Mission News

Prayers

We pray for all those families who have entrusted their children to our care over the weekend, may our guests find friendships, joy and laughter during the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp here at Marist. 

As we enter the holiday period, we pray for the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and their families – so that we may all be well rested and ready to return to Marist College Ashgrove for Term 4!

College Masses

This Wednesday we extend an invitation to our YEAR 5 students, parents/carers and other family members to join us for Mass at 8:00am in the Chapel. 

Gospel Reflection

The Unforgiving Servant – Matthew 18:21-35

Last Sunday Jesus taught us that disagreement or quarrels should ideally be sorted out at ground level – between people. This week Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive those who wrong us – “seven times?” - Jesus answers seventy times seven. He then tells the parable of the wicked servant who begs his master to forgive his enormous debt. After being shown gratuitous mercy, he leaves the palace and refuses to forgive a much smaller debt a neighbour owes him. When the master hears this, he is outraged and condemns the ungrateful man. So too says Jesus, will the Father, if we do not forgive everyone in our hearts. 

When Jesus says seventy-time sevens he is using a hyperbole. The first Christians interpreted this as an unlimited sum – and that Jesus was challenging them not to keep score of forgiving. Rather forgiving should become a way of living – a habitual disposition. It doesn’t mean wrongs don’t matter – rather we should be people who don’t let resentment control us. 

Especially when God’s mercy is so generous. The servant’s debt is literally unpayable – yet the master wipes the slate clean. God’s mercy has no limit and ideally neither should ours. 

Most importantly the parable asks us to remember to be humble. St John the Golden Tongue whose feast was on Saturday says: “He who remembers his own debts is more forgiving towards others”. When we realise how often we need the forgiveness of others – it should make us pause - and then reconsider those who have hurt us with compassion, mercy and even love. 

Sony Foundation Camp 

On Sunday approx. 85 student volunteers from MCA & Mt A spent the day together preparing for this weekend’s Sony Foundation Camp. The students got to know each other and find out about the children we will be responsible for caring for over the days and nights of the cap. 

We were lucky enough to have presentations from our Director of Nursing Jane O’Shea, Physio Lou Bennett, and Special Education Teacher Pushpa. The day helped answer many questions for our students, while presenting a whole lot of new questions! The real question of “what will my camper be like?” will be answered in the most real and beautiful way this coming weekend as our students commit themselves to their camper and get to know their unique personalities, interests and needs. It was wonderful during Sunday’s training day for our Marist boys to connect with Mr Bracken and the amazing Year 11 & 12 students from Mt Alvernia who will join us over the camp dates. Our sincere thanks goes to Mt Alvernia for their ongoing commitment to this partnership.

This year’s Sony Foundation Camp is our 20th! This is an incredible achievement and a testament to the hard work and big hearts of many staff, students and volunteers over the years. We’re excited to offer another wonderful camp in 2026, not only providing respite for families but an amazing and memorable experience for their young people.

Be sure to follow along on social media as we will be sharing all the fun we will get up to! Bring on Sony Camp 2026!

How can YOU help? 

If you would like to support the camp, we would happily accept snack donations – packets of tiny teddies, muesli bars etc – these will ensure our student and staff volunteers have access to a hit of sugar to get them through the weekend. Please drop these into the Mission office any day before the end of term! 

Alternatively, there is still time to donate to camp DONATE HERE!