Mission News

We pray as a Marist community for those who have died recently and for their family and friends who mourn their passing: 

• Carl Webb, father of Hunter.  
• Antwone Davidson-Alberts’ mother.  
• Megan Wandell’s mother.  
• Frank Deighton - Father of Old Boys, Des (1975) and Paul (1982); Grandfather of Sam (12 Rush) and Charlie (10 Rush) Wilcox. Frank was a long-serving member of the College P&F Association, including the roles of President (1977/1978) and Vice-President (1975/1976). 
• Stephen Tait, a staff member of Iona College  
• St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill Community grieving the loss of a year 10 student.  
• Br Charles Evans fms 

May those named and unnamed who have passed from this life rest in the peaceful and eternal embrace of God, and may their loved ones be comforted in their grief.  

Gospel and Gospel Reflection

Sunday 21 January - Mark 1:14-20 

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. 'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.'

As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake - for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets, he called them at once, and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

Mark’s Gospel story of Jesus calling his disciples to follow him is perfectly timed for the beginning of the 2024 school year. Our students, like the first disciples, are being called to something new and exciting. This year, each one of them will grow from experiences that will be stimulating, memorable and rewarding. The disciples left behind the certainty of what they knew best to stake their future on Jesus and his vision of God’s kingdom – a kingdom of forgiveness, peace and unconditional love. May God who is love and light be with all our students at Marist Ashgrove on their journey this year.

Reflection on the 2024 Marist theme and prayer

Our Marist theme this year is First Light, Reveal the Spirit.

God is revealed uniquely to each of us and just as the light falls on each rock in this 80-metre chasm, so too the Holy Spirit illuminates and reveals God’s presence to us – in the world and in each one of us.

The light and passageway of Standley Chasm draws you in, like a natural cathedral, but also invites you to look around the corner and explore further. The photographer, Nick Psomiadis describes the scene … the sheer cliffs glowing in sunlight, a spectacular scene to behold as the sun passes over the chasm.

It took Nick three days to achieve this photo because the chasm only receives light directly at a particular moment. You can notice the presence of light as the narrow vista changes colour at dawn, but the full strength of the sun is only at an appointed time of the day.

The notion of visibility and invisibility is central to Aboriginal thinking and rays of light that rouse the spirit is central to their spirituality. Standley Chasm is known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’ and is a place of deep cultural significance to Western Arrernte people as a sacred site of women’s dreaming and birthing.

The chasm was later named after Ida Standley, the first school teacher in the West MacDonnell Ranges. For fifteen years, Ida Standley was the only government teacher in Central Australia and helped to give Aboriginal children a basic education. Ida was highly respected and described by the press as the ‘beloved lady’.

We pray

In the name of the Father, Son (+) and the Holy Spirit:

God you have given us an incredible gift in Your light which can glow within us and then shine out into the world. When we are our authentic selves, we demonstrate to the world that light is possible in the darkness.

As we begin this new school year help us to shine our lights, let us be thankful for the opportunities we have, to be these beacons of hope for people and the world in which we live.

We pray with Mary who brought light into the world with the birth of Jesus.

Marist Litany

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.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning 8:00am and Friday 1st break in the College Chapel

St Vincent de Paul

Vinnies meetings will start up again for 2024 on Thursday of Week 2 during break 1B in Room 801.

Our Vinnies group aims to serve the community in a range of practical and valuable ways. All students are welcome.

All Abilities Cricket Program

All Abilities Cricket will start up again for 2024, running every Friday 4:00pm-5:00pm from February 9 – March 1. Any Year 11 or 12 students interested in volunteering their time to help, please contact mates@marash.qld.edu.au.

Stationery Aid – Collecting Now! 

Stationery Aid collections are very welcome at any time. Please use the blue bins located outside the Mission office to donate any unwanted stationery items – please refer to the list for acceptable.

The Stationery Aid MATES ministry will start up for 2024 on Friday morning of Week 2 (2nd February) from 7:30am in Room 801. 

Students are welcome to come along and help sort, clean and organize stationery.

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

Tread Lightly

The Mission team will be continuing to receive donations of old shoes for Tread Lightly this year. 

Please leave your old school/sports at the Mission Office in the tub provided.

Tread Lightly give old shoes a second life, reducing landfill in the process! To find out more, visit: Tread Lightly – Together we can step into a better future​ (asga.com.au)

Rosies

Rosies is an amazing outreach program Marist has been privileged to participate in for many years, and are grateful for the opportunity to continue this year. 

The program kicks off in term 2, we are looking for interest from Year 11 and 12 students. Please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office.

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers 

Join Game Changers in 2024! 

Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. These tracks are founded in the stories of Jesus, Mary, and Marcellin.

Please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au if you are interested in this program or visit the Mission Office.