Mission News

Prayers

As we continue to reflect on the meaning and significance of Anzac Day, we pray for the safety and wellbeing of all members of the ADF and their families. We pray also for veterans and their families. As we remember the fallen, we reflect on the cost of war and the need for peace in our world. Blessed are the peacemakers.

We pray for Br Frank McGrath, a Marist Brother in the Ashgrove community, who is unwell. May the peace of God be with Br Frank, with his fellow Marist brothers and all those caring for him.

Community Mass

College Masses will be held Wednesday at 8:00am and Break 1B on Friday. This Wednesday, Gilroy House will celebrate Mass together at 8:00am in the chapel. All are most welcome! 

Gospel and Gospel Reflection

John 10:1-10 NRSVACE - Jesus the Good Shepherd - ‘Very - Bible Gateway

“Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep”

In this parable John presents Jesus as the good shepherd who leads his flock through the sheep pen's gate towards salvation. In contrast to thieves representing the pharisees who jump over the fence and only care about legalistic power, Jesus knows his flock personally and leads them to safety and eternal life. In ancient times, a sheep pen enclosed mixed flocks. Jesus is telling us his flock are those who listen. Not just Jews, but gentiles too; really anyone with an open heart.  Jesus says: I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. This is a spiritual message of selfless love, not one of temporal power. 

Today (28 April) is the feast of the Patron Saint of Oceania and Marist Father, St. Peter Chanel. When the Society of Mary was founded in 1836 the Archbishop of Lyon gave Australia and Polynesia as their missionary field. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus contrasts true shepherds with false ones. Peter Chanel embodied the true shepherd. He travelled in a wooden ship to Futuna, a tiny island literally on the opposite side of the globe, not for personal gain, but to serve. In Futuna, he built relationships, was much loved, and for that was much envied resulting in his murder by a jealous chief. Like the Good shepherd he gave his own life so others might live. 

St Peter, like many of the early Marists, was kind, gentle, and devoted to the poor. He learned the local language, their culture, and served them through practicality. This example stirred the conversion of many, even some of the islands royal family who like the sheep in the story, followed because they recognised a saintly voice. 

His authentic witness to Christ’s love was amplified in death stirring the hearts of the whole island, including his murderer. It was the turning point for the mission in French Polynesia. 

And so we pray:

+ Loving God,

Help us to learn from your son Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and your servant St Peter Chanel, to love abundantly, to serve compassionately, and to abide courageously through times of difficulty. Lord, we pray our faith grows. We ask this in your holy name.

Amen. 

Anzac Liturgy

Our Anzac Liturgy was held last Wednesday, with students, staff and guests gathering to remember the fallen, and to witness to all who have served and continue to serve and protect Australia and other sovereign nations in the name of peace. Through prayer and presence, singing and symbolic action, we gave expression to Pope Leo’s Easter call to “abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars…”.

Guest speaker Major Michael Stone, an Old Boy of the college, reflected on importance of moral courage, not just a strength and necessity in times of war and conflict, but in the daily walk of life. Michael recalled how powerfully the college motto Viriliter Age – Act Courageously had shaped his own life and decision-making, from his peace-keeping work in Timor-Leste to his more recent work with veterans and their families with Veterans Care Association. We are privileged to have heard from Michael and to be reminded, once an Ashgrovian, always an Ashgrovian!

We would like to thank our musicians led by our incredible music staff, with a special thanks to Luke Smith on Drums & Andrew Boys on Bugle. We are blessed to have such wonderful musicians at our college.

Thank you also goes to our cadets for their involvement in the liturgy, we are grateful for their planning and preparation and the solemn way in which they entered into the spirit of Anzac Day.

• Army Cadet Lance Corporal Blake Whitham 
• Army Cadet Lance Corporal Morgan Jones
• Army Cadet Saran Sarich 
• Army Cadet Thomas Wilton 
• Airforce Cadet Loghan Zhang

Mother’s Day Evening Mass 

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026 | 7:00pm

Venue: Tower and Chapel | Marist College Ashgrove

Information: Marist College Ashgrove warmly invites mothers, grandmothers, mother-figures, and sons to attend the Marist College Ashgrove Mother’s Day Mass on Wednesday 6 May 2026. Mass will commence at 7:00pm in the Tower Courtyard. Guests will then be invited to share the Eucharist and celebrate the bond between mothers and their sons. A light supper to follow. Students are asked to wear their full winter uniform. 

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-mother-s-day-evening-mass 

Please note that limited tickets are available due to the capacity of the Chapel. 

Please contact Jenna Harding at hardingj@marash.qld.edu.au with any event queries.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group - invitation

We invite parents/carers in our Marist community to consider joining our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group. We would love to hear from different voices of our college as we give shape and purpose to our RAP – making sure it is a living, practical and achievable plan that reflects a strong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to cultural safety and to the critical work of reconciliation and healing.

To express interest, please complete this form: MCA Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group - Expression of Interest – Fill out form

MATES – Term 2 Update

MATES (Marists Are Taking Everybody Seriously) is the College’s social justice program, encompassing a wide range of initiatives across all year levels.

Programs continuing this term:

• St Vincent de Paul Group – all years, Break 1B (Day 1) 
• Environment Group – all years, Break 1B (Day 6) 
• Stationery Aid – all years, Break 1 every Wednesday 
• Rosies – Year 11–12, four outreaches this term 

• Game Changers – all year levels, meeting times vary by year level 

   

Additional programs:

• All Abilities Rugby (Year 10–12, Friday afternoons) will commence later this term. 

• Paddington Respite Centre visits (Year 7, Mondays) begin this week as part of a school excursion program. 

   

Upcoming opportunities:

• Vinnies Sleepout – later this term, further information to come.  

• Brisbane Marathon (Environment Group) – opportunity to assist at a water station. If interested, email mcamates@marash.qld.edu.au or badinik@marash.qld.edu.au.  

   

Ozanam Leadership Program (SVdP):Congratulations to the following students who were selected to participate in the Ozanam Leadership Program, developing leadership and advocacy skills throughout the year:Cooper Heather, Henery Walker, Charlie Kelly, Harry Eccleston, Jack Rosenberg, Cooper Willman, Addie Mills, Patrick Campbell, Jakub Falcnik, Kane Patricks.

For any questions or enquiries about MATES, please email mcamates@marash.qld.edu.au or visit the Mission Office.

Stationery Aid 

Stationery Aid is on this Wednesday 29 April 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/