There is a well-known saying: "You cannot give what you do not have." As Catholic educators, this reminds us of the importance of continually nurturing our own faith so that we can authentically accompany our students on theirs.
On the first day of Term 3, staff from Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, North Keilor, St Albans and Sydenham gathered for our annual Shared Faith Formation Day with Fr Rob Galea. Centred on the theme "The Extravagant God," the day invited staff to encounter the immeasurable love of God and reflect on how that love transforms both our personal lives and our vocation as Catholic educators.
Throughout the day, Fr Rob encouraged staff to deepen their personal relationship with God through prayer, Scripture and trust. He reminded us to slow down amidst the busyness of life, to recognise God's presence in the ordinary, and to remember that despite our imperfections, we are deeply loved by a God whose generosity knows no bounds.
The formation day also reaffirmed our shared mission as Catholic educators. A message that particularly resonated with staff was that "faith is caught, not taught." Every interaction with a student and each other is an opportunity to reveal Christ's compassion, hope, mercy and love. Staff reflected on the importance of authentic relationships, leading by example, speaking words that give life, and recognising the unique dignity, gifts and God given purpose of every person.
We concluded the day with Fr Rob celebrating the Eucharist, "the source and summit of the Christian life." During the Teaching Mass, he guided staff through the various parts of the liturgy, unpacking their rich symbolism and deeper meaning. This provided a renewed appreciation of the Church's greatest prayer and enriched our understanding of the sacred mysteries we celebrate each time we gather around the altar.
The response from staff was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the day as inspiring, engaging and deeply enriching. Many left with a renewed commitment to placing Christ at the centre of their lives and ministry, while continuing to accompany our students, colleagues and families with hope, joy and the extravagant love of God.