MISSION CENTRAL

Kadyn Marino, Liturgy Captain for 2025, delivered a wonderful prayer to start the year. He also asked our students some worthy questions to reflect on. Perhaps these will lead to a conversation between parents or carers and their sons. His prayer is below:

Dear Lord,

As we begin this new school year, help us to take all its challenges head on. Assist us with being attentive in the classroom, humble on the sports field, kind to our friends and generous to those in need. Give us the strength to have a dig this year and put our hand up for all the opportunities that come our way. But most importantly, help us learn and become wiser from our journey this year. Amen.

Scripture reading - Sirach 6:32-37

If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined, and if you apply yourself, you will become clever. If you love to listen, you will gain knowledge, and if you pay attention, you will become wise. Stand in the company of the elders; who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one. Be ready to listen to every godly discourse, and let no wise proverbs escape you. If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him; let your foot wear out his doorstep. Reflect on the statutes of the Lord, and meditate at all times on his commandments. He will give insight to your mind, and your desire for wisdom will be granted.

As we begin another year of school, I choose this passage to remind us of how we can improve ourselves and put ourselves in the best position for success. The passage talks of discipline, committing ourselves to our study, our sports, our extracurricular activities and committing to the highest degree. As it is only when we put in the effort that we will become proficient and successful. It advises us to listen to our elders, our teachers, our coaches, our parents all wise people who can teach us and allow us to grow in knowledge and ability. 

But along with advising us to listen, this passage tells us to stand in the company of the elders. How can we do that at Saints? Simply by being present. By going to tutorials, Saints mates, training and asking questions. By being attentive we can benefit from our elders' greatest gifts: their knowledge and their time which they give to help us. So what are you going to do this year to improve in your chosen area whether it be academics, sports or arts? How are you going to use the opportunities presented to you by our teachers and staff?

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, on March 5, is the first day of Lent. This season lasts till

Easter, and it is a time when we are conscious that we are not perfect and we try to

make ourselves better people. During the 40 days of Lent, we are invited to

reflect on our relationship with God and with others. We do this in three ways:

by praying, fasting, almsgiving and doing good works.

Prayer is what we are doing as a community now. During Lent you can also spend time in the chapel, praying alone, or joining community prayer times such as Marist prayer, student-led prayer and our Friday liturgy. You can fast from foods such as chocolate or meat, or you can fast from selfishness and feast on sharing hope and compassion. 

During Lent we will be asked to donate towards those less fortunate through Marist Solidarity, our MAPS Appeal. This is your alms giving; however, you can also give of yourself in your families and local communities. During Lent we should reflect on God’s love for us by being people of action and showing love for others.

MAPS Appeal by Finn Slade

The MAPS (Marist Asia-Pacific Solidarity) Appeal is an annual charity event run by Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS).

This year’s appeal is focused on St Joseph’s College Tenaru in Solomon Islands, established in the1940s by the Marist Brothers. St Joseph’s continues its legacy as one of Solomon Islands’ top academic preforming schools. However, due to student overcrowding and run-down facilities, the school is in major need of refurbishment. With our school’s help, renovations will be carried out to create a safe and conducive learning environment for young Solomon Islanders. More information to come.

A MAPS Appeal fundraiser

Indulge your sweet tooth with our Krispy Kreme doughnut sale to raise money for MAPS. Treat yourself to a delicious assortment of mouth-watering doughnuts. Don't miss out on this irresistible treat – grab yours today! Click on this LINK to order. Orders close Friday 14 March.

Signing the pledge

The prefects of 2025 have signed the pledge they wrote on Leadership Day, and it will proudly hang on the wall in our student meeting room. It is a constant reminder of the leadership promise they have made to the College, and it will be a wonderful text for us to refer to during the year. The pledge, below, was recited at the Commencement Mass:

Together as brothers we pledge to grow the rich culture and history of St Augustine’s College built over 95 years. As prefects, we will lead our family through all walks of college life, from the fields, to the classroom, to the stage, to the community. We vow to support all students here at Saints in any of their endeavours and encourage them to reach their potential.

Through living out the Marist charism, we will build upon the brotherhood in which Saints thrives, fostering strong minds and gentle hearts. We will be inclusive, welcoming, loyal and committed role models, leading in the way of Mary. We honour the legacy of those who came before us and commit ourselves to strengthening it for those who follow us.

Year 12 Retreat

The retreat comments speak for themselves. Here are just a few of them which were overwhelmingly positive:

• 9/10 experience.
• The retreat was enjoyable and included some unforgettable experiences.
• I had an excellent and enjoyable time on retreat and small group and large group activities helped me connect with others.
• I enjoyed the Year 12 Retreat and feel like I connected with a lot of people I would never have expected to.
• I enjoyed small groups a lot.
• The bonding you make with teachers and students is awesome and something that will never be forgotten.
• I personally thoroughly enjoyed this retreat and have nothing but positive things to say about it.
• It was cool; wish I could do it all again.
• Food, face painting, clay and free time were highlights.
• Enjoyable and very rewarding.
• This was a great retreat that helped you grow and become a stronger cohort.