Mission News

Prayers

We remember in prayer Sir Julius Chan, former Prime Minister of PNG and Marist Ashgrove Old Boy, who has passed away. We join with Sir Julius’ family and friends in mourning the loss of a great yet ever-humble man. May the souls of all those recently departed rest in peace, and may those who mourn them be comforted. We pray for all those suffering in any way at this time.

Community Masses

Our Community Masses return this week. This year, we will have both a Monday and Friday lunchtime Mass (11:45am) as well as our Wednesday morning Mass starting at 8:00am. We welcome all in our community to join us in these Eucharistic celebrations.

Year 5 Welcome and Community Mass

Wednesday 12 February we warmly invite our Year 5 students and their families for a Welcome Mass at 8:00am. Join us as we celebrate our faith and worship together as a community.

Gospel

Excerpt from Luke’s Gospel from the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (2 February)

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple

to do what the Law of Moses says should be done for a new baby,

the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple.

Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Lord, I am your servant,

and now I can die in peace,

because you have kept your promise to me.

“With my own eyes I have seen

what you have done to save your people,

and foreign nations will also see this.

“Your mighty power is a light for all nations,

and it will bring honour to your people Israel.”

Reflection

When Mary and Joseph came to the temple, they were following the law of their Jewish ancestors by bringing Jesus to the temple. Simeon, the old man in the temple is wise and has been waiting patiently his whole life to meet the Messiah, the one promised by God. In Jesus, Simeon sees hope for his people, hope for the future. Mary too had great hope in her son Jesus. Hope is a flame that burns brightly in the darkness. As Christians, we see in Christ the hope and light of the world. We also believe that we are called to bring that hope into the world, to be Christ’s light - his hands and feet.

We pray:

+ Loving God,

Help us to hold hope for one another as we begin the 2025 school year together. As we journey forth as pilgrims, may we continue to support and encourage each other, remain resilient and patient, and continue to pray for each other and our world.

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. +

Inaugural Mass, Investiture and Academic Awards

Friday’s Inaugural Mass, Investiture and Academic Awards at the Royal International Convention Centre was a wonderful occasion to celebrate Mass, induct our new school leaders, and congratulate our award recipients. We were grateful to see so many parents, grandparents and other family members, along with special guests gather with our students and staff as we mark the beginning of our 2025 school year.  

We wish to sincerely thank our students for their impressive behaviour and all our families who attended for their energy and warmth. We continue to see hope in the family spirit that shines through in these important Marist events.

Primary Can Drive

We invite all primary students to bring in a pack of soft drink cans for our 2025 Lenten Fundraiser! Cans will be sold throughout the year at various fundraisers with all proceeds going directly to Australian Marist Solidarity. Soft drink cans can be bought to your class teacher between 10 and 26 February.

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.

Become a Lenten Fundraising Day Sponsor!

We are excited to announce that Friday of Week 6 will be our annual Lenten Fundraising Day! This event aims to raise vital funds for Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS), supporting the building of educational facilities for St Joseph's in the Solomon Islands.

Last year, our generous community helped us raise over $7,000.00, and this year, we are aiming to raise even more! To achieve this, we are seeking support from local businesses to sponsor our popular sausage sizzle through the donation of sausages or bread. 

If you own a business and are willing to help sponsor our sausage sizzle, please reach out to us at mates@marash.qld.edu.au. We would also be happy to acknowledge your generosity during the promotion of the event in our college newsletter.

Vinnies and Environment Group

At this stage, the Vinnies BBQ Breakfast is taking a break. We have plenty of sausage sizzles planned for throughout the year so watch this space.

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