Marist Way Australia — Marist Laity Australia

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Pope Leo - Introduction to the Encyclical Letter - Magnifica Humanitas

Teaching — In the introduction to Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV calls humanity to a pivotal choice in the age of artificial intelligence: whether to construct a new Tower of Babel — driven by pride, profit and the illusion of self-sufficiency — or to rebuild Jerusalem, a city of communion where God dwells with his people. Marking the 135th anniversary of Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, he extends the Church's Social Doctrine into a new era, acknowledging that while technology is a deeply human reality with great potential to heal, connect and educate, it is never neutral and increasingly lies in the hands of powerful private interests rather than governments. Drawing on the biblical image of Nehemiah, who prayed, listened and gave each family a section of the wall to rebuild, Pope Leo invites every person — scientists, workers, educators, families and faith communities — to take shared responsibility for the common good through subsidiarity, dialogue and care for the weakest. He warns against the 'Babel syndrome' of uniformity, idolatry of profit and the reduction of the human person to data, and urges us instead to safeguard human dignity, cherish our limits, welcome diversity as a gift, and place God at the centre of our choices. Ultimately, he appeals to all people of goodwill to remain profoundly human in a technological age, to make the 'rejected stones' the cornerstone, and to become builders of communion rather than architects of towers destined for ruin.Would you like a shorter version (a few sentences), a student-friendly version for Year 9 or 10, or a version formatted as bullet points for a slide or handout????????Opus 4.7 Extra???

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Taize - Veni Sancte Spiritus - virtual choir

Music — 'Veni Sancte Spiritus,' also known as the 'Golden Sequence,' is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost. It's a beautiful, ancient hymn calling on the Holy Spirit. The text is attributed to either Pope Innocent III or Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the early 13th century. Here are the traditional Latin lyrics along with an English translation.

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Blog - Is the Sabbath the Lost Commandment?

Blog — The blog post asks whether the Sabbath has become a 'lost commandment.The blog post asks whether the Sabbath has become a 'lost commandment.' Beginning with Jesus' clashes with the Pharisees over healing on the Sabbath, it argues that he was not abolishing the day but restoring its true meaning — that the human person matters more than the rule. Tracing the commandment back to the Exodus, it shows that God gave the Sabbath to a people freshly freed from slavery in Egypt, making a weekly day of rest the very sign of their freedom and the opposite of all that Pharaoh would never grant. The post then asks whether we still honour that gift today, pointing to the Jewish practice of stepping back from work and even from screens, and noticing how doing so shifts our attention away from ourselves and toward our families, those we love, and God. It closes by inviting Christians to reclaim an intentional day of rest, suggesting that in doing so we might rediscover that life is not only about work but about a deeper purpose — one easily missed when we let ourselves be enslaved all over again by busyness and entertainment.

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Saint Francis and the Sultan seeking peace

Story — Saint Francis in the 1219 traveled to Egypt to engage with the Islamic sultan Al Kamil during the crusades. Francis went to seek peace. After Francis had approached the Christian generals, they rejected him. Francis stayed in the camp with Sultan in dialogue. There was a mutual understanding and appreciation of each other.

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Transformation - Richard Rohr

Formation — Richard Rohr begins by emphasizing that transformation is not just about external change but a deep renewal of consciousness. He references Romans 12:2, where Paul speaks of transformation through the renewal of the mind, using the Greek word metamorphosis, which signifies a complete change in form. Rohr argues that much of organized religion teaches people what to see rather than how to see, which hinders true transformation. He stresses that authentic spiritual growth is not about accumulating religious knowledge or following checklists of sacraments but about developing a contemplative mind that allows one to see reality as it truly is, without personal biases or self-interest.

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Deep Resurrection

Environment — The concept of deep resurrection, developed by theologian Elizabeth Johnson, expands traditional Christian understanding of Christ’s resurrection to embrace not just humanity but all of creation. Building on the idea of deep incarnation, which holds that God entered the very tissue of biological existence, Johnson proposes that Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are intrinsically connected to the natural world. Through Christ, the hope of salvation extends to the entire earth community, not just human beings. Supported by Scripture, liturgy, and modern eco-theology (including the teachings of Pope Francis in Laudato Si'), this vision calls believers to recognize that all creatures are moving toward God’s fullness together. Celebrating Easter, then, becomes not only a commemoration of human redemption but also a promise of transformation for the whole cosmic family of life, reaffirming our shared destiny in the love of the risen Christ.

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Meeting Miriam Rose and Aboriginal Spirituality

Aboriginal Spirituality — I first met Miriam-Rose through her writing and artwork, back in the early 1990s, when Studies of Religion was first introduced as a new HSC course. For the first time ever, Religion, compulsory in all Catholic schools, could actually count towards the TER (as it was called in those days). We had a long line of students opting to do the one-unit course. And we, as teachers, needed to prepare ourselves to teach it. We were heavily in-serviced and I still have folders of copious notes handed out to us by CEO.

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Leading with love - Richard rohr

Leadership — Richard Rohr's presentation 'Leader to Love' emphasizes the importance of humility, love, and spiritual growth in leadership. He explains that true leadership involves moving beyond ego-driven goals of the first half of life and embracing a deeper, more meaningful journey in the second half, often triggered by failure or suffering. Rohr highlights that humility is essential for leaders, as it allows them to remain open to learning and guided by love rather than the need for power or control. By keeping love at the center of our actions, leaders can inspire others and lead with grace, fostering a deeper connection to their true purpose.

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9

Living the Marist Spirit by Sister Jenny Clarke

People — I first met the Marist Missionary Sisters in Jamaica, where I was working as a doctor doing medical research. After a wonderful journey of discovery of myself and the Marist Missionary Sisters, I began my postulancy in Jamaica. However, it was not until I returned to Australia that I had any formal class on the Marist spirit. I had not learnt much about obedience either, and so, when Sister. Gail told me to read 'The Marist Ideal', I told her that I was not prepared to read anything until I could call 'Our Lady' by her name 'Mary' as the other sisters did. My experience of Marist Missionary Sisters in both Jamaica and Australia was that they had a familiarity with Mary which I had never previously encountered and it was for me the essence of the Marist spirit. Even at that stage, I understood that the Marist spirit is not taught but caught.

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Kiribati - a drowning paradise - in the South Pacific

Environment — On the low-lying atolls of Kiribati, families like Tear Tata’s are struggling to survive as rising sea levels caused by climate change erode their land, flood homes, and contaminate water supplies. Makeshift coral sea walls offer only temporary protection, while overpopulation and limited infrastructure worsen the crisis. Despite government efforts—such as climate education, mangrove planting, vocational training for seafaring, and new economic ventures like palm sugar production—many residents fear displacement and the eventual loss of their homeland. Yet, a deep sense of cultural identity and resilience persists, as locals strive to adapt, protect their traditions, and hold onto hope in the face of an uncertain future.

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How a movement - of protest - became a celebration - of culture

Aboriginal Spirituality — NAIDOC Week began as a movement of protest against the injustice, exclusion, and dispossession faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but over time it has grown into a national celebration of Indigenous culture, resilience, and identity. Rooted in the efforts of leaders like William Cooper and groups such as the Australian Aborigines League, it highlights both the painful history of colonisation and the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition. NAIDOC Week invites all Australians to honour the legacy of those who have fought for equality, to acknowledge the truth of our shared history, and to stand in solidarity for a more just and inclusive future.

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Stan Grant - On Country - with Indira Naidoo

Aboriginal Spirituality — Stan Grant, a respected Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi journalist, has transitioned from a decades-long media career into theology and spiritual reflection. After facing intense public backlash during the Voice to Parliament referendum, Stan Grant retreated to his property on Muradjug land, seeking healing and connection. He described the deep pain of the 'No' vote as a profound existential sadness, not merely political but personal—a rejection of Indigenous identity. Silence, for him, became a sacred and powerful language when words failed.

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Truth and Peace - A Social Justice Statement - from the Australian Bishops

Think Global — The statement opens by acknowledging the enduring call for peace first made by Pope St John XXIII in Pacem in Terris, revisited in light of escalating global conflict, misinformation, and political unrest. It names the world’s current state—riven by war, disinformation, and post-truth culture—as both deeply troubling and in need of Gospel hope. The Bishops draw heavily on Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti, urging us to recognize the deep connection between truth, trust, and peace, and calling all people of goodwill to be peacemakers in a fractured world.

