Mission News

In Our Prayers

We pray for any in our community suffering in seen and unseen ways.

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

Prayer

God, creator, and lover of the world; we offer you our lives, our words and deeds, our hopes and fears, and our Christian love for one another.

By the power of the spirit, and by the example of your servant St Marcellin Champagnat, enable us to be a sign of your presence and love in the world.

Amen.

Mary Our Good Mother,             pray for us.

St Marcellin Champagnat,          pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross,                 pray for us.

And let us always remember      to pray for one another

Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat 

Extract of a message from the Superior General, Br Ernesto Sanchez Barba

This June 6th we are happy to celebrate once again the feast of Saint Marcellin Champagnat. As always, it is an important occasion to give thanks for the life and mission of our Founder and for the gift of the Marist charism which has been entrusted to us. This is a gift of the Spirit to the Church and to the world, something life-giving which we are being called - in our turn - to keep alive and share. Our Institute has an amazing history, and we are part of it. Our story began with a young priest, just 27 years old, who was able to read the signs of the times, discern the promptings of the Spirit, and forge ahead with a creative response. In a post-revolutionary context, Marcellin became aware of the needs of the young people of La Valla and its surroundings and confirmed his intuition of founding an Institute dedicated to the  education and evangelisation of young people, particularly the most vulnerable and the most in need, which he had sensed during his seminary days.

We believe that the gift of the Marist charism is still fresh and relevant in our times, and that we are being called to adapt it to today’s world. Let us continue to be open to the promptings of the Spirit, in our present contexts, and through the signs of the times in which we live. Let us not be afraid to welcome what is new and to change and transform what is necessary, both in the way we live our vocation and in the way we carry out our mission.

Let us entrust the life and mission of our Institute to Mary, Our Good Mother. She was able to discover God’s presence within herself and to reflect it outwards in her daily life, feeling strengthened especially in moments of uncertainty and pain. As Marists of Champagnat, Mary encourages us, inspires us, and makes us feel her presence close to us. As Saint Marcellin so often said to us, let us remember that “this is her work.” Today, let us feel Saint Marcellin close to us, living on in each of us, inspiring us with his

attentive listening and daring heart. 

Happy Feast of Saint Marcellin!

Champagnat Mass 2023

This year the Marist theme ‘Created + Called: a revolution of love and tenderness’, has invited each of us to stop and think about the direction in which our lives are heading. Each one of us, students and staff and friends alike, has a unique opportunity to discover the gifts God has given us and work out how best to use them in the service of others and for God’s glory. That’s how we can change the world for the better, one small action after another, creating a revolution of love and tenderness. Beginning with a new heart – a new heart for a new world!

Fr Champagnat was known to place the name each of the Brothers who were going out on Mission, into a silver heart, recognising the service they offered, and offering the safety of the Brothers and the Mission into the care of Mary, the heart of Jesus and into the hands of our loving God.

We are delighted to have at Ashgrove a new heart – reminding us always of the Mission of Marist life and the care and protection of our good mother and loving God.

Champagnat Awards 2023

As Marists, we acknowledge that each one of us is called by a loving Creator who has created us and claims us each by name. 

The theme ‘Created + Called: a revolution of love and tenderness’, is a wonderful introduction to our Champagnat awards for 2023. At today’s Mass to celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat we acknowledged three people whom in service of the College are helping to create a revolution of love and tenderness. 

These awards – to a member of the Marist community, to a staff member and to a Year 12 student – focus our attention on attributes that Marcellin Champagnat exhibited himself or which he encouraged in those whom he led and mentored. 

Community Recipient – John Stubbings

Our community recipient is a member of the broader Marist community. While he may be unknown to our student body, the work this recipient has done has enriched the lives of the students and staff over many years and assisted in the development of Marist College Ashgrove. Like Champagnat did to his early Brothers he has provided wise counsel and constructive thought to situations. 

John has been an outstanding contributor to the financial development of the College with his membership of the college Foundation, including time as Chair as well as a numerous year as a member of the College Finance Council.

He has never sought the limelight in this essential service but always given honest, substantive opinions about what the financial implications of any College developments might be. Consider the major capital works over the last 20 or so years, the Performing Arts complex, the film and television school and associated classroom block, the new swimming facility, the new science wing, the upgraded classrooms, the massive improvements to the property and now the Cyprian project, and the new Junior school.

All such projects call for dispassionate, clearheaded advice, quiet reflection, considered opinion, and sound advice to the Trustees to give a go-ahead to any project.  John always put the needs of the students first but with the provision of sensible, safe opinion as to the financial implications. 

John and his wife Lisa have educated four sons Aaron 2006; Sam 2009; Ben 2011 and Max 2014 through the College, and they are each proud Old Boys. John and Lisa have contributed through financial donation and endless time with cool-headed opinion, financial wisdom and unwavering support as parents, friends and supporters of the College. All of this has been done in a humble, quiet and considered way. 

Staff Recipient – Russell Randle 

The 2023 Champagnat Award recipient for a staff member goes to someone who joined the Ashgrove staff in 2007 and like our community recipient may not be known to our student body in the way a teacher front and centre of class would be but has with quiet and dedicated determination worked for the good of the College. One of Champagnat’s great characteristics was his dedication to and love of work and Russell has proved time and again this trait in his working life. 

Russell works hard to ensure perfect outcomes for the College and is always willing to assist. With a lopsided grin you will be told nothing is ever too much trouble. 

