Mission News

Prayers

We pray for Joselyn, the mother of staff member Doug Perrers, who passed away recently. May Joselyn be welcomed into the everlasting peace of Christ. We pray for all who have died recently and for those who grieve their passing.

Community Masses

All are welcome to our Mass throughout the week, Mondays (11:45am), Wednesdays (8:00am) and Fridays (11:45am).

Gospel

Excerpt from Sunday's Gospel - Luke 6:27-38 (JB)

Jesus said to his disciples: 'I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Reflection

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is calling us to a radical love that transcends our natural inclinations, he calls us to unlearn the familiar language of the world and embrace a radical, countercultural way of living.

He teaches us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and bless those who curse us. This passage challenges us to practise generosity, forgiveness, and compassion, mirroring the unconditional love that God shows us.

As we reflect on these teachings, we recognise the difficulty of loving those who may hurt us or oppose us. Yet, Jesus reminds us that true love is not just about feelings but about actions—choosing to serve and uplift others, regardless of their behaviour toward us. We are encouraged to let go of judgment and to extend grace, trusting that such love can transform hearts. “Do to others as you would have them do to you”.

+ Dear Lord, 

help us to embody the love and compassion that Jesus exemplified. 

Teach us to love our enemies and to respond to hatred with kindness. 

Grant us the strength to forgive and the wisdom to see others through Your eyes. 

May we be vessels of Your grace, reflecting Your light in a world that often feels dark. 

Guide our actions, so that we may live out Your teachings and inspire others to do the same.

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. +

Birthing Kits

Marist College Ashgrove will mark International Women's Day by assembling Birthing Kits, an initiative led by Foley House under the direction of Mrs Maddie Henry, Acting Head of House. The college is partnering with Zonta and Birthing Kit Foundation Australia. Year 12 students will assemble the kits in the Period 6 ASH lesson on Thursday 13 March. 

Birthing Kit Foundation Australia's Clean Birth Kits are an invaluable resource in emergency and humanitarian settings, especially for communities in developing countries where the risk of injury and even death to mothers and babies can be high due to infection. The environmentally kits help provide safer births and prevent infection for mothers and newborns.

Would you like to help?

You are invited to fund a Birthing Kit at a cost of $5.00. If you would like to contribute, please click HERE.

If you are interested in learning more about Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, please see the link to their website below: Home - Birthing Kit Foundation (bkfa.org.au).

Mothers’ Retreat and Old Boys’/Dads’ Retreat

Marist Mothers and Marist Old Boys’ and Dads are invited to take time on retreat with facilitators Br Neville Solomon fms and Clare Locke (Campus Minister).

Retreat for Old Boys/Dads: Sunday 23 March – for more details and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-marist-old-boys-retreat

Retreat for Mothers: Sunday 30 March – for more details and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-marist-college-ashgrove-mother-s-retreat.

Primary Can Drive 

The last day for cartons of cans to be donated is this Wednesday 26 February. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far – your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. 

All the proceeds from the sale of these cans at fundraisers throughout this year will go directly to Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS).

Stationery Aid 

Did you know, that in 2024-25, Marist College Ashgrove donated 376kg and approximately 390 volunteering hours to Stationery Aid? That’s an amazing achievement! The amazing work of Stationery Aid can be seen in some of the statistics in the accompanying graphic.

Stationery Aid Fundraiser – Saturday 22 March 

Time: 5:00pm – 7:30pm 

Venue: The Tower Block, Marist College Ashgrove 

Tickets: Stationery Aid Cocktail Art Show

Stationery Aid is holding a fundraising cocktail art event showcasing four years of student artwork and stories collected from donations whilst renewing visual art diaries and exercise books. The artwork and stories on exhibition have been saved from landfill and must be seen, not overlooked.

Tickets include canapes and beverages (beer, wine, sparkling and non-alcoholic drinks).

We will be showcasing the creativity, thoughts and most imaginative work from the hearts and minds of our Queensland kids who have not seen beauty in their own creativity.

Also, on display and for sale will be artwork, merchandise and sustainable stationery designed and handmade by a selection of our community partners and volunteers. Raffle tickets for amazing prizes will be available for sale on the evening.

Art, design thinking and creativity are at the core of Stationery Aid's vision for a brighter inclusive world in support of education equality, community well-being and a healthy environment for our future generations to come.

Helping Hands needed on Friday mornings!

Each Friday morning students are encouraged to come along at 7:30am to Room 801 to help out with Stationery Aid! This Term we are sorting through exercise books, removing pages with any writing on them, covering with labels and book covers. It’s great to get together, help out, have a chat and earn some MATES points. 

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 of 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 with our project, please email the coordinator of the Environment Group; Kathryn Badini (badinik@marash.qld.edu.au)

Vinnies Group

The Vinnies Group will meet this coming Thursday at 1st break in Room 801.