Marg+Trevethan+-+SMMC

LFJ

“As a founding charism moves over time to become a spiritual tradition, it develops a wealth of accumulated wisdom and resources into which others can tap, to learn from those who have walked and are walking the same spiritual path. It gives people a story to enter, a group to which to belong, a mission or work to share with others … //pegs onto which our faith hats can be hung.//.” SMMC was established by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict. The **Benedictine way**, a tradition dating back to the fifth century, the **gospel story of The Good Samaritan** which underpins the response to the needs of the time identified by **Bede Polding as founder** of the Good Sams **and St Margaret Mary Alacquo**, the french saint for whom the College is named are all rich sources of inspiration and insight into the essence of the founding and current charism of the College. Charism is ‘living passion’; ‘Spirit given’ and ‘grace of the Holy Spirit’; ‘way of incarnating the Christian faith’; ‘in the service of God’s mission’ and for ‘a dynamic community of faith’ Danger – ‘of excessive cultism’ and ‘a parallel church’ On-going commitment required – ‘Educators need to work with charisms to make them living vibrant realities which give direction and help community members make meaning of their lives.’ SMMC places emphasis on formation, reflection and discernment in what has come to be described in recent time as the Maggie Way. This is our way of living the gospel and participating in the mission of the Church. In the four dimensions mentioned by Brien and Hack, Administrative, Pastoral Care, Curriculum and Religious the gospel, the traditions of the College and the traditions of the founding vision underpin our understanding are all sources reflected upon as touchstones for our practical day to day living and decision making. Call - ‘… a genuine Catholic identity for our schools in the future’; ‘one that transcends confessional Catholicism and can inspire educators of any tradition … nurturing their spirituality’ ; ‘a place of ecclesial experience’; ‘part of the life and mission of the larger church’; Challenge – ‘How to celebrate Eucharist is the very diverse communities we hind in our schools…’; ‘ (trying) to build a deep experience of belonging and working within and for a larger reality precisely at a time when that larger reality, the Church, is for so many reasons struggling with its own identity.’; **Putney****, M.E.** **(2008) The Catholic School of the Future, //Th Australasian Catholic Record,// 82(4), pp387-389.** A SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS COULD REFER TO: – Our emphasis on the Parable of Good Samaritan – the foundational story for welcoming liturgies, staff in-services and retreat, board retreat, feast day, intentionally included in Yr 8 curriculum, guests/past students who model ‘doing likewise’, campus ministry – St Margaret Mary – focus for feast day celebration, the school prayer – Sisters of Good Samaritan – Sr Marg, the 150 yr celebrations (2007), feast day celebrations, school reunions – The Benedictine way - staff in-services and retreat, board retreat, Benedictine spiritual practice i.e. Meditation, Lectio Divina, class community projects, focus on hospitality, restorative practise, Pace – Good Parish/school connections and relation  –  Emphasis of inclusion – alternatives with curriculum, Indigenous program, learning support – Pastoral care system – vertical and horizontal – the Maggie Cup; Maggie awards as well as achievement and academic. – Campus ministry How do we “provide powerful means to receive and to promote the gospel of Jesus – a do-able discipleship?
 * Green,M (2009) Lay Spirituality and Charism. P18 **
 * Brien, S. and Hack, J. (2005) Charism is the Catholic School: A workable twenty-first century model. //Journal of Religious Education, 53(1), 70-71// **