Mission News

Prayer

Our Marist Ashgrove community joins in prayer with:

• The Lourdes Hill College community as they mourn the loss of a past student.
• The family and friends of Rosa Eales (mother of staff member Berny Byrne) who passed away recently and who will be farewelled this week.

We pray for the repose of the soul of Marist Father John Begg, Old Boy of the College, who passed away on the weekend. May Fr John rest in peace and may all those who have gone before us remain forever in the peace of God.

We pray with joy this week for our Year 12s of 2024 as they graduate this coming Friday. May God bless them.

Community Mass 

All are welcome to Mass on Wednesday morning at 8:00am. Due to Graduation events, there will be no Friday Mass this week. 

Gilroy House will gather at this Wednesday’s Community Mass, 13 November at 8:00am. 

Gospel 

Excerpt from Mark’s Gospel from 32nd  Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 12:38-44)

[Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.'

Reflection and prayer

The widow in Sunday’s Gospel gives a tiny donation to the treasury, yet those two small coins were all she had to keep her going. Her gift has cost her immensely. The generosity of the widow sets the scene for Jesus’ own sacrifice for others – dying on the cross. The theme of sacrifice is often highlighted in stories involving heroism, bravery and tragedy in war. 

On Monday 11 November at 11am, our community paused to mark Remembrance Day. Pope Francis has shared many wise thoughts regarding war, including this recent reflection:

 “War is always, always, always a defeat…Yesterday I saw that 150 innocent people were shot… What do children and families have to do with war? They are the first victims.”

Next year, with other Marist Schools in Australia, we will explore the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope”. The innocent and helpless need people to fight for them so that they may have hope. The Poppy has become that symbol of hope.

+ Heavenly Father,

On Remembrance Day, we stopped to honour the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. May the poppies that were laid in remembrance around the world symbolise not only the loss endured but the hope that springs from their courage. Let us cherish peace and strive for a world where love overcomes conflict. May the memory of those we honour inspire us to build a future filled with compassion and unity. 

We ask you to comfort, guide and protect those who are fighting and for those who have lost their lives in the conflicts around the world. We remember the brave souls from countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Palestine, Israel and others enduring the ravages of war.

Grant comfort to the families who mourn, strength to those in battle, and wisdom to leaders seeking peace. May your light shine upon all affected by these struggles, guiding us toward a future of healing and reconciliation. 

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. +

EWaste Project Update

Year 10s James Dee, Luke Garvey and Joel Dargusch were finally able to showcase their remarkable e-waste project at the graduation of the Lord Mayor’s Youth Environmental Leadership Network on Wednesday. For their project, the boys decided to target the pressing issue of electronic waste at the College. An early survey found that 57% of students didn’t know what e-waste was and only 12% had properly recycled any e-waste they had. Through a very memory assembly segment, targeted notices and a local letter drop, 89% of students now know what e-waste is with 94% knowing about permanent e-waste bin that the LMYELN boys established in the Science Centre (which soon have a separate battery-only bin). Additionally, they hosted a community e-waste drive which will now be a permeant fixture of the Marist calendar.

A timely project, which has had great success – James, Luke and Joel are to be congratulated for their passion and persistence throughout this project.

Marist 2024 Christmas Appeal 

LAST WEEK TO DONATE! Our Christmas Appeal will conclude this Friday, 15th of November!

Students and families can support our Christmas Appeal in aid of Vinnies and Downs & West Community Support by bringing in grocery gift cards to pastoral groups or making an online donation via monitor. Vinnies and Downs and West Community Support work on the ground with those experiencing hardship which often hits hardest during the Christmas period. Every contribution makes a difference.

Donations links:

• Parent/Carer and Community Donation Link
• Student Donation Link 

Let’s see if we can exceed last year’s $8,000. Your gift can help us help people in need this Christmas.

All Abilities Cricket

All Abilities Cricket kicked off last Friday with 12 students volunteering to help with the program. It was a great afternoon with the students playing cricket games down at the District Valley Cricket Club. Upcoming All Abilities Cricket afternoons will be held on 22nd and 29th November. The program aims to create a supportive and fun environment in which everyone can learn cricket skills, no matter their ability.

Paddington Community Centre outreach

Our wonderful Year 7 representatives from Ridley House enjoyed a visit to the Paddington Community Centre for our last outreach there for 2024. The boys enjoyed playing games and chatting with their elderly patrons.

Stationery Aid

Student help is always welcomed at Stationery Aid! Come along this Friday 15th November at 7:30am in Room 801. 

A reminder that good quality unwanted stationery donations are welcome and can be placed in the blue bin outside the Mission Office. No ring binders please.

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

St Vincent de Paul and Environment Group

The Vinnies group will be meeting this Thursday 1st break in Room 801.

Our delicious $4.50 Bacon and Egg burgers will be available this Thursday morning from 7:45am.