Mission News

Prayers

We pray for people in our community who are struggling with ill health and other hardships, and those who have died recently. May those who are caring for others be given strength and support, and may those who are mourning the loss of loved ones be comfort by the life-giving presence of God.

Community Mass 

A reminder that our Community Masses re celebrated in the College chapel each Wednesday at 8:00am and Friday at 1st break. 

Gospel and Reflection

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 21 July - Mark 6:30-34

The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, 'You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while'; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

In yesterday’s reading from the prophet Jeremiah, the psalm and the Gospel all refer to sheep and shepherds. The term 'Sheep without a shepherd' is a biblical reference to people being without strong leadership.

Jeremiah speaks of the need for leaders with compassion and wisdom who act with justice and who will lead people to peace. Psalm 22(23) is a very familiar one for many of us. It presents the image of God as a shepherd who leads, guides, protects and loves deeply. The Gospel extract shows Jesus having great compassion for the people who were without leadership or guidance.

The Gospel story also shows Jesus in demand. Wherever he went people crowded to see him, touch him and to ask for healing. Jesus needed time to rest and relax and renew his energy. He often went away to a quiet place to pray and rest.

We all need time to rest and relax and renew our energy. We call this 'sabbath' time. It is not time wasted but time well spent. Our bodies, minds and spirits need to take a break regularly. It's a little like cars needing fuel. Every now and again we need to top up our tank as well.

As we develop the busyness and momentum of Term 3 takes hold, we pray we will carve out time to rest, reflect and refuel.

Loving God,

Your son Jesus took time

With people who were thirsty for living water

With people who were hungry for real food

Give us the courage to follow

Where you will lead us

To trust you will search for us

When we are lost

Help us to take the time to listen

To dwell without hurrying

In the place where you are

Here, with us.

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. + 

Catholic Education Week

This week marks Catholic Education Week, an opportunity to celebrate the amazing contribution Catholic Education has made and continues to make throughout our state. As one of 312 Catholic schools in Queensland, we’re reminded this week that we are part of the much larger story of the mission and message of Christ through the education and formation of young people. As a Marist School, we also proudly share that distinct identity that emerges from the story and charism of St Marcellin Champagnat, who expressed his great devotion to Jesus and Mary through prayer, hard work, fraternity, simplicity and a real belief that every child should have the opportunity to know and love God. 

The Fourvière Pledge

It was on the 23rd of July 1816 that a group of young priests pledged their life and work to Our Lady in the chapel at Fourvière, Lyon. This was a decision they had weighed up carefully, for the “Glory of God and the honour of Mary”, knowing that the path ahead wouldn’t be easy. Their pledge to form the “Society of Mary”, or “Mary-ists”, was began the religious orders and ministries we know today. And is to this community to which Marist College Ashgrove belongs and in this spirit that we continue, 208 years later! 

Marist Connect Night

Marist Youth Ministry will be running a Connect  Night on Friday 2 August, for senior students. These nights aim to bring local Marist School seniors together to connect, exploring themes such as justice, the environment, discipleship or leadership through the Marist Perspective. The night involves many games and activities involving these topics. 

Students are to refer to the email sent on Tuesday 16 July for details, or contact mates@marash.qld.edu.au if you have any questions.

Luminous Lantern Parade

The annual Luminous Lantern Parade will be held on Satirday 3 August at South Bank. A celebration of our city’s vibrant cultural and ethnic diversity, this year we hope to attend with a small group of students. Students who are interested in attending, please email mates@marash.qld.edu.au.

FareShare

Once a month we are now taking a group of seniors to work at FareShare Charity Kitchen. FareShare’s mission is twofold: they cook up surplus food from Coles, Woolworths, Foodbank etc. – food that would otherwise be thrown away – into healthy and delicious meals for vulnerable Australians.  FareShare have recently partnered with SecondBite which means that their meals are being sent all over Australia.

Thank you to Lachie Doran, Harry Lee, Lachlan Vink, Francis Schutt, Matthew L’Enfant, Jake Edye, Jack Lowe, Hugh Irwin and French Exchange student, Cyprien Lassagne who helped to package up 2028 meals.  

If you are over 16 and would like to volunteer for FareShare, please email Ms Kathryn Badini at badinik@marash.qld.edu.au

The Environment Group Free Dress Day in Friday of Week 4 will be supporting the FareShare. Watch this space!

St Vincent de Paul group

The first Vinnies group meeting for Term 3 will be this Thursday 25 July — Break 1B in room 801. 

Vinnies Bin-Ball Competition will be held on Friday 9 August. 

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

Stationery Aid 

Stationery Aid continues this Friday. Join us in Room 801 from 7:30am-8:30am as we continue giving stationery a second life!

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