Building Futures - Merici College

Our EthosAngela Merici Day MassOUR ETHOSSt Angela said, ‘Always have Jesus asyour source of refuge … know toothat I am in your midst, lending aid toyour prayers’.We Can Make A DifferenceOn Tuesday 24 May we gatheredto celebrate the patron saint of ourCollege, Saint Angela Merici. Wereflected upon Saint Angela’s words andhow we might live according toher charisms.St Angela tells us, ‘Take care of all yourdaughters, having each and every oneengraved on your mind and heart. Notonly their names, but their situation andcharacter and everything about them.This will not be difficult if you surroundthem with real love’.These words remind us all of how eachgirl here is your special daughter, sheis unique, just as all the females onthe Staff are also someone’s specialdaughter. As we move through ourbusy days, let us all be aware of howChrist’s love translates into ourrelationships so that in our interactionswe tenderly address their names,situations and characters.St Angela tells us, ‘See everythingas the Holy Spirit inspires you. Makesure that there are times when thewhole community comes together.This is so they can give joy andencouragement to each other andeveryone will benefit enormously’.The sheer logistics of gathering allthe College community in one spacecan be daunting but I have been bothamazed and inspired by the way over a1000 people can meet here at Merici,to listen, to speak, to teach and tocall us all to action. It is a measure ofthe dignity of each person that suchgatherings can happen with ease andreverence.4We are all baptised in Christ and we areall called to be his disciples. We do nottake this calling lightly and we striveeach day to make Christ the centre ofour lives. How are you doing this?St Angela tells us, ‘The unity andharmony with which you carry outa task will be the sure sign that Godis with you. So persevere in whatyou have undertaken and do notlose heart’.Our motto this year Have Hope fitsso well with Angela’s words. Togetherwe will meet the challenges of themonths ahead.St Angela tells us, ‘Love yourdaughters equally, do not have anypreference for one rather than theother, because they are all children ofGod, and you do not know what hewishes to make of them’.My Lord, I have no idea where I amgoing.I do not see the road ahead of me.I cannot know for certain where it end.Nor do I really know myself, and the factthatI think I am following your will does notmean that I am actually doing so.Thomas Merton, Thoughts in SolitudeSt Angela said, ‘When you see thatsomeone is in a dangerous situation,you must try to do whatever youcan to help that person and not letanything stand in your way’.At Merici, we are very conscious of theprotection that all of us need in orderto keep us safe and well. Our pastoralwork with all your daughters is alwaysat the centre of everything we do.Yours in ChristColette DavisonLiturgy and MinistryOn 23 May, Merici College held itsannual Social Justice Assembly. Thetheme of the assembly was centredaround the idea of Working togetherto make a difference. It gave studentsthe opportunity to consider howthey have already, and will continueto, contribute to society by helpingto make a difference to others onlocal, national and internationallevels. The assembly was excitingand there was enormous positivespirit from various members of theCollege in relation to Social Justice.Our College Social Justice captain,Hannah Foley, informed students ofhow they could be that one personto stand up for what they believe inand begin a chain reaction. Year 10student, Georgia Peake, demonstratedthis idea of doing something tohelp others and participated in a livehead-shave. She raised over $1000for the Leukaemia Foundation andher glorious golden locks have beendonated to the Princess CharlotteAlopecia Foundation. Our Collegeleaders created an inspiring andhumorous video to raise awareness andprovide information on the variouscharities supported by each House.Chelisa Cardinez, a Year 10 student,concluded the assembly on a highnote performing live, singing a songto allow our girls to think about whatSocial Justice means and how we canhelp make a difference in the world.Kyla GilchristSocial Justice Facilitator