Western Region Story

Christ came into the Edmund Rice Communities of the former Holy Spirit province of Western Australia and South Australia the other day and stood there, and smiled.

Christ smiled because - We stand in solidarity against oppression and exploitation and acknowledge our Indigenous sisters and brothers.

Historically the Christian Brothers in Holy Spirit Province have been connected and engaged in Indigenous Ministry since the early 1960’s when young men and their families found their way into Trinity, Aquinas and Clontarf to be educated. This connection with Indigenous Ministry continued to be been nurtured and strengthened when the Brothers went to Broome and set up Nulungu College in 1971.

Clontarf Aboriginal College is a Senior secondary school for Aboriginal Students WA, which began in 1986. The College is located on land in the midst of the Nyoongar community and recognises the Nyoongar people as traditional owners of the land.

Christ smiled because -

Our heroes bowed humbly to liberate the Earth and respect the amazing gift of life given to us by God.

Brother Peter Faulkner is our hero. For over 35 years he taught Science Chemistry and Geology in the Brothers' schools in WA, SA and Vic and was among the first group of Catholics with an awakening conscience that the Church is called to be involved in the environmental and sustainability debate. In fact he was so passionate about the matter that, with a small group of others, he was responsible for the Adelaide Archdiocese doing something about it in a formal way. In 1989, the Archbishop of Adelaide established the first Catholic Earth Care Commission. Peter was a founding member of that Commission.

Christ smiled because -

We fight against the poverty of ignorance and apathy with a loving heart .

Br Olly Pickett and his 'Wheelchairs for Kids” project has produced and distributed 5000 wheelchairs to developing countries worldwide. The assembly and packing is helped along by students, brothers and retired volunteers. Currently Olly’s team supplies wheelchairs to 46 developing countries. Project Vietnam has been supplied with 700 wheelchairs and World Vision 1000. 50 wheelchairs were supplied to victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.

Christ smiled because -

The Holy Spirit gazed upon the great expanse of sprawling Australia.

Spreading over 19,000 hectres of farmland is a Christian Brothers school formed in 1928. Christian Brothers Agricultural School Tardun with a student population of 92 contains a farm producing grain mainly wheat, and carries nearly 7,000 sheep and 53 Shorthorn cattle. One afternoon a week the boys accompany the farm managers for Farm Practice skills. The boys are engaged in ploughing, seeding, fencing, shearing and looking after the many sheep, pigs and chickens. Pigs also help to augment the diet and the financial income of the farm.

Christ smiled because -

We braved the storms of human fragility with an indomitable spirit.

Like Edmund the Holy Spirit Province have endured many severe trials and uncertainties. Br Kevin Ryan former Province Leader said “This is a journey about the past and the future. It concerns a journey of healing with past students and residents of our schools and institutions, and with their families. A newly formed Towards Healing Consultative Panel is of great assistance with this process.”

A Risk Management process commenced in 2004 in all of our ministries This is not just a matter of protection for staff and students but it is also plainly a matter of justice.The Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice in Fremantle is a strong voice for justice into the future and the Christian Brothers ex Residents and Student Services has worked very quietly for ten years or more, reuniting families, counselling, supporting and generally bringing healing to the lives of former child migrants, other former residents of our institutions and also to former students of our other schools.

Christ smiled because -

We humbly entered in the gift of Educating the Hearts and Minds of the Young.

On 15th August 1878 Brothers Byrne, McEvelly, OHagan, Hughes and O’Brien were present as the foundation stone was laid for the first Christian Brothers College in South Australia.

In 1894 in Western Australia Brothers Bradley, Conelly, Fitzgerald, Thomas and O’Brien established Christian Brothers College Perth in St Georges Terrace.

In 2004 we made a significant step in the journey of Catholic schooling in the Edmund Rice tradition in Australia. This was the launch of the Charter. At that time we affirmed the lives and work of so many Brothers on whose shoulders we are now carried. Our 8 schools in WA ad SA embraced the Charter with its 11 heart values or cultural characteristics. Students such as Michael standing next to me today represent the past, present and future of Edmund Rice education. His parents, grandparents represent our sisters and brothers who have walked the journey with us. What a blessed Journey this has been.

Christ smiled because -

Our deepest value and priorities is Christ- Through formation we are called to conversion and change.

In 1993 the Holy Spirit Province Leadership demonstrated great foresight when it commissioned the development of a document that captured the essence of Christian Brothers schools. "Christian Brother schools: A Vision for the Future” proved the catalyst for the Province's ongoing commitment to formation of staff in schools over the next 15years.

Lay principals, leadership teams and all staff underwent an induction into the vision and heart of working in an Edmund Rice organization. Other formation included: Renewal programs for longer serving staff, Board induction and support, and in recent times; retreat and spirituality support programs and Leadership programs.

The Brothers at the heart of formation included Gerry Faulkner, Tony Hackett, Pat Carey, Terry Casey, Peter Hardiman and others. These prophets helped staff and significant leaders within our schools in WA and SA to appreciate the spirit and living legacy of Edmund Rice's vision. A baptism of solidarity between EREA schools in the western region was formed.

Finally Christ smiled because -

It is not by chance that our former Province was called the Holy Spirit Province.

We move prayerfully into the arms of the Oceania province and through our specific mission in EREA deepen our awareness of our sisters and brothers all over the globe. The name is gone but the Holy Spirit dances gleefully in the hearts of the prophets I mentioned, on the playgrounds, the ancient lands of our indigenous people, workspaces, wheelchairs, campsites and the hearts of all who are inspired by Blessed Edmund to walk humbly, live justly and love tenderly, especially with those on the margins.

Content by: Mr Noel Mifsud, Principal Christian Brothers’ College Adelaide, South Australia