Mission News

Prayers

We pray for Tommy Tse of Kokopo, a St Gregory’s College Old Boy who passed away recently. Uncle Tommy, as he was known, was a great supporter of the Marist Old Boys. We pray Tommy will be at peace with God and that his family and friends will be comforted at this time. For all those who are suffering or grieving the loss of a loved one, may the presence of the Holy Spirit be a source of strength and comfort.  

Community Masses

Masses are offered on Mondays and Fridays (11:45am) and Wednesdays at 8:00am. We welcome all in our Marist community to attend these Eucharistic celebrations.

Year 5 Welcome and Community Mass

A reminder that our Year 5 Welcome Mass will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 8:00am. All welcome!

Gospel

Luke’s Gospel from the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (9 February) Luke 5:1-11

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats - it was Simon's - and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.' 'Master,' Simon replied 'we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.' And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, 'Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.' For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. But Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.' Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection

Peter, already exhausted after his unsuccessful night of fishing, is, at Jesus’ request, willing to cast his nets once again. For Peter and his fellow fishermen, the unusual size of the haul disrupts their perception of what is normal and possible. It’s an overwhelming experience that leads to Peter humbly accepting the evangelising mission Jesus is calling him to beyond the sea of Galilee. Peter’s willingness to cast his net again reveals a courageous trust in what he cannot know for certain. Through this Gospel story and others, we can reflect on the flawed character of Peter. A man of determination and enthusiasm. A man who is vulnerable and contrite, impulsive and reflective, sometimes fearful and at other times fearless. A leader, a listener. This story gives us Peter whose love for Jesus means he is ready to leave behind his livelihood and risk the unknown. We pray that Peter—also known as Cephas, the rock on which the church was built—may inspire us to have the grace to respond to the challenges and opportunities we encounter in our own lives.

+ Jesus our brother,

You called your companions to leave their nets behind,

To follow you without fear.

Help us to discern your call in our lives,

To look beyond our comfort and security

So that we might enter the lives of others

And bring your light into the world.

Help us, O Lord, to follow you more nearly and clearly every day.

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.

Amen. +

Mothers’ Retreat and Old Boys’/Dads’ Retreat

We are delighted to once again offer retreat opportunities in 2025 for our Marist Mothers and Old Boys and Dads. You’re invited to take time amidst the busyness of life to experience contemplation, reflection and discussion with others on the grounds of our beautiful college. Both retreats will be facilitated by Br Neville Solomon fms and Clare Locke (Campus Minister).

Old Boys/Dads Retreat: Sunday 23 March – for more details and to register, visit: 

https://events.humanitix.com/2025-marist-old-boys-retreat

Mothers Retreat: Sunday 30 March – for more details and to register, visit:

https://events.humanitix.com/2025-marist-college-ashgrove-mother-s-retreat

Primary Can Drive

Our Primary Can Drive for our Lenten Fundraiser is up and running! 

From now until Wednesday 26 February, all primary students are invited to bring into class a pack of soft drink cans for our 2025 Lenten Fundraiser! Cans will be sold at a number of college fundraisers throughout the year, with the proceeds going directly to Australian Marist Solidarity. 

The primary class (in each year) that has the most cans donated will be thrown a pizza party! We encourage you to get into the spirit of this fundraising initiative and thank you for your support. 

Last year, our Primary School families generously donated over 3500 cans!

Game Changers

Are you interested in joining a Game Changers Group?

Game Changers is a way for you to grow as a leader, deepen your faith and learn what it means to be a Marist in the real world. 

Game Changers is a Catholic youth ministry program for students at Marist Schools run throughout the country. It aims to form students as leaders through an exploration of the stories of Jesus, Mary and St. Marcellin. Game Changers groups are a tight-knit community where we come together for regular meetings and connect. Game Changer students also get to attend regular retreats with other local Marist School students throughout the year.

A Game Changers group involves a combination of fun and interactive games and activities, reflections, group discussions and service opportunities. Game Changers is run during one lunchtime a week or fortnight.

If you are interested in being part of the Game Changers program, please fill out the form emailed to you yesterday or come to the Mission Office during the meeting times:

Years 7-8 - Monday First Break

Years 9-10 - Wednesday First Break

Years 11-12 - Wednesday First Break

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact mates@marash.qld.edu.au.

Stationery Aid

Stationery Aid will be back up and running for 2025 on Friday 14 February at 7:30am in Room 801. We welcome students to come along and help clean and sort stationery – new faces welcome! Remember, helping out at Stationery Aid is a great way to make a difference AND earn MATES points.

Donating? A reminder that good quality unwanted stationery donations are welcome and can be placed in the blue bin outside the Mission Office. 

To find out more and to check the list of what can be donated, please visit: https://stationeryaid.org/ 

Vinnies and Environment Group

The Vinnies Group will meet this coming Thursday at 1st break in Room 801.