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Issue 5, September 2006, Highlights: Creating a Vocations Culture 1 Creating a Vocations Culture 2 |
KCP Magazine Creating a Vocations Culture 1 National Vocations Awareness Week spans two Sundays in August and it provides an opportunity for the whole Australian Church to work towards a pervasive vocations culture, as we reflect on the Christian Vocation which arises from our common Baptism, and calls us to service in our small part of the world. The first Sunday focuses on the universal call to holiness: the fact that everybody has a vocation, and that there are myriad ways through which people live out their vocation, according to their gifts and personal resources. Particular emphasis is placed on the single and married vocations, and lay ministries on this Sunday. The second Sunday show-cases and celebrates the specific vocations of consecrated (religious) life, and ordained ministry, with their distinct character and gifts for ministry within the church. As the Kimberley Community Profile is not a weekly publication, we have included a special supplement on Vocation in this edition. We have asked a number of people from around the Diocese to make a contribution, asking them to think about the following questions: What is at your very core? What drives you, stirs you, gets you out of bed in the morning, fires you up? What is your heart on fire about? What are you passionate about? What is it in your spirituality that speaks to and affects your understanding of ministry, relationship to others (in family, community or ministry) to creation, to world issues? Who are those whose lives inspire or inspired you? How is the gospel challenging you at present? Their answers follow. We hope you are inspired by their generous sharing of themselves in this way.
Luurnpa Catholic School allows me to spend my energy following the dream of St John Baptist De La Salle who saw people trapped outside of mainstream society with little hope of moving inside it. He helped people in his school to make the Kingdom of God real for people. He looked and found God’s presence in the daily activities of the school. We too find God in the people in our lives. We especially find God present when we touch a person’s Heart and when we can help students learn to take control of their lives. Balgo has had its share of sadness and dysfunction. Our school is a sign of life and growth. We dream of the time that Aboriginal people will be able to take charge of the school and the community. There are many small signs of the seeds of this dream coming slowly to light. There is challenge to find new ways to assist students in the community. We support important programs that are raising personal development skills, literacy and numeracy. How satisfying to find the students winning photography and art competitions! The school can be a wonderful sign of God’s presence. The gospel challenge is to recognise the real presence of God in our community. There are opportunities for others to join the De La Salle Brothers or Lasallian Volunteers in this energizing way of life and we would welcome them. Photo: Br Bernie Cooper, Principal of Luurnpa Catholic School working with Year 4/5 students.  My name is Leanne Mahy. I am a 26-yearold high school teacher. Prior to 2006 I had spent much of my teaching life at Mount St Joseph, Milperra, an all girls high school, run by the Sisters of StJoseph.I was inspired by the work of the sisters in the school and in the community, taking their inspiration and guidance from Mary MacKillop their founder.
An amazing series of life events seemed to point me in the direction of the Kimberley, to an Aboriginal community school called Ngalangangpum in Warmun. This too is a School run by the Sisters of St Joseph. I believe that Ngalangangpum is a place that challenges me to live the authentic call of the Gospel. The Josephite tradition at this school has enabled me to embrace my gifts and talents and use them to serve others in a very practical way. There was a great sense of excitement and enthusiasm when I arrived and I believe that it is still a great part of my being. If I lose sight of that it will be time to move on. It was followed by tears of frustration for the community, for my students and the ‘dead ends’ I faced. Consequently I needed to make a deeper commitment to access resources within myself and the community. It is an immediate response for me to want to fix something that is not working properly. It was hard to know what to do and where to start out here. I am now at a stage where I am aware of the injustices, but stay focused on what my role is in it all - to educate. I feel that education is a great gift as it empowers the other. Everyday is a challenge for attendance, for interest and for cross-cultural understanding. However, I have found ways to meet these challenges and as this is happening I am discovering a depth ofperson in myself. Ser vice is a relation-ship. What I give to my students is matched by the many gifts that they have given me. I am continually met by the face of God in the students. There is a real beauty in what we do at Ngalangangpum and it is complimented by the environment in which we live. I have been gifted with the friendship of a local woman by the name of Leanne Mosquito who is the same age as me. Time spent with her and her family has given me insight to the Spirit in this land. It is living, breathing and has a soul. On reflection it is a source of regeneration for me, I too feed from its energy. The beauty of the landscape is sometimes in contrast to the everyday occurrences of life here, perhaps a reassuring message from a loving God. Photo: Leanne Mahy at work in the classroom at Ngalangangpum school, Warmun. |
Br Bernie Cooper