Servite College partnership connects youth with Catholic social teaching & service
14 August 2018
As part of the 2018 Year of Youth, Servite College has joined forces with Caritas Australia and 24:7 Youth Ministry to create something for young people, by young people.
The 24:7 SERVE initiative is a collective that provides ministry programs and social justice education aligned with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, aimed at enhancing youth participation in the Church.
In 2016 Servite College began hosting a weekly youth group for students from any school in Years 6-12. Facilitated by 24:7 Youth Ministry in partnerships with local parishes, the group grew over the next two years.
Parishioners and students of St Denis in Joondanna, St Kieran in Tuart Hill and St Lawrence in Balcatta have benefitted from services including the provision of classroom resources, sacramental preparation retreats, youth groups and parish connect programs.
They also have access to resources for professional development and adult education covering diverse topics from justice, poverty and global responsibility to Catholic fundamentals.
“At Servite, we are proud of our role as a centre of innovation and delighted to be the incubator for this initiative,” said Servite College Principal Jeff Allen.
“Beyond the classroom, co-curricular programs provided by 24:7 SERVE offer our students authentic faith and leadership development opportunities.”
Servite College leaders are trained as peer facilitators, and support Caritas justice educators in the delivery of a social justice program to students in Years 3-7. They also assist 24:7 Youth Ministry in the provision of sacramental preparation retreats for Reconciliation, First
Eucharist and Confirmation.
Servite students can also gain nationally recognised qualifications in Active Volunteering and Catholic Youth Ministry and Leadership.
“Supporting our students to put faith into action is a core focus at our school,” said Ryan Wiles, Director of Ministry at Servite College.
“It’s a vision for Ministry that aligns with Pope Francis’ invitation to young people to trade in the sofa for a pair of walking shoes.”
To find out more, visit www.servite.wa.edu.au/247serve
