Laudato si’ Week

Laudato si’ Week is celebrated annually in the month of May. This past week, the College has joined the universal Church in celebrating the tenth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home. The theme for 2025 is “Raising Hope.” It calls us to raise hope for all people and all creation by adopting sustainable practices and encouraging others to do the same.

In Laudato si’, Pope Francis writes: “Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically… He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace” (Laudato si’, 10).

As Franciscan people we are called into a special relationship with all of creation. All creatures, from the smallest to “our Sister, Mother Earth,” are sisters and brothers, part of the family of God. It is a sentiment captured so beautifully in the Canticle of the Creatures, a praise of God in creation attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi.

As this year marks the 800th anniversary of the writing of the Canticle, I have included it below. Please take some time to read it and to reflect on the ways you discern the sacred in the natural world around us. You can read more about the origins of the Canticle and its significance for Franciscan people here.

Most High, all powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour, and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no one is worthy to mention Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him.And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!

Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,

in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene,and every kind of weather through which you give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,

which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you light the night and he is beautiful

and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,

who sustains us and governs us and who produces

varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace

for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,

from whom no living man can escape.Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those who will find Your most holy will,

for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.

National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

On Monday 26 May we will mark National Sorry Day and on Tuesday 27 May, the commencement of National Reconciliation Week. Sorry Day, held on 26 May each year, acknowledges the Stolen Generations. It marks the date, in 1997, that the Bringing Them Home Report was presented to Parliament and revealed the sad and painful stories of the removal of thousands of Aboriginal children from their families. National Reconciliation Week falls between 27 May and 3 June, two other significant dates in the relations between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians: the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and Mabo Day, the anniversary of the 1992 High Court judgment in the Mabo case.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week for 2025 is Bridging Now to Next. It marks the 25th anniversary of the bridge walks for reconciliation and reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. It calls on all Australians to be guided by past lessons and to step forward together on the journey of reconciliation.

This week staff and students have had the opportunity to work with Brooke Prentis. Brooke is a Wakka Wakka woman, an Aboriginal Christian Leader, writer, speaker, educator, theologian and poet. Through her work, Brooke shares a message of Reconciliation as friendship and dreams of building an Australia grounded in truth, justice, love, and hope.

Yesterday, Brooke delivered this year’s Reconciliation Week Address. She spoke personally about the importance of Country to First Nations peoples, the significance of the Welcome to Country as a sign of respect and friendship, and the ongoing need for Reconciliation in which we can all play a part. I extend my sincere thanks to Brooke for the time she has given to our College community this week. We look forward to welcoming her back soon.

Teralba Park Sorry Day Ceremony

To mark Sorry Day, Monday 26 May, the Teralba Park Stolen Generations Support Group Inc., will host a commemoration ceremony at Teralba Park, corner of Osborne and Pullen Roads, Everton Park. Staff and student who have registered to attend will represent the College at this ceremony. Members of the public are also welcome to attend. The ceremony will start at 7.00am and conclude around 8.00am.

Kalinga Park Sorry Day Ceremony

The Noonga Reconciliation Group will also host a commemoration ceremony at Kalinga Park from 10.00 – 11.00am on Friday 30 May. The College will be represented at this ceremony by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Kedron Youth Rally

This year the Parish of St Therese and St Anthony (Little Flower) Kedron will be holding one youth event per term. These events are opportunities for students to connect with other young people from the Franciscan schools of Kedron and beyond. Please find attached information about the second youth event of the year from 5.00 – 8.00pm on Sunday 8 June. The presenter is Sione Moehona. Students are to wear casual clothing.

Parent Workshop: The Brain Calming Method

Last year, Mr Paul Jarvis facilitated a number of workshops with staff and students in Years 7 and 10 about what neuroscientists call “cognitive overload” - a state of feeling stressed and overwhelmed - and the evidence behind how best to address it. Drawing on his extensive career in education, Paul teaches a brain-calming method - without screens - that is effortless and a very effective way to promote mental rest.

Our second and final workshop for this term will be held on Tuesday 3 June. This workshop will guide participants in the practice of the brain-calming method.

Parents, students and siblings (including those attending other schools) are welcome to attend this workshop.

Date: Tuesday 3 June

Time: 6.00 – 7.00pm

Venue: Assisi Room

Please enter via the main entrance on Cremorne Road and follow the signs to the foyer of the Anthony Building. If you arrive before 6.00pm, the lift will be staffed to take you to the third level. If you arrive after 6.00pm, please take the stairs to the third level.

Sony Foundation Camp

Mount Alvernia College and Marist College Ashgrove will co-host the Sony Foundation Camp from Saturday 20 - Monday 22 September 2025. This three-day residential camp for children who are differently-abled, is provided at no cost to families. We have received our quota of applications from families of boys, but we would welcome more applications from families of girls. If you know any girls aged 10-16 years who may benefit from the camp, please direct their parent/carer to complete a Camper Application Form.

In addition, we are looking for sponsors to assist us in making this year’s Sony Foundation Camp even bigger and better. If you own a business or would like to support us in any way, please email sony@marash.qld.edu.au to discuss further.

If you would like to make a donation to the camp you can do so via the following donation link: Marist College Ashgrove & Mt Alvernia College Sony Foundation Camp Fundraiser 2025. All donations – great and small – will assist us to cover the costs of this year’s camp.

Rebel Yarners: Donations Needed

The Rebel Yarners are a lively bunch of students who meet at breaktimes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to crochet, knit and yarn. At the moment, they have several projects on the go including making beanies and granny squares for blankets.

They need your help!

Yarn: Our Yarners need 10 ply yarn in dark colours for the beanies and any type of colourful yarn for the blankets.

Granny Squares: Our Yarners would welcome donations of granny squares, 15cm x 15cm in size. If you are a keen knitter or crocheter, the Yarners would be most grateful to receive your creations.

Homestay Families Required