St Angela Merici Day and Christian Service Awards

Recipient of the St Angela Merici Award 2021 - Freya Spring

The celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Angela Merici was an important celebration in recognition of our Patron Saint Angela Merici, our Founding Orders and our College Houses.  The day commenced with a very special Mass. Fr Emil presented an inspirational homily, recognising the love and unity of the community of Merici College.

"It was moving and inspiring to be at staff prayer yesterday for the memorial of the life of Christine Collins, who sadly passed away this week after 30 years on support staff. As staff members shared about her life, we saw the beatitude’s on display. Meekness: she was always approachable in her office; Mourning: she could empathise with strangers to the school with words “I can help you”. Hunger and thirst for what if right: She was very professional in the finance area, keeping staff on track but helping them with understanding. Pour in spirit: she organised staff social functions. She saw that we need each other and cannot be lone ranges.

When you see the beatitudes in someone’s life, I often think of surfing- as the beatitudes often come as waves in the course of a routine day- like staff to Chris Collins’ office.

It’s why I’ve been inspired by 13-year-old gen Y girl, Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack in 2003. In the confusion and pain, her family and Bethany turned to their faith in Jesus and this gave them hope and strength. She returned to surfing in one year, competing against, and at that time, beating world champions. I remember preaching about her to college students in 2006 after reading her book ‘Soul Surfer’, and was inspired again this last Easter with her new film called ‘Unstoppable’ and how she is still beating world champions, all while being married and nursing a baby. 

Very often, she would get into championships by a wildcard entry- when you do not go through the regular elimination process, but the event organisers see a person who exhibits qualities that justify giving them a break and direct entry. For me, that exhibits a strong quality at Merici and Catholic Education, and qualities of Angela Merici herself and founders of religious congregations. Students will always find a ‘Mrs Collins’ who will give you a break to catch up in studies no matter what is holding you back in health and family situations or social life. It will still take hard work. We saw that in how hard the staff worked to get the college ‘online’ in term 2 last year due to Covid-19.

Finally, the RE team and Youth Ministry team, Angela’s Angels, will always give you a wildcard entry into God and faith in Jesus.

Not all students come from practising Sunday weekly mass families like mine. Catholic Education is designed to give a wildcard entry to see the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s only through a wave that a person can stand on a surf board and ’walk on water’.

We pray especially for students facing big challenges at this time. Bethany herself wanted to surf the biggest wave in the world called Jaws of the coast of Hawaii. With help and support she did it, then also without a surf ski support she was able to position herself and catch the wave. Just like Angela Merici had to face the huge challenge of losing her parents at age of 10 yrs then her sister shortly after; she was able through prayer ride this wave and saw how powerful is the help of faith in Jesus - so she wanted to begin education for girls to have the same experience." (Fr Emil)

The students enjoyed a full program of activities which included school trivia, House stalls, sport games, tug-a-war, jumping castle, disco and bubble soccer.  We would like to thank our House and Vice Captains for organising these stalls.

We also celebrated our young women who have gone above and beyond to contribute to our community. Who have put our values of faith, hope and love into action.

Our Christian Service Learning program aims to provide students with an increased awareness of justice in the world and encourages them to seek to transform our society for the better.

Students who have completed 50 hours of service received their blue Angel Award, 100 hours their red Angel award and 150 hours their gold Angel award. Freya Spring was also presented with the St Angela Merici Award; the seventh recipient of this award since the program’s inception. To be considered for this award, a student must have achieved a combined total of 150 points across 2 categories at a high level – from the following 4 areas of the College; Sport, Co-curricular, Cultural and Academic, in addition to their Gold Angel Award of 150 hours of Christian Service. The recipient must also have attended all major Liturgical events and community days.

 

 

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