The theme chosen for National Reconciliation week, 2022 underscores a growing sense of hope for many Australians. With the new Federal Government confirming its majority in the House of Representatives a matter of days ago, the priority given by the new Prime Minister to the Uluru Statement from the Heart is a welcome step for the country. In his victory speech on election night, Anthony Albanese said,
“I commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.”
Read MoreLast Tuesday the Marist Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat hosted a most engaging, and challenging evening with Father Frank Brennan SJ AO. Organised by the Marist Mission and Life Formation Team, and facilitated by Association Leader and Provincial Brother Peter Carroll FMS, the topic was Human Dignity – an Aussie value? The report of the evening can be found here. Brother Peter in his concluding remarks, reminded the 600 online participants that among his many awards and recognitions for advocacy and service, especially to Aboriginal Australians and Migrants, Father Frank has been classified by the National Trust as a “Living Treasure”. As we head to the Federal Election on Saturday, amid increasingly frenetic campaigns and media attention, the following reflective words from Father Frank’s Homily this week at Newman College, Melbourne University, are presented for your prayerful reflection.
Read MoreFirst term concluded for most Marist schools on Friday 8 April at approximately 10pm at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney following the Mass to celebrate 150 years of Marist education in Australia. The Cathedral was full and over 2000 Marists joined the liturgy from around the country online. The overwhelming sense of gratitude among those gathered made a Thanksgiving to remember. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP led the celebration and spoke eloquently and warmly of the significant contributions by Marists to Catholic education in a variety of ways, and traced the motivations and inspirations to Saint Marcellin and his faith filled discipleship to Jesus. Thank you to all who made the effort to be present on this day, at the Mass and the unveiling of the sculpture of Brother Ludovic. So many travelled huge distances to be there and your presence was greatly appreciated.
Read MoreIn this past week, Marist Principals throughout the country have gathered as have Directors of Mission and RECs to reflect upon and strengthen our shared religious and spiritual leadership. Keynote addresses by Brother David Hall as Chair of the MSA Board, Brother Michael Green renowned for his scholarship on Marist Spirituality, and the social researcher and commentator Hugh McKay, all observed challenges, issues, and trends in contemporary society from different perspectives and with a common sense of hope and trust in God.
Read MoreThe response to the MSA Trinity Catholic College Flood Appeal has been most heartening with $20,000 dollars raised in the first five days. Your support for our fellow Marists at this most difficult time is greatly appreciated and a small but important way of providing assistance from afar. The clean up from this serious natural disaster is a mammoth task and in the wake of the 2017 floods, and two years of COVID-19 hardships, the community is sorely tested. Commended to you is an address by Bishop Greg Homeing which can be viewed HERE. A number of Marist schools have organised special fund raising events for this week and it is hoped many more do likewise in our shared efforts to assist Trinity Catholic College Lismore.
Read MoreThe current crisis in Eastern Europe that has cost, and continues to threaten, the lives of many innocent people represents a catastrophic escalation in geopolitical tensions that have existed in various guises for many decades. History repeatedly teaches humankind of the suffering and ultimate futility of war. With the perilous developments reported in recent days, including comparative references to the most fraught periods of the Cold War and the precipitous months leading into the Second World War, the leadership and voice of Pope Francis is to be amplified throughout our Marist schools.
Read MoreAs we commence this new school year in the midst of the continued uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of the teachers and leaders in each Marist school is to be commended with deep appreciation once again. It is noteworthy that two of the greatest global crises to impact upon Australia in the past 15 years, have seen the nation’s educators distinct, assured, and vital leadership in their communities. First to mind was the Global Financial Crisis and the economic stimulus facilitated by schools with the “Digital and Building Education Revolutions” of the Rudd Gillard Rudd Governments. The selflessness, good will, ingenuity, and compassion of our teachers and Principals in particular, will be long remembered as a most prominent feature of the national response to this prolonged COVID-19 crisis.
Read MoreFor many in schools, the “wait” for the holidays this year is more acute than ever following the exhaustive efforts of teachers, students, and families amidst the many disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021. Waiting for the holidays and the school year to end, waiting for exam results, waiting for Christmas.
Read MoreAs we enter the final month of this extraordinary school year, with plans for the new year well under way, our minds turn to the sesquicentenary of the Marist contribution to Catholic education in Australia in 2022, which will be celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the country.
Read MoreThis week has seen Marist educators from across the globe gather each afternoon and evening online to engage in a range of shared experiences to launch the new Marist Global Network of Schools. It is pleasing and enormously encouraging to see the number of Australian Marists involved. Be assured your contributions are greatly appreciated.
Read MoreOn 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, along with 40 other faith leaders, signed a letter urging world leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow occurring from 31 October to 12 November, “to safeguard, restore, and heal our wounded humanity and the home entrusted to our stewardship.”1
Read MoreThe ongoing pressures of the pandemic are consistently being felt across the country in various ways. As case numbers rise, and the number of people tragically dying with Covid increases, creeping anxiety in the community is palpable. In our work with young people, many of whom are presently learning from home, we Marists are called to be beacons of hope. The daily joy and brightness each staff member brings to students is a blessing, whether at school or online. Each passionate act of advocacy by our Principals with Government and our peak bodies for Catholic education, seeks to influence on behalf of students, arrangements for learning and assessment sensitive to their needs in the midst of this crisis. Each prayer that is led for those who are suffering, have died or are front line medical staff, firmly places trust in God.
Read MoreAs the COVID-19 pandemic reaches increasing levels of infection across the country, we know the most recent variant presents far greater danger to everyone, including young people. Whilst the inconvenience of lockdowns and the challenges faced with off-site learning are arduous, the tragic deaths of fellow Australians and the loss experienced by their loved ones weigh heavily upon us.
Read MoreIn 2017, the XXII Marist General Chapter took place, which brought together brothers and people from all over the world to, among other things, guide the future of the Marist Institute. The motto that captures the feeling of what was lived and experienced is: "Journeying together as a global family". As a result, and to translate it into actions, the General Council promoted the idea of launching a Marist global network of schools in order to strengthen the Marist educational mission, among the 600 schools that have been established throughout 80 countries of the world in the past 200 years.
Read MoreIn these early weeks of the second semester, with the COVID-19 pandemic still causing serious concerns for the health of many Australians in certain parts of the country, once again our school leaders and teachers have selflessly come to the fore. With painstaking care and hours of planning, many of our Marist schools have pivoted quickly again to offsite learning arrangements, as well as onsite provision for children of essential workers. Agility, adaptability, innovation, perseverance, resilience, enthusiasm and hope are consistently being modelled by the talented staff in our schools. Many Marist educators are meaningfully ensuring the current crisis presents a series of important and unique learning opportunities, where gratitude, ingenuity, solidarity and a “can do” attitude prevail. Let us continue to pray for one another during these most challenging times.
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