Ministry and Evangelisation
Year 7 Transitus Retreat
Last week six Year 7 students attended the Transitus Retreat. It was an overnight trip that was aimed at supporting a smooth transition to secondary schools as well as celebrate and nurture their faith at a diocesan level. The retreat was a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people who want to grow and be supported in their Christian faith.
The activities were a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating the Eucharist together. A highlight listed by many students was the fact that they were able to build relationships with other students from throughout the Diocese as well as a chance for students to talk and share about their faith journey. Our students were supported by two year 10 students, Parker Phillips and Alana Ennis. They were set the challenge of leading small group reflections and guiding conversations about faith.
Project Compassion “For All Future Generations” - This week’s story
There are many occasions when we ask the question why, and can’t find the answer for which we are looking. Why did we miss out on a job? Why did someone we love get cancer? Why can’t we find a place to live that we can afford? Why do some days seem so difficult?
It is good to sit with our confusion and even grief. It is good to share it with the Lord who loves us so tenderly. But sometimes we have to step aside from the question: why did this happen? It may be better to start with, where can I go from here? What small steps will enable me to face the future in a positive spirit? 
This week Project Compassion shares with us the story of Thu, who lives in Vietnam. At the age of 12, Thu’s life was thrown into chaos when he trod on a land mine from the Vietnam War. Surely, he must have asked why he was among the unlucky ones. He might have asked the same thing again when his wife suffered a stroke. But Thu joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities program, supported by Caritas Australia through our local partners, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development. As with so many others, your generosity enabled Thu and his family to build a brighter future. Thank you for helping in this wonderful work of transformation.
Prayer
We pray for those who live in confusion and doubt. May we try to support positive approaches to even the most difficult problems, such as the partnerships created by Caritas Australia through Project Compassion. Amen.
Mr Matthew Mitchell - Leader of Evangelisation