Mission News

Staff Spiritual Formation 2021

On the pupil-free day this week members of the Marist Mission and Life Formation team led Marist College Ashgrove staff through a program of reflection titled Breathe...... the spirit of life (Rm 8:2). For teaching staff, this formation is one of the requirements for accreditation to teach in a Catholic school. A central motif of the program was a beautiful image created by Indigenous artist Sharon Williams from Santa Teresa community outside Alice Springs. The artist explains the image as a depiction of creation and a reminder that “creation is everything Ngarte (God) has put there and all those things have Ngartele Utnenge (God’s spirit) in them. That’s why we look after them and care for them...... we humans are very blest because we are able to share in Ngarte’s creating – it is very precious to be able to share in Ngarte’s creating in our universe”. 

Creation and the Universe by Sharon Williams

Woven throughout the program were words, ideas and challenges from Pope Francis contained in the triptych of encyclicals he has given the Church and the world in recent years. Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, 2013) which exhorts humanity to renew its relationship with God; Laudato Si (Praise be to you, 2015) which exhorts humanity to renew its relationship with the earth and all creation; and, Fratelli tutti (Brothers and sisters all, 2020) which exhorts us to seek to be sisters and brothers to all whom we encounter and to do this in a true spirit of solidarity. 

Amongst the challenges put to staff were questions as to how we attend to our inner lives and how can we create space to breathe deeply? Where do we see the “spirit of God” at work in our lives and how are we “breathing life” into others in this community? 

The program ended with Mass in the College Chapel where the staff community, led by College Chaplain, Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou SM, gathered to share the Body of Christ so that we might become more fully the Body of Christ. 

A culminating activity was the making of sets of Rosary beads which will be offered as gifts to the Catholic communities of Timor Leste where there is a strong Marist presence. Our appreciation goes to Paul Harris and Elizabeth Falconer from the Mission and Life team who led us so gently and expertly through the program. 

Luke McMahon, Head of Mission

Lenten Appeal 

MCA Parents please note that as a College we commit to assisting our Marist brothers and sisters who share our Marist heritage but not our privileged way of life. Australian Marist Solidarity runs programs in Marist communities in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Our aim is for each MCA student to commit $20.00 to the Lenten collection over the weeks of Lent as a way of supporting these communities. 

If you would like to donate directly on behalf of your son and family please click here or go to the MCA monitor link - http://bit.ly/MCAlenten 

Through the generous and compassionate concern of all those associated with our College community, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need our support.

Lenten Appeal Fundraising Day Wrap Up 

Fund and awareness-raising allow us as a community to have some practical engagement in the lives of others. A vote of thanks to all members of the community that supported the Lenten Fundraising day held on Friday 12 March. A day like this, of food and games,  led by the Mission Captains and ably supported by the student body, Heads of House, Mission Team and the unfailingly optimistic Services and Facilities staff showcases what we as a community can do when we are working together for others.

Easter Egg Raffle Primary School 

Our thanks to the Primary school community who have so generously donated to the outstanding Easter Egg raffle that will be run through the Primary. All the proceeds of the raffle will go to the Lenten Appeal. 

Community Prayers

We pray for all in our community who are unwell and are suffering at this time. 

We remember in our prayers:

• Terry Connolly (father of staff member Michael Connolly and Grandfather of present and past students)

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

Mass and Reconciliation

Community Mass - Wednesday 8:00 am

Reconciliation - Tuesday 8:00 am 

Students and staff are welcome to Mass on Wednesday morning at 8:00 am in the College Chapel. Fr Tini is also available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Tuesday morning at 8:00 am. This Wednesday 17 March we invite all members of Rush House to attend 8:00 am Mass.