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Why we have too few women leaders - Sheryl Sandberg

Leadership — Sheryl Sandberg's TED Talk, 'Why we have too few women leaders,' addresses the issue of women's underrepresentation at the highest levels of professional sectors worldwide. She begins by sharing staggering statistics: out of 190 heads of state, only nine are women; women hold just 13% of parliamentary positions globally; and they make up a meager 15-16% of C-level jobs and corporate board seats, a figure that has been stagnant since 2002 and is, in some cases, declining.

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Domestic violence - Dr Ann ONeill turned grief - into good

Social Justice — The ABC Australian Story about Dr. Anne O'Neill offers a profound and emotional narrative of her resilience and recovery following a harrowing family tragedy. At 24, Dr. O'Neill was stalked, harassed, and intimidated by her estranged husband for 18 months. This culminated in a tragic night when he broke into her home and fatally shot their two children before turning the gun on himself, leaving Dr. O'Neill severely wounded and ultimately leading to the amputation of her leg.

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Enriching Many â€“ Jeanne-Marie Chavoin - Part 6 - Harvest

Books — Perhaps we are too apt to think of the Foundress of a religious congregation in the Church as a mighty soul breathing on the earth and finding new branches of her movement, all shining, complete and wanting for nothing, in the place where she has breathed. This is, to some extent, the inner truth. For it is the spirit that quickeneth, the bricks and mortar of themselves being profitless. But in the field of practicaliÂties, the foundation of each house is a matter of hard work, of courage to face a host of difficulties, patience to attend to a swarming mass of detail. We find all this in Mother St. Joseph's search for a house towards the close of 1835. Â¥any possibilities were envisaged and exÂplored. But to no avail. Thus hopes that seemed bright and promising in the dioceses of Grenoble, Gap, Belley and Lyons came to nothing. Finally, negotiations were happily concluded and preparations begun for the opening of a convent at Meximieux, about eighteen miles outside Lyons.

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The Land Owns Us

Aboriginal Spirituality — Bob Randall, an Aboriginal Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru (Ayer's Rock) in Australia, explains how the connectedness of every living thing to every other living thing is not just an idea but a way of living. This way includes all beings as part of a vast family and calls us to be responsible for this family

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Chapter 3 - Missionary, Marian and Religious

Story — The spirituality of these groups was based on what Justin Taylor would describe as a sub-school of Jesuit mystical spirituality that developed from the teachings of three Jesuits - Louis Lallemant (1578-1635), Jean-Joseph Surin (1600-1665), and Francois Guillord (1615-1684). The three mystical elements that they advanced were the spirituality of all the baptized with its integral missionary dimension, the concept of Jesus as model, and the spirituality of - a term which will be discussed below. These three elements may be discovered in the letters as a universal/missionary, Marian spirituality of 'assimilation'.

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Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation

Aboriginal Spirituality — The Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation is a community-led initiative focused on empowering Aboriginal women and families through cultural connection, healing, and support. Founded and led by proud Aboriginal women, the group provides a safe space for women of all backgrounds to come together, share stories, and build resilience through culture and community. Their goal is to preserve and celebrate Aboriginal identity and ensure that their culture remains strong for future generations.

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Brother Tony Clark

People — Tony Clark is a Marist Brother hailing from the River Inn of New South Wales. He has dedicated several years of his life to serving others, including his recent work in South Africa and a long tenure in Timor-Leste. Tony's extensive experience also includes significant contributions to the Marist Brothers in Melbourne and Perth....

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Living Lifes Roller Coaster

Spirituality — This reflection explores the theme 'Living Life’s Rollercoaster – a Marist Perspective,' drawing on the author’s sabbatical experiences and insights from Marist heritage sites in France and a leadership course in London. Through personal reflections, scriptural examples like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the life of Jean Claude Colin, it highlights the spiritual oscillations of life—from strength to vulnerability—and the importance of returning to sources of love and meaning. The Marist calling is described as one of compassionate presence, akin to Mary’s attentiveness at Cana, offering reassurance to others in their 'in-needness'. The sacredness of Christian worship, particularly through liturgy and Eucharist, is presented as a transformative space where individuals are reconciled, renewed, and sent forth to live out their discipleship with love and hope in the world.

