Mission News

Prayers

We keep in hearts and mind all those in our community who are unwell and those who are caring for them. May God grant eternal peace to those who have died and may those who mourn be supported in their grief and comforted by the hope of eternal life.

Community Mass

All are welcome to attend Mass in the Chapel this Wednesday at 8:00am and Break 1B on Friday. 

This Wednesday we celebrate with our Year 6 cohort and warmly invite all year 6 students, parents and carers to attend. 

Gospel Reflection

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (Year A) (JB)

The 4th Sunday of Lent sees us Journey through the John. Jesus, having just revealed himself, walks passed a man born blind. The disciples ask if his blindness was caused by his sin. Christ rejects their assumption, declaring that deformity is not linked to Sin, but it is an unideal part of a fallen world and that He will restore what was lost. Echoing the creation imagery of dust in Genesis, Jesus wraps the man’s eyes in Mud and charges him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeys and returns with clarity of vision. The Pharisees (representations of Jewish legality) chastise Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They question the man meaning to discredit Jesus. Instead, the man increasingly defends his deliverer, first calling him Jesus, then Prophet, then performer of the Works of God. Expelled from the Synagogue, he is then sought out by Jesus who reveals himself a second time as the Messiah. Finally, Christ paradoxically claims, “those with sight are now blind – and those who were blind have wisdom to see”. 

This is another tricky story pregnant with meaning. If God created existence itself and revealed himself in a special way through the life of Jesus, then belief in the physical healing becomes more plausible. For the Gospel author it is what the miracle teachers us about the hidden dimensions of reality and how all those who search for meaning can ‘truly see’. This ‘every-man’ character, like the woman at the well, goes through a ‘slow conversion’. He goes through a process of recognition, from Jesus, to Prophet, To God. The author of John is inviting the audience to make the same conclusions about Jesus and make the same response. 

The Pharisees are legalistic and full of pride, berating Jesus for showing compassion on the Sabbath. They miss the point completely! They should be rejoicing as Jesus here really fulfills the true intent of the Day of Rest by leading a man who was in physical and literal darkness to peaceful bliss in recognition of the divine. It is to those with hearts to hear says Jesus that the hidden will be made manifest. Prayer: This story connects strongly to Lent. Lent is a time where we are invited to pause and reflect on the meaning of created reality. Let us pause and examine our own lives. Like the Blind Man help us to be open to Your call – so we may have our own eyes opened to your presence in our lives. The challenge for us is ‘Where may I still be blind’? What attitudes are holding me back – and how can I more align myself with what you are calling me to truly be”. 

Clean up Australia Day Event 

On Sunday, Marist boys and Stuartholme girls joined forces for a (belated) Clean Up Australia Day event. Students worked in groups of four to six to tackle rubbish along Enoggera Creek, stretching toward GPS and Dorrington Park. To make things interesting, teams competed to see who could collect the most rubbish.

The winning team earned their title after somehow managing to retrieve an entire fridge from the creek. Honourable mentions also go to the many students who sacrificed their clean, dry shoes and waded knee-deep into the water to help clean the area.

After the hard work was done, everyone wrapped up the morning with a well-earned BBQ and a few games.

Thank you to all the students who participated, and a special thanks to the organisers, Ms Badini and Ms Jeffcoat, for making the morning possible.

Marist Mothers Retreat 

Marist Mothers are invited to a gentle, reflective retreat facilitated by Br Neville Solomon fms and Clare Locke (Campus Minister).

To register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-marist-college-ashgrove-mothers-retreat

Stationery Aid 

A reminder that Stationery Aid sorting sessions now take place weekly on Wednesdays during Break 1 in Room 801 (behind the chapel) – Students from any age group are encouraged to attend. 

We were blown away by the support at last week’s sorting session! Over 20 new students attended, we sorted highlighters by brands and tested that they were still in good working order. This week we start the cleaning process, removing old stickers and freshening them up for re-use and new packaging.  

To find out more about the wonderful things Stationery Aid are doing, visit their website -https://stationeryaid.org/ 

What’s on in Brisbane? – Youth Events

Youth Groups

There are a range of youth groups, make sure to check your local Parish.

Encounter Youth Groups

4 Locations at Springfield, Coomera, Northside (Chermside), and Caboolture.

Weekly youth group with games, worship, talks and small groups. A great place to meet other Catholic teens and grow in faith.

More info: archdiocesanministries.org.au/encounter-northside

Reco Rally

An archdiocesan youth event by the Catholic Collective initiative. Reco Rally is a night of live music and worship, a live speaker, food and games. 27th of March at Lourdes Hill. For more info, email meadb@marash.qld.edu.au or follow the link Reco Rally '26 — Catholic Collective 

Ignite Youth

One of the leading Catholic Youth Organisations in Australia, ignite youth has a mission for raising up a generation for Jesus in the Catholic Church. They have multiple events such as:

Ignite High (Weekly Youth Group)

Friday Nights in South Brisbane. A fun welcoming youth group for high schoolers from 7pm at Emmanuel City Mission. Weekly games, food, and real conversation about faith and life. A place for students to make friends, ask real questions, and be part of something more.

Ignite Launch

A day at dreamworld followed by a powerful night in the conference centre with live music and speakers. Saturday 16th May.

Ignite Conference

Powerful 4 Day Conference held in Brisbane, Sydney, and Darwin, with over 3000 people. Dynamic Music, speakers, and workshops. Open to all ages, targeted for high schoolers and young adults. 

More info: igniteyouth.com, Instagram; @igyouth or pop in to the Mission Office to see Youth Minister Ben Mead – he works Tue, Thu & Fri Day 10 

MATES 

Please note our MATES email address has changed. Please send all MATES enquiries to mcamates@marash.qld.edu.au