RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
YEAR 12 GATHERING WITH BISHOP BRIAN MASCORD
On Wednesday August 21st, John Therry hosted the annual Bishop gathering with the Year 12 cohort in company with three surrounding schools of the Wollongong Diocese including St Gregory’s College, Magdalene Catholic College and Chevalier College.
The day consisted of activities to engage with the Catholic faith and our futures. A panel of speakers including Bishop Brian, Larissa Koura & Miss Molly Durrington (from John Therry) to address questions regarding social issues that concern Catholics in the Church today. These included the recent passing of the Abortion Bill in the Lower House of Parliament and the legalisation of Euthanasia in Western Australia, making WA the second state in Australia to do so. Bishop Brian especially addressed these controversial issues in alignment with our Catholic beliefs, along with the rest of the speakers who considered the value of life as a product of the Church.
An interesting point that was noted was the idea of respect. Bishop Brian and other speakers really emphasised the need for our Catholic faith to coexist with the multicultural landscape of Australia. And despite the fact that we don’t all share the same beliefs, it is imperative that we show respect to other people’s beliefs. Essentially, it is important we establish our own beliefs and not be pressured by society to conform to the new cultural norms that try to be imposed.
The day finished with a Subway lunch and a small concert by CYMW (Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong), engaging the students in a different way of expressing their faith through song. Overall, the Bishop Day for Year 12 Wollongong was an inviting experience for Year 12, as a reminder of our faith during the time of the HSC, and provided insight and advice on the current issues the Church is facing today and the Catholic response.
Bishop Brian engaged with the students’ contributions and responded with gratitude, addressing the group about his own thoughts on Catholic education.
“Why do we do the things we do in Catholic schools? What makes us stand out? Yes, we provide throughout our church, a system of education - but why? We do it because we are Catholic. We do it as a response to the relationship we have with God. Not because this is what God would want us to do, no. But because we reach out and become that face of God to other people - through education, and the simple activities that happen throughout our schools, like fundraising cupcake days [mentioned in St Mary’s student, Mia’s speech]. We do it because of who we are in Christ,” he said.
His message for students to take away was the importance of our relationships with each other and especially with God.
“You are leaders in your schools and in your communities, and you are called to give an example….I hope you can look back on your time here in Catholic education and recognise you’ve been called to something more. What you do with that becomes your witness to that. To be a good human being, to be a good person is the starting point.”
We thank the Wollongong Diocese for the opportunity to hear the perspectives of not only the Bishop and senior Education Office leaders but also the valuable time spent with other Year 12 students from our diocese.
Have a peaceful weekend,
Larissa Koura
