Mission News

Prayers

• We pray for our Year 12s as they begin their external exams this week. 
• We pray for the repose of the soul of Sr Liz Wiemers who passed away suddenly last week. 

We continue to pray for people in our community who are struggling with ill health and those who have died recently. May God welcome those who have passed into eternal life and be with those who remain who are grieving. 

Community Mass 

Community Mass will be held on Wednesday morning at 8:00am and Friday at 1st break. All are welcome!

Gospel and Reflection

Excerpt from Mark’s Gospel from 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

...Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'

Suffering and service are the themes which meet in Sunday's Gospel, with the two of the disciples, James and John, asking Jesus for a favour—to be seated next to him in paradise. Despite being willing to endure the trials that Jesus will be faced with, there’s a sense the disciples don’t know what they’re in for. They don’t realise yet that greatness is not found in glory, power and authority, but in being ‘least’ among men and in serving others. Even to the extent of giving one’s life.

It's clear that our student leaders view leadership through the lens of service. Xavier, our new college captain, spoke at last week’s assembly about how, when he was a much younger student, the college captain stopped to speak to him and knew his name. Xavier’s vision of his school captaincy has been inspired by what he saw in this older student. He knows that good leaders do not seek glory from above but are at the service of others through kindness and connection.

If real leadership is service, then true service is an act of love performed in a spirit of humility. Last week, Sr Liz Wiemers, a Good Samaritan sister who’d spent twelve years of her life in ministry in the Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) community, died suddenly. Sr Liz was loved by the parishioners, and she loved them in turn. Back in 2021, when her time in the community was coming to an end, she spoke of the challenge of living remotely:

“Sometimes you feel like you’re taking two steps forward and three steps back. But I’ve always found that if it’s a hard day, I can go and sit with the local people and I’m fine. I’ve seen it as a ministry with the people, not for the people.” 

As the Santa Teresa community and Sr Liz’s family, friends and community mourn her loss, they will also remember a woman who served with love and humility. Her ministry ‘with’ rather than ‘for’ people demonstrated respect for their dignity and equality. 

We pray:

+ Lord God,

You entered the hardship and heartache of life

through the suffering and death of your son Jesus. 

By his resurrection, you invite us to new life. 

May we strive to serve others with love and humility. 

May we use our privilege and power for good and always uphold the dignity of those who have been rendered powerless by their circumstances. 

May we continue to embody and model to our students the way of Mary and her qualities of leadership, solidarity, compassion and gentleness.

We ask this in your holy name

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

+ 

Marist 2024 Christmas Appeal 

Next week marks the beginning of our Annual Marist Christmas Appeal. This appeal supports the work of St Vincent de Paul and Downs and West Community Support. 

The St Vincent de Paul Society directly helps tackle the cost-of-living crisis that’s impacting many Australian families. The funds and gift cards raise will help bring comfort to those experiencing homelessness and poverty, helping them find some relief during this holiday season.

Downs and West Community Support offers crucial financial assistance to rural individuals and families affected by drought and other hardships beyond their control. 

Starting next week, students and families can support the appeal by bringing grocery gift cards to pastoral groups or donating online via Monitor.

Last year, we raised over $8,000 in gift cards and donations. Your donations can truly make a difference to those in need this Christmas.

Mission Vice-Captain and House Mission Leaders 2025

We’d like to introduce our Mission leaders for 2025, with Lachlan Vink as our Vice-Captain Mission, Harry Wood (Ridley), Matthew L’Enfant (Ephrem), George Philp (Rush), Owen Hair (Gilroy), Michael Foxon (Ignatius), Tim Bennett (Foley), Francis Schutt (Slattery) and Lachlan McMillian (Harold). The Mission team is delighted to be working with these capable and compassionate young men. Following the great example of our 2024 Mission leaders, the team will be supporting the liturgical life and outreach endeavours of the College. They’re looking forward to strengthening existing work and driving new initiatives.

Blessing of the Refurbished Br Cyprian Pavilion

This Wednesday during Period 6, students, staff and guests will attend the opening and blessing of the refurbished Br Crypian Pavilion. The blessing will be led by our College Priest, Fr Alatini Kolofo’ou. We are excited to see this newly refurbished space being used for a variety of college activities and events.

Stationery Aid

We welcome volunteers to come along to help at Stationery Aid this Friday 25 October at 7:30am in Room 801. 

Stationery Aid headquarters is need of extra shed storage space. If you have storage space available, please contact the Mission office.

To find out more, visit: https://stationeryaid.org/ 

St Vincent de Paul and Environment Group

The Environment group meet this Wednesday 1st break in Room 801.

The Vinnies group will be cooking Bacon and Egg burgers this Thursday morning from 7:45am. Come along and grab one for $4.50!