In his work Russell is constantly focused on the College and the outcomes, always conscious of costs and workmanship to ensure we get the best possible cost outcome for the job.  He is happy to project manage onsite and treats each job like he is building his own property, with attention and care to cost, detail and with greatest benefit to the College always in mind. 

While Russell has held many titles to the job he is in, the labour and the commitment of the years has not changed. From a Services Project Officer to a Facilities Officer to College Facilities Project Officer and the hefty title Co-Ordinator of Infrastructure and Projects and finally in the current role Director of Infrastructure and Projects all the above roles required our recipient to be generous with his building construction knowledge, project management and responsibilities associated with the school both in and out of school hours. He is known to respond to fire alarms at 2:00am, is the person behind projects like the refurbishment of this Champagnat Centre, the addition of the lockers and currently the rebuild of the Cyprian Pavilion – these and so many other projects are often completed while staff and students are on break.  Russell’s humble, quiet nature behind the scenes and his on the scene work ethic is a credit to him and has been an ongoing and wonderful contribution to the College. He is always aware of our Marist Brothers who live on site, checking in with them and ensuring that the ongoing maintenance of the College does not impact negatively on them.  Many will not know but most will recognise our staff award recipient, for 2023 Mr Russell Randle. 

Year 12 Student Recipient – Alex Masel

The Champagnat Award to a Year 12 student is made to a boy who in himself and in his relations with others, typifies the very best of what Marist College Ashgrove is all about – developing the whole individual to become the best person he can be, becoming the person God calls him to be. Our Year 12 student embodies what St Marcellin promoted amongst his followers the virtues of simplicity, modesty, and humility. Alex demonstrates these qualities in ways observable by all those who meet him. He never seeks out attention or recognition for his actions. He is hard-working, conscientious, and focused upon achieving his best in everything he puts his mind to and every task he is given, found at his desk or in the library each night during study or assisting his peers in a gentle, productive manner. Alex is industrious, diligent, determined, independent, courteous, and always considerate of others. He is supportive of his peers and an excellent role model for the younger students. Quietly spoken and responsible he, like all our 2023 recipients does good quietly.  College life takes priority and is a way to offer back. He has with quiet determination mastered the Pipe organ and offers his service weekly in the boarding community Mass. Alex is part of our college music program and sporting co-curricular, balancing all the College has to offer without compromising or shirking his responsibilities. Surely these are qualities St Marcellin would have wished manifest in those around him who shared his passion for God and for life. A brother to past and present students, a member of our boarding community and an exemplar of a Marist Man we are pleased to present the 2023 Champagnat Award to Year 12 student Alex Masel.

Tuesday Morning Reconciliation

Students, parents, staff, and other members of the College community are welcome to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr Tini is available every Tuesday morning in the College Chapel.

Wednesday Morning Community Mass 

Students, parents, staff, and other members of the College community are warmly invited to Mass on Wednesday mornings in the College Chapel (every week during term time). Mass commences at 8:00am. 

Friday Lunchtime Community Mass 

Students, staff, and other members of the College community are warmly invited to Mass on Fridays during the College Lunch break. Mass will begin at 11:40 in the College Chapel (every week during term time). 

All are welcome to both Masses.

Stationery Aid 

Run solely by volunteers, Stationery Aid collect, sort, clean and deliver donated stationery items to students in need. These items can be used or unused items. Started by one of our very own Marist families it is a great way to repurpose stationery items. 

We are delighted to welcome Stationery Aid as part of the MATES program. The Stationery Aid collection bin can be found outside the Studies office. 

Students in Year 9 and 10 are welcome to the Mission Office Friday mornings at 7:30 to work in this specific ministry. 

Game Changers

Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. It is designed to be an ongoing leadership and mentoring program for Marist students. 

It seeks to form Christian leaders by making Jesus Christ known and loved among them – the Mission of the Marist institute and of this College. 

It involves regular meetings; faith formation experiences and service opportunities and students are invited to become game changers through their participation in the group.

Game Changers is grounded in a series of tracks, each with their own stories, symbols and activities. 

Through their participation in each track, the students come to a deeper appreciation of what and who shapes our Christian identity and Marist spirituality.

Each track is led by a Mentor (member of staff). Each track lasts two years. 

Groups will meet regularly during Break times beginning Term 2. 

Years 7 and 8 Monday First break in Room 801 

Years 9 and 10 Wednesday First break in Room 801 

Years 11 and 12 Thursday First break in Room 801 

To register for Game Changers, or for more information, please email Ms Rebecca Wong  (wongb@marash.qld.edu.au) or come and visit anyone in the Mission Team area behind the Chapel.

College St Vincent de Paul Group

The College St Vincent de Paul Group met each Tuesday during break time and are back serving our community BBQ on Thursday mornings in the yard. Students are very welcome to join ‘Vinnies’, all they need to do is come to the Mission Office for a meeting to register interest

Ignite Conference 2023 – Wonder 

Every year, Ignite hosts one of Australia's most powerful Catholic youth conferences. 

Ignite Conference is a gathering of Catholics for four days and draws together a network of high schoolers, young adults, ministry leaders, families, teachers, priests, and religious from around the country.

This year the Ignite Conference 2023 – Wonder will be held at St Laurence’s College, from the 21 – 24 September.

While the College does not take an official group of students to Ignite, we are delighted to promote this opportunity for young people.  Ignite Conference 23 (squarespace.com)

Early bird registration closes on 30 June.