MSA Newsletter

MSA Newsletter A newsletter for Member Schools of Marist Schools Australia published fortnightly during term time From Brother Michael Green 5 March 2013 Dear Brothers, colleagues and friends What might an octogenarian German recent retiree and a seventeen year old Novocastrian yet to begin her career have in common? Belief. An intuitively felt need for belief. With all the wisdom and theological scholarship of his years, our ‘Pope Emeritus’ in his valedictory audience last week had this to say about his reasons for initiating the “Year of Faith” in 2013: I wanted [it] in order to strengthen our faith in God in a context that seems to put God ever more in the background. I wish to invite all of us to renew our firm trust in the Lord, to entrust ourselves like children into the arms of God, certain that those arms support us always ... I would like that each one of us should feel loved by that God ... I would like that each one should feel the joy of being Christian. Half a world away and several generations removed, a girl, presumably with far less theological education but no shortage of wisdom had this to say in her opening address for her time as College Captain: Belief is seeing an unknown outcome and urging with every fibre of your body for it to be true. It is different from simply wishing or dreaming. It implies commitment to your visions and goals and it requires a great deal of courage ... Our college is guided by the motto: ‘Christus Lux Mea’ - Christ my light. We live with the assurance that we are not fumbling around in the dark ... Good luck, have fun, work hard, and most importantly, believe. At the same event, her Co-Captain reflected on the qualities and characteristics of his generation and the opportunities that Marist education it: Today’s youth is exciting, connected and determined. We know our ambitions and we know our ability to reach what we desire and we will continue to be inspirational for generations to come. We are accepting, multicultural and diverse. We appreciate insight and knowledge and thrive to better ourselves at every opportunity. But the most determining characteristic of our generation is our capacity to understand our beliefs and channel them in a way that both impacts on our lives and the lives of those around us. Marcellin Champagnat is a fine example of a man, who in his youth embraced his spirituality to transform the world he knew ... Today we see the remnants of his legacy live on through the thousands of Marist students around the world and the thousands of young people who otherwise would not receive an education such as the students at Salla La Valla School in Cambodia. We all have the opportunity in our youth to take advantage of the Catholic values and beliefs, and extend our hand to make a difference in the world ... [Let’s] challenge ourselves to be active, discerning Christians and follow the light of Christ in whatever we encounter. They are some extraordinary human beings, the young men and women whom are chosen to be school captains and student leaders. In recent weeks, in the ceremonies and liturgies that have begun the new academic year, many of them have had the opportunity to address their school communities. Chances are that this has been the case in your school. And chances are they were speeches full of grand visions and fresh energy. Let us be challenged by the voices of the young for they so often lack the jading that comes with the years and speak with a clarity and power that deserve to be heeded. Nisi Dominus Brother Michael Green fms NATIONAL DIRECTOR Notices and News COMING UP... 3-6 Mar Footsteps Programme: Mittagong 19 Mar In the Champagnat Way: Adelaide 8 Mar In the Champagnat Way: Central Victoria 21 Mar Regional Principals’ Meeting, Brisbane 8 Mar In the Champagant Way: Eastern Region 22 Mar In the Champagnat Way: Western Region Sydney Sydney 11 Mar iBelieve Programme: All teaching staff, 24-26 Mar Australian Marist Boarding Conference, Mt Maria College, Mitcheltown Sacred Heart College, Adelaide 14-15 Mar Meeting of MLF, AMC Pastoral Team, 24-27 Mar Meeting of General Council with Provincial MSA Directors: Marist Centre Sydney and District Councils of the Marist Oceania 18-20 Mar Oceania Partnership Commission, region: Mittagong Auckland 26 Mar Staff Spirituality Programme (1), Holy Family Primary School, Parkes MONTHLY NEWSLETTER A REGIONAL DIRECTOR ON FROM FMSI THE ROAD... FMSI is our international Marist NGO concerned with All three Regional Directors solidarity and advocacy. Many would already be are very busy people - here is subscribed to receive the monthly bulletin, but if you a sample of Neville Solomon’s are not you can follow this link to the latest issue, and travels in Queensland over follow the instructions to subscribe. the past couple of weeks. The position is