Mission News

We remember in our prayers all those who have died recently: Br Mel Madden, Jim Midgley’s mother-in-law 

Dear Lord, 

As we strive to be better people each day, we humbly come before you seeking your guidance and strength. Help us to remain steadfast in our efforts to live according to your teachings and to always choose love, kindness, and compassion. 

Grant us the wisdom to recognize our shortcomings and the courage to make amends when we fall short. Fill our heart with gratitude for the blessings in our lives, so we may share that gratitude with others. May your grace empower us to persevere, even when faced with challenges, and to grow in faith and virtue. In your loving presence, we trust that we can continue to become the people you have called us to be.

Mary our Good Mother                                      Pray For Us 

St Marcellin Champagnat                                 Pray For Us 

Mary of the Cross Mackillop                           Pray For Us 

And may we always remember to                 Pray For One Another 

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning 8:00am in the College Chapel and Friday Break 1 in the College Chapel.

Social Justice Sunday

Last Sunday the 27th of August was Social Justice Sunday. It is celebrated each year on the last Sunday of August. 

Both the Bishops and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) speak to us in this year’s statement. They see the referendum as an opportunity for the Church to begin a new engagement with the First Peoples of our land.

The title of the 2023-24 Social Justice Statement is Listen, Learn, Love: A new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples;  “In this year’s Social Justice Statement, Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, we hear from members of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) who speak directly about the history of injustice faced by the First Peoples of this country and what needs to be done to right those wrongs.” 

The Bishop’s Social Justice Statement discusses the upcoming referendum regarding Indigenous Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament as an important moment for Australia as we listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters on this important decision. The Statement encourages Catholics and wider Australia to seek out and carefully consider information about the proposal, with special reference to the hopes and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. NATSICC in ‘Listen, Learn, Love’  (https://css.org.au/social-justice-sunday-27-august-2023/)

Gospel Reflection- Sunday 27th August, 2023 Matthew: 16 :13-20 NRSVCE

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

St. Augustine said at the beginning of his Confessions, “You have formed us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You.” St Augustine makes it clear that we must change, but everything on the planet must change to grow. Cardinal Newman said, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” We don’t change the essentials of our Faith, but we change in the way we that we respond to God as we grow in the Faith. 

Year 9 and 10 Retreat Days

Our guest presenter was Michael Fitzpatrick. Some comments about the Retreat from students: ‘Insightful’, ‘it made me more aware of people’s situations’ and ‘I felt more connected to my year group’. 

Without giving away too much for our current Years 5 to 8 students, the Retreat Days are very much in line with the words of St Augustine in his Confessions (above). Change is inevitable and for all our students who desire a better world, not only for themselves but for others then the Retreat Days offer just that. An experiential ‘changing’ of the way that they view themselves and others, the first step in identifying the ‘change’ that must take place. A Retreat Day at Marist College Ashgrove is not an ‘easy’ day, it is meant to be confronting, it is meant to challenge those who have become complacent, it is about seeing the world around them differently to open their hearts and their minds. 

Here are some biblical quotes that help to form a theological foundation for our Retreat days: 

Matthew 5:1-12

1 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 20:16

16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 

John 10:1-18

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

1 Corinthians 13:11 

11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.

Vinnies Sleepout 2023

Last Friday night we held our Vinnies mini sleepout, our students discussed the work of Frederick Ozanam and the modern-day Society of St Vincent de Paul, we made cardboard shelters, learnt to budget using a fortnightly payment whilst learning about the impact this has on day to day living, we learnt how to make bread from scratch and we learnt how to make a basic, healthy meal using limited ingredients. Thank you to those senior students who helped guide our junior students in their activities, these evenings are essential as they allow our students to gain valuable insights into the reality of home insecurity and the detrimental effect that this has on individuals, families, communities and societies. 

