Service Ministries

Blessed Edmund Rice saw the dignity in every person he met, and foundered the Christian Brothers with the belief that every person is worthy of respect and a fair opportunity. Our Service Ministries are constituted firmly in this spirit of Edmund and work in conjunction with our Campus Ministry and concept of identity, to provide active, challenging and significant experiences, that allow Terrace Gentlemen to gain in understanding of the world around them and put their faith into practice.

The Service Ministries offered to our students include:

EDDIE’S VAN - Big Brekkie

St Joseph’s College conducts a Big Brekkie for homeless people in and around the gardens of the inner city.

The Big Brekkie program aims to develop a ‘Relational Spirituality’ between the staff and students of St Joseph’s College and the poor and marginalised people in the greater Brisbane area.  By this we mean that we hope to go beyond a ‘charity model’ of relating with people in need to a model whereby the students – while serving – develop a deeper understanding of the people with whom they work.

The educational aim of this program is to develop a pedagogy that immerses itself in service learning.  The rationale for service learning is quite simple, that via interacting with the homeless and impoverished communities of Brisbane, students are provided a metanoia experience.

In the spirit of Matthew 25, we aim to meet and journey with the poor in our community.  The key to this community is presence.

Scripture: Matthew 25: 31-40

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, 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 something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

 

NIGHT VAN

Enables Eddie’s Van to have a presence on the street at night, serving tea, coffee and soup. 

STREET RETREAT

Includes a visit to Ozcare for dinner as well as to St Vincent de Paul

During this retreat, students are invited into their space; you will meet and sit as equals.  The challenge for us is to go with an open mind and heart and recognize the humanity in every person that you meet that night.  You will sit with them, listen to their story and be there as a friend.

All students wishing to be involved in the Service Ministry programs should contact:

Assistant to the Dean of Identity Mrs Judy McGuire - judymcguire@terrace.qld.edu.au

Campus Minister Mr Paul Antenucci - paulantenucci@terrace.qld.edu.au