Brother Michael Green fmsNATIONAL DIRECTOR

5 March 2013

A newsletter for Member Schools of Marist Schools Australia published fortnightly during term time

MSA Newsletter

From Brother Michael Green

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

Notices and News

3-6 Mar8 Mar8 Mar

11 Mar

14-15 Mar

18-20 Mar

Footsteps Programme: MittagongIn the Champagnat Way: Central VictoriaIn the Champagant Way: Eastern Region SydneyiBelieve Programme: All teaching staff, Mt Maria College, MitcheltownMeeting of MLF, AMC Pastoral Team, MSA Directors: Marist Centre SydneyOceania Partnership Commission, Auckland

Coming Up.. .19 Mar21 Mar22 Mar

24-26 Mar

24-27 Mar

26 Mar

In the Champagnat Way: AdelaideRegional Principals’ Meeting, BrisbaneIn the Champagnat Way: Western Region SydneyAustralian Marist Boarding Conference, Sacred Heart College, AdelaideMeeting of General Council with Provincial and District Councils of the Marist Oceania region: MittagongStaff Spirituality Programme (1), Holy Family Primary School, Parkes

Monthly newsletter froM fMsI

FMSI is our international Marist NGO concerned with solidarity and advocacy. Many would already be subscribed to receive the monthly bulletin, but if you are not you can follow this link to the latest issue, and follow the instructions to subscribe.

A reGIonAl DIreCtor on the roAD...

All three Regional Directors are very busy people - here is a sample of Neville Solomon’s travels in Queensland over the past couple of weeks. The position is definitely not a ‘desk job’.

“Hi Tony, Since last newsletter I have been at Cairns

delivering an ICW, Lismore an ICW, Good Counsel College Innisfail with 2 days of a reconnecting in the Marist way program, my first QCEC meeting, Inaugurals at Mt Maria Mitchelton, Trinity College Beenleigh, Trinity Catholic College Lismore, Marist College Ashgrove. first visit to St Mary’s Casino, and the first Young Adult evening hosted at Enoggera 26 February with 45 young marists...ex Ashgrove, Lismore, Beenleigh, Mt Maria Mitchelton, Emerald, Mt Maria Petrie, Rosalie.... for a meal and eveing prayer with a commissioning of Liam from Ashgrove who is to spend 7 weeks in Sri Lanka on immersion. As well meetings of Catholic Religous Australia, Queensland in relation to education and my new work with the QCEC”.

Brother Tony Paterson fms

MsA PUBlICAtIons 2013The first 2013 edition of the magazine LAVALLA will be published in April. Included in the magazine will be a revised copy of The Champagnat Journal. The latter contains a number of written articles that may be of interest to all readers, but particularly teachers. The focus is on producing materials that may be helpful in all Marist Ministries as well as helping teachers to meet their professional reading requirements for ongoing teacher registration across the country. The Editorial Committee for 2013 is: Lee McKenzie (Traralgon), Br Roger Vallence (Sydney), Br Michael Green (Melbourne), Brendan Rodway (Openbook Howden Publications), Paul Herrick (Melbourne) and Br Tony Paterson (Editor: Melbourne).

Thank you to all members of the Marist network who have already contributed to the first edition for this year. Any further contributions or enquiries can be directed to: tony.paterson@marists.org.auPlease note that the ‘cut-off’ date for the April edition is 22nd March 2013.

Two Jesuits, one from Vietnam and one from the Philippines with Brother Mark Paul at Kasait Timor-Leste. The Jesuits have just begun operating a secondary school there. Their future design is adding a Secondary Teacher Training College to the school in Timor-Leste.

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 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 is in the hinterland from Brisbane. Mount Maria staff have been developing a strong program of professional development as they consolidate themselves as one campus from previous multi- campuses.

