Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Catholic Schools Initiative - Cluster Day

The Archdiocese of Kingston, under the direction of Archbishop Burke as been engaged in reclaiming our Catholic Schools. Out of the Catholic Schools Secretariat for the Archdiocese was born a work group known as : Catholic Schools Initiative under the direction of Mrs Marjorie Hobbs. Over the past 18 months the group has been meeting and strategies of how we can reclaim our Catholic Schools. Yesterday one fruit of this process came to be: the first Cluster Day for Catholic Students of: Marymount High School, Highgate; St Catherine High School, Spanish Town; and our own, St Mary's College Above Rocks. Marymount High School was our host site and approximately 50 students participated.

The day began with registration and a snack (bun & cheese and a cold drink - thanks to Msgr Albert and Mr Marlon Creary). Then we went into our morning Devotional led by Fr Charles Brown (aka Fr Charlie). Msgr Albert gave the Keynote address, he challenged our young adults to know their faith. Small group work set to answer the questions: what is like to be teen and Catholic? in your family? in your school? if you play a sport or play in band? with your peers and in the community? A wonderful lunch was served and after lunch we heard the testimony of Kevin Alock. Kevin challenged the students to be counter-cultural. We ended the day with Liturgy celebrated by our new Ordinary, Archbishop Donald Reece the Archbishop of Kingston. While His Grace was scheduled for Liturgy at 1pm he spent the entire day with us. His Grace challenged the students to stand up for their faith, to boldly profess their Catholic faith and remember that they are martyrs for Christ each time they so so. The slide show catches us arriving...registering...listening...praying. A good day was had by all, and we look forward to our next Cluster Day.

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