Mission News

Prayers

We remember in our prayers all those who have died recently: Br Mel Madden, Jim Midgley’s mother-in-law.

For all those who are ill in our community, especially: Jeremy Ross, father of Xavier

Father’s Day - Sunday 3 September

Historically, Father’s Day in France, the home of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, was traced back through Catholic traditions to 19 March; it was called Saint Joseph’s Day (after Joseph, who was the adoptive father of Jesus and the husband of Mary) and it was the day that fathers would be honoured.

In the Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.

A Daily Prayer to St Joseph … and a Challenge

In his letter, Pope Francis notes how, “Every day, for over 40 years, he has recited a prayer to Saint Joseph taken from a 19th-century French prayer book.”

At the conclusion of his Letter, he adds another prayer to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us to pray:

Dear Lord,

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you, God entrusted his only Son;

in you, Mary placed her trust;

with you, Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father

and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,

and defend us from every evil.

Amen

Mary our Good Mother – Pray for Us

St Marcellin Champagnat – Pray for Us

Mary of the Cross Mackillop – Pray for Us

And may we always remember to – Pray for One Another

Religious Education Professional Development Morning

Tuesday 29 August

Our Religious Education Professional Development morning was spent with guest presenter, Liz Falconer from Marist Mission and Life. Liz’s presentation on the Marist theme for 2023, Created and Called; a Revolution of Love and Tenderness, will conclude on Tuesday, 5 September. Elizabeth speaks from a place of lived experience and wisdom, the kind of wisdom that comes from listening and contemplating.

The theme Created and Called beckons from Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Liz speaks about this eternal love of creation that we are born out of. In the context of Marist College, Ashgrove, this is then conferred upon us as trustees of Marcellin Champagnat’s life’s work to become our viewpoint. To see all of creation with the eyes and eternally loving heart of God is a viewpoint worth sharing with our students. Thank you, Liz, for opening our eyes and our hearts to listening more carefully and seeing more clearly. Marcellin Champagnat was born in the year of the French Revolution. If we are to be people of revolution, we must first be unafraid of turning toward the unknown. Liz spoke to us of the limitations or we could say temptations that so easily halt our revolution and therefore our evolution as people of potential.

We look forward to part two.

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning 8:00am in the College Chapel and Friday Break 1 in the College Chapel.

International Day of Charity

Tuesday, 5 September, is the International Day of Charity; it is also the Feast Day of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, known as St Teresa of Calcutta.

The International Day of Charity grew out of the work of Mother Teresa who, by the age of 12, had dedicated herself to religious life.

She became a missionary in Ireland, later moved to India and became a Catholic nun. In 1948, Mother Teresa started her charitable work; she became an Indian citizen and worked with the poorest of the poor in India. She established a congregation, instituted leper houses and orphanages, and established several hospices. The congregation attracted many donors and recruits and founded many branches of her charitable organisation, which saw her good work carried out across the world. In 2011, the Hungarian Parliament and Government established the International Day of Charity in her honour. The 5th of September was chosen as it is the anniversary of her death. By 2012, this day was picked up by the United Nations and spread worldwide. The UN established this day to highlight the power of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering.

Gospel Reflection

Sunday, 3 September 2023 – Matthew: 16:21-27 NRSVCE

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 

22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Living a counter-cultural life can be lonely, an uncomfortable reality that is echoed in the Gospel as Jesus remonstrates with Peter. Although Peter walks beside Jesus, he does not fully understand what radical discipleship means. Jesus must confront the reality of the cross and the inherent power of darkness. We often become people who crave ‘creature comfort’; we seek a life for ourselves that avoids pain and conflict. In this passage, the Gospel tells us to embrace the ‘cross’ and confront our Created and Called nature that in turn attempts to heal the world from within through a revolution, not a half-turn, of tenderness and love.

Tread Lightly

Tread Lightly wants your old sneakers – Drop off point =  Mission Office 

All Abilities Cricket 

4-WEEK Program in Term 4 2023

4-WEEK Program in Term 1 2024

 We are looking for a commitment for 8 weeks from students in Year 11 interested in the All Abilities Cricket program (you do not have to be great at cricket) come and sign up in the Mission Office or send an email to mates@marash.qld.edu.au 

Coming Up

Term 4 –Introductory course to Auslan. Auslan is short for Australian sign language, a language developed by, and for, Australians who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Marist College Ashgrove Auslan Course 2023 Marist College Ashgrove invites students and their parents/carer to attend a five-week Auslan Course hosted by Michaela Reece. (2 pax per purchase) 

When: Over 5 weeks (4:30pm–6:15pm) Wednesday 11 October Wednesday 18 October Wednesday 25 October Wednesday 1 November Wednesday 8 November 

Where: Draney Theatre

Who: Students and one of their parent/carers (maximum of two guests per family)

Total Cost: $100.00 for a student and a parent/carer for 5 sessions 

Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/marist-college-ashgrove-auslan-course.

The Mission Team have duty to make Jesus Known and Loved, we are called to see Christ in our students and in turn teach them to see Christ in the other. Much of our daily work is relational and social, the programs, activities, events, masses, liturgies, retreats and much more focus on the pouring out of love, being eucharistic, making judgements about others that are compassionate and not about ourselves. 

Stationery Aid 

Thank you to the students who have so ably supported our Stationery Aid MATES ministry on Friday mornings from 7.30am throughout the semester. The Stationery Aid collection bin can be found outside the Studies office. Our Primary School students have started donating their time to this great cause. Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au for information or to sign up or visit the Mission Office

ROSIES

Thank you, Marist College Ashgrove, for all the support that you have given us over the years. Rosies Kitchen would be so grateful if you could help us spread the mission of Rosies and learn more about the patrons you have had an impact on this year by reading and sharing our current newsletter here: Inside Rosies, Rosies Kitchen looks to secure more support to keep up with the increased demand on outreach across the state. As a College community, we will be collecting packets/cups of noodles in Term 3, thank you to all Pastoral groups who have kindly donated oodles of noodles, thank you very much F207 and GDR1. Marist College Ashgrove will be attending ROSIES street outreach during Term 3 and 4. Places are still available for teachers, thank you for all students who have signed up, we are at capacity for student attendance. We would really appreciate some teachers/support staff volunteering for the following nights throughout Term 4:

October: Monday 16, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18

November: Monday 6 and Wednesday 8

Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office

St Vincent de Paul 

We invite students from Years 7–12 to join our St Vincent de Paul conference.  We currently meet on Thursday's SECOND break in Room 801. The group is a wonderful testament to the way our students respond to the call to stand with others. We are back serving our community BBQ on Thursday mornings from 7:15am in the main yard, and we are always happy for new volunteers. 

We are planning to run a Basketball competition at the end of Term 3 to raise awareness and funds. Much to do and much to plan for – all students from Years 7 – 12 are welcome to join and assist.  Head to the Mission Office to register interest, or email mates@marash.qld.edu.au

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers 

Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. journey. These tracks are grounded in the stories of Jesus, Mary, and Marcellin. Participating students are invited to undertake the following tracks across the six-year levels, with the focus on each track over two years. Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or drop into the Mission Office.

Mission Team Weeklies

WEEK 9A

Monday Break 2 – Years 7 and 8 Game Changers Room 801

Wednesday Break 1 – Years 9 and 10 Game Changers Room 801

Thursday, 7:15am – Vinnies BBQ 7:15am (No BBQ Week 10B)

Thursday Break 2 – Vinnies Meeting Room 801

Friday, 7:30am-8:30am – Stationery Aid in 801

(Stationery Aid can be carried out in the Holidays Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm; ask the Mission Office for more details)