Mission News

Prayers

We pray for all those in our community who are unwell or suffering at this time.

We pray for the repose of the soul of Andrew Cole. 

Andrew was the son of Marist Affiliate Dr Brian Cole and proud Old Boy of 1977; Father to two Old Boys Michael 2005 and David 2006.  Andrew was a well-known and loved dentist and renowned International Rugby Referee and Administrator. The College expresses its sincere condolences to Anne-Maree, Michael, David and Megan and to all members of the extended Cole Family. 

Andrew’s funeral will be held at the McMahon Oval at 10:00am on Wednesday 20 July. 

We pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs Pat (Patricia) Moloney.

We pray for staff member Yorker Williams who is unwell.

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

In memory of a great contributor to Marist College Ashgrove Mrs Pat (Patricia) Moloney RIP. 

A large congregation gathered on 23 June 2022 to pay their respects and to celebrate the life of Pat Moloney in a funeral mass. We extend our prayers and support to the wider family and to her children and their partners and families - John, Mary, Kath, James, Michael, and Tricia (deceased 1985). We also remember Pat’s husband Jim who died in 2014. 

Pat worked at Marist College Ashgrove for 20 years (1972-1992) in secretarial roles and gave much of her free time to college life and to the Marist Brothers. Such was Pat’s commitment that she received the accolade of affiliation to the Marist Brothers and her name is recorded in the College chapel for her commitment and dedication.

Over the years Pat had contributed much to all the schools her children attended - St Finbarr’s, Mount St Michaels and of course Marist College Ashgrove.  Her son John whose sons attended the College, as did James’ sons, spoke eloquently of Pat’s role as an exemplary mother, hard worker, dedicated to family and to her husband Jim.  Marist College is forever grateful for her years of devoted service. 

The Moloney family history is intertwined with Marist College Ashgrove forever.  We give thanks for the life of this extraordinary woman. May she rest in peace and in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary forever. 

Year 9 Retreat Day

On Monday 18 July, the Year 9 cohort spent a day with special guest presenter, the gifted and musical Michael Fitzpatrick. Thank you to Michael for his contribution and to the students who whole-heartedly took part in the many activities offered during these days. Over the course of the day the Year 9 cohort were challenged to think about how boys in the year group are treated by one another, who has “power” in the group, and who are the unsung heroes amongst them. They were prompted to think about what sort of “culture” currently exists within the group and how this might be cultivated in the future. At various points in the day boys performed song and dance routines, proving there is quite some talent amongst them. The day ended with a reminder of the counter-cultural message of Jesus Christ and what this means to those who take seriously the call to be Christian. A simple ritual where boys were able to affirm one another brought the experience to a close. Year 9 impressed with their ability to listen, cooperate and contribute to the day. 

Our thanks to Michael Fitzpatrick and the College staff who supported the program. 

Year 12 Retreat 2022

Divided five ways and sent to five different sites hundreds of kilometres apart did not affect the sense of unity and purpose which our Year 12 boys were able to achieve on their Retreat over three days last week. Our Senior boys were wonderful in the ways in which they settled into the retreat program, their openness to the experience, their willingness to reflect and share and their capacity to affirm and support one another and the staff working with them. Retreat is not always an easy experience for young people given the sort of culture in which we all live, with some personalities finding aspects of reflection, introspection and sharing with others, very demanding. But, such is the good-will amongst the Years 12s of 2022 that each boy committed to the program enabling so many of them to be richly rewarded for their efforts. Retreat is a process best described as a journey. Getting-to-know-you and small group sharing leads into thinking of the challenges, even hurts we experience in life, facing these as best we can, before moving into a reflection on our whole-life journey, the highs and lows, the growth points and the learnings, to be shared amongst peers. The final night of retreat is an experience of affirmation in the midst of which is a celebration of Eucharist. We are proud of the way our Year 12 boys so whole-heartedly embraced all the retreat had to offer. 

Thanks to all Year 12 for their generous giving to the retreat and particular thanks and appreciation to the 30 Marist College staff who accompanied the boys. Staffing the retreat program is a team effort, those leading retreat but also those many staff who keep classes running back at school. Thanks also to the Priests who presided at Mass – Fr Pius Jones SM, Fr Alatini SM, Fr Peter Doohan, Rev Joshua Whitehead and Fr Ejikeme. 

Our retreat theme is taken from Psalm 139 – “Lord, behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me...” We trust and pray that our young men did indeed gain a sense of how wonderfully made each of them is, how loved they are and how positive and assured is their future. 

Stationery Aid

Run solely by volunteers, Stationery Aid collect, sort, clean and deliver donated stationery items to students in need. These items can be used or unused items. Started by one of our very own Marist families it is a great way to repurpose stationery items. 

The Stationery Aid collection bin can be found outside the Studies office.