Mission & Wellbeing

Catch The Wave

Catch_the_wave.png

Last week, all Year 8 students participated in the Catch the Wave retreat. This was designed to provide an opportunity for students to deepen their own understanding and experience of the foundations of the Christian faith.  

At the heart of the Catch the Wave experience is the proclamation of the Gospel through contemporary Christian music played by the Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Worship Team. The session theme of ‘Catching the Wave’ was brought to life by the Mission Assistants from other secondary schools in the Diocese and students from our Year 10 Ministry Class. 

The Catch the Wave experience was a dynamic, interactive and joyful opportunity for our Year 8 students to build connections with peers and deepen their understanding and experience of the Christian faith.

The students particularly enjoyed the music from Wildfire Worship Team. Students joined in games, singing, small group discussions and prayer.

The Catch the Wave experience is also an introduction to Youth Ministry and provides students with an opportunity to consider applying for the 2024 Ministry Class in Year 9.

Many thanks go to Mrs Robinson and students from her Year 10 Ministry Class for their leadership and ministry.

Year 9 Ministry Class 2024

McAuley Catholic College and most schools in the Lismore Diocese offer the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) Program within the structure of the existing Years 9 and 10 Catholic Studies Program. Classes are currently being organised for 2024, and students in Years 9 and 10 will be invited to apply. The students in the current Year 9 class will be asked to re-apply if they are interested in continuing with the course next year as well as other interested students in the year group given the opportunity to apply. 

Students with an interest in nurturing their faith, while developing skills in the area of peer-to-peer ministry, are required to complete an ‘Expression of Interest' as part of the application process. Ministry Application forms will be distributed through Catholic Studies Classes and must be submitted to the College Office by Tuesday, 15th November 2023.  The Ministry Class has limited places and will be made up of students from this application process and teacher input. A strong emphasis is placed on students' responses related to the criteria for the course, which include: 

  • A commitment to faith development 
  • A commitment to youth ministry, spirituality and leadership 
  • Catholic/Christian background and religious practice 
  • College/Parish Involvement 

Unity and Reconciliation

It is important for us to recognise the difficult and emotional time post the recent 'voice to parliament referendum' for many of our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and families. While the outcome of the referendum may not have reflected the hopes and aspirations of many in our communities, please know that McAuley Catholic College will continue its steadfast commitment to understanding, respect, inclusion and justice.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the unique cultural heritage and wisdom that Indigenous communities bring to our shared Australian identity, and we pay a deep level of respect to the Indigenous communities in the Clarence Valley - the Gumbayngirr, Bundjalung and Yaegl Nations.

Our Catholic values compel us to stand with one another, as it is the strength of unity that paves the way for positive change. We pray that as we move forward we stand in all work towards a future where every voice is heard, valued, and cherished.

Please take time to read the statement from the  National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council outlining the need for healing at this time.

Margaret Bertalli
Assistant Principal Mission & Wellbeing (Acting)