Faith, Mission and Learning
On Friday 30th June 2023, the staff of St Andrews participated in our Staff Faith in Action Day. This was an opportunity for teachers and staff to engage in community service, reach out to others, and consider what it means to be the Hands of Christ in the world. The day was underpinned by the gospel of Matthew 25:35-40 “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” Our teachers approached the day with such a wonderful attitude and willingness to serve, as they engaged with residents of the Holy Family Nursing Home, cleaned up and reorganised the site at Vinnies Store Greystanes and House of Welcome, assisted with the provisions for young mothers at Diamond Women. Engaged with the Youth of Mount Druitt at Street University, provided food for the Homeless at One Meal Blacktown and completed a working Bee at Marayong Girl Guides. We at St Andrews are most grateful to these sites and services for providing us with the opportunity to complete our service.
The teachers finished the day with a Daily Examen reflection to enable them to reflect upon what it means to be the Hands of Christ in the community, which are posted below. Thank you to all our teachers and staff for their participation and willingness to be a part of the day.
Reflections
Today I had the opportunity to assist Peter Hartman, who suffers from a bone condition that causes him to experience severe pain and mobility issues. The task that he requested in my four hours of service was to clean out his garage and he hired a skip bin for the task. I was able to fill the bin to almost full with items he didn't need anymore. His garage now has a clear space where he can use a walking frame to move around. Pete was very happy with the job and I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to help him.
Thank you,
Dave
Sarah
I spent an hour in the dementia ward which was very confronting, especially as the first resident I spoke to who was in his 80s was asking if I had seen his parents who have been missing for three days.
After that, I was able to play games with four beautiful ladies and watch them become animated, as songs played on the radio that they were familiar with. My lack of ability in all sports meant that I was a big fail at balloon volleyball, but the lady I was with was trying very hard to help me work it out. Her speaking Polish and me speaking English didn’t help the situation, but it did bring us both a whole lot of laughs.
After a lunch break, there was a game of bocce where each of the residents had tried at hitting the ball and the teachers were their cheer squads.
To finish the afternoon, we had a dance and singalong. There was a beautiful lady who told me to come back next time, and she would teach me how to dance as well as she did.
I had been dreading the thought of getting out of my comfort zone and visiting a nursing home. I dreaded it even more when I got divided into the group for dementia patients, having seen what it did to my grandfather and my mother-in-law.
But I feel like the stars were aligned for that to be my community service experience today. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had.
Today was compulsory. I could easily have made an excuse not to participate and there were moments where I seriously considered it. I’m tired from the term and parenting. It would have been so easy just to check out. I am so glad I didn’t, and I really hope that this is something we do again in the future.
I am really glad I had the opportunity. When they first spoke about us doing a day where we worked with a community I investigated somewhere where I would be able to go and deliver food or to help newly widowed women. Nothing was available that met the criteria and allowed me to be there today. I was really disappointed, but I think this was the plan to give me the opportunity to do something different to what I would normally have considered.
Raj
I found spending several hours with residents of Holy Family Nursing home was a lifetime memory. Though it was a novelty event for me, I naturally adapted to that environment by gaining some new experiences. I also found it to be a remarkable hour to spend talking to and entertaining some residents with dementia in one of the wings of this Nursing Home. I have provided some comfort and safety for these vulnerable elders.
The final hour we spent playing games and singing with all the residents. Being the hands of Christ means living a life of love, service and compassion. It means serving without seeking personal recognition or reward. I am proud to be part of this mission today.
Tiana
I volunteered for this particular group ( Holy Family nursing home) as I knew it would have a great impact on the elderly community. My grandfather was reluctantly placed into a nursing home during the peak of Covid, we were not allowed to visit and whenever I called he would tell me how much he missed having company. This sentiment was reflected by some of the residents at the nursing home today and they continuously showed their gratitude and asked multiple times if we would be coming again as they loved the company. One resident said she hated the school holidays because she couldn’t watch the children from SAC playing basketball through her window. We played Bocce with the residents, listened to their stories and sang with them. We were the hands of God by being a person for others, perhaps this was politely listening to a story which was repeated, telling a story, showing the residents photos or videos of our loved ones, playing games with the residents or helping them with their mobility. The face of Christ was in all of us. It was an enjoyable day for all. I am grateful for the experience and it has shown me the value of helping the local community.
Shandel Kemal
My memorable experience at the Holy Family Nursing home allowed me to serve others, to practise some of the teachings of Christ, principles of compassion, empathy, care and service. It was a lovely experience as a group to start within a sacred place to pray the rosary and to reflect upon our gifts and how we can share these gracious gifts with others. It was a deeply meaningful and impactful experience, providing a sense of companionship, emotional support, assistance and just someone to chat to and share memories - offering a listening ear. After visiting some of the residents in their rooms, we gathered those interested to play two rounds of bingo. During Bingo it helped me realise the small gestures and how impactful they may be to others, sharing love, kindness and acts of selflessness. The winning resident during bingo, shared her winnings with the entire table and provided a fellow colleague with her prize possession (a necklace won in her previous game of bingo) as a gratitude of thanks. This was a touching moment, we often forget to practise gratitude, overlooking these small gestures, as we are often so busy and rush through the minutes of our day. During the final moments of our visit we played Bocce and danced to Rock ‘n’ Roll music, witnessing the ‘image of God’ plastered across the room, creating a ripple effect of kindness, joy and a sense of interconnectedness. Just like St Andrew was first called upon by Jesus whilst fishing in Matthew 4:19, we are also called to follow, to engage patiently and share the message of Jesus through our physical contributions during this memorable visit. I enjoyed this experience, not only for making a positive impact in the lives of precious souls, but also being able to reflect upon the teachings of Christ in my actions and interactions with others and how I can share/practise these teachings more at work, with family and friends.