definitely not a MSA PUBLICATIONS 2013 ‘desk job’. The first 2013 edition of the magazine LAVALLA will be “Hi Tony, Since last newsletter published in April. Included in the magazine will be a I have been at Cairns revised copy of The Champagnat Journal. The latter delivering an ICW, Lismore an ICW, Good Counsel College contains a number of written articles that may be of Innisfail with 2 days of a reconnecting in the Marist interest to all readers, but particularly teachers. The way program, my first QCEC meeting, Inaugurals at focus is on producing materials that may be helpful in Mt Maria Mitchelton, Trinity College Beenleigh, Trinity all Marist Ministries as well as helping teachers to meet Catholic College Lismore, Marist College Ashgrove. their professional reading requirements for ongoing first visit to St Mary’s Casino, and the first Young Adult teacher registration across the country. The Editorial evening hosted at Enoggera 26 February with 45 young Committee for 2013 is: Lee McKenzie (Traralgon), Br marists...ex Ashgrove, Lismore, Beenleigh, Mt Maria Roger Vallence (Sydney), Br Michael Green (Melbourne), Mitchelton, Emerald, Mt Maria Petrie, Rosalie.... for a Brendan Rodway (Openbook Howden Publications), meal and eveing prayer with a commissioning of Liam Paul Herrick (Melbourne) and Br Tony Paterson (Editor: from Ashgrove who is to spend 7 weeks in Sri Lanka Melbourne). on immersion. As well meetings of Catholic Religous Australia, Queensland in relation to education and my Thank you to all members of the Marist network who new work with the QCEC”. have already contributed to the first edition for this year. Any further contributions or enquiries can be directed Brother Tony Paterson fms to: [email protected] Please note that the ‘cut-off’ date for the April edition is 22nd March 2013. LEADERSHIP AND SPIRITuaLITY 1 The Leadership Team of Mount Maria College Mitchelton gathered in the beautiful Cedar Road Resort, Samford Valley on a Sunday afternoon for a presentation of the program Leadership and Spirituality 1. Samford Valley Two Jesuits, one from Vietnam and one from the is in the hinterland from Brisbane. Mount Maria staff Philippines with Brother Mark Paul at Kasait Timor- have been developing a strong program of professional Leste. The Jesuits have just begun operating a secondary development as they consolidate themselves as one school there. Their future design is adding a Secondary campus from previous multi- campuses. Teacher Training College to the school in Timor-Leste. About 40 people are in attendance at Mittagong for the first In the Footsteps program for 2013. There is much sharing between the participants who have come from a broad range of Marist experiences throughout the nation. Brother Mark Paul with Brother John Horgan amongst the young men in Marist Initial Formation to the Brothers in Baucau Timor-Leste. Photo taken by Brother Tony Clark Leadership Team members from Mount Maria College, Mitchelton QLD at Samford Valley for Leadership & Spirituality 1 Evening prayer in Chapel at Mittagong for opening of In the Footsteps 1 The Remar Ministry Team has been busy travelling around the Country facilitating the Blue/Gold Embarkation Camps for our schools. These two night/three day camps, allow The beginning of 2013 has seen a great deal of activity for Rowers and Helms to form a greater sense of community Marist Volunteers Australia. A number of our volunteers within their Caravels and to also come to understand the who were on the move in the early New Year are teachers values and motto that will be explored throughout the year. at Marist Colleges and 2012 Marist school leavers. Last month, two Remar Ministry Team members spent a day at Trinity College, Auburn introducing their Year 10 students On Boxing Day two volunteers, Sharon Gardiner and Susan to the Remar program. 20 Year 10 Red Rowers have just Haeusler (teachers from Marist-Sion College, Warragul), attended the school’s first Red Embarkation Camp! We send left Australia for South Sudan. Sharon and Susan undertook a very warm welcome to Daniel Ronchetti who is taking on to be short - term volunteers with Solidarity South Sudan the dual role of Remar Coordinator and Red Helm within assisting with teacher training. Solidarity seeks to address the school. Welcome to our Remar team Trinity College, the critical educational, health and pastoral needs in the and we look forward to sailing with you and your rowers world’s newest nation. throughout 2013 and beyond. As Term 1 commenced Jessica Alampi (teacher from Notre The Remar Ministry Team has also welcomed to our folds all Dame College, Shepparton) travelled to Vietnam in order our New Helms for 2013. New Helms gathered in Lysterfield, to join in the work of the New Horizons project.

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