015 27


Jack Almond, Ellena Coiacetto, Chloe Daly and James Palmer of Yr 12 serve up a feast on the day.

Silver AwardIn recent years we have been at the forefront of environmental advancements; most notably with the use of Solar Energy, lighting and the improvements to systems for Refuse and Recycling. The latter was a student-initiated idea and was carried out through the well organised TEC group at the College. This group also participates in community based Environmental programs. Under the dedicated watch of the Leading Teacher of Science Mr Ian Judd, this fast growing band of students from all cohorts have revolutionized environmentally friendly decision making and created a new ‘culture’ within the student body. Both staff and students are keen to consider sustainability in their daily life at the College and are aiming for a ‘Green Flag’ for the school into the future.

And with forward thinking comes community and wider recognition. Woodlawn College is pleased to announce that it has been successful in achieving a Silver Award for the ‘Keep Australia Beautiful Eco-Schools Award’. Furthermore, Woodlawn is the first school in Australia to receive this prestigious honour. Although recent advancements through the TEC committee have reflected the needs of current society, they also reflect many years of sustainable practices and Marist traditions at the College.

Eco-Schools is a proven schools based and curriculum-linked sustainability program operating in sixty-plus countries globally, developed in Denmark. It is democratic and participatory, which has been embraced wholeheartedly by the students at Woodlawn. Such an experience to enjoy active citizenship and show some ‘ownership’ of their environment has given the student body a fun, action-oriented form of learning.

College Principal, Mr Chris Comerford began a recent communication with parents and students stating “Caring for the environment is not an optional extra” and has since added “I am really proud of the students for getting this award. It is tremendous recognition for the quiet work they do; work that is absolutely consistent with the message Pope Francis is sending the world.”

St John’s College Woodlawn Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell

Veggies, Chooks and Kids“The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.” Psalms 24

A grant from Coffs Harbour City Council made the dream of a school vegetable garden a reality at Mary Help of Christians Primary school this year. Lettuce, rocket, peas, strawberries, radishes and spinach grow abundantly in five garden beds which are overseen by our School Parliamentary Ministers for the Environment, Jake and Isabella and Ministers for Health, Trisha and Tayla.

Organic, fresh produce from the garden is used each day in our school canteen and is sold from a school market stall to parents and friends.

The highly anticipated, soon to be completed chook pen will add a further source of fresh produce as well as hands on learning experiences for the children.

St Joseph’s Primary School South Murwillumbah

Grandparents DayThe community of St Joseph’s Primary Murwillumbah is keen to develop further links between Parish and school. We invited grandparents and other family members to our annual Grandparent’s Day Liturgy lead by our Kindergarten children. This year we combined the event with the children and grandparents planting trees and small plants around our school. It was a great opportunity for everyone to visit our vegetable garden and take a few herbs home too.


Catholic Life, September, 201528Catholic Life, September, 201528

“Welcome to our new reception room,” Sister Agathe offers a warm greeting.

The nun is the bursar of the convent of the Carmelite Cloistered Sisters on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Just recently, renovations were done on the once

haphazardly arranged entrance area to the convent. The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) helped the sisters realise this project. A new reception room was also added, as was a covered access area. Everything is clean and bright. “The renovations help us to receive guests better while at the same time protecting our enclosure,” the young French woman said. “After all, we usually do not leave the convent. However, many people come to us. We are deeply grateful to the benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need that we are now able to receive them better. We can thank them best through our prayers.”

The Carmelite convent, which was erected on the Mount of Olives in the 19th century, is the oldest in the Holy Land. The convent is located on the premises of the Church of the Pater Noster. Numerous pilgrims visit the sanctuary every day to worship at the site where Jesus is thought to have taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer. The walls are covered

with elaborate panels featuring the text of the prayer in numerous languages. “Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed here on the Mount of Olives. This carries our prayers,” Sister Agathe explains. “We live according to the spirituality of the great St. Teresa. She valued contemplation of the Most Holy Humanity of Christ. Here in the Holy Land, but especially here in Jerusalem, it is easy to imagine it. Christ was happy here, but also suffered and ultimately died on the cross.”

The convent is situated in the Arab and predominantly Muslim eastern part of Jerusalem. “Time and again, it moves me deeply to think about just how sacred Jerusalem is to the beliefs of so many. We can hear the muezzin’s call to prayer here, but also the sounds of the bar mitzvah celebrations of the Jews. How dearly we wish that justice and peace would reign.”

Contemplation dictates the life of the nuns. “Our day is strictly regimented. Times of shared prayer alternate with times in which each nun carries out her responsibilities.”

