Mission News

Prayers

We pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Jim Hargraves who passed away last week. Fr Jim was a beloved Marist Father and long time chaplain and friend to Marist College Ashgrove, St Joseph’s College Hunter’s Hill and the Brothers’ Community. We continue to pray for Peter Taylor, beloved husband of Rebecca and father of Conrad (Old Boy 2024) and Miranda, who was farewelled at the College on Friday. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Community Masses

Please join us for Mass this week: Wednesday 8:00am is the Ephrem House Mass and we join with our athletes during Friday 1st Break Mass. 

Gospel Reflection

Excerpt from Gospel from 3rd Sunday of Easter, 4th May. John 21:1-14 (JB)

…It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, 'Have you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No,' he said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land…

Sunday’s gospel is the one that we heard at Pope Francis’ funeral. It speaks beautifully of the Petrine ministry as one of nurture and love. As Francis fed his flock of hungry, lonely, thirsty, imprisoned and marginalised sheep, he moved amongst them, taking on their smell. Francis modelled what Jesus asks of Peter, (and all of us) as disciples: extravagant love of God and others.

We hear that Jesus showed himself to the disciples – again. This was the third time since his resurrection and transformation. The disciples were fishing but unable to catch anything, and Jesus fills their nets with fish. It’s after the extravagant and unexpected catch that disciples recognised Jesus. For these humble fishermen, Christ appeared to them in the ordinary. As Catholics, we believe that God is present in all things when they are viewed with our sacramental imagination. This has been true from the beginning, is true today and will be true tomorrow.

Jesus didn’t wait for his friends to be perfect before appearing to them. Again, he came to them just as they were, offering yet another chance to know him, and have a new life through him. And in coming face to face with the risen Christ, Peter and all who encountered Jesus were transformed. That’s what Jesus offers us, too: transformation – again and again. He shows up in our lives, longing to transform us.

Loving God,

As we reflect on the miraculous catch of fish, we thank you for guiding and providing for us in our lives. Just as you called the disciples from their labour and filled their nets, help us to trust in your wisdom and embrace the opportunities you present. May we recognise your presence in our daily lives and be inspired to share the gift of your love with others.

In moment of doubt and struggle, remind us that with you, all things are possible.

Mary our good motherSt Marcellin…St Mary of the CrossAnd may we always remember…

Amen

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.+

Mother’s Day Mass 

We look forward to celebrating with our Mothers, Grandmothers, Mother-figures & students tomorrow evening.

Mass will commence at 7:00pm in the Tower Courtyard, guests will then be invited to share the Eucharist in the Chapel and to celebrate the bond between mothers and their sons. 

Students are asked to wear their full winter uniform – no hats. A light supper will follow mass. 

Lenten Fundraising

Our wonderful Mission leaders are stoked to announce that our Lenten Fundraising Day raised an amazing sum for Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) – see photo below! 45 minutes of organised chaos was a testament to how amazingly generous our Marist community is, especially when it comes to supporting people who need a helping hand. We look forward to continuing our fundraising efforts for St Joseph’s Tenaru in the Solomon Islands at future events, including our Mother’s Day Breakfasts later this week. Sincere thanks once again to Mikael for his skilful running of the Lenten Fundraiser and for all our leaders and students for their participation on the day.

Meat Tray Fundraiser for the Sony Foundation Camp 

A massive thank you to James Trebbin for organising and selling raffle tickets again at last Saturday’s home game. A huge shout out to Henry Trebbin (5W) for his awesome raffle ticket selling skills! An incredible $1,155.55 was raised for our upcoming Sony Foundation Camp.  

A huge thank you goes to Meat at Billys and Thrive Law Co for donating the meat trays. Did you miss out? The good news is – we will be selling raffle tickets at the next 2 home games 17 May and Super Saturday 31 May!! 

Well done to this week’s winners!

Stationery Aid Friday Mornings

Stationery Aid will continue this Friday 9th May, 7:30am. 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 blue bin outside the Mission Office. 

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

2025 Marian Lecture 

The 2025 Marian Lecture will be delivered this year in Sydney by Professor Stan Grant on the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope: Look Beyond”. A Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharrawal man, Stan Grant is an award winning journalist, author, moral philosopher, thinker, film maker and communicator. He will challenge us in a dynamic presentation, offering a pathway for humanity which inspires hope for all in a fracturing world. 

Marist families and friends are warmly invited to join the lecture online. 

When: Tuesday 13 May, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

To register: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-marian-lecture