St. Bernards College 2013 Yearbook #1 | Page 21

Chaplaincy Report Special Character 2 RCIA Programme (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 013 marks the 50 anniversary of the Vatican II Council which was a vital step in bringing the Church into the 21st century. An important outcome of this was that the normative entry into the Church would again be through the RCIA Programme. This year we welcomed six of our students into the Catholic Church; Aaron and Ben Marshall, Cameron Palmerth McGruen, Liam Jones, Orban WaitakiMessenger and Raymond Bewley. Their journey began with their baptism in Term 4 of 2012 and we were honoured to have celebrated their Confirmation and first Holy Communion as a school community as part of our Assumption Mass. We extend our congratulations to these six young men and their families. RCIA offers a supported introduction and supportive environment to students interested in developing their faith in the Catholic Church. Any students/families wishing to know more detail about the programme are most welcome to contact our school chaplain, on the following email: [email protected]. Mrs Anna Marie Dickinson Ship Shape Students SBC boys embrace the Spirit of Adventure M any thanks to Mr Wilson for co-ordinating a group of Y10 boys who were given the opportunity to sail a pirate ship on the high seas (well, Wellington harbour). On Friday 23 August, whilst the rest of the staff were hard at work on the MoE teacher only day, Mrs Pawson and Mr Harrison took the Y10 crew on a one-day sail with Spirit of Adventure NZ. It was a great chance for the boys to get a taste of life on-board a square-rigged vessel. This oncein-a-lifetime experience gave the boys a hands-on appreciation of the effort and team-work required to haul ropes and raise the sails. They got stuck in and could see for themselves what they could look forward to if they signed up for the longer 10 day trip that develops skills of St Bernard’s College 2013 communication, self-reliance, self-discipline, self-esteem, resilence, confidence and leadership. The public sailing helped to fundraise for Trust’s mission of youth character development aboard the topsail schooner Spirit of Adventure. Feedback from the boys: Regan: “it was an exciting experience that I enjoyed so much. The highlight for me was seeing how the ship worked and it was fun helping out tugging ropes. I would have liked to have had the chance to climb the rigging, but we didn’t have time for that. Would I go for the 10 day trip? Oh yeah – that’d be cool. I’d like my friends to come too.” If you are interested you should speak to Mr Sejwal who will co-ordinate next year when Mr Wilson has moved on. For more information check out: www.spiritofadventure.org.nz “ 19