MISSION CENTRAL

News from Christine Cross
Director of Mission

Thank you for contributing to the Vinnies Christmas Hampers

The SRC and Service Captain thank you, our families, for your donations which totalled 54 baskets plus $1700 in purchased goods. This is an outstanding effort and these generous gifts will certainly make a difference to many families in Cairns and surrounding areas this Christmas.

A message from our 2025 Service Captain Finn Slade: " Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, all donations are greatly appreciated. Everything is going to a great cause to help someone less fortunate over Christmas. As well as this, thank you to the boys who are giving some of their time over the holidays to participate in Rosies.”

Our 2024 SRC reps

I thank this year's SRC reps for their outstanding contribution to the College. They engaged in many activities throughout the year, the most recent been the collection of Vinnies donations from homerooms. They have displayed Marist characteristics during their leadership, and the College recognises and thanks them. It is truly inspiring to work with such compassionate and thoughtful young men.

Service awards

During 2024 many students have engaged in service, college organised and self-initiated. At the Valedictory Assembly a record 42 service awards were presented to the graduating class. In addition, students in Years 7 -11 were presented with platinum and gold service awards at the annual Awards Night, and at the final college assembly the remaining 44 silver and bronze certificates were presented. Ninety-five students received awards for service; a truly inspiring effort. Five students were also recognised for their invaluable IT service to the College. Congratulations and well done to Finn Slade, William Johnston, Cooper Connors, Marlon Sandoval and Finbar Mullins.

Rosies

Rosies has been well supported by the Year 11 students since the departure of our Year 12s. Here are some of their thoughts:

Kadyn Marino: “Rosies has been an excellent opportunity for us to truly be grateful for our lifestyles and see how giving up a small amount of our time can help so many people who are doing it tough.”

Finn Slade: “Rosies was an eye-opening and worthwhile night spent helping others less fortunate in our community, showing how lucky and grateful I am."

Righardt Bohmner: “Rosies is a great way to both help out and meet new members of the community. Taking an hour of your time a week was more rewarding than anything, and I'd love to continue helping out in the future.”

These students have also offered to help on the school holidays. Well done, and I look forward to next year's service opportunities for Rosies.

Advent-Christmas Liturgy

A message from our 2025 Liturgy Captain Kadyn Marino: “Christmas is a time when we pause to reflect on the birth of Christ and his impact on our lives today. This reflection encourages us to be like Christ throughout Christmas, treating others with kindness and generosity and seeking to give rather than to receive. While reflection is an individual process, Christmas invites us to join as a community to celebrate life and the birth of Christ together, much like the three wise men who journeyed to celebrate the birth of Christ as a community with Mary and Joseph.”

The College assembled for the last time this year at our Advent-Christmas Liturgy today. The focus was on how we can make a difference by the gifts we give this Christmas. The list is endless: generosity, strength, kindness, compassion, love, understanding, caring, patience, forgiveness, .... Each gift is a powerful force for good in the world, but when united they become an unstoppable force that can change the course of human history – just as they did two thousand years ago when they came together in the baby Jesus. What are you going to give this Christmas?

As the calendar year is coming to an end, so too is the liturgical year. This weekend marks the start of Advent which takes us on our journey to Christmas. It is a time of preparing for the arrival of our Saviour Jesus Christ who brings light to the world and hope for us all. I wish you all a Christmas where happy memories are created. Have a safe and happy Christmas and stay safe over the break. Take care and God bless.