Introduction to Marist Laity

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

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.
 

Blog - Do we pray for the Holy Spirit?

In this reflection on the Holy Spirit's role within the Church and individual lives, we explore how the Spirit acts as a transformative power, from the early Church narratives like the Annunciation and Pentecost to its vital presence in the sacraments today. We see the Holy Spirit as a source of inner transformation, guidance, and communal unity, echoing the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, which emphasizes the Spirit's role in liturgical renewal, prayer, and the encouragement of ecumenical unity. Through personal and communal encounters with the Holy Spirit, we are called to deepen our understanding and integration of this divine presence in our lives, urging us to live out our faith actively and to embrace the Spirit's call to be like Mary—serving as the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in the world. This reflection concludes with a prayer inviting a deeper infilling of the Holy Spirit to guide, renew, and empower us in our spiritual journey.

Marist Association - National Assembly - Forum Two

Michael Green delivered a comprehensive and prophetic historical reflection titled 'Whence We Have Come, and Whither Can We Go?' He charted the journey of Marist life in Australia over the last 30 years, from early collaborative efforts between Marist Brothers and lay people to the formation of a robust lay-led movement. He emphasized key milestones such as the Sharing Our Call formation program, the establishment of Marist Schools Australia, and the founding of the Marist Association in 2015. Michael highlighted the Association’s growing identity as a community of Christian disciples living out Marist spirituality, and noted its increasingly autonomous yet deeply connected relationship with the Marist Brothers. He urged ongoing leadership development, formation, and structural renewal to ensure the vitality and mission of the Association into the future.
 

Gospel - Pentecost

In today’s Gospel – John 7:37-39 – we find Jesus in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles. On this feast in autumn, the people to this day build temporary shelters to remind themselves of the time in the wilderness. One commentator writes concerning Jesus’ celebration of this feast: “For the first seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests would carry water from the Pool of Siloam in procession to the temple and pour it out as a libation—a sacrificial offering—and a symbolic prayer for rain. On the eighth day, the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus uses this liturgical use of water to talk about the spiritual life that he gives” (Francis Martin and William M Wright IV, The Gospel of John.

Jamberoo Abbey - ABC Series - Monastic Life

The Abbey is a powerful Australian documentary series that follows the transformative spiritual journey of five women from various walks of life who spend 33 days living inside a Benedictine monastery. Filmed at Jamberoo Abbey, a secluded Benedictine community in New South Wales, the series offers a rare glimpse into the rhythm, silence, and spiritual discipline of monastic life.
 

Taize - Veni Sancte Spiritus - virtual choir

'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.

Ground breaking - look at the impact - of screen time - on kids brains

This explores a groundbreaking scientific study led by researchers in Ohio, particularly at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, examining how screen time impacts children’s brain development. The research follows hundreds of children from birth, using MRI scans to track brain changes over time. One example is a five-year-old named Rose, who participates in the study by undergoing brain imaging while watching movies to keep her still. These scans are compared with images taken when she was a newborn, helping scientists observe how exposure to screens and other environmental factors affect areas of the brain linked to reading, decision-making, and language development.
 

Homily - Pentecost - Father Jim

Father Jim's homily focuses on the concept of self-indulgence, especially in relation to the celebration of Pentecost and the influence of the Holy Spirit. He begins by painting a vivid picture of opulence to highlight what we often imagine as self-indulgence. He then shifts to question whether our modern comforts, like electricity, air conditioning, and abundance of food, also classify as self-indulgence, particularly when compared to past generations and people in less affluent parts of the world.


