One of the four Dominican pillars, Service is how we communicate the truth and love of Jesus to others, through word, action and example.
Scripture affirms that our faith should be accompanied by service to God’s creation and to our neighbours.
He has shown you what is good and what the Lord requires of you …to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
Jesus answered them … The King will say to those at his right hand, “Come … inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to see me. The righteous will answer him, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, when you did it to one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 34-40)
With human dignity at its core, Service is a reflection of Catholic Social Teaching, which covers all spheres of life - the economic, political, personal and spiritual. It calls us to work towards a more just and fairer world, not merely from a sense of charity or goodwill, but because we believe it is a necessary response to the Gospel call of Jesus to be people of justice, compassion and peace.
Each of our five College Patrons provides us with inspiration to stand with and to be of service to others and to our world.
Bernardino
| “God provides us with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfil the task at hand."
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Catherine
| “Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
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MacKillop
| “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
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Ozanam
| “We must do what Jesus did when preaching the Gospel. Let us go to the poor.”
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| Teresa | “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” |
Opportunities for Service include:
structured Community Assistance - through which Year 10 students engage with a program of visits to aged care facilities, charity stores, disabled support networks or special education schools
community partnerships - involving the Stella Maris Homeless BBQ ministry, the Stella Granja kinder school collaboration and the Year 12 Benefit Ball.
community engagement opportunities - including Day for Daniel, Smith Family Readers, Vinnies Sleepout, Surfing for the Disabled and the Mooloolaba Triathlon
charity fundraising - for organisations such as: Caritas, the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Leukaemia Foundation and the Cancer Council
By providing authentic Service opportunities, we give staff and students the chance to encounter connected, meaningful and powerful life experiences. When we engage in Service, we foster relationships, solve problems, build community and gain self-awareness - extending learning beyond the classroom and providing a foundation for life-long personal and spiritual growth and awareness.