The motto for St Joseph’s College expresses the our charism and is relevant to the spirituality and context of the College. The college motto is articulated as: “Courage to Love, Learn and Serve”
But what does it mean in our community . . .
At St Joseph's our motto will live in the hearts, minds and actions of all in the community. It is a way for our students family and staff to interpret and live our faith as a catholic school in the Josephite tradition.
Courage is the fundamental underpinning that establishes our motto. At St Joseph's courage is the notion and understanding that moves beyond strength or bravery toward a sense of knowing that a heavy challenge is ahead. As members of the St Joseph's College community we face that challenge with determination, hope and faith committed to success despite the challenges and difficulties. It is an attitude and mindset evident in St Mary of the Cross Mackillop; that no challenge is insurmountable.
This courage then transfers to the 'verbs' of our motto; to Love, to Learn, to Serve. Inherent in each is a challenge if we are to deeply engage and deliver action and outcome.
Loving is never easy; it is paired with respect, dignity and forgiveness. Our relationships with each other and the planet are difficult and to create and nurture right relationships takes courage
Learning is never easy; garnering knowledge, processing facts, interpreting situations, hypothesizing outcomes, thinking and responding critically to situations and information is a difficult pursuit. To persevere in the face of adversity is hard, to be persistent when confusion walks beside you as you learn takes courage.
Service is never easy; it requires selflessness, giving and thankless outlook. The challenge to give of ourselves for the benefit of others, without reward or recognition is difficult. We are accustomed to look for gratitude and reward when we give of ourselves. Our actions for some reason are always looked upon to be transactional, to ensure we get something for everything we give. At St Joseph's we ask our students, staff and community to challenge this, to change their mindset and look for something different. To give ourselves fully to others takes courage.