From the Head of College

Mr Michael Newman

Our Pope in Prayer

Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew details Jesus directing us to the number one commandment and the way to live our lives – to love God and love one another. Taking up this message, we pray for peace in our world, particularly for our neighbours in the Middle East. Initially, the Hamas attacks on Israel killed some 1,100 civilians and soldiers. It is estimated that Hamas has some estimated 220 hostages. Since October 7 there have been 8,005 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza and some 2.3 million Gazans are struggling with food, water and medical shortages due to the massive Israeli aerial bombardment and blockade of the enclave.

Pope Francis led special evening prayers in St. Peter’s Basilica last Friday for a world “in a dark hour” and in “great danger” from what he described as the folly of war. He said he was praying, “especially for those countries and regions at war,” and he pleaded with Mary to “take the initiative for us in these times rent by conflicts and laid waste by the fire of arms.”

Since the Israel-Hamas war started three weeks ago, Pope Francis decried the massacre by Hamas of civilians in Israel at a music concert and in their homes, has appealed for the release of hostages taken by Hamas and for civilians in the Gaza Strip to be spared from warfare. He has also pressed for humanitarian aid to head off what he said would be a “catastrophe” for civilians after Israel cut off supplies of food, water and fuel into the Gaza Strip following the deadly Hamas incursion. He has appealed for national leaders to seek paths of peace to “intercede for our world in such turmoil and great danger.’’ Pope Francis also prayed that people will learn to care for “each and every human life.”

Speaking yesterday during the traditional Sunday prayer from his office window, overlooking St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis said, “Especially in Gaza, space should be opened for the provision of humanitarian aid, the hostages should be released immediately. The possibility of laying down arms should not be given up. Cease fire! Stop, my brothers. War is always defeat.”

Sunday’s readings say it all:

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

May all members of the Marist College family have this as their mantra - to love their neighbour. Through this very act of loving, may peace and the dignity of every human be instinctive and innate in our world. Amen.

All Saints Day and All Souls Day

On Wednesday 1 November and Thursday 2 November, we celebrate the time-honoured feast days of All Saints and All Souls. On All Saints Day, we remember and pray for the intercession of the saints who have passed through this life into eternity. The following day we are reminded that there is room for the rest of us – the weak, hurting, sinning and imperfect people aiming also to attain salvation. On All Souls Day, we remember, reflect and dream higher to make this a reality. The boys are invited to celebrate these feast days with mass in the College chapel on Wednesday 1 November at 8:00am and Thursday at first break. All boys, staff and members of the Marist family are welcome to attend in the Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin Champagnat.

Examinations Approaching

We continue to wish well and pray for our seniors in Year 12 who are completing their external exams into the next few weeks. The ATAR exams being conducted and sat by the boys include:

Monday – Math Methods

Tuesday – French and Digital Solutions & Music

Wednesday - Literature and Visual Art

Thursday – Modern History and Legal Studies

Friday - Chemistry

Monday week – Biology

Tuesday week – Business and Geography

The Year 12 seniors can continue to get help from their teachers prior to these exams.

This is a timely reminder to all other boys from Years 7-11 that their end of year exams are only 2 ½ weeks away. The Primary boys will complete testing throughout the term. Boys should be continuing with assignments and revising for their examinations over this time. Examinations for Years 7-11 commence on 14-15 November. This is an important time of study, assignment work and revision for all boys.

Marist Mothers' Christmas Lunch

The annual Marist Mothers’ Christmas Lunch will be held on Friday 3 November at the Sofitel in Brisbane City. We look forward to welcoming all Marist mothers to celebrate another wonderful year as part of the Marist College Ashgrove community. My thanks are extended to Ellen Kassulke and the Events Team for their planning, preparation, and facilitation of this event.

Marist Committee and Association Gathering

On Monday 13 November, all Marist committees and associations of the College will gather to celebrate the fine achievements of the year, and to plan for 2024 together. All work and activities undertaken are under the umbrella of the Strategic Plan for the Future. These groups complete their work for the College and the boys with a spirit of generosity, always working co-operatively and collaboratively together. Marist College Ashgrove thanks the following committees and associations for their most generous contributions throughout 2023.

College Advisory Council: Peter Selwood, Lisa Griffin, Kate Knynenburg, Tony Hogarth and Kerry O’Brien AM.
Finance Advisory Committee: Peter Selwood, Mark Elliott, James Fox, Ben O’Hara, John Stubbings, Langton Clarke, James O'Connor, Chris Shay, Toni Martin, Charles Brauer and Julie Ward
Boarder Parent Network: Alana Palm, Matt Green, Danielle Doyle, Rebecca Haddad, Christiane Goddard, Felicity Philp, Susan Shay, and Jessica Fleischfresser.
College Foundation: Langton Clarke, Br Daniel Hollamby, Kath Nolan, Sandra Poon, Tim Heenan, and Tim Galligan.
Parents and Friends Association: Donna Lynn, Mark Hourigan, Paege Bellett, Richelle Power and Kim Rabie.
Old Boys Association: Dom Melrose, Steve McAuliffe, Tim Slack and Brett Ambrose.
Sports Lunch Committee: Kath Brassington, Tony Byrne (I particularly recognise Tony, who has concluded his time after a long and significant service to this luncheon), Brett Gillett, Bethany Halpin, Richard Graham, and Ellen Kassulke.
Art Show Committee: Clare Mapledoram, Jo Russo, Amanda Lane, Sam Matthews, Jodie Vickery, and Katie Falcnik.
Long Lunch Committee: Kath Brassington, Bethany Halpin and Ellen Kassulke.

Waterpolo Queensland All Schools Champions

Congratulations to the Marist College Ashgrove Open Waterpolo team who became the champion Queensland All Schools team at the Queensland All Schools Waterpolo Championships today. A wonderful achievement by our boys to accomplish this feat for a second year. May I sincerely thank and congratulate the boys’ expert coach, Mr William Valentine, Manager Mr Ryan Apps and all parents and supporters of the College. Well done gentlemen!

May our loving God with Mary our good mother and St Marcellin Champagnat walk with all members of the Marist College Ashgrove Family.