Principal News
May 24 The Feast of Mary Help of Christians
Mary is the patron of our own country, Australia. We look to Mary for her help, her protection and guidance. We celebrate the many gifts God gives us here in Australia – the diversity of our people, the beauty of this land, the values of freedom and peace that we treasure.
God of all, you give us this beautiful land,
Australia, and its people. We pray that under
Mary’s protection we may live in peace and harmony. Help us to appreciate the richness
and diversity of our own nation.
We ask this through Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Dear Parents, Students and Friends
Marian Feast Day
May 24, the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians is also Marian Catholic College Feast Day. The feast day to Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844. In the early years of the Australian colony the Mass was not allowed. It was largely the Rosary that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title Help of Christians, as principal Patroness.
As Griffith has such a large migrant background and heritage, we pray to Mary, Help of Christians to guide and protect us as many in our community start life anew or are facing an unsure future, just like the early Catholic Church in Australia was unsure of its future.
To many in our community, there is doubt and uncertainty about what life holds ahead. Trusting in Mary, and asking her protection and guidance can reassure us that life’s challenges for our students, Marian College and the community as a whole are not insurmountable.
We celebrate our College Feast Day a little earlier this year as next week coincides with the Wagga Wagga Diocesan celebration of the Year of Youth. A busload of Marian students will be will join 140 secondary students and 40 teachers from our five diocesan colleges in Wagga to celebrate, “New Horizons for Spreading Joy” with an immersive experience of learning in and for faith, social justice, wellbeing and music. Guest presenters include international musician John Angotti. Our own teacher, Mr Neville will be running workshops in Art and Faith and each of the schools will be taking home a mural to remember the event, which can be displayed in the college grounds.
Year of Youth Festival
We celebrate our College Feast Day a little earlier this year as next week coincides with the Wagga Wagga Diocesan celebration of the Year of Youth. A busload of Marian students will be will join 140 secondary students and 40 teachers from our five diocesan colleges in Wagga to celebrate, “New Horizons for Spreading Joy” with an immersive experience of learning in and for faith, social justice, wellbeing and music. Guest presenters include international musician John Angotti. Our own teacher, Mr Neville will be running workshops in Art and Faith and each of the schools will be taking home a mural to remember the event, which can be displayed in the college grounds.
On Thursday next week, Principals and Leadership teams from every school within the diocese will join a representative group of students including eight from Marian with input from theologian, Fr Tony Gittins and John Angotti. The day will be facilitated by Jo Kenny and Luke Tobin from Catholic Mission.
The following week Marian Catholic College will be hosting a music concert on Tuesday 29 May featuring highlights of the Festival. The music will include some of our musicians plus John Angotti. Students from St Patrick’s, St Mary’s and St Peter’s Coleambally will be attending.
Staff Leaving
The College bids farewell to the following staff, Teacher Assistant Mr Chris Farrugia, Aboriginal Community and Student Support Worker Ms Darby Ingram and Pastoral Care Worker Mrs Sue Hone. Chris will be further involved in the family business, Darby commences teacher training in Sydney, whilst Sue will be working in Student Support for another organisation. I thank each of them for their time and dedication to the students of Marian and wish them every success in their new work direction. Sue Hone has been here quite a few years and through her efforts has helped support a large number of Community Service programs.
Our College Annual Magazine each year devotes pages to her welfare work that she leads with our students. Sue also was awarded a special award from Marist Schools Australia last year. This award was for her work with students and staff involved in reaching out to support the disadvantaged in our local community and a number of places across the world. Sue coordinated our St Vincent de Paul Chapter, our Community Action Team and out Student Well-Being Team. She had students from Years 7-11 participating in many Social Justice Programs and charity works including Carevan, Meals on Wheels and Homeless Youth, Winter Appeal, Christmas hampers to list just a few of her activities. Sue you are “saint in action” and we thank you for your work with us at Marian. You have helped open our hearts to many others. God Bless.
Staff Professional Learning Day
Friday June 8 The College will be closed on the Friday before the June long weekend as staff will be holding our annual Spirituality Day. This year we welcome representatives of our Founders, Marist Schools Australia and the Sisters of Mercy. This means that students will have a four day long weekend.
Peace and Best wishes
Principal
Prayer for the Bishop
O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern Your flock with unfailing care,
grant in Your boundless fatherly love
a bishop for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga
who will please You by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen