Christian Service - Recognising the commitment of service to others
On Tuesday morning, the College gathered for our Christian Service Assembly. This afforded us with an opportunity to focus on our ongoing commitment of service to others - to appreciate the extraordinary Christian Service work undertaken throughout the College and to acknowledge and celebrate some of our Senior boys for their leadership and wonderful example of genuine service.
In a very inspiring ceremony, our guest, Ms Sophie Stewart gave a wonderful address that encouraged the boys to be strong and committed in their purpose, active in their service and a catalyst to bringing about real and positive change. Mrs Marya Stewart (Director of Christian Service) introduced Year 12 students, Matthew Loo and Callum Lee, who gave very personal accounts of their experience as part of the Eddie Rice Camps for Kids. Lachlan Moroney then outlined how he had been moved by his experience as part of the Kimberley Immersion last year. What was particularly moving was their deep understanding of the great rewards they had received in so generously giving to others. It was wonderfully humbling to hear their stories and reflections. As part of our assembly, over 50 of our Senior students were awarded Honours and Colours in recognition of their commitment to Christian Service. It was a real honour to present each of them with their Certificate and badge.
As part of my address, I reminded students that as part of our own College Strategic Plan (Ambition 2024), our Spirit of Service challenges us, “to form young men with the ‘TC Spirit’ who are authentic, active and outstanding role models in their outreach”. This speaks of our commitment to service and the benefit that such a commitment brings to their own formation as young men. Service to others is about meeting ‘the other’ through relationship and standing with them in solidarity. I have included some excerpts below:
“Trinity College is a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition. This clearly marks our status as being part of our Church; a Church that is inclusive of all and that shows deep love and genuine concern for the poor and marginalised. The Church that we serve promotes service and compassionate engagement with others as being critical to the way in which we, as Christians, live. The Touchstone of Justice and Solidarity has a similar call. It states, that as an Edmund Rice School, “we are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised." The Charter for Edmund Rice Education and our place as a Catholic School, clearly directs our mission to the ‘margins’- to those who are disadvantaged or may lack opportunity or hope.
Unfortunately, there are still many that would be considered poor in our modern society. Within the communities that we all live, there still exists those who are hungry; cold; without adequate shelter or access to health care; hygiene or vaccination protection; those who have little opportunity for education; are afflicted by drugs or subject to the cycle of violence; those who are discriminated against; or face the anguish of mental health issues. These are the poor today and our challenge remains to reach out and stand with them.
I am very proud to say that Trinity College has an exceptional Christian Service program. While any such program cannot provide answers to all of the problems facing our society, it does provide opportunities for each one of us, students and staff alike, to experience, reflect and respond to those in need. Whether this be through letter writing, visiting schools and care centres, working at Shopfront or as part of the Soup Patrol, raising funds or immersion experience both locally or overseas, our College community is very active in positively supporting others. It is heart-warming and a source of great pride, to see and hear about the willingness of our students to give of their time, efforts and talent to help others.
As a College we believe that we become better people when we are outward looking rather than being focused on self. Our mantra of being Men for Others is probably best illustrated in our commitment to our Christian Service programs. Christian Service is primarily about personal leadership. It is about developing relationships which respect the dignity and worth of every person. It allows us to recognise Christ in others, and in ourselves, through our action of reaching out. Our formal Christian Service program aims to help students reflect on all their experiences in the light of the gospel values which we are called to live as members of this College community.
The core value of Christian service is building relationships with others, particularly those who are in need of help and support. It is not so much about what we do or how much we do, but rather, it is about how we do it and why we do it. Knowledge and faith in God’s love for us leads us to believe in our own capacity to love and it inspires us to do good. It is also true that through such authentic relationships with others, especially those in need, we can meet Jesus, who challenges us to grow into more compassionate human beings – into being better men for others.
While this morning we gather to celebrate those Senior students who have done some extraordinary work as part of their Senior projects, I thank all students and staff for your commitment to Christian Service. While it is central to our mission as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, more importantly, The Spirit of Service is in itself a very special and worthwhile aspect of College life that students are encouraged to commit to.”
It is in giving that we truly receive, and it is in our reaching out that others may have the chance to reach up.
Live Jesus in our hearts.
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal
