Mission News

Prayers

We remember in our prayers all those who have died recently: 

• Maureen Campbell, mother of staff member Colleen Robertson.
• Brendan's beautiful Dad, Luke O'Reilly passed away earlier last week. He is the father of Old Boy Brendan O’Reilly and ‘Pa’ to Aiden (Year 8) and Christian (Year 6). Luke was a proud Old Boy and boarder of the College - School Captain in 1958.

For all those who are ill in our community, especially:

• Jeremy Ross, father of Xavier.

Belonging 

May you listen to your longing to be free.

May the frames of your belonging be generous enough for your dreams.

May you arise each day with a voice of blessing whispering in your heart.

May you never place walls between the light and yourself.

May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, mind you and embrace you in belonging

Amen

Mary our Good Mother                                  Pray For Us 

St Marcellin Champagnat                             Pray For Us 

Mary of the Cross Mackillop                        Pray For Us 

On Friday, 15 September, we farewell Mr Connelly and Mr Lambourne, who will be taking our six Year 11 students on immersion to Santa Teresa for seven days. "Catholic schools need to provide the best apprenticeship that they can in the Christian life." (Bishops' Mandate, 59)

Last Friday, we celebrated the birthday of Mary, Our Good Mother. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin is a day to recognise not only the birth but her incredible life that we cannot separate from Christ's presence in the world. Marcellin Champagnat recognised the significance of Mary not only in his life but in the life of his brothers. He said, "Man is only an instrument or rather he is nothing: it is God who does everything (Life, p. 226). However, God, according to Marcellin Champagnat's unfailing belief, wants to go through Mary; that is why he borrowed a phrase to serve as his motto: 'All to Jesus Through Mary, all to Mary for Jesus'."

Last Tuesday, 5 September, we concluded our sessions on 'Created and Called; a Revolution of Love and Tenderness' with Marist Mission and Life presenter Liz Falconer. We began Part Two with a quote from Abraham Verghese: "You are an instrument of God. Don't leave your instrument in its case, my son. Play! The greatest sin is not seeking, or finding, or ignoring what God made possible in you." Liz challenged us to focus on the potential within us, not without us, by presenting wisdom from those who shaped and formed potential throughout their working lives. Michelangelo said, "The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work." He also said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." We also looked at the figure of Mary, where we see the interplay of justice and tenderness, contemplation and concern for others. Liz opened our eyes to the emergence of the 'Magnificat' (Luke 1:46-55), the longest prayer for a female, out of this Mary-ness in our lives.

Below: Michelangelo's 'Pieta Rondanini'

Rosies – Friends on the Street

A big thank you to all of the staff and students who have volunteered over the past Term 1. This is a big commitment that our staff and students make from 5:00pm–10:30pm on a weeknight. The time that staff and students offer willingly is very much appreciated by our Marist community, Rosies and the many clients that depend on the work of Rosies volunteers to reach out to them.

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning 8:00am in the College Chapel and Friday Break 1 in the College Chapel.

Gospel Reflection- Sunday 10th September 2023 - Matthew 18:15-20 NRSVCE

Reproving Another Who Sins

15 “If another member of the church[a] sins against you,[b] go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.[c] 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

The theme of yesterday’s readings was essentially about Jesus’ instruction that we love one another, we are reminded that in order to do this we need to hold each other to account for our actions not just blindly accept behaviour that is wrong and /or sinful.

Though we know that Forgiveness and reconciliation are rarely easy.

In yesterday’s gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples how to conduct this process. The first step is to be the one-to-one between the offended and the offender. The offended is to seek out the offender with courage and loving humility.

If the person who has done wrong is deaf to the words of this encounter, means one or two other members of the community accompany the wronged one to witness the effort being made and confirm that there is a just attempt to win back the sinner without misconceptions, uncertainty, or personal prejudice on either side. If this fails, then the matter is to be brought before the “church”.

If the community cannot bring the offending member to repentance, that person is to be treated “as you would a Gentile and a tax collector” -remembering that it was the Gentile and the tax collector who lived on the religious and social margins. These were the people in society whom Jesus befriended, never giving up on his efforts to save the lost.

