Student Spirituality
Liturgy and prayer are an important part of the life of our College community. They are at the heart of Christian life, as modelled by Jesus himself, who often took time out to pray and reflect on his mission. We are called to do the same.
Whole College masses are celebrated once a term, and each year level celebrates a mass together during the year. Other significant events throughout the year, such as Ash Wednesday, Lent, Easter, and Anzac Day, also allow our College community to gather, reflect, stand in solidarity with others, and pray. Assemblies, house and year-level meetings, and Pastoral Care classes all feature prayer at their core.
This rich tradition of our Catholic school incorporates music, symbols and actions, and students are encouraged to participate in the organisation and presentation of the liturgies and prayer services in order to develop their own spirituality, as well as grow in confidence in themselves and their gifts.
Our College chapel is a sacred space that provides students and staff with a quiet space to engage in contemplation, prayer and reflection. This space is also used for reconciliation and class liturgies. Through Catholic Studies, students will visit the chapel with their class throughout the year.
Students are also invited to participate in two lunchtime prayer groups, where students have the opportunity to share their faith and explore biblical themes.
Retreats and Reflection Days
At St Joseph’s Regional College, we acknowledge the innate spirituality of every child. Opportunities to nurture their spiritual growth are planned for and provided through a variety of experiences. These connect children to a faith community, give them a sense of security and belonging and remind them that they are deeply loved.
We strive to guide students toward living responsible and just lives by teaching and modelling the Gospel values of love of others through compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, advocating for justice and service to the poor and marginalised.
At St Joseph’s Regional College, we encourage students to develop their whole selves, treat others fairly and respectfully, be responsible for their actions, and follow moral and ethical principles. We strive to activate this through opportunities to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith through Religious Education classes, daily prayer, retreats and reflection days, liturgies and Mass.
At the College level, we have a Reflection Day and Retreat continuum that begins with a walk through the Catholic Mass in Year 7. Years 8 and 9 experience a Reflection Day facilitated by the Passionist Youth Retreat Team. Year 10 has an overnight retreat. Year 11 participate in a reflection day as they commence their HSC course, and then Year 12 take part in a 3-day retreat that prayerfully focuses on their final six months of school and beyond.
At St Joseph’s Regional College, we incorporate programs that build upon and complement the Catholic Schools Office Student Discipleship Continuum from Year 4 - Year 12. The sequential and age-appropriate continuum provides students with intentional faith-filled opportunities where they can feel free to discuss and develop their faith.
Students can self-nominate to experience school and Catholic Schools Office events such as:
Transitus
A two-day retreat for Year 7 students to grow in their discipleship of Jesus Christ, membership of His Church and strengthening their transition into Catholic Secondary School. Transitus looks at a passage to becoming more intentional in faith toward Youth Ministry Classes.
Festa Christi
A two-day retreat experience that involves activities that focus on walking in another person’s shoes, having the students overcome their fears and gaining a greater awareness of Catholic social justice. Festa Christi’s program allows time for prayer and reflection with an emphasis on an adult understanding of the Eucharist.
SHINE
The SHINE Gathering allows students undertaking the CSYMA program within Youth Ministry classes from across the diocese to gather and share a faith experience while practising the skills they have been developing as intentional disciples. SHINE attracts 600 - 700 participants annually.
Ministry Opportunities
Youth Ministry Students in Year 9/10 are invited to a facilitator's role as peer-to-peer disciples at the Year 5 and 6 SD Continuum retreats; Exuro and Incitāre.
Street Retreat
Street Retreat is a hands-on component that promotes school evangelisation and catechesis in a way that engages the passion, imagination and commitment of Year 11 students to live as Christian disciples within the community. This program is designed to allow students to participate in volunteer outreach with the marginalised.
LEAD
The LEAD Conference is a two-day event providing formation and skill development for Youth Ministry. Youth Ministry students in Years 11 and 12 are invited into a school-based Senior Youth Ministry Team. These students in Year 11/12 are then invited to a facilitator's role as peer-to-peer disciples at the Year 9 and 10 SHINE Gathering.
Ignite
A contemporary Catholic conference for adults, teenagers, children, ministry leaders, priests, religions and parents from across our nation and beyond. Ignite invites commitment to Missionary Discipleship with encouragement from the school Youth Ministry Officers (YMO).
Kairos
A peer-to-peer ministry retreat was given in the Ignatian School tradition and ran at the school level, featuring student-led small groups and discussions. It is sacramentally focused.
Further to the Continuum are:
Schools of Prayer - In nurturing a proper understanding of the role of prayer in the faith life of students, a prayer focus is developed to assist age-appropriate parish school engagement in prayer experiences. The main forms of prayer that have been promoted in Catholic Education are the traditional forms and the Rosary, Awareness Examen, Lectio Divina, and the contemplative prayer of Christian Meditation.
Music Ministry - Wildfire, the Diocesan Worship team, offers whole school evangelisation to primary and secondary schools under the banner of Proclaim Lismore and the Ten: Ten Experience.
Digital Ministry - Quality communications are available in the Proclaim Lismore Student digital platforms featuring Facebook and Instagram, with a focus on evangelisation of youth, praise and worship, and youth ministry digital networking (YouTube; Vimeo).
Sacramental Preparation - Schools work collaboratively with parishes to support students preparing for their Sacraments. This may take the form of a school-based program of preparation or support for a parish-based program.