The link to the full story can be found at http://members4.boardhost.com/acnaus/msg/1440729440.html

Religious Art of the WorldMedieval mosaic commemorating the arrival of St. Mark’s body from Alexandria; over the entrance to St Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy.

© Photonics | Dreamstime.com

To pray where Jesus once prayed“We want to protect our enclosure”: Aid to the Church in Need helps Carmelite nuns on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

By Oliver Maksan

Sister Agathe (left) together with Sister Marie-Agnes (the Prioress) in Pater-Noster Carmelite Monastery in Jerusalem

Students from St Mary’s Primary Grafton are encouraged to consider the importance of sustainability as they nurture the vertical

gardens made from recycled pallets.

learnscape Project Fosters Value for environmentThe Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, provides some great insights and impetus into the linking of the Catholic

Faith and caring for our Earth. We are charged to protect all life to prepare for a better future. Teaching children to change from indifference to discover the worth of all living things and to be filled with awe and contemplation for this world which has been entrusted to us, is what we endeavour to achieve. This focus complements the Learnscape Project being undertaken at St Mary’s Primary School Grafton. Parents, students and staff have been involved in workshops to design and create an environment which will foster this outlook.

St Mary’s Primary School Grafton

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Catholic Life, September, 2015 29Catholic Life, September, 2015 29

continued from page 7

Laudato Si' – ‘Praise be to You’ – On the Care of our common Home

by David Condon, Director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Lismore

continued from page 11

Some of the hot-button issues in the hitherto dominant cultures of the West barely appear on the radar screen

elsewhere; and hot-button issues elsewhere don’t figure in the West. That will have its effect at the Synod.

The colour of the face of the Bride of Christ is darkening by the day as the centre of gravity in the Church moves from the so-called First World to Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bride is looking different, but she’s also sounding different.

The Synod may well be a moment when the Churches of the First World have to listen rather than speak, to learn rather than teach.

Synod: Family FocusWritten by Archbishop Mark ColeridgeReprinted courtesy of the “Catholic Leader”

From Boat Person to Bishop:an interview with Bishop Long Van Nguyen ofm convBy Aoife Connors – 26 August 2015Continued from page 13

Vietnamese refugees arrived en masse in Australia during the seventies and eighties, ‘the White Australia Policy might have been abolished formally. However, legacy of that policy may take years if not generations to do away with. In the meantime, like other minority groups, Vietnamese refugees have to earn their place in Australian society against all the odds’, he adds.

The experience of the Vietnamese refugees is clear evidence that even the most traumatised and the most impoverished group can be integrated in our multicultural society and can make a positive contribution, Bishop Long states. ‘The fear that our social cohesion might be undermined or that our very future might be compromised on account of an “Asian invasion” has been proven unfounded.

‘Today, Asian Australians have joined the mainstream in every aspect of our society. Even the sceptics of multiculturalism would concede that Australia has evolved to become a much more dynamic, diverse and interesting place.’

Immigration policyIn terms of Australian policy regarding refugees,

Bishop long appeals to our Government for a more humane policy towards asylum seekers, ‘one that is in accordance with our international obligations, our status as a prosperous and civilised society and most of all our tradition as a generous and welcoming migrant country’.

‘I realise that in the real world, we cannot have an open border policy. I even concede that we should stop human trafficking and prevent unnecessary deaths at sea. However, these concerns must not lead us to treat asylum seekers and refugees with cruelty, harshness and injustice.’

Bishop Long cautions that ‘Australia risks dishonouring its own legacy of “a fair go” for the way it dehumanises asylum seekers’.

He remembers with pride the Australia that ‘rose to the challenge in the past with its generous embrace of migrants and refugees. It proved itself especially courageous during the Indochinese exodus and accepted an unprecedented number of Asian refugees’.

‘Australia changed for the better as it always has with each successive waves of new arrivals. Australia is what it is today because of their determination and drive for a better future. We honour the legacy of this great nation not by excessive protectionism, isolation and defence of our privilege at all costs. Rather, we make it greater by our concern and care for asylum seekers in the spirit of compassion and solidarity that has marked the history of our country from its beginning,’ he explains.

Bishop Long acknowledges the advocacy and practical work carried out by the Australian Catholic Migrants and Refugees Office and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, in particular during this migration awareness month, August 2015. The bishop delegate for migrants concluded that the Church’s position on refugees is based on the inherent dignity of every person, on their human rights and on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

‘Human life is sacred because each person is created in the image of God. The human dignity and human rights of asylum seekers and refugees must be respected, regardless of their citizenship, visa status or mode of arrival.

