Archbishop visits Lumen Christi and MacKillop Colleges

Conversations among leaders

Lumen Christi Catholic College captains took time out for a conversation with Archbishop Christopher Prowse about life at the college, what it’s like to live in a regional area and challenges facing young people.

The College captains were clear in their articulation of local issues, and also engaged in wider issues of faith and their experiences.

Archbishop Christopher spoke with members of the LCCC Social Justice Advocates (SJAs) group about their work for refugees, First Nations reconciliation and the environment.

He talked about how we understand justice as the horizontal bridge between people, and mercy as the vertical link to God. In this way, we eliminate the binary concepts of “this or that” to the more inclusive understanding of “both and more” that a Christian perspective can bring.

It was a full visit of class engagements with Years 1, 2, 4 and 8. Junior House captains hosted the archbishop in a tour of the College. The afternoon concluded with a visit to a Year 8 RE class in which the Archbishop spoke about the events and meaning of the Passion.

Archbishop Christopher approached students in a pastoral spirit with an openness to hear what young people had to say, and they responded in kind.

How is Jesus loved at this school?

How Jesus is loved and known at this school was one of the questions Archbishop Christopher explored with senior leaders when he visited St Mary MacKillop College.

They also discussed how the different and marginalised students were welcomed at MacKillop.

The Archbishop was left in no doubt that the legacy of the life and work of Mary MacKillop provides all students with a pathway to knowing Jesus better and with an example of how to love Jesus by loving others.

Students talked to the Archbishop about the welcoming nature of the school, its approach to respect and mutual understanding, and its belief that it is responsible for the wellbeing and sense of belonging of others. They spoke of MacKillop being a Catholic school for everyone.

During morning tea with staff, the Archbishop responded to a bereavement sustained by the school in an instructive, emphatic and loving way. He stood by staff and school in solidarity and playfulness. The Archbishop’s will be back later in the year to bless and open a range of new first-class facilities recently completed at MacKillop.