MISSION CENTRAL

Marist Student Leaders' Summit

The Marist Leaders’ Summit was a fantastic event attended by four prefects, Dyson, Daniel, Chaz and Michael. We were welcomed by the Marist volunteers who help run the event and, to our surprise and delight, there were three ex-students among them. The Marist view of life has stayed with them, and they are still giving back to community. Thank you to these fine young men!

On day one, the summit celebrated a Mass with Marist Schools Australia where our college recognised Mr Neil Gregory for his outstanding service to Marist education. Mr Rigby represented the College Leadership Team at the dinner and Mass. It was nice to join up for this beautiful celebration of the Eucharist. Marist College Ashgrove hosted the summit and every Marist school in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Northern NSW was there. It was a great opportunity to network and develop new friendships. The sessions fostered sharing ideas and learning about leadership styles. There was also a focused spiritual element that brought Mary and Jesus to the forefront of our minds. 

After the long day on day two, we finished off with a series of fun activities including group challenges, trivia and a series of outstanding performances in the combined talent show.

Day three offered time to reflect on the weekend, to write leadership goals as well as write affirmations for newfound friends of the Marist world. The lessons learnt and the ideas generated will help our College grow in 2023.

Vinnies Appeal

The housing crisis in Cairns is extreme and rental properties are scarce. Employment has not been restored to pre-covid times and this points to a grim Christmas for many in Cairns. With this in mind please be generous with your donations for the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal. 

The graduands of 2021 donated $1250 before they started their external exams and Lucas McEvoy, the Service Captain last year, returned to the College to help me purchase goods to this value. The College is thankful for their generosity and to Lucas for continuing to do good work to support our mission incentive.

If you can support this cause, Vinnies have requested the following items

· Ham (340 gram size)

· Custard | Pudding | Christmas Cake| Fruit Mince Pies

· Cans of fruit (any size)

· Sweet biscuits | Shortbread | Tins of Biscuits

· Christmas decorations | Bon-bons |Candy Canes

Student-led Prayer

Chaz’s first student-led prayer was focused on the artwork, depicting a modern-day Mary as a refugee, used to illustrate this year’s Marist theme. The story is the same but the timeframe is separated by 2000 years.

Here is an excerpt from Chaz’s prayer:

 We can see from the artwork that Gallucci's depiction of Mary is poised. However, the      artwork is intended to capture the fear that radiates from victims of brutality, war and racism, and we can see that the luminous, gold refugee’s cloak provides warmth that God’s mercy and divine beauty can offer us. Gallucci’s artwork provides a modern-day application of Our Lady Loreto, in a refugee’s cloak to teach us, especially as young Marists, the importance of making everyone known and loved, which is inspired by Marcellin Champagnat’s vision of mission which was to make Jesus Christ known and loved.

Through Marcellin’s teachings and our Marist spirituality theme of "Known and Loved; dignity for all", we are compelled to roll up our sleeves and reach out to marginalised people. Our college enables us to live out Marcellin’s mission as we have the opportunity, at this moment, to donate non-perishable items to our Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal.

There is a powerful call to action here. We are all called to be agents of hope and carry the light of Christ to others. Let’s make a difference to others' lives.

In earnest we prayed: “Dear Lord, Teach me to love my neighbour as you have.

We are grateful for your blessings, and hope that you enable us to bless marginalised people with the love and the hope that they require during times of hardships."