Mission News

Mr Luke McMahon

Prayers

We pray for all in our community who are sick or suffering. 

 

We pray for those called home to heaven, especially.

 

We pray for our country and our world still living in this pandemic and we remember the many who have suffered through COVID-19...May our loving God, with Mary and Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist family. Amen

Reflection

Taken from Water from the Rock – Marist Spirituality (2007) 

Filled with the joy of a renewed purpose, with our brothers and sisters we affirm the growing convictions that express the core of our Marist spiritual tradition.

  • Our mission, founded on the experience of being profoundly loved by Jesus, is to make Him known and loved.
  • Mary never fails to accompany us in our pilgrimage of faith, both when we grow in fidelity and when we wander in doubt.
  • Communities and families inspired by Marist spirituality become leaven that transforms the dough of our societies in a humble and effective way.
Father, Creator of us all, each day of our lives you walk with us, step by step, showing us our way in this world. We know that there is little we can do by our own small efforts, but through your Name and power we can achieve great things. In the spirit of St Marcellin, give us strong minds and gentle hearts that we may be sowers of hope in your world, both today and in the years ahead.
We make our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Work and Welcome at Marist College Ashgrove 

As part of the Work and Welcome program, run by Multicultural Australia, this semester we have been fortunate to have welcomed to the College, Martin Al-Qrana. Martin and his immediate family (mother and father and two sisters) arrived in Australia in 2020 as part of the Australian Refugee and Humanitarian program. Martin comes from Iraq. His family had a successful small business in a largely Christian town on the Nineveh Plain not too far from the city of Mosul. Martin belongs to the Syriac Catholic Church, an autonomous self-governed Eastern Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome. Martin had been studying Pharmacy at the University of Mosul but in August of 2014, the family had to flee their home north to Kurdistan to escape the violent ravages of ISIS. With no hope of returning to their hometown, Martin and the family went as refugees to neighbouring Lebanon where they lived for nearly six years before being accepted to come to Australia with refugee status. Martin has changed the direction of his life since arriving here and is now studying Business and Finance. Martin has spent some time working in the College finance department, in the library, serving each day in the canteen and in recent weeks working as a Lab Assistant in the Science Centre. Martin has impressed us with his command of English and his very good-humoured, exuberant personality. He will be a wonderful contributor to this nation. 

 

For 20 years Marist College Staff have voluntarily contributed from their pay each fortnight into a program named Work and Welcome. As the funds accrue we are able to employ a refugee worker for a term or a semester, sometimes two workers a year. The aim of the program is to give refugee workers some short-term work experience in a range of tasks and roles within the College, to assist with the development of English language and to fully immerse people in a supportive Australian workplace. Many of those employed in the program have gone on to secure worthwhile job opportunities in a wide range of businesses, industries and professions. 

 

Work and Welcome employees at Marist College have come from Afghanistan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, to name some countries of origin. Some workers have arrived in Australia with some family members, some have arrived on their own. Each person has their own individual story and for the most part their journey to Australia has not been straightforward. Most employees have been forced to leave their home country. For we Staff, meeting the Work and Welcome employees has been a blessing and a lesson in life. In every case, it has been our privilege to have encountered these people. Most years we invite our refugee worker to speak with RE classes about their experiences, their country of origin and their journey to Australia. These are always well received. Our thanks to those many Marist Staff who contribute to Work and Welcome. 

 

With Pope Francis our aim is to stand in solidarity with those we encounter through Work and Welcome: 

“I would like to ask you all to see a ray of hope as well in the eyes and hearts of refugees and of those who have been forcibly displaced. A hope that is expressed in expectations for the future, in the desire for friendship, in the wish to participate in the host society also through learning the language, access to employment and the education of children. I admire the courage of those who hope to be able gradually to resume a normal life, waiting for joy and love to return to brighten their existence. We can and must all nourish this hope!”

(Pope Francis' address to participants in the Plenary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, May 24, 2013.) 

Years 9 and 10 Retreat Days 

 

On Thursday 26 and Friday 27 August, the Year 9 and Year 10 cohorts each spent a day with special guest presenter, the gifted and musical Michael Fitzpatrick who “retreats and reflects” with the students. Thank you to Michael for his contribution and to the students who wholeheartedly took part in the many activities offered during these days.