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Event - Joan Chittister in Australia

Events — Joan Chittister osb, an American Benedictine, and a Practical Theologian embodies the voice of wisdom and experience.Her prophetic views on justice and equality, especially for women in the church, challenges those who would silence women and people at the margins. Through her call to uncommon courage she can help us re-discover the place of religion in our society through a spirituality of engagement, so that we can all work together to reform the clerical culture that has shattered so many and damaged us all.

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23

Journaling with Lukes Gospel Chapter 3

Formation — This will take about 20 minutes. First, Listen to the Luke's Gospel Chapter 3. Second, Select ONE Journal Question. Third, Reflect on your question and journal and write on paper, in your exercise book, or journal book.

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An Honest and Sensible Conversation about Global Energy - Scott Tinker

Environment — Scott Tinker's presentation, titled 'An Honest and Sensible Conversation about Global Energy' focuses on the complexities of energy access, security, and its impact on global development, particularly in less affluent regions. He emphasizes the critical role of energy in fostering human flourishing and economic growth. Tinker begins by discussing the interplay between faith, science, and doubt, highlighting the importance of skepticism in scientific inquiry. He then delves into the global issues of energy, economy, and climate change, arguing that these are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation.

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A Guide to leadership - Simon Sinek

Leadership — Simon Sinek's presentation, 'A Guide to Leadership,' explores the true essence and challenges of leadership. He emphasizes that leadership is not about being in charge but about taking care of those in our charge. Sinek points out that most people are trained to be good at their jobs, but there's a lack of training in how to lead others. This gap often results in managers who micromanage instead of true leaders.

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Laudatio Si Action Plan

Environment — An inspiration speech concerning Laudatio Si, the current environmental crises and the actions which need to be taken. This was delivered to the Marist Family of Brothers, Fathers, Sisters and Laity using Zoom in February 2021. This journey is be taken together. We as people are integrally connected to the world who is suffering. We need leaders to emerge. Together we must become more aware so that we might respond as a community both locally in connection to our brothers and sisters across the world.

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Seaspiracy documentary

Think Global — A 2021 documentary film about the environmental impact of fishing directed by and starring Ali Tabrizi, a British filmmaker. The film is produced by Kip Anderson, director of animal consumption documentaries Cowspiracy and What the Health.

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Lucy Hone - 3 Secrets of Resilient People

Inspiration — In her TED Talk titled 'The three secrets of resilient people,' Lucy Hone shares profound insights from both her professional research and personal tragedy. Hone, who began her resilience research at the University of Pennsylvania, unexpectedly applied her academic knowledge to her personal life following the tragic death of her daughter, Abby, in a car accident. This devastating event tested her resilience theories in the most personal way possible. Lucy discusses the universality of suffering and the importance of understanding that adversity is an inherent part of human life. This realization helps individuals to not feel unfairly victimized when faced with personal challenges.

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Song - My Island Home - Warumpi Band

Music — 'My Island Home' is a deeply meaningful and evocative song that touches on themes of identity, belonging, and the longing for a sense of place and connection to one's cultural roots. Originally written by Neil Murray, the song was made famous by Christine Anu's powerful rendition, which resonated with many Australians. The song's lyrics tell the story of an Indigenous person who has been living in the city for six years. Despite being away from their ancestral homeland, the person constantly dreams of their island home and the sea, symbolizing a profound yearning for a return to their cultural heritage and the land of their ancestors.

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Cardinal John Ribat - - A Cardinal for the peripheries: Papua New Guinea

People — Cardinal John Ribat is the first Cardinal from Papua New Guinea. He shares to Mark Riedemann his first impressions after he was notify of election. He comments on the heroic work of missionaries in these lands, and yet this is still a land for first evangelization. The local Church is trying to develop their own vocations in this country were modernity and â€œstone ageâ€ costumes clash.

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