2023 | ISSUE 13 | SJC Newsletter

Identity News

‘Mukwano’ Welcome Fr Emma Friend of St Joseph’s College

Over these past two weeks, we have welcomed Fr Emmanuel Kiwanauka, known to us as Fr Emma to St Joseph’s. He is the parish priest of Mannya, in Uganda. Fr Emma spent time visiting the Year 7 Gathering, followed by a tour visiting classrooms. He enjoyed a coffee made by students at the VCAL café and was given a tour of the VCE VM students projects. Fr Emma met with the Year 11 Religious Education classes to hear the progress being made at the St Joseph’s Vocational school and the challenges of daily life, many students’ families face. Westcourt staff and students immersed Fr Emma in the welcoming features of the campus and their projects. Our 2023 College Captain, Jaeger Fawcett, and a group of student leaders shared their Touchstone initiatives over a shared lunch. Fr Emma expressed his thanks on behalf of his community for our financial support of the Edmund Rice Day celebrations to enable St Joseph’s Vocational Secondary School in Kensekka to grow and gift students with an education out of poverty. Fr Emma will celebrate Mass with our Year 12 students in the morning in our Chapel. He will also be a guest at the Josephine’s Spring Luncheon which supports our Learning Diversity initiatives for many of our students, with thanks to our dedicated Learning Diversity Officers and staff.

We look forward to joining many of you in our community who are gathering together for our annual College Parents and Friends Fashion Dinner at Mt Duneed Estate on the 20^th of October, where all proceeds will be going towards supporting the ongoing development of the St Joseph’s Vocational School in Kensekka, Uganda. This is another example of how we are living out the Touchstones and the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, to provide access to education for those most in need.

I would like to congratulate the 2024 Student College Leadership Team and Touchstone Leaders who are all a shining example living the touchstones and gospel values through servant leadership, that includes the elements of: empathy, stewardship, empowering others, a balance of focus and flexibility, attentive listening and serving with humility.

Advice given by Pope Francis to a staff member on the recent Emerging Leaders Program in Rome for the World Youth Day, when asked, ‘What advice he had for us in being able to serve our small communities?’ He said it’s not about imparting an idea, but imparting a relationship … guiding your students and allowing them to make mistakes and be themselves and to grow into their own.

https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/Ne...

Friends Ignited in Reconciliation Education

Last Sunday’s reading was from Matthew 16: 13–20. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied: Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But what about you? He asked: Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered: You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. In this Gospel reading, Jesus is in the town of Caesarea Philippi, which is situated at the head of the Jordan River. Jesus gathers here with his followers and begins a discussion about his identity. People think he may be John the Baptist reincarnated or perhaps Elijah, a prophet of the Old Testament who has returned to earth after leaving it in a fiery chariot. And others think he is one of the many other prophets. But it is Peter’s faith that helps him to see and to say that Jesus is more than a prophet – he is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Last weekend, our Catholic Parishes observed Social Justice Sunday. On this Social Justice in 2023, Australia’s Bishops are asking us to renew our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, who are questioning their identity in our constitution. In their Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, they join with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) to call on us to develop relationships of humility and love with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Here is a link to the statement.

The Bishop’s statement tells us about the painful experiences of many First Nations people.

We are followers of Christ whose central message is that love is the way. Prominent Aboriginal lawyer, Noel Pearson, says, ‘It is very challenging reading in parts…We can’t just turn a blind eye to this.’

We are going to vote in the Voice referendum before the end of the year. NATSICC supports a Yes vote, but the Bishops will not tell us how to vote. However, they do urge us to inform ourselves about the issues and to engage in respectful dialogue about the issues, especially with First Nations People. This is one moment when we can try harder to listen to First Nations People and learn from them about their experiences and hopes.

The referendum is an important moment in our history. Just as important is what happens in the months and years following. As the Bishops and NATSICC say, we, in the Church, can model how Jesus’ way of love can make a difference. As this week of Social Justice Sunday continues, let’s commit ourselves to reaching out to First Nations people in love and humility, to listen to them and learn from them and walk the journey of healing together – first in relation to the referendum and, then, in the period that follows.

Edmund Rice Education Australia supports the establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution, and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission for the purpose of truth-telling is at the centre of this justice. We support this road to Treaty. We commit to spread awareness of and support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart in all of our schools and communities. The Uluru Statement from the Heart will be displayed in all of our school communities as a sign of our commitment to these imperatives. 

As we prepare to vote in the referendum on a Voice to Parliament, as a FIRE Carrier College, who has a Reconciliation Action Plan, may we continue to listen with deep respect.

Mary Malone
Director of Identity