In the last two weeks, the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn has been holding Listening and Dialogue Encounters as a lead up to the Plenary Council of 2020. The Plenary Council will bring hundreds of Catholic leaders together to discuss how the Catholic Church in Australia can continue its mission in a society that is changing and evolving. This is only the fifth time in Australia’s history such a council has been held, the last one being held about 80 years ago. Whilst the Plenary Council will not affect matters of doctrine, it will have legislative power to mould practices within the Australian Catholic Church.
Last week my wife and I attended a Listening and Dialogue Encounter where local parishioners were invited to attend and reflect on the question, “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” Much discussion took place about the current context of the Catholic Church in Australia and how the Church was meeting the needs of its own people as well as the place it held in the context of a wider secular society. The culture we now live in would be unrecognisable to someone living in 1937, when the Catholic Church in Australia held its last Plenary Council. The Church is making a very obvious and definite effort in listening to the voice of its faithful in shaping future directions. The themes and issues emerging from the local Canberra Listening and Dialogue Encounters will be shaped to form a submission to the Plenary Council. This is a process that will take place across the nation over the next year.
I am taking some time to raise the Plenary Council with the College community because as members of a faith community we often feel we do not have a say or do not have an impact on the Church to which we belong and the faith we follow. Not only is this an opportunity to set directions and shape the nature of the Catholic Church in Australia, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to affirm and consolidate much of the great work already undertaken by our Church. I would urge members of the College community who have not participated in the Listening and Dialogue Encounters to make their own submission to the Plenary Council by following this link: http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/have-your-say/
It is a sad reality that for many of our students here at St Edmund’s and other Catholic schools across the country, the only exposure to Catholic practice and tradition is through their school community. All Australian Catholic schools are involved in the important effort of engaging their young people in their Catholic culture in a relevant and meaningful way. Of course, much of this takes place formally in religious education lessons, liturgy and retreat experiences. But it also takes place in a much more informal manner – in the language we use, in the nature of our relationships, in being advocates for the marginalised and oppressed and in the expression of our own individual spirituality.
I am teaching the Year 12 Religious Studies (Tertiary) course at the moment. The most recent assessment task submitted by students had them choose a topical issue in society at the moment, and examine this issue from a number of religious and ethical perspectives. Many students were actively exploring the intricacies of Vatican documents, Church teachings and local Church documents in terms of how these responded to the topics chosen. Such tasks are only one way in which we can expose our young men to Church teachings and tradition in a relevant manner.
St Edmund’s College also has an active Youth Ministry program. The first Youth Ministry experience of a student is the “Catch the Wave” retreat in Year 9 or 10 (these are taking place this week). I had the pleasure of meeting some of the young facilitators of this retreat last week. Students can participate in the Youth Ministry units of study which are incorporated into the Religious Education Curriculum. These classes are usually offered to students who have had a positive retreat experience and desire further opportunities and information within Youth Ministry. The Senior Youth Ministry Team is made up of Year 11 and 12 students who conduct retreats and liturgies to provide a phase one experience for younger students. Members of the Senior Team are also candidates for cross-cultural mission trips. It is hoped that students continue with Youth Ministry after they finish school, with the aim to connect youth into the broader Church including Parish and Diocesan events.
Many of our young Catholics are being successfully evangelised by the secular culture around them. The Catholic Weekly addresses this issue quite effectively in looking at our continued duty to “… determine how as Catholics we might re-ignite our Church in Australia and also evangelise the culture around us. How might we recapture that zeal for the living God that enflamed the Apostles and the early Christians, and then inspire others with that flame of faith?” (Source: https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/plenary-2020-to-shape-the-future-of-the-catholic-church-in-australia/). I again urge members of our community to make their own submissions to the Plenary Council and have a voice in this very significant opportunity given to us.
Plenary Council Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope-filled future, that we may live the joy of the Gospel.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
bread for the journey from age to age.
Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
Blessed Edmund Rice, pray for us.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts, forever.
Suggested reading – masculinity
A couple of the previous editions of my Vortex messages have centred on the notions of masculinity and the nature of right relationships. I would like to recommend some material for parents which should help is starting to have conversations with their sons in the nature of right relationships and the nature of masculinity. I would strongly suggest that all parents read the article by acclaimed author, parent educator and psychologist Steve Biddulph. Whilst all schools (including St Edmund’s) still have a long way to go in getting this issue “right”, it is only in partnership with parents and in the context of a very strong family culture that we can make a tangible difference to our young people. Steve Biddulph’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald is found at:
I also recommend this week’s episode of the Andrew Denton “Interview” program where he interviewed Australian novelist Tim Winton (Episode 11 can be found at www.7plus.com.au Winton is interviewed in the final 20 minutes of the program).
Denton and Winton discuss the concept of toxic masculinity and how to overcome this, the concept of being a “good man” and being both aware of your sons and present for your sons. Winton has also written a very good article on toxic masculinity which can be found at
Old Boys and Friends Association
I had the pleasure of attending my first Old Boys and Friends Committee meeting last week. I took this opportunity to thank the Committee for their great work in planning the very successful and enjoyable Blue and White Ball for this year, and we commenced discussions about further ways in which the College and the Association can work together closely for the great benefit of our College and its many stakeholders. It is important to note that the Old Boys and Friends Association is not just for ex-students – it is a vibrant and engaging association with which all parents can be involved.
Thursday Morning Mass
I extend an invitation to all members of our College community to join us for Mass every Thursday morning, commencing at 8.20 in our Chapel. It is quite a special experience to participate in Mass celebrated for a very specific faith community and it would be wonderful to see parents attend this Mass regularly with their sons. I would ask parents to consider making this a regular activity to further enhance the faith development of their sons.
Holiday wishes
As this is the last Vortex message for this term, I wish all of our students and their families my best wishes for a safe and happy holiday period and look forward to a refreshed and exciting second semester. Next week our members of staff will be involved in a range of important professional learning experiences to further develop their skills and knowledge in a number of areas with the aim of this professional learning week being the improved outcomes for our students.
End of Term
Please note that the College will be closed on Friday 6 July. There will be no staff on the College site to answer telephone calls or respond to emails. College Reception will be open as normal from Monday 9 July (vacation hours).
Christus Lux Mea
Joe Zavone (Principal)