Mission News

Prayers

We pray for those mourning the loss of loved ones, especially Luke Hourigan (Year 8, Harold House) and his family whose grandfather passed away last week.

We also remember in our prayers the family and friends of Joe Stephens on the first anniversary of his death. May all those who loved and knew Joe, including so many in our Marist community, continue to hold his memory dear and be comforted in their enduring grief. 

May those who have gone before us rest in God’s everlasting peace. Amen.

Community Mass 

Mass is celebrated in the College Chapel each Wednesday at 8:00am and Friday at Break 1. 

Gospel

Mark 6:7-13 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two,

and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff;

no bread, no bag, no money in their belts;

but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

Jesus said to them,

"Wherever you enter a house,

stay there until you leave the place.

If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you,

as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet

as a testimony against them."

So the twelve went out and proclaimed that all should repent.

They cast out many demons,

and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reflection

In Mark 6:7-13, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples on a mission to preach, heal, and cast out demons. This passage portrays the disciples as not just followers, but as active participants in Jesus' ministry.

One reflection on this passage is the importance of discipleship and being sent out into the world to share the message of Jesus. Jesus entrusted his disciples with authority and power to carry out his work. This reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are called to actively engage in spreading the good news and demonstrating God's love through our words and actions.

Another reflection is the simplicity and humility with which the disciples were instructed to carry out their mission. They were not to rely on material possessions or personal achievements, but to trust in God's provision and hospitality. This teaches us the value of dependency on God and the power of vulnerability and simplicity in our service to others.

This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of rejection and opposition. Jesus warned the disciples that not everyone would welcome or accept their message, but they were not to be discouraged or deterred. Instead, they were to shake off rejection and move on, trusting in God's guidance and sovereignty.

Overall, Mark 6:7-13 reminds us of the call to discipleship, the importance of humility and simplicity, and the need for perseverance in sharing the message of Jesus. It challenges us to actively engage in God's mission and trust in His provision and guidance as we seek to make a difference in the world.

We Pray

Dear Lord,

We are thankful and acknowledge the calling you have placed upon our lives as your disciples. Just as you sent out the twelve, we pray that you would equip us with the same authority and power to carry out your work in the world.

Lord, help us to embrace our role as ambassadors of your love and truth. Open our hearts and minds to the opportunities you place before us to share the message of Jesus with those around us. Teach us to rely not on our own strength or possessions, but to trust in your provision and guidance.

In moments of rejection and opposition, give us the courage and resilience to persevere. May we not be deterred by those who do not receive your message, but instead, shake off rejection and move forward with confidence, knowing that you are with us every step of the way.

Lord, grant us humility and simplicity in our service to others. Help us to prioritise love, compassion, and selflessness in all that we do. May our actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you.

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. + 

Year 12 Retreats

In the Catholic tradition, and as Christians, it is important to reflect on the spiritual underpinning of retreats. Story, and the sharing of story, is crucial to the understanding of spirituality. The two are intrinsically linked, with story and spirituality lacking something without the other.

Each life is unique and tells its own story. Our stories are complex and sometimes difficult. To use the old adage from Shrek, “...It is like an onion, the more you peel back the layers, the more it makes you cry.” No one can completely and truly know our story, but in the sharing of it, we begin to understand each other and the world. We have these moments, difficult to objectively describe, but nonetheless real, strong moments of understanding, connection, empathy, realisation, that change or affect our way of thinking and being. These are the moments of life, where we see glimpses of the God that exists in each person in the world. We can never truly describe God, but we can understand that God is not some being totally removed from human experience. God exists in those moments of story, God is so often to be found in the simple and profound moments of truly understanding the world we exist in. In Matthew’s Gospel, the sharing of story is well understood, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” God is not removed for our experience, but exists completely in it. In the Marist tradition we aim to give our students time for reflection, for growth and for prayer. 

A special thanks goes out to all our generous staff who walked beside our Year 12 students on retreat with a particular THANKS to our Retreat Leaders Scott Minogue, Kathryn Badini, Phill Holding and Liz Walsh.

Sony Foundation Camp  

Sony Foundation Marist Children’s Camp will be held at Marist College Ashgrove from Saturday 14 September through to Monday 16 September.

We are currently finalising the timetable for the upcoming September camp, if you have a business and would like to be involved or looking to sponsor an activity for the camp please reach out to us – sony@marash.qld.edu.au. 

We would also love to hear from our parents who are Doctors, nurses, physios, support workers or just keen to be involved. If you can volunteer your time over the camp (even if it’s just a few hours) it would be greatly appreciated. Please complete this FORM.

The Sony Foundation is celebrating 25 years of the camp and Channel 9 are looking to do a feature story on camps of days gone by. Old Boys - if you were involved in the Sony Camp when you attended the College and would like to share your memories of the camp, please send us an email to - sony@marash.qld.edu.au 

Marist Big Shave Leukemia Fundraiser 

Adam Burnell - 2024 Wellbeing Captain 

Last week we launched the Big Shave, a fundraising campaign towards finding a cure for Leukaemia, a disease that more than 5,000 Aussies are diagnosed with each year. 

As part of the campaign, as we reach certain financial targets, students, and staff (Mr Anthony Graham and Mr Richard Graham, as well as Mr Peter Serone) have volunteered to shave their heads. See the attachment for more details on who is involved.

Below is the link to donate to the cause. The entire student body would greatly appreciate your support in raising funds for Leukemia research

DONATE HERE

Alternatively, we are hoping to get donations set up on Monitor so once this is ready, we will come around to PGs and at lunch break so students can tap on a donation! Options will be $2, $5, $10 and $20. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept cash donations.

St Vincent de Paul group

The first Vinnies group meeting for Term 3 will be held on Thursday of Week 3 (Thursday 25 July)— Break 1B in Room 801. 

The long-awaited Vinnies Bin-Ball Competition will be held on Friday 9 August. More information to come!

Bacon and Egg Burgers will be available this Thursday morning before school for just $4.50.

Stationery Aid 

Stationery Aid kicks off for Term 3 this Friday! Join us in Room 801 on Friday mornings between 7:30am-8:30am as we continue giving stationery a second life!

To find out more, visit: https://stationeryaid.org/