Mission News

Prayers

We keep our Year 12 students in our prayers as their exams come to an end this week. May all our students remain in good health and good spirits in these final weeks of the school year.

Community Mass

We will celebrate Mass on Monday and Friday first break and Wednesday at 8:00am. All welcome.

Gospel 

The Commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed – John 2:13-22 (JB)

Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers' coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, 'Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father's house into a market'. Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. The Jews intervened and said, 'What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?' Jesus answered, 'Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up'. The Jews replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?' But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.

Gospel Reflection

In this powerful passage, Jesus enters the temple and finds it filled with merchants and money changers. His response is bold and disruptive—He overturns tables and drives out those who have turned a sacred space into a marketplace. At first glance, this might seem like an act of anger, but at its heart, it is an act of love and reverence. Jesus is fiercely protective of the sacred, of the space where people come to encounter God.

For our school community, this moment invites us to reflect on the spaces we inhabit—our classrooms, the Chapel, the yard, the ovals, and hearts. Are they places where God is welcomed? Are they places of peace, respect, and truth? Jesus reminds us that faith is not just about rituals or appearances—it’s about integrity, justice, and a deep commitment to God’s presence in our lives.

This passage also speaks to courage. Jesus stood up for what was right, even when it was unpopular. As a community, we are called to be courageous in our convictions—to speak up for justice, to protect the vulnerable, and to honour the sacred in our daily actions.

Let us be a school where the presence of God is not only acknowledged but cherished. Where our words and actions reflect the reverence Jesus showed for His Father’s house. And where we are brave enough to clear out anything that distracts us from love, truth, and faith.

Prayer

Loving God,

You call us to honour what is sacred and to live with integrity and courage.

Help us to recognise Your presence in our school, in our relationships, and in our hearts.

May we be bold like Jesus—standing up for what is right, protecting what is holy,

and creating spaces where Your love can dwell freely.

Teach us to be mindful of our actions, to seek justice, and to live with compassion.

Bless our school community with unity, peace, and a deep desire to follow 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.+

One Week Left of the Marist College Christmas Appeal

27 October – 14 November

To all who have contributed so far to our annual Christmas Appeal, thank you for your generosity! The appeal closes this Friday 14th November and will raise much needed funds for The St Vincent De Paul Society and Downs and West Community Support. Both organisations make a real difference for those facing hardship; hardship which often is most keenly felt during Christmas. 

How do I give?

Students are encouraged to bring in Grocery Gift Cards or donate online via Monitor or Humanitix. No cash donation please. Students, families and community members can donate using this link:

All Abilities Cricket

Last Friday marked the beginning of the All-Abilities Cricket Program, with ten Marist College students heading down to volunteer. The All-Abilities Cricket Program, created by the Valley District Cricket Club, aims to provide opportunities for all children to participate in cricket in whatever way they feel comfortable.

The students assisted participants in practising their bowling and batting skills, resulting in an afternoon filled with laughter, fun, and encouragement. The program will continue over the next three weeks and resume at the beginning of next year.

Beat the Heat Christmas Appeal Can Sale

Last Thursday, our Vinnies Group, with the help of Santa, sold soft drinks at break in an effort to promote and raise money for the 2025 Christmas Appeal. See the photos below of the event.

Stationery Aid 

Volunteers are always needed at our Stationery Aid sessions, especially at this time in Term 4 as we continue to prepare the book packs for the start of next year. See you Friday 7:30am in Room 801! 

Reminder, if you have excess stationery, you’d like to get rid of, please drop it into the yellow bins outside the Mission Office! To find out more and to check the list for what can be donated, please visit: https://stationeryaid.org/.