The first COVID-19 lockdown gave Religious Education Coordinator John Coppola – half of singer-songwriter duo Coppola & Painter – time to record the album Palladium. Yet teaching remains the highlight of his days.
“Watching a student go from the beginning of their schooling through to graduating and seeing how much they have matured and grown is such an honour,” Mr Coppola explained.
A FAITHFUL CAREER
Mr Coppola planned to use his piano and songwriting skills in a music career before following his heart into teaching.
Today he is a Religious Education Coordinator (REC) at Trinity Catholic College Auburn. The role is a busy and varied one.
An REC teaches religious education classes, and organises masses, liturgies, retreats and spirituality days to help staff and students to develop their faith.
They often have a hand in coordinating social justice initiatives, and also sit on the school leadership team.
“It is a challenging role when you have this multitude of hats on, as well as being in the leadership team,” Mr Coppola said. “I see it as a privilege.”
“In my early 20’s I had a couple of personal faith experiences that changed my life,” he said.
“I wanted to do something that made a difference and helped lead people to Jesus” – John Coppola
SCHOOL OF FAITH
Less than 10 per cent of the Auburn population is Catholic, yet Trinity Catholic College Auburn’s faith life is thriving, according to Mr Coppola.
Several past students have been ordained as priests or joined the Nashville Dominican Sisters, who are connected to the school and assist in local outreach.
The school also runs the Marist youth ministry program ‘Game changers’ – the Catholic faith version of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – for students in Years 9 to 12.
Trinity students became the first in NSW to attain the highest award in Marist youth ministry program Game Changers, then known as REMAR, in 2015.
Community outreach tasks, including volunteering at nursing homes or with St Vincent de Paul Society, count as ministry hours to gain the award.
“I hope that they leave school fully informed of their faith, so they are able to respond to ethical questions in a rational, logical and faith-based way” – John Coppola
Events that help students connect to gospel are busy ones at Trinity.
“If you offer them (students) a faith based program to attend at school, they will attend in the hundreds,” Mr Coppola said, adding “their desire and passion to get involved with things is there.”