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.

leADershIP AnD

sPIrItUAlIty 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 Rowers and Helms to form a greater sense of community within their Caravels and to also come to understand the values and motto that will be explored throughout the year. Last month, two Remar Ministry Team members spent a day at Trinity College, Auburn introducing their Year 10 students to the Remar program. 20 Year 10 Red Rowers have just attended the school’s first Red Embarkation Camp! We send a very warm welcome to Daniel Ronchetti who is taking on the dual role of Remar Coordinator and Red Helm within the school. Welcome to our Remar team Trinity College, and we look forward to sailing with you and your rowers throughout 2013 and beyond. The Remar Ministry Team has also welcomed to our folds all our New Helms for 2013. New Helms gathered in Lysterfield, Victoria for a two day inservice. Our 2013 Red Rowers, Alice Springs Blue Rowers and Marist Regional College Gold Rowers, are in very safe and competent hands.

We warmly welcome to the following Helms to our Remar family:• Annicka Adolphi, Sacred Heart College

(Adelaide) • Kieran Curnow (Red) Jane O’Loughlin (Blue), Our Lady

of the Sacred Heart (Alice Springs) • Daniel Ronchetti, Trinity Catholic College

(Auburn) • Courtney Buttigieg and Len Cooke, St Francis Xavier

College (Beaconsfield) • Elaine Georges and Deveraj Kumar, Penola Catholic

College (Broadmeadows) • Ben Frize, Marcellin College (Bulleen)

Jacquelie de Jonge (Red) & Natalie Ling (Gold), Marist Regional College (Burnie)

• Alan Slocombe, Assumption College (Kilmore) Rebecca Fist, St Patrick’s College (Launceston)

• Louise O’Mahony, Newman College (Perth) • Nat Rosa, St Peter Claver College (Riverview)

Amanda Bek, Notre Dame College (Shepparton) • Tamsin McCormack, Lavalla Catholic College

(Traralgon) Kierin Murphy and Sharon Gardiner, Marist-Sion College (Warragul)

• Chris Darmody and Maddy Maw, Catholic College (Wodonga)

Nicki PittCoordinator Remar

Next Issue: 19 March 2013

The beginning of 2013 has seen a great deal of activity for Marist Volunteers Australia. A number of our volunteers who were on the move in the early New Year are teachers at Marist Colleges and 2012 Marist school leavers.

On Boxing Day two volunteers, Sharon Gardiner and Susan Haeusler (teachers from Marist-Sion College, Warragul), left Australia for South Sudan. Sharon and Susan undertook to be short - term volunteers with Solidarity South Sudan assisting with teacher training. Solidarity seeks to address the critical educational, health and pastoral needs in the world’s newest nation.

As Term 1 commenced Jessica Alampi (teacher from Notre Dame College, Shepparton) travelled to Vietnam in order to join in the work of the New Horizons project. Jessica recently reported:

‘Our first week of classes started on Sunday (8am) with the University students. They are a great group of kids who are really motivated to learn and eager to catch up with us outside of class time’.

yoUnG ADUlt MArIst ‘IMMersIon’ exPerIenCes

In 2012 Year 12 students in Marist schools were invited to consider the prospect of living and working in a Marist community overseas for a 2 month placement in 2013. Eight students have signed up to undertake the experience this year. At the end of January Llywellyn O’Brien (Marist College Canberra) left for Cambodia and has been at the LaValla School for four weeks. Llywellyn wrote recently:

My experience of this place, as well as a more limited experience of Villa Maria is overwhelmingly one of family. Students here are cared for as family, and in turn treat each other, as well as the staff, some of whom live on site, as such.

Thomas Milliken (Marist College Ashgrove) arrived last week at Vanga Point in the Solomon Islands. Thomas will be living in the Brothers’ community and assisting Br Brendan in the St Marcellin Primary school. Finally, this week Liam Sharpe (Marist College Ashgrove) leaves for Sri Lanka. Liam has elected to live with the Brothers’ community in Kalpitiya and join them in their work of providing educational support to the local children.

We thank all our volunteers for their generous commitment. For more information or to register your interest please contact: Catherine Hannon, Volunteering, Advocacy and Projects Officer.E: catherine.hannon@marists.org.au P: (02) 9218 4033 M: 0409 636 116