Mission News

Prayers 

As we approach Anzac Day on Thursday, we reflect with gratitude on the men and women who have served our country and we remember those who have lost their lives in war. Lest we forget.

We pray for all those in our community who are mourning the loss of loved ones, that they may be comforted in their grief. May those who have gone before us find everlasting peace. 

During our season of Easter, especially, we pray with confidence to our God who leads us to the promise of new life and who is with us always. Amen.

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning - 8:00am

Friday 1st Break - 11.45am

ALL WELCOME!

Gospel Reflection and Prayer

Excerpt from John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd;

I know my own

and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me

and I know the Father;

and I lay down my life for my sheep.

Reflecting on the image of the image in John’s Gospel of Jesus the Good Shepherd inspires us to consider those who emulate Jesus as the brave and loving “shepherds” for those who are forgotten and on the edges of society. As Marists, we recognise in founder Marcellin Champagnat a courageous shepherd who would not give up on those who most needed support.

It is reflecting on Marcellin’s life that we mark the 25th anniversary of his canonisation, which the entire Marist Institute celebrated on the 18 April.

A special celebration was also held at the General House in Rome, presided over by Father John Larsen, Superior General of the Marist Fathers, and attended by many Marists, Brothers from all over the world, Sisters from Marist congregations and other guests. A group of Marist pilgrims from Australia was also present, including our very own Aussie Marist Pilgrim, Deputy Head of College Learning and Teaching – Jen Smeed.

The celebration concluded with the words of Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, I want to share his reflection with you:

It is a pleasure to celebrate together the 25th anniversary of the canonisation of St. Marcellin Champagnat.

We have received the gift of the Marist charism and we are invited to keep it alive and up to date in our time. 

We are encouraged by the life of Marcellin, a simple man, who lived with great trust in God and in Mary our Good Mother.  He was a man attentive to the needs of children and young people. Pope John Paul II said on the day of his canonisation:

“St Marcellin proclaimed the Gospel with a burning heart. He was sensitive to the spiritual and educational needs of his time, especially to religious ignorance and the situations of neglect experienced in a particular way by the young”.

Marcellin had the ability to “look beyond” because he was able to listen in his heart to the intuitions of the Spirit. This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the house of Notre Dame de l’Hermitage.

In what way are we encouraged today by the example of his life and holiness? 

Twenty-five years ago he was declared a saint for the Church and for the world. Like him, we are invited to follow Jesus, like Mary, living fraternity and giving ourselves to the service of children and young people, particularly those most in need. The Pope also said that day:

“Let us ask the Lord to give us a heart that burns like that of Marcellin Champagnat, to recognise him and to be his witnesses”.

Champagnat, “A heart that knows no bounds” continues to encourage us to walk together as a global Marist family.

And so we pray:

Faithful God, make us bold to be creative and faithfully vibrant in answering the needs of neglected young people today. Let our faithfulness not cling to the patterns of the past, but find ways of ensuring the vitality of Marcellin's first inspiration. May we go in haste like Mary, in faith and hope. 

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. +

Anzac Day Liturgy

On Wednesday this week during Period 5 normal assembly time, our College will hold an Anzac Liturgy in the Champagnat Theatre. Students and staff will come together to pray and acknowledge those men and women who have served our country with courage and valour.

Mother’s Day Evening Mass

The College warmly invites all mums and/or mother-like figures and their sons to the Marist College Ashgrove Mother’s Day Mass. Guests are invited to share the Eucharist and celebrate the bond between mothers and their sons at this special occasion. Supper will follow.

Tickets: Tickets are free for families, for catering purposes please register your interest.

Mother's Day Evening Mass 2024 | Humanitix

For further information please contact Jenna Harding, hardingj@marash.qld.edu.au.

Emmanuel City Mission

The Marist College's MATES program is partnering with Emmanuel City Mission in south Brisbane to support the vulnerable in our community. Emmanuel City Mission provide meals, shower and washing facilities, clothing and toiletry packs, and a place where visitors can feel safe. Marist College hopes to partner with Emmanuel City Mission by sending students to the centre to cook a meal for their visitors and share conversations. The centre relies on donations from the community and has asked the college to sponsor the meals that our students will make. Sponsorship of each meal ranges in price from $300 to $350.

If you are a company owner or worker who would be willing to help the college regularly sponsor a meal or part thereof, please reach out through our mates@marash.qld.edu.au email. We would hope to send students to the centre and sponsor a meal at least once a month. Your contribution will directly impact those in need and support our students' service-learning journey. To sponsor a meal or learn more, contact us at mates@marash.qld.edu.au.

Sony Foundation Camp, 14-17 September

Sony Foundation Camp is back at Marist for 2024!

A reminder that Year 11 students are invited to apply to volunteer to help with this year’s Sony Foundation Camp. If you have any questions about the Sony Foundation Camp, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of the Mission Team.

St Vincent de Paul and the Environment Group

Last week’s Bacon and Egg Burgers were a sell-out! Come along Thursday morning from 8:00am to grab a delicious burger for only $4.50.

Vinnies and the Environment Group meetings will continue this Thursday during break 1B in Room 801. All students are welcome.

Stationery Aid

Come along and join the crew in Room 801 on Friday mornings from 7:30 – 8:20am. Come along and support the work of Stationery Aid to provide clean stationery in good working order to kids who need it. Earn yourself some MATES points while you’re there!

Meanwhile, Stationery Aid donations will be gratefully received. Please use the blue bins provided outside the Mission Office.

For more information about Stationery Aid visit the website: https://stationeryaid.org/.