Villanova College, Brisbane Mission Day 2024
Published: 14 June 2024
May 20-24, Mission Week is here! This year we celebrate 31 years of AFAS partnerships with Augustinian schools and ministries in the Philippines, and the benefits for both communities has been immense. We have really been part of a Global Village. Joining us for the Week are key representative partners on tour from the Philippines: Judith Fe Pilongo, Altha Diopido and Des Diel. Together with our visitors we have a unique opportunity to illuminate our annual immersion experience alongside the College’s commitment to numerous projects and scholarships. We will seize the occasion to raise valuable funds and celebrate as a community.
Families have already made a significant donation of $40 per family through levies this year. One hundred percent of these donations go directly to students and families that need it. The immersion group of 2023 met and visited the homes of many of the families we support, and we were privileged to see the extraordinary difference our Villa community is making in the lives of families that are really struggling!
The success of Mission Week lies now in how we all engage to make it a great week! Many thanks for the support and encouragement already given to our AFAS students, Ministry teams and our Mission team. Here are keyways to be involved:
Friday 17 May students will bring home their Red Candle and an accompanying guide. We ask all Villa families to set aside a family meal to light the candle, share the prayer and read the stories and information. This is a great act of solidarity with our friends in the Philippines who gather at the Basilica regularly to light a candle and pray.
Sunday 19 May your family is welcome to join our visitors at the 9am Mass at St James Parish. Bring a plate if you would like to join us for brunch in the Parish Hall after Mass.
Tuesday 21 May we have our College Mass honouring Saints Rita and Thomas who were champions of charity, solidarity and justice during their lifetime.
Throughout the week in classes our visitors will spend time getting to know our staff and students and how learning happens for us at Villa.
Finally, on Friday 24 May we celebrate Mission Day. Students will be provided a celebratory lunch; they are running stalls with a mix of community building activities and fun fundraisers including crazy things such as a dunk tank where staff will take the plunge to raise AFAS funds. The day will finish with our inaugural House Choir.
By Mrs Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity, Villanova College, Brisbane, Queensland.
