Mission News
Mr Daniel Bull - Assistant Head of College - Mission (Acting)
Marist College Ashgrove
Prayers
We hold in prayer members of our community who have died recently or whose anniversaries occur at this time. We also pray for those who are receiving treatment for illness or who are struggling at this time. We pray the strength of God’s healing spirit will be with them and with all who are journeying through grief and loss. Amen.
The Feast of the Assumption Mass
8:00am Mass on Wednesday this week has been cancelled as we will celebrate the Feast of Assumption in Period 4 and 5. The scheduled Ephrem House Mass will be held in Week 7
Tomorrow, we come together as a college community to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.
The Feast of the Assumption was declared by the Church in the years immediately following WWII, emphasising ascendancy of life and joy in the shadow of death and devastation. It is a feast that reminds us that everything we celebrate and honour in Mary is brought to God in its fullness. For it was Mary who the angel Gabriel hailed as Full of Grace. It is Mary who teaches us the transformative power of love from a place of simplicity, humility and modesty. It is Mary who stands in solidarity with the forgotten, the fearful and the suffering. It is Mary who gives us hope, teaches us to say “yes”, to live with courage, to keep our focus on Christ.
Our eucharistic celebration will also include the announcing and blessing of our college captain and vice captains for 2027. This will be a sacred and joyful occasion for our Marist community to reflect on the qualities of leadership inspired by Mary’s model of quiet, courageous leadership.
Please note; families are welcome to join us, however seating is limited to upstairs.
Gospel & Reflection
This week’s Gospel seems harsh, but Matthew’s intention is to teach. Jesus travels north from Galilee into a non-Jewish region and is approached by a Canaanite woman who pleads with him to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus seems to ignore her declaring his mission is to ‘the lost sheep of Israel’. In great faith she persists – calling him master and humbling herself completely. Jesus’ heart is touched – and blessed her. The book of Matthew was written for a Jewish audience. When Jesus says, ‘O woman, great is your faith!’ – the powerful example of this female foreigner is contrasted with the Jews who fail to understand Jesus. For us the story shows that at times God can really feel distant – especially when we face hardship. But Matthew is telling us to never lose heart. For me Mother Teresa is a perfect example of someone keeping the Faith even when God felt so distant. After her call to serve the poor in India her diary reveals long periods of sadness, feeling God’s absence. Yet – in her saintly way she continued to seek out Christ in those she helped.
Like the Canaanite woman Mother Teresa had a deep faith, and she too experienced God’s silence but had the patience to keep seeking. This is the search Matthew calls us to. It’s ok to doubt, to waver, and to question – but we shouldn’t give up. To inspire us let's look to Mary who we celebrate this week. The Assumption isn’t just about Mary being rewarded – It’s about providing hope. Mary exemplifies the total trust and surrenders we are all called to. The Canaanite woman shows us faith is always seeking, and Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God shows us where these seeking, even when we don’t feel it – will ultimately lead.
Sony Foundation Camp – calling all Doctors, Nurses, Medical Volunteers
Marist College Ashgrove is excited to host our 20th Sony Foundation Camp for children with physical and intellectual disabilities these upcoming school holidays from Saturday 19 - Monday 21 September. The holiday camp also offers Year 11 students from Marist College Ashgrove and Mount Alvernia College the opportunity to develop relationships with others and be of service. The camp provides safe and secure accommodation for up to 20 special needs children between the ages of 7–15 years. Sony Camp is not possible without medical volunteers assisting our Year 11 students in their role as Companion. Our incredible Health Centre staff are the first to volunteer their time, but it would be wonderful if any of our Marist parents, Old Boys, Community members who are Nurses or Doctors would be willing to volunteer some time (even just a few hours) over the camp dates.If this is YOU, please contact Camp Coordinator Jenna Harding - hardingj@marash.qld.edu.au for further information.
If you are unable to volunteer but would like to donate to this year’s camp, please click HERE. All donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
Stationery Aid
You are warmly invited to join us at Stationery Aid's Wear Fluoro Like a Highlighter Brisbane Fundraising Lunch 2026.
Come dressed in your brightest fluoro and enjoy an inspiring afternoon celebrating the impact that can be achieved when communities come together to support sustainability and education of children experiencing disadvantage.
Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/wear-fluoro-brisbane-2026
