20 October 2020

During October, student faith and liturgy leaders at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Hughesdale, focused their fortnightly online prayer group on the theme ‘Here I Am, Send Me’ to coincide with the Catholic Mission month of mission. This year, the student leaders have continued to run the fortnightly prayer group online, recognising that it is as important as ever to stay connected and to engage in prayer and mission as an expression of college life.

‘The student faith and liturgy leaders work closely with the staff Liturgy and Retreats Coordinators of the Mission and Ministry Team and the college Deputy Captain – Faith to plan key liturgical celebrations and encourage other students to participate in the prayer life of the college’, says Tracey Clarke, RE and English teacher and member of the Mission and Ministry Team.

‘The involvement of students in this leadership role has given them new insights to the liturgical aspects of school life and enhanced the prayer life of the community.’

Year 10 student leaders Claire, Tamiah, Alexandra and Caroline shared: ‘We are passionate about social justice and welcomed the opportunity to create a reflective atmosphere for the school community on a virtual platform. We emphasised the importance of reflecting the mission of the Church in all facets of our lives: in our words and deeds. During these unprecedented times, the 2020 World Mission Month theme “Here I Am, Send Me” is particularly relevant. Prayer group online has been a way for us, as faith and liturgy leaders for our year level, to spread the message of our faith in new, creative ways.’

The students have engaged with Scripture and the life of Jesus and the saints, and see their own lives on par with the saints who were once young and looking at their lives and asking themselves what God was calling them to do. ‘Sometimes people become so focused on the great saints and missionaries, they forget that every person is called by Jesus to do great things, even if that is in small ways’, said the young leaders.

During October, they have been looking at the work of Catholic Mission through the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. ‘We discovered that in Cambodia, many children have become victim to a disease called polio and are no longer able to walk.’

‘The Arrupe Centre has been a home for many people, especially children with disability. This centre helps to empower the children, providing vital care and offering opportunities they might not otherwise have in order to support them to lead a fulfilling life. During our prayer service, we watched a video from the Catholic Mission webpage which followed the story of Chen, a 16-year-old boy who lost both his legs and through the support and actions of the Arrupe Centre he found hope again. We then had some reflection time where we listened to meditative and calming music. We found and created questions relating to the theme for everyone to reflect on. After this peaceful time, we invited the whole group to share any special intentions or prayers that they had.’