Mission News

Prayers

We pray for James Gibson (Year 12) and his family following the death of James’ beloved grandfather, Peter Baker, a Marist Old Boy. We pray in solidarity with the community of Marcellin College, Bulleen (Victoria) following the sudden and heartbreaking loss of their 2023 College captain. We also keep the France family in our prayers, along with the community of St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe. 

May all those who have died recently be welcomed into the peace of eternal rest, may God’s light shine on them, and may their loved ones be comforted by the light of the Holy Spirit.

 Mass Times

Wednesday Morning - 8:00am

ALL WELCOME!

Gospel

(Excerpt from 4th Sunday in Lent - John 3:14-21)

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believed in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.”

Gospel Reflection and Prayer

John’s Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Lent conveys the heart of Christian faith in God’s great love poured out in Jesus. In Sunday’s second reading, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks of God’s faithful love in giving humanity life through the risen Christ. For St Paul, we are God’s “work of art” created in Christ Jesus for good works. The love of God given in Christ to all creation is described as kenotic, or self-emptying. It brings to mind clear water pouring out from an endlessly creative, powerful source. Through faith we are immersed in and nourished by this love. The image of mother-love is another way of appreciating how great this love is: abiding, nurturing, comforting. We see from scripture, and we know from our own lived experience, that love is not static but action. Love is a verb. St Thomas More said that love rules without rules. How will love shine through in my relationships and in my everyday actions? As we enter these last weeks of Lent, will I let love rule?

God, who is mother of all life

Forgive us for the times

We hold back love from others

Or doubt our own worth

Guide us to be more loving

To live in the light and

To offer to all we have for love

Remembering that you love us

And made us for love.

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. +

International Women’s Day

Last week, we invited all Year 12 students and their families to support our International Women’s Day initiative of purchasing and assembling Birthing Kits. Our decision to get behind the work of Birthing Kits Foundation Australia is based on our recognition that for many women throughout the world, pregnancy and childbirth is extremely risky due to the lack of safe medical care.

Birthing Kit Foundation Australia is an organisation which gives practical aid to women in childbirth. Birthing kits make the delivery of babies safer, less traumatic and far more hygienic. They stop infections and the deaths of mothers and babies from these infections. The use of gloves also stops the spread of HIV and other STDs. The kits are a simple yet powerful way to improve infant and maternal survival. All Birthing Kits are environmentally friendly.

Our Marist families are invited to fund a Birthing Kit at a cost of $5. If you would like to contribute, please click HERE.

These kits, which will be assembled here at the college, will be sent out across the world to make a difference in many women’s lives. If you would like to learn more about Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, please visit their website at www.bkfa.org.au

Students will be assembling these kits during Period 6 ASH lesson on Thursday 2nd May 2024. 

Thank you for helping us give hope to women who are bringing new life into this world.

Old Boy’s/Dads and Mothers Retreats – Bookings Close Thursday!

This is the last opportunity to secure tickets for this Sunday’s Marist Old Boys’ and Dads’ Retreat and next Sunday’s Marist Mothers’ Retreat led by Br Neville Solomon on the theme of First Light. All the details are on the Humantix link, however if you have any questions, please direct them to Jenna Harding (hardingj@marash.qld.edu.au).

Fareshare

Once a month we are now taking a group of seniors to work at FareShare Chairty Kitchen. FareShare’s mission is twofold: they cook up surplus food from Coles, Woolworths, Foodbank etc. – food that would otherwise be thrown away – into healthy and delicious meals for vulnerable Queenslanders. 

Thank you to Dominic Forbes, Gus Watson, Jack Lowe, Cyrus Kwok, Nathan Lam, Sean Green and George Philp who prepared 1557 meals on Tuesday night, bring our total to 3133 meals for the year.

If you are over 16 and would like to volunteer for FareShare, please email Ms Kathryn Badini at badinik@marash.qld.edu.au

Ozanam Leadership Program

Congratulations to Year 11 students George Kettle, Lachlan Vink and Jaden Bush on being accepted into the 2024 Ozanam Leadership Program. Running from Term 2 to Term 4, this program will develop the students’ leadership and advocacy skills and connect them with a network of other students, Vinnies staff and volunteers. We look forward to hearing about George, Lachlan and Jaden’s experiences!

St Vincent de Paul and the Environment Group

Vinnies and the Environment Group meetings will continue this Thursday during break 1B in Room 801. All students are welcome.

Reminder that we hold a Vinnies BBQ every Thursday morning in the yard outside the CLE from 7:30am. Sausages are $3.00 and $3.50 with bacon.

Stationery Aid – Collecting Now! 

The Stationery Aid MATES ministry is held every Friday morning from 7:30am in Room 801. 

Students are welcome to come along and help sort, clean and organise stationery. 

Stationery Aid donations are also gratefully accepted – refer to collection list for suitable items. Please use the blue bins provided outside the Mission Office.

For more information about Stationery Aid visit the website:  https://stationeryaid.org/ 

Rosies

Students in Years 11 and 12 who are interested in signing onto the Rosies outreach program for Term 2 are encouraged to register their interest. Students are provided with important training beforehand to ensure they are well informed about how to enter into this important ministry.

If you’re ready to be a ‘friend on the street’ by sharing a conversation with patrons of Rosies who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or socially isolated, please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office.

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers

The Mission team welcome students from Years 7-12 to join this supportive and leadership focused Marist youth ministry program. Please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au or visit the Mission Office if you are interested in this program or have any questions.