 




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Top Rated Web pages for June 2025
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1Movie - Cabrini
The movie 'Cabrini' portrays the story of a determined woman striving to make a difference in a society rife with prejudice and inequality. Set in America, described as 'the greatest nation on Earth,' the narrative quickly introduces a grim reality where Italian children face worse conditions than rats. The story highlights the challenges posed by societal disdain towards immigrants, particularly those with 'brown skin,' and the xenophobic sentiment that advocates for their deportation.
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2Gospel - Resurrection as Presence
In today’s Gospel – John 20:19-31 – we are told of Jesus appearance to some of the disciples in a locked room. Just prior to this account, John has told us of the discovery of the empty tomb which is discovered firstly by Mary Magdala then by Peter and John. The implication is clear: In this absence, they discover – or at least, begin to discover – his presence among them. That implication becomes explicit in the Gospel today. But there is more to the interplay of absence and presence here. Thomas is absent and demands that he experience the presence of the Lord. “Eight days later,” Thomas has his demand satisfied. He responds: “My Lord and MY God!”
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3Marist Pilgrimage - on Sunday - May 4
Join us for a Marist Pilgrimage on Sunday, May 4, as we journey through Marist sacred spaces and stories that have shaped the Marist mission in Australia. Starting at St Patrick’s Crypt in Sydney with a guided tour by Fr McMurrich, we’ll travel by bus to Hunters Hill to explore key sites of the Marist Fathers and Brothers, and the Marist Missionary Sisters at Woodbury house , then continue to Woolwich to hear the inspiring story of the Marist Sisters. It’s a day of reflection, connection, and deepening your understanding of Marist spirituality and heritage—all are welcome!
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4The Marist Way
The Marist Way is a spiritual journey modeled on Mary’s humility, faith, and quiet strength, calling Marists to live with openness to God’s will, compassionate service, and deep trust in divine providence. Rooted in the phrase 'In the Way of Mary,' this charism emphasizes humility, presence, and mission, inspiring Marists to serve hidden and unknown, without seeking recognition. It is an inclusive and accessible path, inviting all—both lay and religious—to integrate faith into daily life, embracing a lived discipleship that reflects Mary’s “yes” to God at the Annunciation. Guided by the belief that faith is a continuous journey, the Marist Way calls its followers to be instruments of divine mercy, bringing hope and compassion to those on the margins. In a world that often values power and recognition, the Marist Way offers a gentle, humble alternative—one of service, simplicity, and love.
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5A Christmas Blessing to you....
This Christmas blessing invites the recipient to embody the virtues of key figures in the Nativity story, encouraging them to embrace life’s messiness with love, find hope and peace in Christ, and trust in God’s mysterious plans like Mary. It inspires attentiveness to quiet signs like the shepherds, faith to journey beyond comfort like the wise men, and openness to new perspectives like Joseph. Rooted in forgiveness and surrender, it calls for living a life of reconciliation and greater love, sharing light with the world, and nurturing the hope of new beginnings. The message closes with a reminder to cherish these blessings whenever 'Merry Christmas' is heard.
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Recent Comments Added

Song - How Deep The Fathers Love For Us
    Mary - What insights and perspectives might Mary have shared with the early believers about Jesus teachings, his ministry, and his ultimate sacrifice?
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-3-8)

Story - Saint John Vianney - Third Order Marist
    Church Documents - How can the sacrament of Reconciliation help us experience the merciful love of Jesus Christ and foster a deeper relationship with God?
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-3-8)

Canberra - Youth Ministry Equiping School
    Mary - I wonder how Marys relationship with the early Church evolved over time and what insights her continued presence and support brought to the ongoing mission of the Church.
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-3)

Movie - Cabrini
    Quote - Life is not a series of difficult decisions, it is a series of moments. And every moment, the choice is simple love or fear. - Shauna Niequist
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-3)

How to parent a teen from a teens perspective
    Family - I wonder how parents can encourage their children to have a positive mindset.
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-3-1)

Mindful Colouring - Woman at the well
    Social Justice - I wonder how engaging in regular moments of silence or meditation can help us cultivate a sense of inner stillness and clarity, enabling us to respond more effectively to the challenges and injustices we encounter in the world.
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA. - 2024-2-29)

Blog - Transforming Pain
    Quote - The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behavior lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behavior. - Scott Peck
    (By A. D. - Marist Laity - from AUSTRALIA - 2024-2-19)