Our theme for 2022 ‘Dared’ us to ‘Live with Courage’. This call was generated out of our return to full-time schooling following two years of remote learning. We drew on the inspiration of our staff and students who embraced the unknown with creativity and a determination to keep moving forward, stepping into 2022 ready to reconnect with fervour! This year was filled with its own challenges as, together with our broader community, we continued to find innovative ways to navigate the ever-shifting parameters brought on by the health crisis. As always, we have been moved by the capacity of our staff and students to adapt, always keeping care for one another at the centre of all we do.
As a community we have accompanied one another through grief and joy, supporting those close to us in the loss of loved ones while celebrating joyous news which regularly punctuated our year. We were driven by the maxim of Mary MacKillop to never see a need without doing something about it and continued to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in our community and world. Highlights of our social justice program included raising funds and goods for Caritas, St Vincent de Paul, MacKillop Family Services, and Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project through projects including Project Compassion, MSJ Op Shop and our annual Christmas Drive. Significantly, the MSJ Community raised over $7000 for Joseph’s Corner on Feast Day, particularly meaningful so soon after the death of its founder, Josephite Sister Jean Dwyer.
Our retreat program invites students to engage meaningfully with the spiritual life of the College, away from the regular busy routine of the school day. Our final retreat for the year took the 2023 Year 12 cohort away to Kyneton, to explore their leadership through the 2023 theme. It was a beautiful few days of connection filled with laughter and rich conversation, and the spirit with which the students embraced the program left all the staff brimming with excitement for all that next year will bring.
As we bring the year to a close in preparation for Christmas, I take this opportunity to thank the MSJ Community for your engagement with the Faith program in 2022. It has been a privilege to lead the Faith Team, and I hand over the reins to Anne Severi with great optimism for all the future holds for MSJ. May the blessings and hope of Advent and Christmas fill all your homes with light and love.
Andrea Grant - Director of Catholic Identity
