Mission News

Prayers

For those in our community who are unwell or suffering at this time some in ways unseen and unknown to us. 

For those known to our community who have gone home to God

• James McLaughlin (Father of Michael McLaughlin staff member) 
• Grandmother of Parker and Quinn Lovering

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

Known and Loved: dignity for all 

In Religious Education classes last week, staff and students participated in an online Commencement Liturgy to have the Marist theme for 2022 explained, to hear the Gospel, to hear words of encouragement from College Chaplain Fr Alatini and words of welcome from Head of College, Michael Newman, and to pray for our school community as we begin our work together. At the end of the ceremony each boy was presented with a badge commemorating 150 years of Marist Education in Australia. They should wear this badge with pride. 

By any measure the Marists’ contribution to Catholic education in Australia has been significant. Having accepted the invitation of Archbishop Polding, the Marists in France sent four Brothers across the seas. They commenced classes in the first Marist school in Australia at St Patrick’s Parish in The Rocks, Sydney on 8 April 1872. From those early beginnings, the Marists have conducted over 100 schools throughout Australia, educating hundreds of thousands of students and seeking to fulfil our mission of making Jesus Christ known and loved. In 2022 there are 54 schools in the Australian Marist network. 

In this special anniversary year we remember, celebrate and thank God for the generous work of Marist Brothers, lay teachers, students, parents and clergy throughout these 150 years. As we celebrate this rich heritage we look back in admiration and gratitude. Let us also look forward in hope and expectation. Let us live courageously through our actions and may the positive witness of our lives, build on the Marist mission of making Jesus Christ known and loved among the young, especially the most neglected.

We pray today that everyone here at Marist College Ashgrove has a year in which they truly experience being ‘known and loved’ and that we extend that same sense to those we encounter. May ours be a community that strives to restore and defend the dignity of all.

Marist Theme 2022 - “Known and loved – dignity for all” 

In our Commencement Liturgies and at various times through this year we will reflect as a community on the 2022 theme and the beautiful image accompanying it. Below we can see the theme image together with a reflection on its origin. 

A reflection on the painting, Our Lady of Loreto with the Refugee’s Cloak

Let us gaze upon the image and take the words of the artist, Margherita Gallucci, into our hearts...

“I felt in my heart the need to give an image of tribute to all the people who suffer marginalisation, war, hunger, despair, escape from their land, loneliness, illness... one day I looked at the images of African migrants who landed in Italy, who miraculously survived their escape into the sea, and shocking photos of all those people and children drowned in water. My heart got tight. The images of those people wrapped in emergency blankets reminded me of the Madonna of Loreto. 

I did not want to make the image of Mary royal, I wanted a simple emergency blanket to acquire royalty around her, since what is royal is the warmth of love that allows us to rescue and help each other. Not even the child has a royal symbolism, I would like that in that child there can be every child in the world, because every person we help, love, is Jesus.

I used small pieces of gold leaf to mark the twelve stars around Mary’s head, and points of light that float in the background. Gold leaf, in the tradition of Christian art, is the symbol of God’s light. The points of light that float in the blue, in my imagination, recall people drowned in the sea, lost in the waters. The light that illuminates the stars around Mary is the same that shines in the soul of each person. The sacredness of life in each of us.”

Prayer for our Marist Community 2022

Gracious and merciful God, You created human beings in your likeness and image so that the dignity of every person is reflected by your Divine love. In this 150th anniversary of Marist Education in Australia, may our hearts be open in gratitude, strengthened by the same spirit calling us forward in this present time, to make Jesus Christ known and loved, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Sacrament of Reconciliation 

College Community Mass

We are fortunate and blessed to have a College Chaplain that celebrates Eucharist for this community every Wednesday morning in the College Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin at 8:00am prior to the beginning of the school day.

The link for Mass tomorrow 16 February is:  https://youtu.be/xmp5_07cUvY

Game Changers

Over the last two years, the Mission Office has facilitated Game Changers as part of MATES. Game Changers is Christian-leadership program designed by Marist Youth Ministry and offered in Marist schools across Australia. At MCA, Game Changers groups is offered for boys in Year 7-12. 

Game Changers groups meet regularly across ten or more meetings throughout the year. Each group explores leadership and service, identifying ways to make a bigger impact in our Marist community and beyond. 

The Game Changers program is structured with three tracks: Le Rosey (Year 7 and 8), La Valla (Year 9 and 10) and Hermitage (Year 11 and 12). Students participate in a minimum of 10 meetings as they progress through each track. Meeting content draws on key aspects of Marist Spirituality to help students grow into confident leaders inspired by St Marcellin’s example. Gatherings with other Marist schools within the region extend and build on the local experience.

Game Changers groups are characterised by solidarity, compassion and openness. With oversight from a MCA staff member, the group grow together, identifying ways they can make a difference within the College community and beyond. Upon the completion of a track, students are awarded a certificate and a badge recognising their journey. Students additionally earn MATES hours for attending meetings and other Game Changers events.

There is a fee of $100 to participate in Game Changers. This is an annual fee that includes a minimum of ten meetings, a Regional Retreat day, a Student Journal, certificate, badge and all meeting resources. 

Game Changers groups will commence meetings in Term 1. Registration in the program is essential to be eligible for MATES hours and to participate in meetings and other events. For more information about Game Changers, please email Mr Burns (burnsa@marash.qld.edu.au).