Mission News

Prayers

We pray for the care and comfort of people in our community who are unwell, especially the father of Marist staff member Tara Franklin who was recently hospitalised. We pray too for those who have died recently, including staff member Lachlan Gough’s grandfather.

May God’s lasting embrace surround our departed loved ones and remain our enduring hope and consolation.

Community Mass

Please join us for Masses throughout this week: Wednesday 8:00am and Friday 1st Break. All Welcome. 

Gospel

Excerpt from Gospel of 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:36-37)

Jesus asked,

"Which of these three, do you think,

was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"

The lawyer said, "The one who showed him mercy."

Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Reflection

In Luke 10:25-37, Sunday’s Gospel, we encountered the parable of the Good Samaritan, a profound narrative that challenges our understanding of compassion and neighbourliness. In the story, a lawyer seeks to test Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus, in turn, prompts him to reflect on the law, leading to the pivotal question: "And who is my neighbour?"

The parable unfolds with a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is robbed, beaten, and left for dead. As he lies suffering, he is overlooked by a priest and a Levite, who chose to pass by without offering help. It is the Samaritan, a figure from a despised group in Jewish society, who stops to aid the injured man, demonstrating true compassion through his actions. This story compels us to examine our own lives: who do we tend to overlook?

In our contemporary context, the Good Samaritan challenges us to reconsider our biases and the societal divisions that often dictate our interactions. It prompts us to ask ourselves how we can extend love and kindness to those who may not fit our preconceived notions of who deserves help. The Samaritan's actions reflect a radical love that transcends cultural and religious boundaries, urging us to practice empathy and mercy in our everyday lives. And in today’s global political climate, isn’t this a lesson we all should heed.

As we navigate our busy lives, it's easy to become like the priest and the Levite, too absorbed in our own concerns to notice those in need around us. This parable calls us to be vigilant and responsive, to cultivate a heart that sees and acts.

And so, let us pray for the courage to be good neighbours, to open our hearts to the plight of others, and to embody the love that Jesus teaches us:

Let us pray:

+ Lord, open our eyes to those in need around us. Grant us the courage to step outside our comfort zones and offer compassion to those who are suffering. Help us to see beyond societal boundaries and to love our neighbours as ourselves. 

May we be instruments of your peace and love in the world. 

Mary our good mother – pray for us

St Marcellin Champagnat – pray for us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop – pray for us

And may we always remember – to pray for one another

Amen.+

2025 Timor-Leste Immersion

Over the July break, a group of Year 11 students with staff members Kathryn Badini and Jye Davies had the opportunity to be immersed amongst the people, places, faith and culture of Timor-Leste. Our pilgrims' experience began in the capital Dili, with a visit to Caritas, the Resistance Museum, Santa Cruz Cemetery and other important sites to better understand Timor-Leste’s long struggle for liberty and nationhood. The group the travelled east by bus to Baucau where they enjoyed a meal and conversation with the local Marist brothers’ community. From here they visited schools in the Baucau district where they received a traditional welcome and warm hospitality. During their immersion at St Teresinha’s school in Quelicai (part of the Baucau district), the boys spent time in the classrooms teaching students and sharing stories, songs and games. 

St Teresinha's and other schools in the region have received funding through Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) to rebuild to ensure wonderful facilities and allow for quality educational experiences. At Ashgrove, we are so grateful to the many families whose generous support of our AMS fundraisers has directly contributed to the success of the rebuilding projects in Timor-Leste and elsewhere.

For our pilgrims, the immersion highlights were many, from the beauty of the landscape to the joy and hospitality of locals, especially in the faces of the children. Of course, there was also the opportunities for the group to get to know each other and grow together as a group, supporting each other along the way, especially as challenges arose.

We look forward to hearing and seeing more about the immersion from the students at an upcoming assembly and to learn how the experience of immersion continues long after the return home. 

Please keep the people of Timor-Leste and our friends and fellow Marists in the Baucau region in your prayers.

Sony Foundation Camp

During the holidays MCA’s Sony Camp Coordinator Mrs Harding and Camp Head Nurse Mrs Hotston attended the Sony Foundation Conference at St Margaret’s. They gathered with staff from schools all over Qld & SA who host their own respite camp for children with a disability. The conference was a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and resources. 

We are only 10 weeks away from this year’s camp!  If you have a business and would like to be involved in our camp we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to us at sony@marash.qld.edu.au or you can donate funds to our camp HERE – all donations over $2 are tax deductable. 

We would also love to hear from our parents or community members who are Doctors, nurses, physios, support workers etc. If you are able to volunteer your time over the camp (even if it’s just a few hours) it would be greatly appreciated.

To our year 11 students/parents who were emailed with a role offer last term, please note the final date to accept is this Friday! Please approve the event in the parent lounge and complete the form emailed. Any questions please email Jenna Harding –hardingj@marash.qld.edu.au 

Year 12 Retreats

The Year 12s will be heading off on Retreat this week. The retreatants go with our blessing. We hope that these few days will be a time of self-reflection and awareness, and of authentic connection with one another and with God.

Reminders for our Year 12 Families

Departure: Wednesday 16 July (TOMORROW) Meet at the College bus stop at 7:30am for an 8:00am departure 

Return: 3:00pm on Friday 18 July 

Packing List: 

1. Pillow 
2. Sleeping bag 
3. Towel 
4. Water bottle 
5. Personal toiletries 
6. Garbage bag for dirty/or wet clothes 
7. Warm clothing for 3 cold days and 2 nights 
8. 2 pairs of enclosed footwear

Please note all 4 Mission staff will be attending this year's retreat so all programs will resume Week 2.

Stationery Aid Friday mornings

Stationery Aid kicks off for Term 3 in Week 2. Join us in Room 801 on Friday mornings between 7:30am - 8:30am as we continue giving stationery a second life!

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

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