From 28 July to 30 July, over 160 Marists gathered in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, for the Biennial Conference of Marist Schools Australia. It was an engaging and encouraging experience. It was also faith-filled and hopeful. Such a gathering highlighted some realities: the Church is active and alive; people want to connect to a meaningful and purpose driven faith community; young people are open to its message (though how that message is expressed must be different in 2024 to 1994); the Marist spirit is attractive and vibrant; there must be good authentic leadership.
Leadership was in abundance at the conference. To start, we had representatives, mostly Principals, Assistant Principals and Directors of Mission, from over 50 Marist schools, both MSA governed and affiliated ones. The Director and some staff of Northern Territory Catholic Education were in attendance for the whole time. Likewise, the Chief of Staff for Sydney Catholic Schools. The Directors and Senior Executive of Marist Schools Australia, as well as the Mission and Life Formation Team were highly active throughout.
We had the opportunity to hear from four educators about their experiences, and here’s what they shared.
Challenging us to find the ‘soul’ in what we do – Cassie Mowbray
What a wonderful opportunity MSA offered to us when they planned to hold the Biennial Conference in Alice Springs.
Cassie Mowbray
Arriving early, we were gifted the chance to visit Standley Chasm, to share in prayer, experience the silence and then the spontaneous singing of the Sub Tuum… what a start!
We were welcomed by local Elders with a Smoking Ceremony before entering the Church for Mass (said in both English and Arrernte) and presided over by Bishop Gauci prior to the commencement of the Conference.
The Our Lady of Sacred Heart community were so generous with their time and resource - thank you, Julia Wake, OLSH staff and students. OLSH’s young leaders were amazing giving so generously of their time and showing wisdom beyond their years.
Professor Brother David Hall challenged us to find the ‘soul” in what we do, where authenticity is our currency. Dr Frank Malloy reminded us that gain factors are more reliable indicators of how a school contributes to a student’s learning and asked, “what does student growth look like in our schools?”, challenging us to reflect on common characteristics in schools demonstrate strong growth in student learning outcomes. Most Rev Michael Morrissey, Bishop of Geraldton reminded us to look into the eyes of the people first – the local voice needs to be heard and listened to! Dr Jacqueline Frost, Chief of Staff for Sydney Catholic Schools reminded us to see the glory of God’s work in our students, to drive for a purpose and be consistent, so our students can develop and grow. Professor David de Carvalho, MSA Director and Professor at Notre Dame University reminded us that for student growth we need an intentional pedagogical focus.
"Thank you to all Marists who continue to work with the young, as well as the most neglected and marginalised people, to make Jesus Christ known and loved, in the way of Mary."
On Tuesday we travelled to Ltyentye Apurte to experience the life of an aboriginal community. The whole community was involved in providing us a wonderful day. At Mass at the end of the day Fr Oliver, Parish Priest at Ltyentye Apurte, said in his homily that we were a blessing to them; while I acknowledge this may be true, I feel they truly have blessed us with an unforgettable experience. I have been fortunate enough to work with and for the Marists for a long time and have taken many Immersion groups to experience the work of the Marists in Cambodia, but coming to Ltyentye Apurte reminded me that we have many vulnerable and marginalised people who need our support at home. As a result, I am now feeling inspired to work with our PDHPE and Aboriginal Studies teachers to see how we can bring some of our students to Alice Springs and Ltyentye Apurte to share in this transformative experience.
A very heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this experience possible. And thank you to all Marists who continue to work with the young, as well as the most neglected and marginalised people, to make Jesus Christ known and loved, in the way of Mary.
Cassie Mowbray,
Ministry Coordinator
St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton
The family spirit is all encompassing – Jenny Nguyen
I would consider myself relatively new to the Marist family, and I’ve been completely taken aback by the family spirit and love of work that permeates my school and every Marist gathering I’ve had the privilege to attend.
Jenny Nguyen
After recently completing the Footsteps program this year, I’ve subconsciously challenged myself to seek the sound of God, and He has responded with a symphony.
