Santa Teresa Immersion Experience

The Santa Teresa immersion experience was undertaken this year by three Year 10 girls: Rachel N, Maddison S and Lilian F. The following is Lilian’s reflections on that experience:

When I was accepted to join the team and head to Santa Teresa, I knew it would be a unique experience. I knew I would see things that would change me but what I didn't know was that I was going to be touched in the way I was. Santa Teresa is truly a sacred place filled with men, women, children and families who told us stories that helped us to understand their way of life.

We learnt about the Aboriginal communities and what they have been through but to hear them speak about their life was an experience that I will never forget. Sometimes a person touches your heart and you never forget it. I met Claire from the Spirituality Centre, (a place that I loved the most). She spoke to me of her pain and hardship while she painted her stories on the crosses. I bought one of her crosses from her, (actually I brought eight) and her tears of thanks were real. I was blessed to have a photo with her and it makes me smile. I have changed and while I always had empathy for our Aboriginal people, I never really gave it too much thought until I experienced it firsthand. I want to do more and make people better informed about these remarkable people.

I learnt not only their beliefs, spirituality, culture and ways. I learnt something that no one else can give me and that was with all the pain and heartache, these Aboriginal people get up every day and move forward. They continue on with their lives and are grateful for what has come their way. We should be the same as we have not suffered like they have. 

Tuesday Morning Prayer: An opportunity to ‘shout to the Lord’
Each Tuesday morning there is the opportunity for communal prayer in the College Chapel. A variety of prayer experiences is offered such as Communion service, meditation, lexio divina, and sing-along. The sing-along has proved to be the most popular, which testifies to the unifying power of song. All members of the College community are encouraged to attend this opportunity for prayer as a calming and up-lifting way to start each Tuesday.

Ministry Outreach Immersion Experience
The Ministry Outreach immersion experience involves five Year 11 students, together with students from other Good Samaritan schools, taking up residence at St Scholastica’s College, Glebe for a week. During that week, the students visit social service sites to offer help and minister to those in our society who are most in need. The following is a report by Georgia C:

I was one of five Year 11 students selected to experience Ministry Outreach accompanied by Mrs Lennox. Ministry Outreach is an immersion experience which aims to provide an insight into the lives of those in our community who face a range of challenges on a daily basis. The aim of the experience was to challenge us in ways of thinking about how we as a community and individuals may help to make a difference. We had the chance to interact and make friendships with people we wouldn’t necessarily meet in our daily lives while raising our own awareness about contemporary issues that are affecting Sydney. The areas of Sydney that we visited had organisations in place that the community may not even know about and need to help support.

The experience was truly fulfilling in the aspect that once it was over, we were all overwhelmed with the feelings of achievement in knowing we had made a small but significant difference in the lives we left behind.

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator

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