Mission News

May 24 – Feast of Mary, Help of Christians 

This Australian patronal feast has an interesting history. The title, first used by St John Chrysostom in the fourth century became a Church feast day on May 24 1815, after Pius VII was released from prison where he and his predecessor Pius VI who died in prison, had been kept by Napoleon. Mary, the Mother of Christ, was a devotional figure in Australia during the convict years as the Rosary was the primary impetus to the faith life of Irish Catholics who were denied a Priest and therefore the Eucharist until Fr John Therry celebrated the first Mass in 1820, nearly forty years after the beginning of European settlement. Australia was the first nation to name Mary as principal patron, under the title, Help of Christians, in 1844. 

College staff met in the Chapel this Monday morning, the day after Pentecost, to pray this prayer for our Marist community and for our nation: 

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts 

our love of Mary Help of Christians. 

Through her prayers and under her protection, 

may the light of Christ shine over our land. 

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace. 

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens. 

Bless especially the men and women 

of the Australian Defence Force and their families. 

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us. 

Community Prayers

We pray for all in our community who are unwell and are suffering at this time. 

We pray for the repose of the souls of:

• Marist Brother Br Cyrinus (Patrick Fisk)
• Kay Bannister (grandmother of Finn McCahon)

May our loving God, with Mary and Champagnat, walk with all members of the Marist family. Amen

Catholic School Identity Team & Strategic Plan 

In recent years the Marist College community was asked to respond to a survey on the Catholic identity of the College (the ECSIP Report). One of the recommendations arising from the Enhancing Catholic School Identity Project (ECSIP) has been the formation of a Catholic School Identity Team. This team of 12 drawn from both teaching and non-teaching staff were involved during 2020 in a familiarisation phase, coming to an understanding of the report findings, the survey data, key terms and concepts underpinning the Project and the specific focus of the ECSIP report as it applies to Marist College.

The primary concept that underpins ECSIP, and which is reflected in Archdiocesan policy, is that recontextualization is the preferred theological option for Catholic schools. By recontextualization we mean trying to re-interpret the Catholic faith in a contemporary cultural context. It involves finding ways to reimagine a symbolic understanding of the wisdom of Catholicism, reimagining it in ways that invites dialogue with broader contexts. In this we are trying to understand the Catholic faith re-interpreted in a contemporary cultural context to ensure that the faith is recognisable, credible and meaningful for contemporary adults and young people.

Of the eleven recommendations in the Report, the Identity Team have chosen to focus initially on Staff Formation. This choice of focus feeds very naturally into the Strategic Plan Priority of Evangelisation of the College in Faith and specifically the objectives of the promotion of Catholic and Marist identity and religious literacy.

I am especially grateful to the members of the team who have volunteered to commit to the process of implementation of the Report. 

Year 12 Retreats Wednesday 14 July – Friday 16 July (Week 1 of Term 3)

Information has been sent to parents via the Parent Lounge. Please contact Liz Spry in the Mission Office if you have any questions (07) 3858 4582.