For both their own sake and that of the Christian community, troublesome people cannot just be ignored, yet this is sometimes a very real temptation for those in authority. Unity is presented here as a strong value for the Christian community. 

Ultimately, we are all responsible to be a community that demands high standards, where justice and love are paramount.

Coming Up

Term 4 –Introductory course to Auslan. Auslan is short for Australian sign language, a language developed by, and for, Australians who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Marist College Ashgrove Auslan Course 2023 Marist College Ashgrove invites students and their parents/carer to attend a five-week Auslan Course hosted by Michaela Reece. (2 pax per purchase) 

When: Over 5 weeks (4:30pm–6:15pm) Wednesday 11 October Wednesday 18 October Wednesday 25 October Wednesday 1 November Wednesday 8 November 

Where: Draney Theatre

Who: Students and one of their parent/carers (maximum of two guests per family)

Total Cost: $100.00 for a student and a parent/carer for 5 sessions 

Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/marist-college-ashgrove-auslan-course.

The Mission Team have duty to make Jesus Known and Loved, we are called to see Christ in our students and in turn teach them to see Christ in the other. Much of our daily work is relational and social, the programs, activities, events, masses, liturgies, retreats and much more focus on the pouring out of love, being eucharistic, making judgements about others that are compassionate and not about ourselves. 

Tread Lightly

Tread Lightly wants your old sneakers – Drop off at the Mission Office 

All Abilities Cricket 

4-WEEK Program in Term 4 2023

4-WEEK Program in Term 1 2024

We are looking for a commitment for 8 weeks from students in Year 11 interested in the All Abilities Cricket program (you do not have to be great at cricket) come and sign up in the Mission Office or send an email to mates@marash.qld.edu.au.

Stationery Aid 

Thank you to the students who have so ably supported our Stationery Aid MATES ministry on Friday mornings from 7:30am throughout the semester. The Stationery Aid collection bin can be found outside the Studies office. Our Primary School students have started donating their time to this great cause. Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au for information or to sign up or visit the Mission Office

ROSIES

Thank you, Marist College Ashgrove, for all the support that you have given us over the years. Rosies Kitchen would be so grateful if you could help us spread the mission of Rosies and learn more about the patrons you have had an impact on this year by reading and sharing our current newsletter here: Inside Rosies, Rosies Kitchen looks to secure more support to keep up with the increased demand on outreach across the state. As a College community, we will be collecting packets/cups of noodles in Term 3, thank you to all Pastoral groups who have kindly donated oodles of noodles, thank you very much F207 and GDR1. Marist College Ashgrove will be attending ROSIES street outreach during Term 3 and 4. Places are still available for teachers, thank you for all students who have signed up, we are at capacity for student attendance. We would really appreciate some teachers/support staff volunteering for the following nights throughout Term 4:

October: Monday 16, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18

November: Monday 6 and Wednesday 8

Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office

St Vincent de Paul 

We invite students from Years 7–12 to join our St Vincent de Paul conference.  We currently meet on Thursday's SECOND break in Room 801. The group is a wonderful testament to the way our students respond to the call to stand with others. We are back serving our community BBQ on Thursday mornings from 7:15am in the main yard, and we are always happy for new volunteers. 

We are planning to run a Basketball competition at the end of Term 3 to raise awareness and funds. Much to do and much to plan for – all students from Years 7 – 12 are welcome to join and assist.  Head to the Mission Office to register interest, or email mates@marash.qld.edu.au

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers 

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 to sign up or drop into the Mission Office.

Mission Team Weeklies

WEEK 10B

Monday Break 2 – Years 7 and 8 Game Changers Room 801

Tuesday Night – Rosies Friends on the Street 5:00pm–10:30pm

Wednesday Break 1 – Thank You Lunch for all students involved in MATES/Ministry Break 1 Room 801

Thursday 7:15am – No Vinnies BBQ

Thursday Break 2 – Vinnies Meeting Room 801

Friday 7:30am–8:30am – No Stationery Aid

(Stationery Aid can be carried out in the Holidays Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm; ask the Mission Office for students who would like to attend just go to  https://stationeryaid.org/ for more information).