Mission News

Prayers

There are a lot of people in our community who are suffering with illness and those who are caring for loved ones who are unwell:   

+ Dear Lord,

We pray for people who are receiving treatment in hospitals, who are in pain and discomfort, undergoing surgery, worried for their future. We pray for the elderly and vulnerable people who live in care facilities, that they will experience joy and companionship. We pray for the people who care for sick, frail and vulnerable people, including nurses, doctors, specialists, orderlies, cooks and all who contribute to creating communities of care and compassion. We pray for people in our own community who are unwell at this time.

May we be a society that has respect for life and the dignity of all people. Amen. +

Community Masses

Please join us for community Mass this Wednesday at 8:00am. 

This Friday we will celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat with a full school Mass at 12:10pm. Parents are welcome, but please note seating is limited upstairs. 

Gospel Reflection – Daniel Bull 

John 3:16-18

After Pentecost the Church spends three weeks contemplating the Nature of Christ – First in Trinity Sunday just passed, the Feast of Corpus Christi next Sunday, and finally The Sacred heart of Jesus after that. Each one giving a unique glimpse into Christ’s role in salvation history.

In today’s gospel Jesus in discussion with the Pharisee explains – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

This famous first line is foundation for us as Christians. Jesus claims that God loved the whole world – not just a particular group, race, or class. Christ is for everyone with ears to listen and hearts that are open. It also connects with this years Marist theme of Grace – God creates out of gratuitous love in Genesis and then gifts himself in the form of the Son in act of reconciling love. 

Jesus calls himself the ‘only begotten son’ – identifying his life and teachings intimately with God himself. And this son is sent not to condemn but to save through love. The Church’s understanding of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is built upon verses such as this. But what does it mean for us? According to Benedict XVI – It shows us that the God who created existence itself in his fullness is a relational being held together through ties of love. 

St. Paul talking to the Greek philosophers in Athens says – It is through this creative Triune force that we “all live and move and have our being”. The strongest proof of this being love alone is what really makes us happy – as we too only flourish in relationship with others. 

Sony Camp – Medical Volunteers Needed 

Camp preparations are well underway for this year’s Sony Camp which will be held at the College from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 September. We have been inundated with camper applications from our local special schools which is fantastic to see! 

Sony Camp is not possible without medical volunteers assisting our Year 11 students in their role as Companion. Our fantastic Health Centre staff are the first to volunteer their time, but we would also like to call upon our Marist and Mt Alvernia families/community who are either doctors or nurses and 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. 

To the year 11 students who have expressed interest in volunteering, further information will be sent at the start of Term 3 once campers are finalised! Please continue to keep the dates free! If you have any questions, pop down to Mission to see Mrs Harding. 

Corpus Christi Procession 

This Sunday, senior students are invited to join this year’s Corpus Christi Procession through Brisbane city. If interested, please email Mr Bull for more details – bulld@marash.qld.edu.au.

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/ .