Mission News

We pray especially this week for our graduating Year 12s and for all our students who are sitting exams.

We pray for Luke Smith (Year 7) and his family who are mourning the loss of Lesley and Leonie, Luke's paternal grandmother and great-aunt respectively. May Lesley and Leonie rest in God's eternal peace and may their family and friends be comforted at this difficult time.

Gospel and Reflection

Sunday 12 November 2023 – Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, "The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him." At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, "Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out." But they replied, "There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves." They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. "Lord, Lord," they said, "open the door for us." But he replied, "I tell you solemnly, I do not know you." So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.'

Jesus’ parable of the ten bridesmaids is emphasising the importance of readiness. The early Christians had a real sense of the urgency and immediacy of the need to be prepared and “awake” for the return of the risen Jesus (the ‘bridegroom’). Still today, this parable reminds Christians that to be people of faith is not a state we enter on occasions simply when it suits us. Through baptism, we are immersed into a whole way of being ‘awake’ to and with God in lives. The image of the lamp speaks of hopefulness, expectancy, commitment, patience and openness… As we approach the end of the school year, perhaps with a feeling of uncertainty and tiredness, may this symbol of the glowing lamp encourage us to remain strong, patient and hopeful. 

Mary Our Good Mother                         Pray for us

St Marcellin Champagnat                     Pray for us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop          Pray for us

And let us always remember               To pray for one another.

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning 8:00am in the College Chapel 

(Due to Year 12 Graduation, this week’s Friday Mass is cancelled)

Christmas Appeal 2023 – Thank you!

Donations to the Marist College Christmas Appeal via monitor have now closed. Thank you to everyone for your generous support. All donations will help the St Vincent de Paul Society and Downs & West Community Support assist people who really need it over the Christmas period. 

If you have purchased or were planning to purchase gift cards, we are accepting these at the Mission Office (behind the Chapel) until the end of the term.

Marist Solidarity Fundraiser

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Dear Friends of AMS

Join us at our first ever live crowdfunding Marist Solidarity Fundraiser and End-of Year Gathering. Connect with your Marist friends and enjoy a drink as we raise funds to:

• Support ex-combatants from the civil war, and their children, to access hope and quality education at St Joseph’s College Mabiri, Bougainville PNG.
• Provide quality education, safe accommodation and remedial support for children from ethnic minorities, many of whom are the first in their family to attend formal schooling, in Talit, India.
• Invest in cyber security to ensure that AMS data and platforms are safe for users, donors and partners.

With the support of Marist College Ashgrove and the Ashgrove Old Boys Association and powered by The Funding Network, we can’t wait to make a significant contribution to the lives of young people in need across our region.

MARIST SOLIDARITY FUNDRAISER & END-OF-YEAR GATHERING

DATE: Thursday 23rd November

TIME: 5.45pm - 8.00pm

VENUE: The Tower, Marist College Ashgrove

Please reserve your attendance by scanning the QR Code or by

contacting our office: ams@marists.org.au, (07) 3354 0600

Fundraiser BBQ at Charity Cricket match

Photo: Marist Ashgrove students getting into the spirit of Friday’s game with encouragement from our 2024 Spirit Captain, Isaac Roach.

A huge thank you to our Vinnies students who very capably organized a BBQ at Friday’s Charity match between St Laurence’s and Marist College’s First XI cricket teams. Led by our 2024 Mission Captain, Jack Shay, the boys cooked and sold 200 sausages along with cans of soft drink to raise funds in support of 42 For 42, a not-for-profit organization supporting struggling veterans and their families. 

St Vincent de Paul

We have two Vinnies meeting remaining for the year – Thursday 16th and 23rd November during SECOND break in Room 801. 

This Thursday morning’s Vinnies BBQ will be the last one for the year, so come along, buy a snag and support Vinnies!

All Abilities Cricket Program

Marist Ashgrove with Kaz and Harry from All Abilities

Last week, Jake Edye, Ronan Finn and Nicholas Marco headed down to Cricket All Abilities at GPS Rugby. A great afternoon was spent with the All Abilities children and their parents/carers.

Thank you Kaz Willis for organising this throughout the year.

Stationery aid – Collecting Now! 

The end of the school year is a great time to sort through stationery and pass on anything you don’t need. 

We are currently collecting for Stationery Aid – just drop off your unwanted stationery items in the blue bins which are located just outside the Mission office (behind the Chapel) and in the Studies office. 

Be sure to check out the list of items Stationery Aid is able to accept.

The Stationery Aid MATES ministry will conclude for 2023 this Friday morning from 7.30am in Room 801. We look forward to working with Stationery Aid again in 2024!

For more information visit the Stationery Aid website: https://stationeryaid.org/ 

Tread Lightly

The end of the school year often means the end of school and sports shoes. Don’t just bin them – drop them off at the Mission Office in the tubs provided. These shoes will find a new life. To find out more, visit: Tread Lightly – Together we can step into a better future​ (asga.com.au)

Rosies

We will have our last Rosies visit for the term this Wednesday night, 18th November. Thank you to the students and staff who have volunteered their time. 

For students interested in signing up for next year, please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers 

Are you interested in Game Changers in 2024? 

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 if you are interested in this program or visit the Mission Office.