Mission News

Prayers

We pray for those in our community who are unwell and those who have died recently. We pray especially for Tom Clapham (Year 8 Gilroy) and family as they grieve the loss of Tom’s grandfather. May Tom’s grandfather rest in peace and may all those who have gone before us be held by God in love. 

Community Mass 

Community Mass will be held on Wednesday morning at 8:00am and Friday at Break 1. All are welcome!

Gospel and Reflection

Excerpt from Gospel, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday 1 September – Mark 7:20-23

'Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. For it is from within, from men's hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these things come from within and make a man unclean.'

Father’s Day focused our loving attention on men who care for their families and loved ones. Men who, in the spirit of Sunday’s Gospel, nurture and share the good that grows in their heart. Yesterday and every day we celebrate fathers who are loving, gentle, compassionate, funny, courageous, humble, patient – men who are all different and who do their best. 

At last week’s assembly, Sir Julius Chan spoke of a Marist understanding of “being a man”, and of being a father and grandfather, not only to his family but to the Papua New Guinean people he has served as a leader. Sir Julius spoke of making difficult decisions in the effort to unify a nation. 

Another elderly father figure is Pope Francis, who as leader of our global Church has just begun an apostolic visit to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Singapore as well as PNG—Sir Julius’ home. Our neighbours throughout Southeast Asia and Oceania are excited for Pope Francis’ visit – it will be a time of great unity and celebration. Pope Francis tries to meet with local people, and people on the margins. Increasingly, people on the margins in our region are the people most vulnerable to climate disaster—rising sea levels are threatening the very existence of Pacific Island nations such as Tonga.

The Season of Creation runs throughout September, concluding on St Francis of Assisi’s feast day on the 4 October. The season invites us to live simply, act responsibly and care for creation. Pope Francis chose St Francis as his guide and inspiration for his papacy, describing him as “a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself.”

So, as we reflect with gratitude on fathers, we ask God our ever-loving Father to help us to be guided by the example of St Francis of Assisi to care for our one another and all creation:

+ Loving Father, 

Through the power of the Spirit, your Son Jesus entered earthly existence, living with the natural world and with the struggle of ordinary people. 

Awaken our senses to notice and wonder at the beauty of the natural world.

Strengthen our hearts to respond compassionately to communities most threatened by our changing climate. 

Guide our actions to bring hope to those who suffer with our suffering earth. 

Help us to heal divisions and seek unity so that love may grow.

We ask this in your holy name.

Amen.

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. + 

Sony Foundation Camp – Calling for Snack Donations & Dress Ups

Sony Camp is back at Marist these September Holidays and is only 2 weeks away! There are two ways our families can help with donations:

1. We are asking for donations of packaged snack foods that we can enjoy for morning/afternoon tea and debriefing with our students in the evening. Chip packets, muesli bars, shapes, biscuits, poppers, etc. Please drop them off at Tower Reception, Primary Reception, or The Mission Office (behind the Chapel). 
2. If you have any old dress-ups – tutus, superhero costumes, Harry Potter, Buzz Lightyear, etc., we would love to take them off your hands! We have lots of fun activities planned for the campers, including a disco night and thought dress ups would add to the fun! 

Thank you to those that have volunteered to assist with the nighttime caring. All volunteering positions have now been filled; we are very grateful to our Marist community for their generosity in giving up their time to assist.

eWaste Permanent Collection and Drive

Year 10 students James Dee, Joel Dargusch and Luke Garvey are part of the Lord Mayor's Young Environmental Leadership Network. They need to design and implement an environmental strategy for the school and have decided to focus on the issue of eWaste. eWaste refers to electronic products that are unwanted, not working and nearing or at the end of their “useful life.” The most common eWaste at Marist includes broken computer mice, headphones, chargers and laptops. Instead of throwing these into general waste, students will soon have the option of properly recycling them. Come Term 4, we will have a permanent eWaste bin in the Science Foyer that they can use at their convenience. 

On Saturday 12 October, we will also be hosting an eWaste drive in the McMahon Oval carpark from 9:00am – 11:00am. This will be for our local community to properly dispose of any larger item eWaste they might have at home. So now’s the time to start collecting those broken TVs, printers and other electronic items that you may have been holding on to at home.

Second Chance Shoes for Communities in Need

Does your family have shoes at home that are no longer worn but still in good condition? We are currently collecting footwear for an Indigenous community that would really benefit from good-quality used shoes, especially footy boots and runners. Please check your cupboards and drop your shoes at the Mission Office before the end of term!

St Vincent de Paul and Environment Group

Vinnies will be providing Bacon and Egg Burgers on Thursday morning – come and grab one for $4.50 before school. Environment/Vinnies meet alternate Thursdays during Break 1 in Room 801.

Stationery Aid

Our last Stationery Aid for the term is happening on Friday morning at 7:30am. See you there! To find out more, visit: https://stationeryaid.org/.