Mission News

Prayers

+ Lord God, we ask your blessing on our Marist students, staff and families during the upcoming holidays. May our Marist community take this much needed time to rest and enjoy a different rhythm to life. May we all dwell safe and secure in your infinite loving care, ready to return safely for the start of Term 3. In your holy name we pray, Amen 

Gospel Reflection - Daniel Bull

Matthew 10: 26 – 33 Do Not Be Afraid

Last week we saw Jesus call for labourers who would help him in the harvest.  Followers who would live out their vocation in service. In the 12th week of ordinary time, Jesus continues his instruction on the Christian mission. He warns that proclaiming the Gospel, and aligning oneself with God rather than the world, will often be unpopular. In the face of persecution he tells the disciples, “Do not be afraid”. It is not our body we should worry about, but our soul. Jesus then invokes a beautiful analogy: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside the Father’s care.”

There are two types of fear being described in this passage. The first, fear of the world, is described as inconsequential – Matthew tells his audience not to be afraid even of Roman persecution – as the soul cannot be killed. And second, as Christians we are told to fear God. This seems counterintuitive. But according to the Fathers of the Church, Holy Fear is not a form of terror – but a type of reverence and awe that the humble experience in surrender. And many times, Jesus tells us not to be afraid – because the source of Love itself is inviting us into an eternal embrace that is more comforting than anything we can know.  As the psalmist says those transfixed on God feel within them the safety that an infant in his mother's arms feels. 

We are called here to reorient our fears and embrace a courage that comes from trusting in God’s providence. It calls us to recognise that this life is temporary, and it is the eternal that matters. For me the passage about the sparrows has always given great comfort. If God cares for a tiny bird in its suffering, how much more does he care for us. Difficulties and setbacks are not signs that God has abandoned us – we live in a fallen world after all. Rather, we are called not to be afraid as we are all “worth more than many sparrows”. 

2026 Timor-Leste Immersion 

This Thursday morning, ten of our Year 11 students with staff members Jorge Ruiz & Lucy Naughton will depart Brisbane for a 10-day immersion to Timor-Leste in what will be a wonderful experience of intercultural encounter. Please keep our Marist pilgrims in your thoughts and prayers during this time. We also pray for the people of Timor-Leste whose hopes and reality our group will be privileged to witness to in a spirit of solidarity. Finally, we keep in our prayers the Marist Brothers community in the Baucau region of Timor-Leste and give thanks for their ongoing mission and ministry amongst the Timorese community, especially in the work of education. Knowing the warm hospitality of the Timorese people, we know our Marist group will be made to feel very welcome during their stay.

The immersion group will be keen to share their stories and encounters as we return to school in Term 3 – watch this space!

Photos of the Timor-Leste immersion students and staff members during last week’s Commissioning Liturgy in the Our Lady and St Marcellin Chapel. The Commissioning Liturgy allowed the pilgrims and their families to prayerfully reflect on the journey ahead and ask God’s blessing.

Vinnies Sleep Out 

Last Friday, 38 students and 8 staff members participated in the St Vincent de Paul Sleepout at the College. The sleepout aimed to raise awareness of homelessness and encourage participants to reflect on the challenges faced by those experiencing housing insecurity.

The evening featured a range of activities and reflective discussions facilitated by St Vincent de Paul Youth staff and volunteers, who shared powerful stories and insights that brought the issue to life. A simple soup dinner fostered a strong sense of community and solidarity among all involved.

The night concluded with a liturgy, where students and staff reflected on what they had learnt and considered how they might become agents of change in their communities. Central to the evening was the theme, "Every Story Matters", reminding participants of the importance of listening to and valuing the experiences of others.

Participants then spent the night sleeping on cardboard in the CLE Undercroft, gaining a small insight into the realities faced by many people experiencing homelessness. The unplanned realism of the experience meant not only cold concrete was a mattress, but security lights and the occasional alarm reminded the group that people who sleep rough cope with all sorts of challenges without secure housing. Students will share their reflections with the College community early next term.

A special thank you to the St Vincent de Paul staff and volunteers, as well as the Marist College staff, who helped make the evening such a meaningful experience. 

St Vincent De Paul, Queensland Staff and Volunteers

Jordan Christe – St Vincent de Paul Youth Engagement & Development Coordinator

Felicity Lupton – St Vincent de Paul State Youth Coordinator – Membership Pathways

Kevin Bray - President of St Johns Wood The Gap Conference 

John Hollamby – St Vincent de Paul State Vice-President

Our Marist Staff

Lachlan Vink, Clare Locke, Daniel Bull, Ben Mead, Kathryn Badini, Stewart Moore, Natalie Sones and Kate Moore. 

Term 2 Wrap Up

To our students, staff and families throughout this term – thank you for your support of all things Mission at Marist College Ashgrove! Time and again we’ve seen our students’ commitment to faith in action, where spirituality, solidarity and service come together in compassionate and practical ways. We’ve seen the positive impact of visits to Paddington Community Centre, our Marist Brothers community, All Abilities sport and Rosies, along with engagement with Vinnies, Environment Group, Stationery Aid, Game Changers and more. Of course, we continue to see the active participation of our students in House Masses and RE class Masses as well as our bigger whole school events, which this term included our Anzac Liturgy, our special Mother’s Day Mass and our wonderful Champagnat Day Mass. A special thanks to our Year 12 Mission Captains (plus Eucharistic Ministers!) who along with our College Captain James Johnston and Vice Captains provide such important leadership during these events. Our students are such capable young men!

These special liturgical celebrations and all of our MATES activities have long been a feature of Marist life at Ashgrove. We have no doubt that term 3 will continue to demonstrate the ways that Marists Are Taking Everyone Seriously (MATES). We’ll see you then!