Mission News
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE 1940 - 2020
FROM THE HEAD OF MISSION: LUKE MCMAHON
YEAR 12 RETREAT 2020
"Lord, behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me……"
Psalm 139
The quote from Psalm 139 tells something of the theme that our Year 12 boys experienced on their day retreat last week. Due to COVID19, rather than cancelling the retreat altogether, we presented students with a single day experience in small groups here at the College. Staff were very happy with the boys' response to the retreat. Boys were willing and open contributors to retreat, supportive and encouraging of each other and those staff who volunteered to work with the boys.
At this crucial time in their personal and school lives the retreat enabled boys to reflect, explore and share with others around Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I want to go? What's holding me back? Free to be me; All that I am, and Going forward in hope. While it was a long day (8:30am-7:00pm) staff were very impressed with how committed Year 12 boys were to the process, especially to the small group where much of the good work of retreat takes place.
Thank you to the Services Staff for preparing meals and refreshments for 250 people over two days. Thanks to retreat leaders Gerard Monsour, Scott Minogue and Steve Littleton and those generous staff working with them: Adam Burns, Gary Keown, Lisa Babon, Mena McLean, Karyn Whyte, Bruce McPhee, Anthony Mathison, Elizabeth Walsh, Peter McLoughlin, Paul Mitchell and Bonita Gerry. A word of appreciation also to the parents of our Year 12 boys. Your support of the program and the positive spirit you have nurtured in your sons combined to produce a very worthwhile experience of depth, meaning and affirmation. This from the student journal, sums up our learning:
There is something mysterious and holy
about these plans and dreams emerging from within.
Bear with the anxiety of still being on the way.
Trust the journey that is unwinding
at its own pace within your heart and mind.
THANK YOU
Thank you to the staff and students from Ignatius House that joined in the celebration of the Mass with Fr Tini this week.
CHAPLAIN'S CORNER: JULY
The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ. The Church has always held devotion to the Precious Blood in high esteem, since It is the price of our salvation! Without the shedding of the Blood of the Lamb of God, we could not be redeemed. Without His cleansing and vivifying Blood coursing through the Church, there would be no Mystical Body of Christ. Without His glorious Blood, the Sacraments would have no effect. Without His redeeming Blood, Mary would never have been conceived without sin, and there would be no saints whatsoever, for "they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb".
Martyrdom has always been with the Church, and it always will be. The witness given by our brothers and sisters that have gone before us strengthens us, and the prayers that they offer to God now in his presence will fortify us for the rest of our sojourn on this earth.
Pope Francis' prayer intention for the month of July calls us to pray that today's families may be accompanied with love, respect, and guidance. It is a well-timed prayer intention because this year, many families are doing it hard. Refugee families struggle to live day by day. Others are continually anxious about a roof over their head and where the next meal will come from. Others worry about how to pay mortgages, school fees and other expenses. And the many pressures under which families live will surely affect their relationships with one another.
Families need support. They need companions, people who walk with them and eat with them. Companions are led by love and respect. It is a privilege to have a companion in hard times. That is why Pope Francis prays that families will find one. It is also a privilege to be a companion. At the end of Pope Francis' intention, one question is left hanging.
Who will be a companion if I won't?
Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Mary, our good Mother, pray for us.
St. Marcellin Champagnat, pray for us.
St. Mary of the Cross, pray for us.
May we always remember to pray for one another.