24:7 SERVE will launch this August with the aim to provide students in schools and parish communities with an authentic faith and help in leadership development. Photo: Servite College.
By Amanda Murthy
In conjunction with the Year of Youth, Servite College plans to launch a collaborative model for the reconnection and renewal of young people in the life of the Church.
Servite College has joined Caritas Australia and 24:7 Youth Ministry to establish “24:7 SERVE”, a dynamic collective providing faith development services to schools and parishes.
The program will offer ministry programs and social justice education aligned with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Some of the services offered will include the provision of classroom resources, sacramental preparation retreats, youth groups and parish connect programs focused on enhancing youth participation in Church life through liturgy and fellowship.
Drawing on the expertise of the Servite Friars and Caritas Australia, the group will also provide professional development and adult education, covering diverse topics from justice, poverty and global responsibility, to Catholic fundamentals.
24:7 SERVE is a collaborative effort between Servite College, Caritas Australia and 24:7 Youth Ministry aimed at assisting schools and parishes with sacramental preparation retreats for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. Photo: Servite College.
In 2016, the college began hosting a weekly youth group for students from years six to 12 from various school, facilitated by 24:7 Youth Ministry.
Over the period of two years, parishioners and students of St Denis Primary School Joondanna, St Kieran’s Primary School Tuart Hill, and St Lawrence Primary School Balcatta have since welcomed 24:7 SERVE to partner with their parishes and schools in a growing range of services.
Servite College Principal Jeff Allen expressed how proud he is of the college’s role as a “centre of innovation”.
“Beyond the classroom, these co-curricular programs now available to the students will give them the opportunity to be equipped with an authentic faith and will encourage leadership development,” Mr Allen said.
The Tuart Hill campus Servite College will launch a program in August to assist with the reconnection and renewal of young people in the life of the Church. Photo: Servite College.
Trained as peer facilitators, Principal Allen said the Servite student leaders support Caritas Justice Educators in the delivery of social justice programs to students in years three to seven.
“They assist 24:7 Youth Ministry in the provision of sacramental preparation retreats for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.
“The programs also support Servite Youth Ministry student interns – to help them generate positive peer learning outcomes.”
Servite students can gain nationally recognised qualifications in Active Volunteering and Catholic Youth Ministry and Leadership through their participation in the program, he said.
Ryan Wiles, Director of Ministry at Servite College, said: “supporting our students to put faith into action is a core focus at our school”.
“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.”
For more information, visit: www.servite.wa.edu.au/247serve