He concludes that we should all learn from the example of Jesus, who was a refugee himself in Egypt and who identified with the marginalised and persecuted, ‘he inspires all Christians to work for a better world, for a better society and especially for the protection and care of asylum seekers and refugees’.

favourable climatic conditions to feed the country and make a living. Australia is a harsh continent subject to many severe weather events each year. The extent to which these are worsening and are a result of climate change has been a divisive, partisan discussion that really requires bi-partisan political leadership to facilitate a mature dialogue that enables all Australians to move forward on this issue together.

The Pope’s encyclical enlightens us that issues such as care of the environment are complex and require a deeper discernment that goes to the very heart of the meaning of our social existence, our work and ultimately what the earth needs from us. Pope Francis says that ‘unless we struggle with these deeper issues, I do not believe that our

concern for ecology will produce significant results’. In our Catholic Schools, there is considerable focus on the

environment and care for the earth. Our Religious Education curriculum unpacks our responsibility to be ‘stewards of creation’ in our primary and junior secondary years whilst in the senior years, students have the option of studying environmental ethics. In addition, the Australian curriculum has the environment as one its cross curriculum core priorities. Many of our students live in a privileged part of the world and enjoy a high standard of living that is built on the finite resources of the world. Our call to live more sustainability is certainly imbued in our curriculum, but such an encyclical from Pope Francis, is already being perceived as having a broad cultural impact which may well have an impact on our students’ choices.

Later this year the United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris and some observers believe that Laudato Si’ has already reinforced the moral, religious and social premise for countries around the world to work together for a more sustainable world that protects inter-generational equity. Let us hope for the benefit of our children and their children that the wise counsel given in Laudato Si’ is heeded by the community of the church and the wider society.

From Boat Person to Bishop: – an interview with Bishop Long Van Nguyen ofm convBy Aoife Connors Continued from page 13

Vietnamese refugees arrived en masse in Australia during the seventies and eighties, ‘the White Australia Policy might have been abolished formally. However, legacy of that policy may take years if not generations to do away with. In the meantime, like other minority groups, Vietnamese refugees have to earn their place in Australian society against all the odds’, he adds.

The experience of the Vietnamese refugees is clear evidence that even the most traumatised and the most impoverished group can be integrated in our multicultural society and can make a positive contribution, Bishop Long states. ‘The fear that our social cohesion might be undermined or that our very future might be compromised on account of an “Asian invasion” has been proven unfounded.

‘Today, Asian Australians have joined the mainstream in every aspect of our society. Even the sceptics of multiculturalism would concede that Australia has evolved to become a much more dynamic, diverse and interesting place.’

Immigration policyIn terms of Australian policy regarding refugees, Bishop long appeals to our Government for a more humane policy towards asylum seekers, ‘one that is in accordance with our international obligations, our status as a prosperous and civilised society and most of all our tradition as a generous and welcoming migrant country’.

‘I realise that in the real world, we cannot have an open border policy. I even concede that we should stop human trafficking and prevent unnecessary deaths at sea. However, these concerns must not lead us to treat asylum seekers and refugees with cruelty, harshness and injustice.’

Bishop Long cautions that ‘Australia risks dishonouring its own legacy of “a fair go” for the way it dehumanises asylum seekers’.

He remembers with pride the Australia that ‘rose to the challenge in the past with its generous embrace of migrants and refugees. It proved itself especially courageous during the Indochinese exodus and accepted an unprecedented number of Asian refugees’.

‘Australia changed for the better as it always has with each successive waves of new arrivals. Australia is what it is today because of their determination and drive for a better future. We honour the legacy of this great nation not by excessive protectionism, isolation and defence of our privilege at all costs. Rather, we make it greater by our concern and care for asylum seekers in the spirit of compassion and solidarity that has marked the history of our country from its beginning,’ he explains.

Bishop Long acknowledges the advocacy and practical work carried out by the Australian Catholic Migrants and Refugees Office and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, in particular during this migration awareness month, August 2015. The bishop delegate for migrants concluded that the Church’s position on refugees is based on the inherent dignity of every person, on their human rights and on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

‘Human life is sacred because each person is created in the image of God. The human dignity and human rights of asylum seekers and refugees must be respected, regardless of their citizenship, visa status or mode of arrival.

He concludes that we should all learn from the example of Jesus, who was a refugee himself in Egypt and who identified with the marginalised and persecuted, ‘he inspires all Christians to work for a better world, for a better society and especially for the protection and care of asylum seekers and refugees’.

Catholic Life, September, 20153025 Catholic Life, September, 201530

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