Mission News
Mrs Anna Nasr
Prayers
We pray for the people in our community who are unwell at this time and those who have died. We especially remember beloved former student Talis Mark who passed away recently. May God welcome Talis into eternity with all the faithful departed.
Community Masses
Wednesday 8am and Monday & Friday 11:45am Masses will be held this week.
Reflection on the 3rd Sunday of Lent
Excerpt from Luke’s Gospel, 3rd Sunday of Lent. Luke 13:1-9 (Year C) (JB)
Jesus told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, "Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?" "Sir," the man replied "leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down."'
In this parable, the fig tree is given a second chance, but the pressure is on. How much that sounds like what it means to be a student! Our Marist students experience a similar mix of compassion and expectation at school, as we all do in life. And sometime we don’t ‘yield fruit’ – we disappoint expectations. But the gardener in the parable—representing God who does not give up—believes in second chances. Grace and mercy are the gifts a person gives to another who is so many ways has failed. A second chance says “I believe in you and I will keep caring for you and believing in you to enable you to shine”. A second chance also says: “Remember, you haven’t got forever. You need to do the work. You need to meet me in the middle.”
Whether we are doing our best as a student, or whether we are doing our best in the larger story of our life—at home, at work, in the community—we are reminded that we are loved by God who is forgiving and gentle. So how will we repay the trust placed in us? How will we bear fruit?
Merciful father,
You care for each one of us,
As a gardener cares for a fig tree by tending the soil.
In this garden of life,
You invite us to draw on your love and goodness,
To reach for the light, to reach our potential.
And to bear the fruits of kindness, of compassion, and of peace.
Help us to continue this Lent to reexamine our choices
And commit to following in the way of your son Jesus.
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. +
Work and Welcome
We have been fortunate this term to have Angelina and Merita working at the college. Angelina and Merita’s employment has been made possible through Work & Welcome, a program coordinated through Multicultural Australia and directed funded by contributions from college staff. Merita has been working in the college tuckshop as well as the pool canteen and the boarding kitchen. She’s provided invaluable support to Josie and is a very hard worker. Angelina has been working in both the Library and the Art Department, doing all sorts of jobs to help out busy staff in those areas.
Last Tuesday, Angelina shared her story with the Year 11s at a Year Level Assembly. Angelina’s account of life in Ukraine under Russian occupation was powerfully told and provided the students with an opportunity to hear a personal account of someone directly impacted by the injustice and brutality of war. Angelina’s reality invited students to a greater understanding of and compassion for people who are forced to flee their homeland. We look forward to Angelina speaking with the Year 10 next Monday, 31 March.
If you would like to know more about the Work & Welcome program, or if you have any job opportunities for Angelina and Merita from Term 2 onwards, please get in touch with the Mission office.
Marist Mothers’ Retreat
Marist Mothers are invited to a gentle, reflective retreat facilitated by Br Neville Solomon fms and Clare Locke (Campus Minister).
Details: This Sunday, 30th March, 10am – 1:30pm
To register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-marist-college-ashgrove-mother-s-retreat
Please note bookings close Wednesday at 12:00pm
Lenten Fundraising Day Rescheduled – Thursday April 24th
The Marist Lenten Fundraising Day has once again been rescheduled to Thursday, April 24th due to exams and ex-cyclone Alfred. We’ll continue to promote this in the next couple of weeks.
We are immensely grateful we are still able to hold our Lenten fundraiser to support Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS), whose school rebuilding projects rely on the contributions of donors such as our amazing Marist Ashgrove families!
It is a cashless day, so make sure your ID cards are topped up ready to enjoy the delicious food and fantastic games on offer.
Rosies: Friends of the Street – Seniors Signup
Any Year 11 and 12 students who are interested in attending a Rosies outreach this year, please fill out the form located in the Student Cafe notices. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is ROSIES's mission to ensure that no Queenslander feels left out or disconnected from their community. Rosies aims to provide friendship and unconditional acceptance to those doing it tough with a warm smile and a hot drink.
If you would like more details, please contact mates@marash.qld.edu.au
Stationery Aid Friday mornings
Come along to help out Stationery Aid this Friday morning 28 March from 7:30am in Room 801. We’ll continue to getting exercise books ready for packs. Students are invited to come along to help out and earn MATE points in the process.
Donating? Good quality unwanted stationery is most 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/
Environment Group
Attention Green Thumbs! Environment Group is planning to raise native Australian plants that will feel right at home wherever you are! We then are planning on having two plant sales this year for all members of the Marist community.
To start this project, we would greatly appreciate any donations of native cuttings or pots. Our next few Environment Group meetings will be in the Science Greenhouse where are going to learn a little more about raising natives, and then will tend to them over the coming months.
If you are able to assist our project, please email the co-ordinator of the Environment Group; Kathryn Badini (badinik@marash.qld.edu.au).
Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp 2025
Marist College Ashgrove is excited to announce that we will once again host the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp here at the College from 20–22 September 2025. This incredible program provides children with special needs the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled three-day camp at no cost to their families, while also giving senior students from Marist College Ashgrove and Mount Alvernia College the chance to take on a rewarding leadership and service role.
If you know any children with special needs aged between 10-16 that may benefit from the camp, please refer to the attached flyer and direct them to the following link to complete a Camper Application Form.