Mission News

Prayers

As we begin National Reconciliation Week today with Sorry Day, we pray for the work of reconciliation and healing between indigenous and non-indigenous Australia. In solidarity, we pray for and with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities who continue to bear the trauma of the forcible removal of generations of their young ones. In the Spirit of God who reconciled us to himself through Jesus, may we witness to this great love by seeking to be reconciled with each other. Amen.

Community Masses

Our 8:00am Wednesday Mass this week, we welcome the students and staff of Foley House. We also encourage our students to come along to Mass on Friday Break 1B and prayerfully support our first teams who attend regularly. All are most welcome to both Masses!

Gospel Reflection 

Pentecost Sunday – John 20:19-23 “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you”This Sunday we read of the Holy Spirit coming among Jesus’ followers – first in an individual way to the disciples on the day of our Lord’s resurrection, and then later at Pentecost to the whole Church. In John 20: 19-23, we find the disciples gathered behind locked doors, fearful of persecution after Jesus’ crucifixion which occurred days prior. Jesus suddenly appears among them and greets them with “the sign of peace”. He shows them his pierced hands and side, and then commissions the disciples saying, “As the Father sent me, so I send you”. He then breathes on them saying, ‘receive the Holy Spirit’. The same Holy Spirit the whole church receives 50 days later at Pentecost as recorded in Act 2.

In the story the disciples are rocked with fear – literally having just seen their Master slain. The Risen Christ – who is appearing to the Twelve for the first time brings them comfort in their fear. He stands among them and says “peace be with you” – which we hear echoed in the Mass’ before we to encounter the risen lord.

The resurrection transforms fear into hope and courage. His kiss of peace is understood by John as representing a reconciliation between God and humanity. The imagery recalls the Genesis story where God breathes life into the universe. The breath of creation is now passing onto the disciples as an energising presence that brings them closer to God and empowers them for mission.

In giving the Holy Spirit Jesus commissions the disciples to go out and spread the evangelion (Greek for Good News). They are to tell of his life and works to all who have ears to listen (representing everyone). The gift of the Holy Spirit energised the disciples, just as it did the saints, Fr. Champagnat and Fr. Chanel, and if we too are receptive – it will energise us today. Prayer: 

+ Holy Spirit,

We ask you to pour into our everyday lives

Like a deep healing breath into our bodies

To give us peace and serenity in times of trouble and doubt

To give us strength and courage in times of weakness and fear

Holy Spirit, guide our way, deepen our faith and 

Lead us ever closer to God who is the source of all breath, all life.

Grateful for our grace-filled lives, we pray - Come Holy Spirit, Come.

Mary our Good Mother, pray for us.

St Marcellin Champagnat, pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross, pray for us.

And let us always remember, to pray for one another.

Amen.

Meat Raffles for Sony Foundation Camp

An exciting and successful day of sport on Saturday also allowed for our Meat tray raffle to be a great success. With some wonderful help from leaders Blake Whitham, Tom Long and Liam Shay who went around selling tickets, an incredible amount was raised – over $1,000.  Thanks are extended to Meat at Billy’s & Thrive Law Co for the generous donation of the meat trays! We are very grateful to all those who bought tickets on the day, helping to ensure our Sony Foundation Camp in September will be a safe, successful and fun event for our campers. 

Look out for the Meat tray raffles in future MCA home games!

Vinnies Breakfast BBQ

Just finished training? Arrived early? Feeling hungry? Come on over to the CLE this Thursday from 7:45am where our Vinnies group will be serving up Bacon and Egg Muffins for just $4.50. Any proceeds will be going towards our Vinnies endeavours throughout the year. 

Corpus Christi Procession 

Senior students are invited to join this year’s Corpus Christi Procession on Sunday the 7th of June. If interested, please email Mr Bull for more details – bulld@marash.qld.edu.au 

If you’re ready to sign up, please complete this form.

All-in Arvo

This Friday after the bell, we're running our first All-in Arvo for students in Years 7–12.

Head to Room 801 and join us for an afternoon of games, food, discussions, and a short talk on the theme of identity — who you are beyond your grades, your sport, and what other people think of you.

Free soft drink and Zooper Doopers on arrival. Free to attend, all welcome.

Room 801 · After the bell – 4:30pm · Years7–12

For more information visit the Mission Office or email meadb@marash.qld.edu.au or mcamates@marash.qld.edu.au.

Stationery Aid 

Stationery Aid is on this Wednesday at B1 in Room 801. We’re looking forward to seeing plenty of helpers this term as we continue sorting and cleaning stationery ready for reuse. 

A reminder that donations of good quality unwanted stationery is always welcome and can be placed in the yellow bins outside the Mission Office.

To find out more and to check the list for what can be donated, please visit: https://stationeryaid.org/  

A huge thank you to Roman, Kieran and Teo for volunteering their time at the Stationery Aid stall at the recent Sustainable BNE festival.