Iona College Missionary Journeys

 Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG               Haga clic aquí para leer en Español

A highly significant characteristic of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Congregation is the inherent missionary spirit of the founder, St Eugene De Mazenod. In addition to the broad range of local and interstate mission experiences, Year 11 students are able to engage in overseas mission immersions each year as part of the missionary spirit at Iona College in Brisbane.

This year some twenty-five boys and four staff (constituting two separate groups) enjoyed rich mission experiences in China and Fiji during the recent Term 3 holidays.

While both mission immersions were characterized by intercultural experiences, rich interpersonal encounters, prayer and reflection and a healthy approach to mission outreach: they were different in terms of one being a decidedly Asian experience having a significant focus on human interactions and sharing; and the other was a Pacific context with a focus on construction and practical assistance.

Both groups of students found their mission immersion experience very meaningful and felt that it strengthened their sense of social justice and mission, enhancing their life experience. At Iona College, we are privileged to have the strong missionary spirit of St Eugene as the basis of our response to Christ and the Gospels. (http://www.iona.qld.edu.au/)