Mission News

We remember in our prayers, Old Boy, Paul Carter (2003) who passed away suddenly last week. Paul was only 37. We keep Paul’s family and friends in our thoughts including his nephews Edward Mitchell (8 Harold) and Tom Mitchell who graduated last year. 

We also pray for Ryan Cullen and his family after the passing of his Grandfather. 

May all those who have died recently be welcomed to eternal life and their loved ones be comforted.

Mass Times

Wednesday Morning - 8:00am

Gospel

From Sunday 19th February 2024. 1st Sunday in Lent. Mark 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. 'The time has come' he said 'and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.'

Reflection

Our College Captain, Dom Forbes, shared this reflection with his fellow Boarders during Sunday Mass.

The season of Lent consists of 40 days. In the Old Testament, the Israelites wander the desert for 40 years after they are freed from slavery in Egypt. The prophet Elijah also spent 40 days in the desert. In the New Testament, the Gospels also tell of Jesus spending 40 days in the desert, wrestling with temptation and doubt. Jesus fasted and prayed. It was a time of physical, mental, and spiritual endurance. 

The story of Jesus struggling with temptation in the desert can remind us that living a good and honourable life isn’t easy. We are easily distracted by temptation, and it takes effort to resist and choose a different path. For humans, this is particularly true of group behaviour. Groups and communities can be amazing, but humans throughout history have done cruel and unkind things due to mob mentality. Taking time “in the desert” means stepping away from dangerous group thinking. It means thinking for ourselves, taking responsibility and being resourceful. 

As a time of preparation before Easter, Lent gives us a chance to pause and think about how we do what we do. To listen to our hearts. To do what is right.

Jesus’ time in the desert gives him clarity and motivation. After taking time away he returns and begins his ministry in Galilee. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus tells people to “Repent and believe in the good news”. These were the words we heard when receiving the ashes on Wednesday.

To repent means to reflect on how I could do things differently, ask God for forgiveness for the times I make bad decisions or act in a way that hurts others. To believe in the good news means to trust in Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness, and that God is with us.

The image of the desert can be a reminder: don’t be afraid. Take the time and space to reflect. Be ready to face distraction and temptation. And if you make a mistake (we all do) remember that God loves us and forgives us - we just need to be ready to show up with humility and try again.

We Pray

God of forgiveness,

Help us during this season of Lent

to listen to your wisdom

to reflect on our mistakes

to use gentle words

to think before acting

and to practice kindness

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. +

Lenten Fundraiser for Australian Marist Solidarity 

What is with Brisbane putting on torrential rain for Mission events!? First the Inaugural Mass and now our major Lenten Fundraiser!

Thankfully the rain didn’t dampen our spirits and the day was a great success. The smell of sausages and onions had the boys lined up around the yard. Our gym became a hive of activity with lolly bag sales being a popular choice, followed closely behind by the fairy floss and Krispy Kreme stalls. Games of rugby toss, shoot-a-hoop, guess-how-many-lollies-in-the-jar, choc fling king, putt-putt and hacky sack cornhole were very popular and enjoyed by all students.

A big thank you to our hardworking House Mission Captains; Mr Dougherty in technologies for making the cornhole game which will be enjoyed for many years to come; our Services staff led by Mr Matt Tarlinton; Ms Bonnie Poler and our college Finance team; our kitchen staff; Woolworths Ashgrove and Big W Brookside for their donations of Zooper Doopers and chocolates, and; Mr Mikael Pitot, our wonderful Youth Minister, for organising the day and encouraging our students to step up. Total sales came in at approx. $8,000! A fabulous effort and not one that could have been achieved without the support of our generous families and students.

Primary Can Drive

A huge thank you to our generous Primary families who donated 3571 cans towards our Australian Marist Solidarity fundraising efforts. 

Our Pizza Party Winners are: 

5 Red with 486 cans donated

6 Red with 324 cans donated

Thanks to you, $1,387.50 was raised in can sales alone on Friday with over 500 cans sold. There will be plenty more opportunities throughout the year where we will be selling cans with all funds raised going directly to AMS. 

St Vincent de Paul and the Environment Group

Vinnies and the Environment Group meetings will continue this Thursday during break 1B in Room 801. All students are welcome.

Stationery Aid – Collecting Now! 

The Stationery Aid MATES ministry is held every Friday morning from 7:30am in Room 801. Students are welcome to come along and help sort, clean and organise stationery. Come lend a hand and have a chat! Meanwhile, Stationery Aid donations will be gratefully received. Please use the blue bins provided outside the Mission Office.

For more information about Stationery Aid visit the website:  https://stationeryaid.org/ 

Rosies

Students in Years 11 and 12 who are interested in signing onto the Rosies outreach program for Term 2 are encouraged to register their interest. Students are provided with important training beforehand to ensure they are well-informed about how to enter into this important ministry.

If you’re ready to be a ‘friend on the street’ by sharing a conversation with patrons of Rosies who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or socially isolated, please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to sign up or visit the Mission Office

Marist Youth Ministry Game Changers 

The Mission team welcome students from Years 7-12 to join this supportive and leadership focused Marist youth ministry program. Please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au or visit the Mission Office if you are interested in this program or have any questions.

All Abilities Cricket Program

For interested Year 11s and 12s, this Friday afternoon from 4:00pm to 5:00pm, come and help out at the Valleys All Abilities Cricket Program - down at the Ashgrove Sports Fields on Yoku Road. No amazing cricket expertise required - fun and participation is the aim!