Newman News Term 1 Week 2: From the Leader of Mission and Catholic Identity
Marist Theme 2020
The Marist Theme for 2020 is, ‘Creating one new humanity’. It is the call for Marist communities across Australia to have a renewed consciousness of our need for each other, of our responsibility to creation and of our commitment to upholding human dignity.
The Marist theme is a response to our desire to find meaning and purpose in our lives and can be expressed in Mary Oliver’s poem ‘The Summer Day’:
‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one, wild and precious life?’
At its heart, it is a question that invites us to look at who we are, the lives we are living and our place in the world. St Paul expressed this vision when he spoke to the community of Ephesus about Jesus’ mission to break down all that divides, for the creation of one new humanity. It is a journey where each one of us is invited to ponder what we can create with our ‘one wild and precious life’.
As we make this bold journey together as a PK-12 community in 2020, may each of us set out anew, to pass beyond what is familiar, to the fringes and beyond, to shape our College as a place where Jesus is alive, and in which each of us lets our light shine.
Marist Bushfire Appeal
Friday 7 February saw Marists across Australia stand together in unity and solidarity with the people of Australia who lost relatives, friends, homes and businesses and the thousands stranded as fires burnt across our country.
It was a fantastic day where staff and students came together doning their best ‘Aussie’ accessories and raised over $2000 for those effected by the fires. A big thank you to the staff and Year 12 students who helped with the different activities on the day.
PK-12 Family Mass
Thank you to all staff, students and families who joined our PK-12 Family Mass on Thursday 13 February on the Br Terence Gleeson Oval. The evening gave us the opportunity to come together as a Catholic community, to share the Eucharist and to give our hopes and aspirations to God as we begin 2020. The evening was also an occasion for the commissioning of the Year 6 and Year 12 student leaders. Click here to see more photos from the day. The College is grateful for the support of neighbouring clergy who concelebrated our PK-12 Family Mass:
- Rev Fr Garner Vergara Jr – St Mary’s Cathedral
- Fr Grant Gorddard – Parish Priest – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scarborough
- Fr Kaz Stuglik – Parish Priest, St Cecilia’s, Floreat
Ash Wednesday
As a PK-12 Catholic community, we will be holding a number of celebrations on Wednesday 26 February for Ash Wednesday. This is a significant day in the life of the Church and as such, Liturgies will be celebrated across Marian, Lavalla and Marcellin Campuses. Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent which is a 40-day season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, almsgiving and prayer. The colour purple is used for all liturgical events during Lent to remind us of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. We look forward to recognising and commemorating this sacred occasion in Week 4.