Champagnat Mass

Students and their families filled the Brother Emilian Hall on Sunday 31 May to celebrate the feasts of Pentecost and St Marcellin Champagnat.

The day was a joyous celebration, and the spirit of Marist Family was clearly felt by the Joeys community. The depth of this spirit was clearly evident when people of all ages generously donated to the emergency appeal for a replacement vehicle for St Joseph’s School in Mabiri, Bougainville. The collection resulted in over $10,000 as well as an offer of assistance to get a suitable truck to Mabiri. This truck is desperately needed, as the school community currently has no means of transporting food and other supplies, or in the case of an emergency, transporting sick or injured persons to seek medical assistance.

Year 11 student, Joshua Taylor, shared his reflections of the experience of visiting Mabiri at Easter.
  While it was almost impossible for Joshua to put
into words what this visit meant to him, he captured
the congregation with his insights into what life is
like for the people of Bougainville.

“What touched me most was the positive attitude of the boys towards everything, and especially to their study. If you walk around the school at any hour of the day - early in the morning or late at night, even during lunch breaks - you will see boys studying everywhere.”

“One student we made friends with is called Isaac and he wants to be a doctor. He is one of the top students at Mabiri, however for him to become a doctor it will be 100 times harder than becoming a doctor in Australia and the sacrifice for him and his family is immeasurable. In all honesty it’s unlikely that he will become a doctor, but what is even sadder is why he wanted to become a doctor. It’s not why you would think. It is not for himself but for those around him, so he can help his country recover from the devastation it has been subject to.”

A significant feature of the day was the presentation of the Student Champagnat Awards for 2009. This year all staff were invited to nominate students who, through their everyday interactions with others, reflect the highest ideals of Christian teaching in the Marist Way of simplicity and humility. From an original nomination list of 91 students, Boarding and Academic Coordinators and the SJC Leadership Team selected 31 students across Years 7 to 12 to receive this award acknowledging their commitment to justice, compassion and the service of others.

The Family Mass also provided a special opportunity for the community to recognise the service of the Marist Brothers to St Joseph’s College. The congregation joined Father Andrew Nee in praying the following blessing for the wonderful men of Champagnat:

God of Compassion and Mercy, we thank you for 

Marcellin Champagnat’s men,

our Brothers,  who live and work in the College.

We are grateful

for their inspiration, fidelity and generosity.

We acknowledge their commitment to being servants of the Gospel

through living the charism of St Marcellin. 

We call upon the prayers of Mary and Joseph

to support and encourage them.

Lord, we ask you to pour your Spirit

upon them today and always.

May you bless them and guide them in all of their needs. 

And May Almighty God Bless them, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The College’s Director of Mission, Helen Smith, said the participation of so many people created a true sense of unity and shared vision. “We would like to thank everyone who attended the Family Mass to ensure it truly was such a wonderful celebration of our Marist family,” she said. “We also thank the many, many people who, through their generosity, have further added to our service learning partnership with Bougainville.”