Kayla
Spending time at Holy Family Services was a heartwarming way to end the term. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the busyness of our day to day life and the fast paced mindframe of always having something to do, that we forget it is okay to slow down sometimes. Spending time with the residents of Holy Family reminded me of this today. Listening to their stories, their experiences and simply watching their happy faces as they spoke to us, was so enjoyable. As teachers, we are called through God to be of service to others through our love and devotion to what we do. I feel that sharing a kind word, a laugh and a smile, is a beautiful example of what it means to be the hands of Christ. Concluding the day witnessing the residents dancing and singing was such a lovely example of finding joy in the smallest of moments, and that is something I hope to always hold on to.
Therese
As I have gotten older I have come to realise that the time we spend with people is the most rewarding of times. I have fond memories of making quilts with Sister Jean in my early days at St Andrews College and seeing her today was a real treat. Her leadership in prayer was uplifting and placed us well to do God’s work. Along with the quilt making Sister Jean helped many of our students with their senior studies. Being amongst the residents of Holy Family Services was an absolute pleasure. Gaviel and I chatted with one of the residents, Phoebe. Phoebe moved to Quakers Hill with her mum and sister in the early 60s from Chippendale and travelled back to Waterloo for work. At the age of 89 Phoebe had a wonderful mind. As Gaviel and I walked into her room I noticed that she was crocheting, I immediately thought I have some common ground to start a conversation - however Phoebe has other thoughts. The time went so quickly and Phoebe was definitely in charge of the conversation. It was so wonderful to see. Our group visited the Joseph’s Ward and after our chat with Phoebe we gathered some of the residents for a game of Bingo. This was lots of fun. There was some uncertainty leading up to this day, however I believe it truly was a wonderful experience and something we should certainly do again. Thank you for the opportunity to share the day with our neighbours.
Gav
I came into the experience with as much of an open mind as possible, ready to possibly make an impact by performing magic and excite some of the residents. But once we had been separated into our small groups to assist in particular wings of the home, what is an ‘impact’ changed in my mind.
The residents, and even the staff, were glad for merely visitors to come and be company. By just a smile and a wave to the residents their faces lit up, and some waved us to come closer. Through this experience being the ‘Hands of God’ isn’t a call for us to change the world, or someone’s world, overnight, but in the simplest act of Love and Grace to another.
Jane
Dancing and singing brought the residents to life and some of them surprised me with their agility. Some residents of the nursing home have little ability to walk but they certainly can talk! It’s wonderful to hear someone tell their story and include you in it - even for the briefest of moments.
I was called to be a member of the St Andrews community today by being asked to attend a Nursing home, where the residents are less fortunate than me and by helping to assist the less fortunate today .
By listening to their stories, giving them a smile, talking with them and showing them kindness and respect I believe this is what it means to be the hands of Christ in this world today. Christ worked through my body today.
Jeniffer P.
Deb
I really enjoyed attending the Aged Care Facilities next door as part of our Faith in Action day. The staff were very generous in sharing their understanding of the residents' situations and their hopes for the future including renovations to provide more dignity and privacy to the residents.
I tried to speak with one elderly lady who was suspicious of the six teachers who invaded her space, she was a tough lady who refused to do her exercises. I could not understand if her repeating that “there is something fishy” was her being suspicious of our intentions, or that we attended on a friday before lunch was being served.
My favourite part of the day was when we played bocce after lunch. One resident, who had been sleeping in her wheelchair for most of the day, woke up, but was behind everyone in the circle and couldn’t see or participate. I went over to ask if she needed anything, she took my hand and called me ”her angel”. One of the nuns brought me over a chair and I really enjoyed just sitting and holding her hand. She was warm and kind and made me realise it really is the little things in life that matter, like showing a little compassion and kindness to people everyday.
Kelly
As a teacher, there are many ways that I am called to be of service as a member of our school community. We educate and inspire our students by creating an engaging learning environment so they can achieve personal growth and reach their full potential. Talking to an elderly resident, Judy, I realised how important it is to be a lifelong learner. Although unable to get out of bed while waiting for knee surgery she has a positive disposition. She engages with others as well as her books and loves to discuss a range of topics. Her love of knowledge has been important to her throughout her life and has always allowed her to contribute to her community.
Many of the residents are not mobile or are suffering from dementia. The nurses in the aged care facility show what it means to be the hands of Christ in the world. They embody the teachings and examples of Christ through their actions, showing the residents love and compassion as they work. They promote overall well being through the activities organised for the residents. We watched residents participating in an exercise class, craft and games. You could see the excitement in so many residents' faces as we played bocce with them in the afternoon and the joy in something as simple as singing a song or dancing. Watching the elderly reminded me of how important it is to embrace and enjoy the small things in life. Just one day of volunteering can positively impact the lives of others.
Andrew Hoare
Director of Faith, Mission and Learning.