Mission News

Prayers

We keep in hearts and mind all those in our community who are unwell and those who are caring for them. May God grant eternal peace to those who have died and may those who mourn be supported in their grief and comforted by the hope of eternal life.

Community Mass

We look forward to welcoming you to the Chapel this Wednesday at 8:00am and Break 1B on Friday. Fr Tini offers reconciliation on Tuesday mornings at 8:00am. 

Gospel

From Gospel of the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time  - Matthew 5:1-12 (JB)

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

'How happy are the poor in spirit;

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy the gentle:

they shall have the earth for their heritage.

Happy those who mourn:

they shall be comforted.

Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:

they shall be satisfied.

Happy the merciful:

they shall have mercy shown them.

Happy the pure in heart:

they shall see God.

Happy the peacemakers:

they shall be called sons of God.

Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

'Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.'

Reflection on our 2026 theme Full of Grace: Transform the World with God’s Love

by Daniel Bull

Grace is a strange theological term that is often misunderstood. This year the Marist theme “Full of Grace” obviously draws from and echoes the prayer to Our Lady. But what is it to be ‘Full of Grace’ - what does the term ‘Grace’ even mean? We hear it so often but when we think about it becomes obscure and abstract. 

In the Christian tradition the word is used to describe God’s real saving action in human history. The gift of his very life. On the Cross and in the Sacraments but again this is confusing language. To my mind a simple, clear and helpful analogy of this word Grace is the image of God’s outstretched hand to troubled humankind. Picture yourself sinking underneath the waves like St. Peter, you’re struggling for the surface and Jesus plunges his hand down to pull you up. This is Grace. Or in the Ancient Iconography of the East, you’re a slave to death and the outstretched hand of Christ pulls you up to salvation. Grace is an Action. 

Why do we moderns need this helping hand though? According to the Church Fathers it has to do with the state of the Cosmos itself. St Paul in his letter to the Romans describes the created order poetically as “groaning out for restoration”. St. Basil put this in medical terms. In his eyes the universe is not as it should be – it is wounded, broken, distorted and this is reflected in humanity who yearn for meaning, love and healing in their lives. As teachers we see this: students who are lost, need help, guidance, and encouragement.

Back to the analogy of the outstretched hand. St Basil describes Jesus as the physician who heals the world, especially as exemplified in his life and resurrection. Jesus is ‘God’s Yes to humankind’, pouring out grace like a salve that we can use as a comforting balm and access through the sacraments. Jesus’ death and resurrection are not described in legal atonement jargon but as an act of solidarity for a cosmos in need. He is the healer who steps in and shows the way to an everlasting cure.

The cure is invitational though and requires a Will that is aimed towards the Good, the True and the Beautiful. A Will I hope we all have as Marists, from our staff and students to our families and all who belong to our Marist community. In Marist spirituality, Grace—pictured as the outstretched hand of Jesus—invites us to co-operate in God’s love: In our charisms own simple, humble and modest way. Grace, the ‘outstretched hand of Jesus’ should be the same hand we offer our students as we lead them to grow in virtue, and to our colleagues as we journey along the way. In the image of Jesus Kneeling to wash the feet of his disciples we encounter this self-less Grace in another tangible form. The well-known story describes God’s love for us in action. This moment is not a display of power or grandeur but of humility, service and presence. Presence is a term closely linked to Grace and the motto our Captains have chosen for this year. 

In this image Jesus is the servant, humbling himself and asking us to do the same for others. Jesus ‘full of grace and truth’ chooses not to command but to kneel. In this act Grace become tangibly visible – the disciples are undeserving of such a paradoxical act – the King washing the feet of the slave. It is a love that lowers itself to lift others up, a love that transforms. These images invite us to reflect on our own Yes to Grace. Like Mary whose bold Yes allowed God’s love to shape her life, we too are called to echo that yes in our own time. Let this image be our challenge and inspiration this year. Let it remind us that Grace is not some abstract term; it is the very invitational touch of God. And when we accept it, live it, and align ourselves to His Will instead of our own is when we most truly reflect what Grace means and can help to transform our School and community for the better. 

Inaugural Mass, Investiture and Academic Awards

The Inaugural Mass, Investiture and Academic Awards were held last Friday with over 3,000 people seated at the Royal International Convention Centre. We welcomed Brisbane’s Archbishop Shane Mackinlay as presider with our college chaplain Fr ‘Alatini Kolofo’ou concelebrating our Mass. Reflecting throughout on our Marist theme ‘Full of Grace: Transform the World with God’s Love”, our shared Eucharist was followed by the Investiture of our Year 12 captains and Year 6 leaders who will carry the responsibility of leading their peers through 2026. Our House leaders were named along with all of our Year 12 students, who pledged to lead the school in their final year. We acknowledged the academic achievements of our students from Year 5-10 before farewelling our students, staff, families and special guests. The Mission team is grateful to have contributed to the organising of this wonderful celebration to start the 2026 school year. 

Introducing our Youth Ministers

This year we welcome Marist graduates Lachie Vink and Ben Mead as Youth Ministers. Lachie and Ben will share the role. This week we take the opportunity to get to know a bit about Lachie:

I’m excited to introduce myself as the youth minister at Marist, working alongside Ben Mead in the Mission team. Having begun my Marist journey as a student in Year 5 in 2018 and graduating in 2025, it’s a privilege to now return to the College in my first year as a staff member. Marist has played a significant role in shaping who I am, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to this community.

In my role, I support student faith formation across the College, with a particular focus on secondary students, and oversee the MATES program. I’m also involved in supporting liturgies, retreats, camps, and social justice initiatives, and I’m keen to continue expanding our work with primary students throughout the year. Students are always welcome to visit the Mission Office, I’m on-site Mondays, Wednesdays, and every Day 5 Friday, or they can reach out via email at any time: mates@marash.qld.edu.au.

Stationery Aid 

Stationery Aid sorting sessions will start back this Friday 6 February from 7:30am in Room 801! All welcome.

https://stationeryaid.org/ 

Stationery Aid Purpose

Our mission is to relieve poverty and hardship by providing essential school stationery supplies to students and families who are experiencing hardship and financial distress.

We also aim to:

• Support disadvantaged students, families, schools and communities with donated supplies
• Create volunteering and training opportunities for vulnerable groups
• Reduce stationery waste by promoting reuse and responsible recycling