Tread Lightly wants your old sneakers – Drop off point =  Mission Office 

All Abilities Cricket 

4-WEEK Program in Term 4 2023

4-WEEK Program in Term 1 2024

 We are looking for a commitment for 8 weeks from students in Year 11 interested in the All Abilities Cricket program (you do not have to be great at cricket) come and sign up in the Mission Office or send an email to mates@marash.qld.edu.au 

Coming Up

Term 4 –Introductory course to Auslan. Auslan is short for Australian sign language, a language developed by, and for, Australians who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Marist College Ashgrove Auslan Course 2023 Marist College Ashgrove invites students and their parent/carer to attend a five-week Auslan Course hosted by Michaela Reece. (2 pax per purchase) 

When: Over 5 weeks (4:30pm–6:15pm) Wednesday 11 October Wednesday 18 October Wednesday 25 October Wednesday 1 November Wednesday 8 November 

Where: Draney Theatre

Who: Students and one of their parent/carers (maximum of two guests per family)

Total Cost: $100.00 for a student and a parent/carer for 5 sessions 

Please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au if you are interested in attending the Marist College Ashgrove AUSLAN course or check events

The Mission Team have duty to make Jesus Known and Loved, we are called to see Christ in our students and in turn teach them to see Christ in the other. Much of our daily work is relational and social, the programs, activities, events, masses, liturgies, retreats and much more focus on the pouring out of love, being eucharistic, making judgements about others that are compassionate and not about ourselves. 

Stationery Aid 

Thank you to the students who have so ably supported our Stationery Aid MATES ministry on Friday mornings from 7.30am throughout the semester. The Stationery Aid collection bin can be found outside the Studies office. Our Primary School students have started donating their time to this great cause. Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au for information or to sign up or visit the Mission Office

ROSIES

Thank you, Marist College Ashgrove, for all the support that you have given us over the years. Rosies Kitchen would be so grateful if you could help us spread the mission of Rosies and learn more about the patrons you have had an impact on this year by reading and sharing our current newsletter here: Inside Rosies, Rosies Kitchen looks to secure more support to keep up with the increased demand on outreach across the state. As a College community, we will be collecting packets/cups of noodles in Term 3, thank you to all Pastoral groups who have kindly donated oodles of noodles, thank you very much F207 and GDR1. Marist College Ashgrove will be attending ROSIES street outreach during Term 3 and 4. Places are still available for teachers, thank you for all students who have signed up, we are at capacity for student attendance. We would really appreciate some teachers/support staff volunteering for the following nights throughout Term 4:

October: Monday 16, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18

November: Monday 6 and Wednesday 8

Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office

St Vincent de Paul 

We invite students from Years 7–12 to join our St Vincent de Paul conference.  We currently meet on Thursday's SECOND break in Room 801. The group is a wonderful testament to the way our students respond to the call to stand with others. We are back serving our community BBQ on Thursday mornings from 7:15am in the main yard, and we are always happy for new volunteers. 

We are planning to run a Basketball competition at the end of Term 3 to raise awareness and funds. Much to do and much to plan for – all students from Years 7 – 12 are welcome to join and assist.  Head to the Mission Office to register interest, or email mates@marash.qld.edu.au

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers 

Game Changers is a comprehensive Catholic youth ministry program for students in Marist Schools from Years 7-12. journey. These tracks are grounded in the stories of Jesus, Mary, and Marcellin. Participating students are invited to undertake the following tracks across the six-year levels, with the focus on each track over two years. Just email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or drop into the Mission Office.

Mission Team Weeklies

WEEK 8B

Tuesday Day 7  BREAK 1          11 and 12  Game Changers Room 801 

Wednesday BREAK 1                7 and 8 Game Changers Room 801

Thursday                                       Vinnies BBQ 7:15am 

Thursday BREAK 1                    9 and 10  Game Changers Room 801 

Thursday BREAK 2                    Vinnies Meeting Room 801

Friday 7:30am - 8:30am            Stationery Aid in 801