Mission News

Prayers

We pray for the repose of the soul of Br Francis McGrath, a Marist Brother of 61 years and world-renowned scholar of St John Henry Newman. We pray for Br Frank’s fellow Marist Brothers and all who have known and loved him as they mourn his passing from this life. Br Francis McGrath’s Funeral Mass will be held on Monday 11 May at 10:30am in the Chapel of Our Lady and St Marcellin.

To learn more about Br Frank’s life and his many achievements, please read the obituary written by Provincial Br Darren Burge.

As we celebrate our mothers and mother-figures this week ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, we remember in prayer and thanksgiving the wonderful Marist mums whose strength, commitment and presence helps our College community thrive in myriad ways. May God Bless our Mothers!

Community Mass

College Masses will be held Wednesday at 8:00am and Break 1B on Friday. This Wednesday, Ephrem House will celebrate Mass together at 8:00am in the chapel. All are most welcome! 

This week we will also be welcoming the first of our Year 7 RE Classes to the chapel as they reflect on the theme of Celebrating Community during their class Mass.

Gospel & Reflection 

John 14:1-12 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life"

The gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is anticipatory. With the Ascension and Pentecost just around the corner the Church provides us with comfort that Jesus’ departure is part of the plan. In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the anxious disciples not to worry - there is hope for all of us after Death. This real hope in something greater than the here and now—a view quite alien to many in the 1st century—is realised by Christ. Jesus is the “the way the truth and the life” and to see Him is to see the mirror image of the Father. The New Testament puts an end to God’s invisibility. Jesus then commissions the disciples, and by extension us, to go forth to do good works in His name. This is not just a description of God’s characteristics but a roadmap for how to live. Jesus asks us to have trust in Him. In response to the disciples fears he says, ‘do not let your hearts be troubled’. Jesus’ assurance speaks to us and to the reality that our lives can often be overwhelming. Instead of being consumed by stress we are invited to surrender our worries and ground ourselves in God’s loving embrace. Like Christ, we are also called to be a steady and reassuring presence to those in our care – people who bring a sense of calm when others feel unsettled. Jesus tells the disciples “I am the Way”. He leads through the example of his life. Drawing on this, St. Marcellin insisted the first Brothers teach by the witness of their lives, not simply by words. Our own lives should likewise be a lesson. We are called to walk alongside others knowing them fully and by name. We are invited to be relationship builders, attentive, and truly present, especially to those most in need.  

And so we pray:

+ Loving Father,

Your son Jesus and your servant Champagnat remind us to go out into the world and do good works. In our communities, let us draw on their example of gentle determination to lead with discernment and authenticity. Let us emulate their perseverance, humility, and courage in our own work. But most of all, give us the grace to share in Marcellin’s unwavering faith as we journey together today.  

Amen. +

Mother’s Day Evening Mass 

We look forward to welcoming our Mothers, Grandmothers and Mother-figures to our Mass tomorrow evening. Details below: 

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026 

Venue: Mass will commence at 7:00pm in the Tower Courtyard. Guests will then be invited to share the Eucharist and celebrate the bond between mothers and their sons. A light supper to follow in the Tower Function Room. 

Uniform: Students are asked to wear their full winter uniform. 

For event enquiries: contact Jenna Harding - hardingj@marash.qld.edu.au

Mother’s Day Breakfast Raffle 

Tickets for the Mother’s Day Breakfast Raffle are now available. All proceeds will support Australian Marist Solidarity.

You can find the tickets on Monitor, via the MCA Supporter and Guest Shop – Mother’s Day Raffle.

Ticket pricing is as follows:

• 1 ticket for $5
• 3 tickets for $10
• 8 tickets for $20

When purchasing tickets, please select either the Thursday or Friday raffle, depending on which event you will be attending. The raffle will be drawn separately at each event.

Online ticket sales via Monitor will close at 1:30pm tomorrow, Wednesday the 6th of May. We encourage early purchase to avoid missing out, as only a limited number of tickets will be available on the day.

We extend our sincere thanks to our generous sponsors for their valued contributions.

2026 Annual Marian Lecture - Dare to imagine a life shaped by grace!

Members of our Marist community are encouraged to register for the 2026 Marian Lecture, to be livestreamed 6:00-7:30pm on Tuesday 12 May. 

This year's address will be delivered by Rev. Dr Sarah Bachelard, theologian, author and leader in contemplative practice. Dr Bachelard will invite us to reflect on how grace shapes our seeing, relating and responding. Facilitated by Dr John Kyle-Robinson, the evening will include a reflective conversation with Dr Bachelard. 

To register to receive the link, visit: 2026 Marian Lecture

Paddington Community Centre Visits 

Last week saw our boys returning to the Paddington Community Centre for the first visit for 2026. Our Year 7 Ephrem boys enjoyed their catch up with the elderly visitors, playing games and sharing conversation. We look forward to our next visit!

Stationery Aid 

Stationery Aid is on this Wednesday at B1 in Room 801. We’re looking forward to seeing plenty of helpers this term as we continue sorting and cleaning stationery ready for reuse. 

 A reminder that donations of good quality unwanted stationery is always welcome and can be placed in the yellow bins outside the Mission Office.  

To find out more and to check the list for what can be donated, please visit: https://stationeryaid.org/