specialised topics and programs
parent formation
Recognising that parents are the first faith formators of their children, these resources assist both parents and schools in their mutual work of fostering student spiritual formation. The following opportunities explore Marist values and spirituality, whilst encouraging engagement with the school community.
Year 7 Parents Orientation Program - A 40-minute Year 7 Parent Orientation Program
The program explores the Marist story and traditions, how being Marist supports the educating community and its faith life and provides an opportunity for Year 7 parents to build relationships with each other.
A Series of School Newsletter Articles for Parent Formation
A series of eight Parent Connect newsletter articles for schools to send to their new parents, perhaps accompanying the regular school newsletter, to help continue the Marist formation of parents.
Contact: Andrea Grant | andrea.grant@marists.org.au
FORMATION OF RETREAT STAFF
This two-hour program aims to build the facilitation and formation capacity of retreat staff in designing and delivering student-based retreats. The material presented in this program is influenced by Marist spirituality and is based on the philosophy that provides retreatants with an opportunity to gain a deeper sense of self, to build relationships with others, and to grow closer to God.
Contact: Brother Tony Leon | tony.leon@marists.org.au
Fratelli Tutti - Growing Friendship and Dialogue, Together
This online formation program will explore Fratelli Tutti with Marists from the diverse regions of Melanesia, Oceania, Australia and Asia, experiencing what it means to truly walk together as brothers and sisters in our regional Marist family. Participants will develop an understanding of what it means to place ‘human dignity’ at the centre of our world, and its implications for building a new kind of solidarity by how we treat others and reach out to those in need. Fratelli Tutti proposes the question… Who do you need to be in the world?
The six 90-minute online sessions provide participants with an intercultural experience of authentic dialogue, opportunities to know each other and a practical way of walking together in solidarity.
Contact: MLF Team | mlf@marists.org.au
The Vision Still Has Time
The Vision Still Has Time Reflection Series is a series of seven reflections written by Brother Mark O’Connor FMS that focuses on our humanity, faith, seeking God, compassion, prayer and the state of our hearts. Each Scriptural reflection is framed with questions to invite readers to a deeper point in their selves, where they can find the love and peace of Christ and Mary, his first disciple.
The program aims to provide the opportunity for ongoiong spiritual reflection and provide a space of engagement and connection.
Download here: The Vision Still Has Time
Contact: MLF Team | mlf@marists.org.au
The Blessed Ordinary
“The Blessed Ordinary” is a resource created as a support for the formation of Local Groups in the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat. Each session follows a similar outline with the invitation for those in Local Groups to adapt the material appropriate to their local context. A session template is included for Local Groups to form their own sessions into the future.
Overview Session 1: The Music of Holiness In Our Everyday Lives uses a framing document: the 2018 apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis entitled Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)
Session 2: Family. A Homemade Holiness engages us with the joys and challenges of being a family of faith in the Twenty First Century.
Download here: The Blessed Ordinary
Contact: MLF Team | mlf@marists.org.au
Hail Mary: Reflections on the Rosary
Hail Mary: Reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary provides a series of articles written by Br Mark O’Connor FMS.
Focused on a selection of the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous mysteries of the Rosary, this collection sensitively addresses the Marian mysteries in the contemporary context of our post-modern world. Each article is followed by a number of questions for personal enrichment in a variety of parish and school settings. They are suitable for use individually or collectively, with small or large groups, within one or over several sessions or as an opening prayer reflection.
Download here: Hail Mary: Reflections on the Rosary
Contact: MLF Team | mlf@marists.org.au
one moment please
“Life’s beauty is found in the small moments, but without a stable and pure thread of attention to connect you to them, experiences are tarnished, memories fade, and it all passes by in a blur.” (Sheehan & Pearce, 2013)
Far from being removed from the everyday hustle and bustle of life, the modern contemplative notices the Spirit through the static and chaos of each day. Discover how to listen with the ear of the heart and to share this gift of presence with the lost, the least and the lonely. Participants will consider how they support Marist to be a place of contemplation and action.
Contact: MLF Team | mlf@marists.org.au
‘Giving Time’
A lot can happen in a moment!
Giving Time provides and opportunity to go deeper and have time to get in touch with an inner awareness through the ordinary everyday moments in our lives. It’s a chance to explore practical ways to pray and practice skills in being attentive to Jesus using imaginative contemplation of scripture.
Contact: MLF Team | mlf@marists.org.au
