Mission News

In Our Prayers

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

We pray for our three precious Year 12 Marist Students recently involved in an accident, their families and all who have been affected by this tragedy. 

Could we also keep in our prayers Old Boy Stephen F Markwell, an Old Boys life member who has Alzhimers, his name appears on the Honour Board as he was School Captain.

Let us remember that when we feel sorrow and pain we are not alone: 

Footprints in the Sand - Mary Stevenson 

One night I had a dream.

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord..

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it:

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why when I need you most you would leave me."

The Lord replied:

"My precious child, I love you and would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Almighty God, 

Place your healing hands on our students, bring them restoring energy. Help recovery physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Bring all who suffer hope, courage and love. 

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

Reflection

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

Year 12 Retreat 

Please pray for the Year 12 students and the staff that will accompany them on the Marist Year 12 Retreat for 2023. The Retreats run from Wednesday 12 July – Friday 14 July. 

Stationery Aid 

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 begin our Stationery Aid ministry again for Term 3 on Friday 21 July.

ROSIES

A note from ROSIES Kitchen: 

Thank you, Marist College Ashgrove, for all the support that you have given us over the years. Rosies Kitchen would be so grateful if you could help us spread the mission of Rosies and learn more about the patrons you have had an impact on this year by reading and sharing our current newsletter here: 

Inside Rosies,

Rosies Kitchen looks to secure more support to keep up with the increased demand on outreach across the state. As a College community we will be collecting packet/cups noodles in Term 3.

Marist College Ashgrove will be attending ROSIES street outreach during Term 3 and 4. Places are still available for Years 11 or 12 on the following nights throughout Term 4:

October:             Monday 16, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18

November:        Monday 6 and Wednesday 8

St Vincent de Paul 

We invite students from Year 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.

Mission Beyond the Gates

Harry Clarke graduated from MCA in 2020 and is currently studying his 3rd year in a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours) at The University of Queensland.

Whilst at Marist he contributed regularly to the MATES program and was fortunate to travel to Cambodia at the end of year 11 with the solidarity immersion program. During his time in Cambodia, Harry worked with the Marist Brothers school and projects and helped to teach English to students of all ages.

Since leaving Marist, Harry continues to volunteer his time at ROSIES (having had the experience through school) and more recently, over the mid semester university break, spent time volunteering through International Volunteer HQ in Thailand, teaching children English at 3 different rural schools.

Harry believes that being involved in the Marist College Ashgrove MATES program opened his eyes to giving back to others, especially those on the margins, and looks forward to more volunteering opportunities. Harry is grateful for the opportunities that Marist College Ashgrove gave him.

Chaplain’s Corner

Reflection for Thursday 13 July, 14th week of Ordinary Time. The Lord says in today’s Gospel reading, “The gift you have received, give as a gift.” There is a game that children like to play called “Pass it on.” It can involve information, an object or, with boys, a punch. Maybe we enjoyed that simple game when we were young but it goes to the heart of what life is about. We can reflect on all the things that have been passed on to us.

We are here because someone passed on to us the gift of life. We speak a language that was passed on to us by our parents and teachers. We live in a land where freedom and democratic system of government were passed on to us. We celebrate a liturgy and a faith that were passed on to us. Seasonal, family and religious traditions were passed on to us.

So much of what we are has come to us as a gift. A question for us is what are we passing on to others. Do we pass on our cynicism, bitterness, angers and gossips or do we pass on our faith, our example of Gospel living, loyalty to our Church, self-respect and respect for others?

The Word of God, and the most important lessons of life as well, are passed on most powerfully person to person. We can easily forget that and rely only on intermediaries such as religious televisions, books and magazine articles to do that work while we excuse ourselves from speaking God’s Word to another. It can happen that parents send their children to parish religious education programs and do not bother to convey the faith to their children themselves.

It can happen that we give someone a Bible and never reflect about anything of God’s Word in that Bible with them personally. It can happen that we pray for the healing or conversion of others but never make any personal contact with them ourselves.

One message to us from today’s Gospel is that God’s Word is transmitted person to person. That is how faith is passed on. What are we passing on personally to others?

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.