Newsletter 14: 1 November 2022
Dear Colleagues,
The Marist Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat
The Marist Association, which is now in its eighth year, continues to grow in membership as a vital spiritual family within the Church. In each of our Marist schools, local groups of Association members gather for prayer, reflection and outreach activities in their own time. Last week the leadership Council for the Marist Association gathered for their scheduled October meeting, where a wealth of synthesised material generated over the three Assembly gatherings in 2022 was considered and discussed. The working party responsible for the organisation and facilitation of these three important gatherings included Nathan Ahearne, Jasmine Brown, Tony Clarke, Tracey Doublet, Brother David Hall, and Michael Evison (Chair). Their careful and creative work ensured the participation of over 200 Association members directly online and in person throughout 2022. The different mediums allowed for flexibility and involvement of Association members in a variety of different circumstances.
At their extended November meeting, the Association Council will be determining the major strategic priorities under five major areas that clearly emerged during 2022:
1. The Association is unambiguously part of the Church. What role can the Association play in working towards a Church that is evermore faithful to the Gospel?
2. How do we, as an Association, more effectively promote and foster respect and dignity
for all?
3. In what ways can the Association better heed the call of Pope Francis to live sustainably,
to be good stewards of the Earth?
4. Association Members feel called to personal growth and transformation. How can the
Association Leadership continue to facilitate and assist with their faith journey?
5. How does the Association continue to foster a greater sense of connection and belonging
for Members?
The two previous foundation documents of the Association We Marists and As Marists have been essential in helping to provide strategic directions for Marist Schools Australia and the other Marist ministries. It is expected that the new strategic document of the Association will be released early in 2023.
2022 MSA Mass and Dinner
Over the past few weeks there have been two wonderful celebrations of Marist education during the occasions of the MSA Annual Mass and Dinner for the Regions of QLD/NT/NSW Northern Rivers and NSW/ACT. As has been custom, individual schools nominated staff who have made an outstanding contribution to Marist education over many years. The stories of these faith filled people are truly inspiring, each reflecting in some way to their community Christian virtues and a strong sense of our Marist way. The full citations for the award winners can be found here - NSW/ACT and QLD/NT/NSW. The VIC/SA/WA Region will hold their celebrations at Marcellin College Bulleen on 26 November, after which their award winners will also be shared.
AMS Sesquicentenary Appeal for Marist Education in East Timor
Thank you to all the schools who have so generously donated to AMS in the past fortnight. An additional $25,000 has been received. We still have another $58,000 to raise in order to meet our goal of $150,000 before Christmas.