PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
FEAST OF ST MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT
On 2nd January 2017 we celebrated the bicentenary of the founding, by St Marcellin Champagnat, of the Marist Brothers and the commencement of Marist schools. So this year we celebrate 105 years. Marcellin lived from 1789 to 1840 and his statue is on the College grounds near the Textiles room. He was a man for his times and his spirit lives on today. This spirit is alive in the men and women, boys and girls who adopt the Marist spirituality, a spirituality that comes from Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary’s typical response to life was as the ‘servant of the Lord’ (Luke 1:38). Marcellin was also very much a family man.
Champagnat Day, Monday 6th June, reminds us of this vital French Priest’s abundant life – whether as the builder of the Hermitage or negotiator with the French government to obtain approval for his ‘Little Brothers of Mary’ to be able to teach the poor country children of rural France. Only the upper classes were educated at that time and the country people were seen as workers only. Marcellin had a different vision where all were educated and all were introduced to Jesus. So his mission was to make Jesus known and loved.
His first posting as a Priest was to the small village of La Valla. He loved to visit the hamlets in the nearly French countryside. Marcellin’s commitments included working in the Parish in the wake of the turmoil of the French Revolution. As always, the Church was proposing that the people live with faith. Alternatively, the revolution was proposing that the people live by reason, not faith. It was a dangerous time with many Priests killed.
Whatever Marcellin took on, he did so with dedication and thoroughness. Those of us that follow him today cannot but be touched by his energy and dedication to the Church and to Catholic Education. He would be delighted to know that today’s Marist schools achieve the same high standards educationally as the first Marist schools, while at the same time valuing and nurturing the faith and life of the local Church community. We ask St Marcellin to pray for us. We look forward to our College Champagnat Day celebrations.
EASTER SEASON
We are currently moving through the Churches season of Easter, with last Sunday being the 6th Sunday. The season of Easter is the 50 days following Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus. The Easter season finishes on the Feast of Pentecost, on June 6th. On this day the Holy Spirit appeared to the Disciples and urged them to go forth and proclaim the word of God. This is sometimes called the birthday of the Church.
On the 40th day of the Easter season we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven (Thursday 26th May). He had risen from the tomb and continued to appear to those he loved. Both of these events are special for us as Catholics and I urge all to attend their local Church on these days