Mission News

In Our Prayers

We pray for the repose of the soul of Wayne Hanson (former Staff Member) 

Reflection 

On the morning of Easter Sunday 2023, Pope Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Square before delivering his urbi et orbi message and blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica before an estimated 100,000 people.

“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.

This is an extract from the 2023 message. 

Dear brothers and sisters, Christ is risen!

On this day we proclaim that he, the Lord of our life, is “the resurrection and the life” of the world (cf. Jn 11:25). Today is Easter, the Pasch, a word that means “passage,” for in Jesus the decisive passage of humanity has been made: the passage from death to life, from sin to grace, from fear to confidence, from desolation to communion in him. In him, the Lord of time and history, I would like to say to everyone, with heartfelt joy, happy Easter to all!

May this Easter be for each of you, dear brothers and sisters, and in particular for the sick and the poor, the elderly and those experiencing moments of trial and weariness, a passage from affliction to consolation. We are not alone: Jesus, the Living One, is with us, forever. Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life. Yes, brothers and sisters, at Easter the destiny of the world was changed, and on this day, which also coincides with the most probable date of Christ’s resurrection, we can rejoice to celebrate, by pure grace, the most important and beautiful day of history.

“Christ is risen; he is truly risen!” In this traditional proclamation of the Churches of the East: Christòs anesti! That word “truly” reminds us that our hope is not an illusion, but the truth! And that, in the wake of Easter, humanity’s journey, now marked by hope, advances all the more readily. The first witnesses of the resurrection show this by their example. The Gospels speak of the haste with which, on the morning of Easter, the women “ran to tell the disciples” (Mt 28:8). Mary Magdalene then “ran and went to Simon Peter” (Jn 20:2), while John and Peter himself then “ran together” (cf. v. 4) to the place where Jesus had been buried. Later, on the evening of Easter, after meeting the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus, two disciples “set out without delay” (cf. Lk 24:33) and traveled several miles, uphill and in the dark, spurred on by the irrepressible joy of Easter that burned in their hearts (cf. v. 32). The same joy that led Peter, on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, after catching sight of the risen Jesus, to leave the boat with the others, to throw himself immediately into the water and to swim quickly towards him (cf. Jn 21:7). At Easter, then, the journey quickens and becomes a race, since humanity now sees the goal of its journey, sees the meaning of its destiny, Jesus Christ, and is called to make haste to meet him, who is the hope of the world.

May we too make haste to progress on a journey of reciprocal trust: trust among individuals, peoples, and nations. May we allow ourselves to experience amazement at the joyful proclamation of Easter, at the light that illumines the darkness and the gloom in which, all too often, our world finds itself enveloped.

To read the complete text: Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi, Vatican News, Easter 2023. 

Mary, Our Good Mother, Pray for us.

St Marcellin Champagnat, Pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Pray for us.

And may we always remember               To pray for one another 

May our loving God, with Mary and Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist family. Amen

Chaplains Corner 

Reflection for Saturday 22 April, 2nd week of Easter. They say that the Sea of Galilee is not really a “sea” but a huge lake. It is several hundred feet below sea level and is surrounded by hills. Storms can arrive suddenly and violently.

Being alone at night, several miles from shore in a storm there can be very terrifying. The miracle in today’s Gospel reading is not that Jesus walked on the water. It is the realization of the Apostles that Jesus was with them in the storm to give them safe passage.

That is the message of this incident for the Church and for every Christian. Jesus is with us in any storm to give us safe passage.

The Church has faced many crises. Today’s first reading give us one of the initial ones, the conflict between Greeks and Hebrews as the number of disciples grew. As the apostles prayed and decided, the Lord led them at that moment to create the office of deacon.

Our storms may not have to do with weather. They can be personal, emotional or spiritual. These storms can come in all shapes and sizes. They are not only “out there” but also “in here.” That is a particularly dangerous kind of storm. Like those storms on the sea of Galilee they can come to us suddenly and violently.

Jesus is with us in the storm. He can give us guidance and direction. When we pray and then make a decision consistent with the Gospel, we can be sure that the Lord is with us.

This moment of Jesus’ walking on the water comes between the miracle of the loaves and Jesus’ teaching about Himself as the Bread of life.

Through the Eucharist, the Risen Christ is with us. Let the Eucharistic Lord be your anchor, your sail, your rudder, and your peace in any storm.

Each time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus says to us, “Be not afraid. It is I.” He will give us a safe passage and safe harbour.

Welcome to and Welcome Back

The Mission team is pleased to welcome back after leave Dr Danielle Lynch as Head of Religious Education. We take this time to thank Mr Daniel Bull for the work he did as the Acting Head of Religious Education through term one. 

We are delighted to welcome to the team Ms Rebecca Wong who joins the College and the Mission Team as Youth Minister and Teacher. 

Stationery Aid 

Run solely by volunteers, Stationery Aid collect, sort, clean and deliver donated stationery items to students in need. These items can be used or unused items. Started by one of our very own Marist families it is a great way to repurpose stationery items. 

We are delighted to welcome Stationery Aid as part of the MATES program. The Stationery Aid collection 

For further information about the volunteering or about Stationery Aid please contact Alison Schutt Founder of Stationery Aid at alison@stationeryaid.org 

Rosies 

We are pleased to say that we have available for our Year 12 students ROSIES opportunities beginning next month. Appropriate briefing, support and guidance is given.

The dates for this year’s visits are:

• Monday 24 April (Brisbane North)
• Monday 22 May (Brisbane City)
• Monday 29 May (Brisbane North)
• Monday 4 September (Brisbane City)

So, what is ROSIES and why do we engage with it?

ROSIES provides an environment of extended hospitality to people on the streets. It is a sit down and have a chat coffee and biscuit set up. Schools from around the Southeast join with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Iona) and provide this well recognised and well used service. The opportunity to join a ROSIES crew for a night gives you another insight into life and service. This fits well with our Marist theme for this year Created and Called – a revolution of love and tenderness. 

Any Year 12 Student interested in signing up for ROSIES should visit the Mission Office. 

College St Vincent de Paul Group

The College St Vincent de Paul Group met each Tuesday during break time and are back serving our community BBQ on Thursday mornings in the yard. Students are very welcome to join ‘Vinnies’, all they need to do is come to the Mission Office for a meeting to register interest.

Tuesday Morning Reconciliation

Students, parents, staff, and other members of the College community are welcome to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr Tini is available every Tuesday morning in the College Chapel.

Wednesday Morning Community Mass 

Students, parents, staff, and other members of the College community are warmly invited to Mass on Wednesday mornings in the College Chapel (every week during term time). Mass commences at 8:00am. 

Game Changers

Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. It is designed to be an ongoing leadership and mentoring program for Marist students. 

It seeks to form Christian leaders by making Jesus Christ known and loved among them – the Mission of the Marist institute and of this College. 

It involves regular meetings; faith formation experiences and service opportunities and students are invited to become game changers through their participation in the group.

Game Changers is grounded in a series of tracks, each with their own stories, symbols and activities. 

Through their participation in each track, the students come to a deeper appreciation of what and who shapes our Christian identity and Marist spirituality.

Each track is led by a Mentor (member of staff). Each track lasts two years. 

Groups will meet regularly during Break times beginning Term 2

The program includes a Regional Retreat Day for each year group, and an additional Leadership Camp for Year 10 Students.

To register for Game Changers, or for more information, please email Mena McLean (mcleanm@marash.qld.edu.au) or come and visit anyone in the Mission Team area behind the Chapel.