Marist College Ashgrove Newsletter

Mission News

Mrs Anna Nasr

In Our Prayers

We pray for any in our community suffering in seen and unseen ways.

We pray for the repose of the soul of Stephen John McLaren (Old Boy 1966 – 1972). 

May our loving God, with Mary and Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist family. Amen.

Reflection

In our final liturgy with our students today we were reminded that we are invited by our Marist theme – Created and Called: a revolution of love and tenderness, to look at our lives and to see how we might better be the people that God has created and called us to be.

People like Saint Marcellin Champagnat, and Saint Mary MacKillop demonstrate to us in practical ways, that all people are created as children of God, and each of us are called to care for creation, and to demonstrate love, forgiveness, compassion and tenderness to all whom we meet.

 

We thanked God for the blessings of this semester and asked for his continued blessing on the whole community as we break for holidays. 

 

Mary Our Good Mother,               pray for us.

St Marcellin Champagnat,           pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross,                     pray for us.

And let us always remember      to pray for one another

Stationery Aid Holiday Volunteering

Thank you to the students who have so ably supported our Stationery Aid MATES ministry on Friday mornings throughout the semester. We look forward to our new project for Term 3. The Stationery Aid collection bin can be found outside the Studies office. 

 

We will be running our volunteering program over the school holidays on the dates in the sign-up link below. We welcome and encourage students over the age of 14 to volunteer with us - https://signup.com/go/oQAKVUK.

 

Families willing to assist please follow the link provided by Stationery Aid and email mates@marash.qld.edu.au to ensure we can acknowledge the good work of our students. 

St Vincent de Paul 

We invite students from Years 7-12 to join our St Vincent de Paul conference. 

We each Tuesday during first break in Room 801. The group is a wonderful testament to the way our students respond to the call to stand with others. We are back serving our community BBQ on Thursday mornings in the yard, and always happy for new volunteers. 

We are planning to run a Basketball competition next term to raise awareness and funds.

We are planning to host a Vinnies winter sleepout for our members next term during National Homelessness Week. Much to do and much to plan for – all students from Years 7-12 are welcome to join and assist. Head to the Mission Office for a meeting to register interest, or email mates@marash.qld.edu.au 

 

Environment and Green Ash Groups 

Thanks to our amazing Environment Group for all the work they do in bringing to life Pope Francis’ messages in Laudato Si’

 

Fr James Martin SJ lists these as the top ten takeaways from Laudato Si

  1. The spiritual perspective is now part of the discussion on the environment. 
  2. The poor are disproportionately affected by climate change. 
  3. Less is more. 
  4. Catholic social teaching now includes teaching on the environment. 
  5. Discussions about ecology can be grounded in the Bible and church tradition. 
  6. Everything is connected — including the economy. 
  7. Scientific research on the environment is to be praised and used. 
  8. Widespread indifference and selfishness worsen environmental problems. 
  9. Global dialogue and solidarity are needed. 
  10. A change of heart is required.

The Environment group had a joint meeting with the Mt St Michaels Environment Group for a movie and ideas sharing afternoon. We hope to host the Mt St Michaels Students next term to further the conversation and action. 

Acknowledging Our Staff – Julie Tazzyman and the Coastrek Challenge

I’m hiking for healthy hearts by taking part in Coastrek, Australia’s most iconic hiking challenge, proudly supporting the Heart Foundation.  My little team of four, The Movers, will trek from Mudjimba to Noosa on 21st July 2023. A distance of 30km!

 

Along with thousands of other Coastrekkers, mostly women, I will be walking a really, really long way to improve my own health, fitness and well-being - and fundraise for heart health. Our team has been training most weekends and has discovered some pretty cool things along the way.   

 

Hopefully, these pictures might encourage you to take a step towards improving your own heart health and get “moving”. I'd be so grateful if you'd like to support my fundraising efforts and sponsor me and raise money for the Heart Foundation. It is as easy as clicking on this link: https://www.coastrek.com.au/s/42246/48858/e

Ignite Conference 2023 – Wonder 

Every year, Ignite hosts one of Australia's most powerful Catholic youth conferences. 

Ignite Conference is a gathering of Catholics for four days and draws together a network of high schoolers, young adults, ministry leaders, families, teachers, priests, and religious from around the country.

 

This year the Ignite Conference 2023 – Wonder will be held at St Laurence’s College, from the 21 – 24 September. 

 

While the College does not take an official group of students to Ignite, we are delighted to promote this opportunity for young people.  Ignite Conference 23 (squarespace.com)

Early bird registration closes on 30 June.