iServi News | 6 December 2019 | Term 4, Week 8
On Tuesday 3 December, Mr Paul Curtis and Mr Chris Callus were invited to join the community at the Emmanuel Centre for a multiple celebration – Advent, the end of the year, the 38th Birthday of Emmanuel Centre, The International Day for People with Different Abilities and the Feast of St Francis Xavier.
Starting with Mass at the Church of St Francis Xavier, celebrated by Monsignor Kevin Long, we enjoyed fellowship around a shared meal and afterwards, Archbishop Costelloe blessed the ground for a new housing block next door to the Emmanuel Centre.
The Emmanuel Centre is a self-help centre, aiming to provide a caring, supportive environment for those living with disabilities. The Centre comprises a number of organisations, groups and support networks and is entirely volunteer-run.
“At the Emmanuel Centre, we accept the challenges that often seem too difficult. We believe that there is no such word as ‘can’t’ – there are only things we haven’t yet learned how to do.”
Servite College is forging a strong link in supporting the Emmanuel Centre by using it as one of the agencies to which we send Year Nine students on their full day Christian Service Learning Immersion. Doing things with, rather than doing for, those who are differently-abled, students can help the staff with various tasks.
Servite College has been blessed to have Mr Paul Curtis work with us this year as our Service Minister. We are sorry to see him go but are delighted to congratulate him on completing his Bachelor of Education and starting his teaching career next year at La Salle College as their Christian Service Learning Co-ordinator and Religious Education teacher.
Mr Chris Callus
Assistant Deputy Principal – Service and Justice Education