During my time at the Biennial Conference, in particular, the sounds were truly intoxicating. The enamouring Sub Tuum sung by our Marist brothers and sisters at Standley Chasm, the echo of Mary’s “yes” as colleagues delivered bread to those living in community camps, the vibrations of dreams and aspirations from the student leaders of OLSH, and the choir of children’s laughter at Ltyentye Apurte– all of these form just the start of an endless album of God’s sounds. It is impossible for the soul not to recognise God’s presence in these moments.
"I’ve been completely taken aback by the family spirit and love of work that permeates my school and every Marist gathering I’ve had the privilege to attend."
I am still on my spiritual journey of soul-searching. Four years ago, I didn’t know what I was searching for, but this Marist family has welcomed me with open arms, and I feel like I am on the right path now.
Jenny Nguyen
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Mount Carmel Catholic College, NSW
When we looked more closely, the land was full of evidence of the beauty of God’s creation - Robyn Rebbechi
The opportunity to experience the community of Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) for a day during the Marist Schools conference this year was something I was really looking forward to. After two earlier attempts to visit in prior years, this for me was much anticipated however, even so, its impact was more profound than I had imagined.
Robyn Rebbechi
The first thing that struck me, as we drove out to Ltyentye Apurte was, not the incredibly corrugated roads, but the beauty of the landscape around us. We were fortunate to see it in ‘First light’ and again ‘Last light’ as we returned, and the quality of that first light of the morning softly illuminated the country around us. Although at first glance it seemed like miles and miles of nothingness, when we looked more closely the land was full of plants, grasses, shrubs…evidence of the beauty of God’s creation.
Our time at Ltyentye Apurte and our experience of being shown around and introduced to the community by our local guides, had an impact on me with its sense of quiet and stillness, something which is not usually part of a busy day in a school. I was touched by the quiet, the slow time and pace as we walked with our generous guides. There was a deep sense that even though we were conscious that our time there was short, whatever we ‘thought’ should happen, the universe was unfolding as it should, and it wouldn’t be rushed.
"We were fortunate to see it in ‘First light’ and again ‘Last light’ as we returned, and the quality of that first light of the morning softly illuminated the country around us."
What will stay with me following the visit to Ltyentye Apurte is the sense that we witnessed a living community, or a larger than life-size example of family spirit. Walking around Ltyentye Apurte, visiting the different services and parts of the community felt like one large family home with many different rooms of focus, where everyone used their gifts, everyone knew each other and was connected into what was going on. The fact that news of the locals, and news of the visitors, seemed to go before us, added an even stronger sense that we were inside a living, vibrant, breathing thing.
We were welcomed into that community, even for the short time we were there, and got a glimpse into the way in which it lives and thrives. Importantly, despite its relatively small size and remote location, Ltyentye Apurte modelled for us a ‘living Christian community’ and an example of the ‘presence, simplicity and family spirit’ which we aspire to in our own places of Marist life and work.
Robyn Rebbechi
Assistant Principal, Catholic Identity and Mission,
Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon, Victoria
Filled with admiration for the courage, faith, and commitment of the religious orders and laypeople - Daniel McShea
At the beginning of the week, one of the Secondary students, Paddy, described this country as the “soulful centre” of the Australian identity. I was struck by that bold statement, which came just before Professor Brother David Hall challenged us to go beyond Head, Hearts, and Hands, and to focus on the work of the Soul.
Daniel McShea
During our trip to the Santa Teresa mission, I truly felt what Paddy had described. The wonder of creation and the rugged beauty of the outback were striking. I was filled with admiration for the courage, faith, and prolonged commitment of the religious orders and laypeople who have established a vibrant and wonderful community in some of the hardest conditions imaginable.
The Celts refer to thin spaces where the gaps between heaven and earth are small. Ltyentye Apurte felt to me like such a thin place, where the presence of God is evident and the Spirit of God is felt and working.
"Ltyentye Apurte felt to me like such a thin place, where the presence of God is evident and the Spirit of God is felt and working."
It was a great privilege to visit Ltyentye Apurte, to be on country in the Heart of Australia with an incredible group of people, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Daniel McShea
Foundation Principal
Notre Dame College, Bells Creek
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