Mission

So much has happened in our community faith formation programme since our last newsletter. In the last week of term we gathered firstly to celebrate the Season of Easter. Since we were still in the Season of Lent, we prayed the Stations of the Cross. It was a truly moving and respectful occasion and I congratulate the students who participated in the re-enactment, the readings and the music accompaniment. Our senior choir is to be commended on their beautiful rendition of the hymn What the Lord has done in me. Of greatest significance was the respect shown by the students in the congregation. Whilst in the Solomon Islands last year I witnessed a moving tribute to the crucified Christ when the 100 or so members of that community left their Chapel at the end of the Good Friday liturgy in complete silence, under the Cross, as an act of adoration. I wanted our community to experience this as well and so I asked over 1000 young men to leave our liturgy in the hall in silence, walking under large wooden crucifixes held aloft by our Year 12 students. It was a big ask and yet not surprising that our young men were able to do this. The power of the event cannot be under estimated.

With another week to go before the official Church season of Easter, we were still committed to our Lenten promises of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. Since the Triduum (the three days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday) which occurred during the holidays, we have entered with joy into the Season of Easter, a time when we remember and celebrate the resurrection. As the basis of our Christian faith it is the most important time on our Church calendar.

During the holidays we were well represented at the two local services for ANZAC Day. Nathanael Robinson represented us proudly, accepting the invitation to give the formal address at the Campbelltown service and delivering it with passion and great respect for those whose memory we serve.

On our return to school we participated in our own College commemoration. Again congratulations to all those involved in reading, flag bearing, music contributions and the many facets which make up such an event.

As I write this we are all ready to celebrate another event in our College calendar – the Mum's and Sons day for our Year 7 boys and their Mums. As a Marist College, we celebrate not only our mothers here with us but also Mary as our Good Mother. May she continue to look over us and be a source of guidance as we work as Marist people to develop young men of strong mind and gentle heart.

Lenten Wrap Up

Thank you to the many individuals who fundraised as part of the 2019 Lenten Appeal. Marist Solidarity Australia’s theme for 2019 is Step into my Shoes, which encourages us to empathise and walk with those on the margins in our world.

This year funds raised support the building projects of St Marcellin’s School in the Tea Gardens of Bangladesh, and the Trade Centre in Timor-Leste.

MSA identifies that education is a vital tool in assist those experiencing extreme poverty to break that cycle. An article published by the ABC, in July last year, indicated that it would take developing countries 7+ generations for low-income families to approach the average income, as reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. By supporting the work of MSA, through our Lenten Appeal, we have been able to assist in the development of educational facilities to reduce that number.

Special thanks to those who donated as part of our Tuesday and Thursday collections, and to the staff who supported their homerooms through the organising and coordination of the following fundraising events; 7E who raffled Easter Eggs, 7G who invited members of the College to play a game of bocce to win an Easter Bunny, 8A for a scrumptious cake stall, 8B C E and G who ran raffles, 8D who sold the ever desirable Krispy Kreme’s and sold 50 dozen in just over 6 minutes, 9E for the sale of Gelato, 10A for washing staff and Year 12 vehicles, 10G for selling lolly bags, 11A who sold bacon and egg rolls for breakfast, James Hilton from 11B who collected loose change during recess and lunch, 11C who sold pizza for lunch, 11D who sold black socks to students who did not have the correct socks on, 11E who sold drinks on the hot days and 12C who assisted in the launch of the Lenten Appeal with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and sold drinks and ice blocks on those warm days.

Lastly, to the entire Year 12 cohort who not only ran a weekly BBQ but were able to build relationships with their Year 7 buddies in the process over a game of basketball. As a school community, I thank you once again for your support of the 2019 Lenten Appeal.

Emma Kent (Marist Solidarity Coordinator)

Marist Vocations Forum

Over the weekend two year twelve students, Jamie Bertollo and Nathaniel Robinson, attended the Marist Vocations Forum held at the Marist Brothers Hermitage in Mittagong.

The forum was attended by students from many Marist schools across the Sydney and Canberra regions. Through a range of activities and interactive sessions ran by the team from Marist Youth Ministry, the group was encouraged to explore the discernment and fulfillment of their vocation and consider their true calling.

The boys had a fantastic time interacting and socialising with students from other schools and completing a range of group activities.

Special thanks to Mrs Hill for supporting and accompanying the boys over the weekend and to the team from Marist Youth Ministry for their work in organising the forum.